Got an email yesterday from Atari saying I've been accepted into the waiting list for Horizons beta - not into the actual test, just the list to get in :)

Actually, I'd forgotten that I'd signed up - it's been so long. So I went looking at some sites to see what's changed.

Found an <a href="http://vnfiles.ign.com/e3media/horizons%20movie/Horizons%20Trailer%20E3-03%20web%20high.wmv" target="top">E3 video</a> that looks fairly decent - takes quite a while to load.

Release is slated for September, 2003. They are starting the 2nd round of beta now so that seems possible. That would put it before EQ2 and WoW which would probably be necessary for survival. I'd hate to release a game at the same time as either of those comes out.

The fall is when EQ releases their next expansion. Prepare for some loud noises, wild promises, and nerf removals to counteract this.

Yep, same email thing.

Went to site and checked with email username thingie, but says I'm not in test at the moment.

After being in SWG beta for a bit. The movie from E3 didn't inspire me at all. I remember being in awe a few years ago... but not now.

I really don't know why these companies don't spend in a 4 year development cycle spending the first two with an easy to use graphic engine for testing, and replace it at the end. Spend the first few years on the server engine, features, ect... Then produce the graphics at the end (not the designs, just the end graphic engine). Seems like in a MMORPG the way to do it.

But all the graphics in SWG... I still play EQ without luclin models... because the game is the game... the graphics are to pull in customers / show friends... and wow people for the first 15 minutes.

Yep got the same e-mail, this is because Atari have taken the testing job over from Artifact. I've been waiting 3 years for this game, and check their site every day. Well they entered Beta 2 just before E3.

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>After being in SWG beta for a bit.[/quote]
I've benn in SWG for a bit also, and allI can say is it makes me want to play this game even more. I guess graphics all come down to the eye of the beholder.

This is the #1 game on my list.

I got accepted into the beta test, but they're taking their sweet time sending out the CDs to everyone. I wish they'd just have a downloadable client. They're expected to send out the CDs the week of june 9.

edit: I thought i'd throw in: it's really funny listening to the EQ bashing on the Horizons boards. Everyone is way too optomistic thinking this MMORPG will be perfect just because SOE isn't running it. I have no expectations, but I really hope it's fun.