campaign data transfer test>live

[Aridhro]

Will a campaign prepared in FGU 4.1 (test channel) be usable in FGU 4.1 (live) by copy/past directory between channels?
Just to be sure. I'm setting up a little one-shot for my players, for when this huge update goes live.

[Zacchaeus]

No. Campaigns created in 4.1 will not work in 4.0. Furthhermore if you copy a campaign from 4.0 into 4.1 then it's a one way ticket. You can't copy it back to 4.0.

[SilentRuin]

Will a campaign prepared in FGU 4.1 (test channel) be usable in FGU 4.1 (live) by copy/past directory between channels?
Just to be sure. I'm setting up a little one-shot for my players, for when this huge update goes live.

While what Zacchaeus said is correct - I don't believe it answers your particular question. When TEST goes to LIVE you will be able to use your campaign your working on in TEST in that LIVE version. 4.1 TEST -> 4.1 LIVE is fine to move to.

[Aridhro]

Ok, thank you both

[Zacchaeus]

While what Zacchaeus said is correct - I don't believe it answers your particular question. When TEST goes to LIVE you will be able to use your campaign your working on in TEST in that LIVE version. 4.1 TEST -> 4.1 LIVE is fine to move to.

That might not be the case since the current 4.1 is Beta and things could change between now and final release. I think it would be safest to assume that any campaign that you create/use now in TEST will not work fully as expected when 4.1 goes live.

[SilentRuin]

That might not be the case since the current 4.1 is Beta and things could change between now and final release. I think it would be safest to assume that any campaign that you create/use now in TEST will not work fully as expected when 4.1 goes live.

I am depending on that not being the case, as that would imply TEST was not what was going to be in LIVE when it was ready to be moved into it - and that as long as we stay up to date in TEST it should work - if not - THAT would be BAD.

[Zacchaeus]

I am depending on that not being the case, as that would imply TEST was not what was going to be in LIVE when it was ready to be moved into it - and that as long as we stay up to date in TEST it should work - if not - THAT would be BAD.

I'm being cautious; it probably will be fine but I would not be running a campaign in TEST right now until 4.1 goes live.

[Trenloe]

No one should be assuming that what they build in the test channel at any point will be usable on an ongoing basis - either for future use in the test channel or when the functionality moves to live. This is mentioned in the 4.1 test thread - but is not emphasized enough in my opinion.

[SilentRuin]

No one should be assuming that what they build in the test channel at any point will be usable on an ongoing basis - either for future use in the test channel or when the functionality moves to live. This is mentioned in the 4.1 test thread - but is not emphasized enough in my opinion.

That would be BAD in my opinion. As the only way to test stuff is to assume that TEST will be what is pushed to LIVE - if not - what is the point of testing? It won't have a bearing on LIVE. I'll just state this would be a BAD thing if the format of the TEST campaign will not work in the format of the LIVE campaign when it goes LIVE. If you use it after LIVE? Sure TEST will diverge. But telling me it will diverge the moment it goes LIVE? That is wrong.

[Trenloe]

That would be BAD in my opinion. As the only way to test stuff is to assume that TEST will be what is pushed to LIVE - if not - what is the point of testing? It won't have a bearing on LIVE. I'll just state this would be a BAD thing if the format of the TEST campaign will not work in the format of the LIVE campaign when it goes LIVE. If you use it after LIVE? Sure TEST will diverge. But telling me it will diverge the moment it goes LIVE? That is wrong.
Testing can result in major issues being found, which could require major code changes, which could invalidate all previous data in the test channel. This is where the note in the testing thread comes in: "Please do not use the beta build for your Live games if you and your group are not comfortable with testing pre-release software, and any interruptions that may occur due to using pre-release software."

As changes can happen at any time, right up to being pushed live, there is *never* going to be any guarantee of *anything* created in test to be valid from one moment to the next, either in test itself or when moving to live. I'm sure the devs will try to keep interruptions to a minimum, but if there is a major change that might not be possible without introducing unwanted delays. Relying on developing future live games in test is a massive RISK - even more so that using extension! ;) As you think the possibility of losing your work in test is BAD then I suggest you don't use test. Test is for testing, not "getting things ready for live".

[LordEntrails]

Yes it would be bad. But, if test reveals serious issues are you implying it should get pushed to live just so people can move stuff from Test to Live? Of course not :)

Part of Test it to help identifying breaking things. If architecture is found to be broken, then it can't be pushed to live and it has to be fixed. If so, that means the current 4.1 Beta is not going to be the 4.1 pushed to live. i.e. Test might now be considered to be 4.1.0.1 and what actually goes to live might be 4.1.0.25 by the time it gets there. Yes it is unlikely, but it is possible.

[SilentRuin]

Testing can result in major issues being found, which could require major code changes, which could invalidate all previous data in the test channel. This is where the note in the testing thread comes in: "Please do not use the beta build for your Live games if you and your group are not comfortable with testing pre-release software, and any interruptions that may occur due to using pre-release software."

As changes can happen at any time, right up to being pushed live, there is *never* going to be any guarantee of *anything* created in test to be valid from one moment to the next, either in test itself or when moving to live. I'm sure the devs will try to keep interruptions to a minimum, but if there is a major change that might not be possible without introducing unwanted delays. Relying on developing future live games in test is a massive RISK - even more so that using extension! ;) As you think the possibility of losing your work in test is BAD then I suggest you don't use test. Test is for testing, not "getting things ready for live".

Everything is RISK :) I'll take my chances on the logical reasoning that changing the actual data format after something goes to LIVE - but not in TEST - would not happen. I get what you both are saying for sure - just have lighting work I want to get done. If I have to redo it - so be it. But counting on common sense that project formats will not be changing in LIVE and not TEST before it goes.

[LordEntrails]

I think the chances are very very low, in part as exhibited by the LOS 4.1 community map update project/thread. But, we just want people to know there is a risk so they don't get mad or feel they were lied to if something were to happen.

[SilentRuin]

Managed RISK. I work with extensions - the risk is way higher there so I'm used to playing the odds ;)

[Trenloe]

I'll remember this thread...

[Jiminimonka]

It's the test channel. Moon Wizard said things may change. So campaigns will possibly be broken. Test is for testing only, to get more people using the next new features to find bugs that need fixing and or changing things as required. It's like extensions = Risk. Same thing.

[Nemesismmx]

I'm assuming that things can change while in the test. But since the purpose of testing something is to assert correct behavior, it is not expected to change things after the testing is done and push something different to the LIVE channel. If something fundamental is broken it will affect the campaign while in the test, but I think that everybody is aware of it. The original question was: can the campaign be moved from TEST to LIVE when features from test channel become available on the live channel, and I think that answer to this must be YES.

[Griogre]

While it's likely to be yes, assuming a successful test period - it is not certain - especially if you are not familiar or comfortable with modifying your campaign's XML files by hand. If you must be able to move your campaign from test to live, then you should not use the test channel and should wait for the changes to go live. Doing anything else sets you up for failure.