The RIFT

[01:48] Arithion and Desikis announce 2 new contests at The Rift Podcast and Rift Seekers

[05:12] Cindy “Abigale” Bowens and Amanda “Amary” Fry are welcomed to the Podcast.

[05:48] Amanda “Amary” Fry introduces herself and gives some background information on how she got into gaming and Trion.

[07:03] Arithion inquires about Amanda “Amary” Fry’s duties around the office.

• She writes up all of the Alpha patch notes from technical jargon into a player-readable format.
• Amanda “Amary” Fry helps out Cindy sift through the forums.
• She also helps coordinate with different departments.

[09:54] Amanda “Amary” Fry discusses the different between being a “forum lurker” and working for Trion.

[10:09] Amary discusses her gaming history and the charity Extra Life, of which an event is running this Saturday, October 16.

• See Cindy “Abigale” Bowens’ post with links to many Extra Life participant pages.

[14:57] Arithion asks Amary about her favourite aspects to Rift so far.

• The biggest thing that Amary enjoys is exploring the vast world of Telara.
• Lots of cool things that you come across: the scenery and the setting to name a couple.
• Her favourite Rift is the Water Rift (Still unreleased!).

[17:25] Amary talks about her favourite race(s).

• There are several good looking humanoid races on each faction.
• Both factions are both very good in the game and each playing experience is different between the factions.

[18:52] What calling or soul is favourited by Amary at this point in the process?

• She has tried out everything, though typically plays support-type classes.
• Classically, she might play a healer, but there are a number of options available.

[19:18] Amary gives some words of advice for others looking to get into the gaming industry.

• Keep an eye on reality – games work is work, and a busy job at that.
• More often than not, you will have to move to where the jobs are. There is also the strong chance that you will have to move often as studios move.
• Be prepared to start at the very bottom – this industry is a very much apprenticeship-style industry.
• Get exposed to how everything works, Quality Assurance (QA) is a good starting department for this.

[21:13] Cindy “Abigale” Bowens answers some questions on what the community team is working on in the months leading up until release.

• They are trying to get the beta working.
• Putting together information from the Beta Guild thread.
• Keeping track of the forums as they get busier.
• Working on various contests and polls.

[22:47] Are there any plans to add a full-time forum moderator to the team?

• In the future, most likely. Currently Eric, Amanda, Cindy, and a part-time contractor working on moderating.
• The community can help by reporting posts if they are inappropriate, in the wrong place, etc.

[24:28] Abigale mentions some information on a Rift Collector’s Edition.

• They are in the plans, but more details cannot be released at this time.

[25:23] Arithion asks Abigale for some clarification on the recent Beta information.

• Players will be notified with the details via email if they are selected.
• There will be a number of events, some weekend and possibly some longer.
• Each time there is an event, a larger number will be taken from the Community Pool than the other Pools.
• Alpha will continue to run throughout Beta and more people will continue to be added.
• Weekend events will be more focus-testing or stress-testing.
• More information will come Soon(tm).
• Regular Beta Keys will get a chance at one or more of the events (See Beta FAQ). VIP Keys will give you access to all of the events.
• These are designed to test the game, and are based on what the developers need.
• They are looking for both positive and negative opinions in Alpha and Beta.

[30:51] What date will Beta no longer be Soon?

• Soon(tm)!
• Internal dates still exist, and if everything goes will they will announced them “Soon(tm)”.

[31:55] Don’t forget to check out the new Contests this week!