After much speculation about the fate of the NDA-breaking preview site, Beta Leaks, the site has returned from limbo with a brand new format. Gamers can now obtain information on their favourite upcoming MMOs more easily, which is a good thing, as it means developers cannot hide behind their NDAs to release a substandard game (which seems to be happening far too often).
I believe this kind of visibility is a great thing. Let's be honest, we've all spent cash (probably too much) on substandard games (Hellgate London, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online to name but three in recent memory). I could have avoided wasting my cash on subscription-based games had I known more about them in the first place - something the developers are keen to avoid.
I think we're into shady territory ethically when you can't try before you buy. It's OK to say 'wait for the invariable free trial' but if you want to get on board the early release hype. It's almost unheard of to release a standard console game without a demo (Dead Space was the only game I can think of in recent memory that didn't have a demo out before release).
Maybe MMOs should offer 48 hour trials for users to test out their titles. It would be a cheap and easy way for gamers to decide if a game was for them. Sadly, I can't see this happening with so many games being released unfinished and developers eager to recover their costs.
It's nice to get a feel for a game, and sometimes beta just doesn't cover it (as we don't all get in every beta we'd like to). I don't know why so many developers hide endlessly behind their NDAs. They claim it's to protect their new ideas, but has there been a new idea in a MMO in the past three years? I think not.
As we all know, people will flock to a great game, and sites like Beta Leaks ensure developers do all they can to make something worth playing.
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