README: How to get and use the unstable test version

[Dynamoon]

Hello and welcome to testing Barotrauma!

Barotrauma has had a test version open to players since before our Steam release, and the in-development feedback we get continues to be a vital part of our testing process. Thank you for joining!

This readme contains general information about the test version. For the latest updates and other useful testing information, check out this other post.

The test version is a Steam beta which everyone who owns Barotrauma is able to access. Here is how that works:

1. Go to your Steam library and find Barotrauma in the sidebar. Right-click it.
2. Choose Properties > Betas.
3. Choose "Unstable" in the drop-down menu. The unstable version should now begin downloading.
4. Check that the name of the game shown in your library now reads "Barotrauma [unstable]". You are now opted in!
5. To return to the release version, simply repeat the above steps and choose "None" in the beta selection drop-down.

About the unstable test version

Lots of games employ some manner of public testing like this, and different players may expect different things when entering one such test version. Here is what you should expect from ours:

1. Quality will vary, and you should not expect the unstable to be a polished, balanced product (or even fully working at all times). Everything gets tested by our developers before being released into the unstable beta, but bugs can and will slip in. Furthermore, we use unstable to test work-in-progress versions of new systems, monsters, etc., and those will more often than not be seriously off balance at first. Thus the first guideline is: please do not walk in expecting a stable game version with new, cool things added – 9 times out of 10, you will be disappointed, and we don't want that!
2. Quality will vary, and there are times when a serious issue which affects the release version has been fixed on unstable and we've just not been able to release that fix yet. Depending on where we are in our update cycle, the unstable may at times be more stable than release.
3. Servers on the unstable are incompatible for players on the release version, and vice versa. Server filtering will take care of the biggest issues here, but it’s still something to keep in mind – if you’re not seeing any servers, check which version you’re on.
4. Mods made for the unstable may be incompatible with release. At the same time, the unstable provides ways for modders to anticipate upcoming changes and update their mods for the latest new versions as soon as those are released.
5. Test builds are released whenever we are able to – a public update will typically be preceded by several test builds as we improve on the update one iteration at a time. We will inform testers of a new build in our Discord[discord.gg], which you are warmly invited to join. You can also keep tabs on unstable releases on these Steam forums – read more about testing here.
6. There is no NDA to sign, and the unstable beta is not a secret. You are welcome to tell your friends about it, and linking this post is a great way to tell them everything they need to know!

About testing

The most helpful thing anyone on the unstable can do is play it and have GameAnalytics data collection enabled in-game. We are able to extract hugely important and entirely anonymous, non-personal data that way without even needing to trouble you to write reports. If you don't want to enable GameAnalytics, however, that is perfectly alright too, and the reports you write to us yourself will still help us improve the game!

Even with GameAnalytics on, writing reports (or finding out if similar reports have been written) about problems you encounter is appreciated. When you write reports about issues, the most helpful thing to do is to tell us about the problem in as much detail as you can, as clearly as you can. Of particular importance are the following:

1. Version number and operating system info.
2. Steps to reproduce: If you can, please tell us how to make this issue happen. When and how exactly does it occur?
3. Crash reports, error messages, log files: if the game produces any text that you can send to us, please include that in full. Copypasted text, text files and screenshots are all useful for sharing this information.
4. Language: please write in English, whenever possible, and please be clear, concise, and polite :)

Where to report?

These forums and the official Discord server are great for discussing, giving general feedback, pooling information and troubleshooting issues you encounter.

For actually reporting issues to us, please visit our GitHub issue tracker[github.com] and create an account. While GitHub may take some time to get to know, it is the best and only place for you to check for duplicate reports of the same issue and receive and write replies to your own reports as well as those posted by others. Here your reports will be seen by our programmers directly.

Thank you!

Questions or feedback about how we handle testing with our players? Please post a reply below, and we'll be sure to take it under advisement! Our team isn't huge, but we're always on the lookout for ways to improve our community testing further.

[λ]

i might

[CROW]

CAW

[Fencer94]

I can't wait to be penetrated by the giant spineling while fixing the reactor. This gonna be good =D

[The odd user]

here i go testin

[xero]

is my save allright if i play on unstable and then switch back?

[Consumer Of Potatoes]

I dont know why, but ive been more successful in the test version then the current version we have, so i cant complain.

[lx]

i already paid for the game. if i become a tester, the money would have gone the wrong way

[sonick.rnd]

Надо брать. Заодно оценим чо там с переводами стало.

[HikikoMori]

praise the honkmother

[Gomigonos]

Originally posted by AnonExistingGhost:

praise the honkmother :captainclown:

+15 RP Children of The Honkmother
-5 RP Europa Coalition

[OrbitingAncient]

Originally posted by lx:

i already paid for the game. if i become a tester, the money would have gone the wrong way

do you understand how ignorant you are?

[deep sea creature]

is the spineling already in the test version

[🎮He, who Games🎮]

Originally posted by OrbitingAncient:

Originally posted by lx:

i already paid for the game. if i become a tester, the money would have gone the wrong way

do you understand how ignorant you are?

that's his opinion and he's entitled to have it. the rest of us want to help the game that we love to be developed

[lx]

hey! someone deleted my insightful comment.
you guys really started to disappoint me, after i paid for this game. and i dont pay for many games

[just1CE]

Alright, will do!