Open Beta Testing: Prowling

Greetings, Rising Community!

Since last year we here at Kwaai Software have had our sanctums battened down and coffin lids nailed shut, as we dug into the Phase 2 portion of our game updates—especially Prowling. 

For those who don't know, Prowling has already existed for years in a different iteration on our Facebook game. Because mobile gaming is so very different than other platforms, and in an effort to preserve game balance because of this fact, we didn't want to make a direct import of that iteration into VDR.

As such we reworked the entire system from the ground up.

Because of the wealth of intricacies in the feature, testing Prowling has been a time consuming endeavor. In fact we're still testing our bats off even as you read this. While that's true, we've come to understand that a closed beta testing group just isn't enough...

We need all of you!

Prowling: Live Open Beta Testing
On Wednesday June 14th through Sunday June 18th, the entire Prowling feature will become available to everyone in the community as a live Open Beta test.

Let's take a look at how it will work!

Pre-Testing: Preparation Downtime

Previous to the testing period (likely Monday or Tuesday) we'll need to temporarily take the game offline so we can update our system and begin importing the variety of new things you'll be testing. While we always aim to reduce downtime as much as possible, this particular downtime could be as much as several hours. When that's complete the game will come back online.

When you drop back in you'll be getting a sneak-peek at several new things in the game. Note that while it will be technically available, all of the new stuff will require Prowling to make use of them. Meanwhile, Prowling itself will remain locked until we're ready to launch.

Open Beta Testing: Days 1 -4

On Open Beta launch, the feature will become available as it would on an official launch: fully operational and with all associated features intact. This means you'll experience the whole of Prowling for the first time.

For the first four days you'll be using standard free Prowls, coming in at increments of 8 free points every 6hrs, giving you 24 free prowls a day. When you run out you'll have the option to purchase VDR's premium currency (Instinct Points) to prowl even further.

The most of your job will be to simply use and enjoy the feature, reap its rewards, and explore its benefits. But as this is a live Beta test, we'll also be asking you to know in advanced we may not have caught every bug, so you'll need to keep your eyes peeled for anything weird—especially any exploits, anything that's breaking the game in prowling, or any odd things happening in other areas of the game.

Open Beta Testing: Day 5

On the beginning of Sunday June 18th, the final testing day, we'll be giving everyone who's been active during that week a free allotment of Instinct Points, which we hope you will use to really get the most of out Prowling!

While it's up to you how to use it once its yours, we're asking in good faith that you use the allotment on Day 5 in Prowling, as it will give us an extra boost of data at the end to pour over which will significantly aid us in tightening up the feature for you.

Post-Testing: Afterward

When Open Beta is over, the feature will become temporarily locked again. Meanwhile you'll retain everything you accumulated during the testing period.

As we really want to get this right, we'll be taking some time to pour over your reports and feedback to investigate and fix outstanding issues before we officially re-open the feature for good. We haven't planned an exact date, as some bugs are trickier than others, but we're expecting around a week or so. Expect an announcement regardless. We'll let you know if we need more time or if we're ready to launch!

Reporting: Bugs/Errors/Issues

You're always welcome to bring any Prowling technical issue to the CSD in a new ticket request. Though if you'd like to save time, we'll be delivering a short post-testing survey which will ask you about your overall experience and give you an opportunity to let us know of any technical issues you may have had while prowling. Those who participated in Open Beta testing and the survey will get some extra goodies delivered straight from us!

The Survey will be announced here at the CSD when it's time. We'll have a banner up ingame to lead you here for the link. :D

Right Now: What You Can Do

Prowling's one of those features that's complicated to explain but super simple to use. We'd love it if while waiting for Open Beta you dropped in to read our Prowling Gameplay Overview. After a quick read you'll learn the whole the feature in as few words as possible.

For those who love all the nitty gritty (and much longer) details, feel free check out the rest of the Prowling section, where we've gone into explicit detail on some of Prowling's important areas, such as enemies, reward types, and see all the magic behind reward sets and rates.

As Fusion has new additions and is going to playing a much larger role in the Rising, there's a new Fusion article that you should check out.

Finally, for all of you who want to dominate everyone around you, also see our Red Blood Power Upgrades article, giving you the breakdown on upgrading your common red blood powers!

*ARTICLE UPDATE | JUN 14 2023:
Changelog/Patch Notes for this update are now available for all!