Not necessarily. It just means that getting the release version doesn't get you the final product. There can be a released 2.5, but it's probably going to be superseded by 2.6 at some point. If that's the case, then I don't see why release versions are special except perhaps in the case of significant bugginess as I mentioned. If the 2.5 OB is a stable piece of software though, then it's as good as a release version.
So why are we getting an Open Beta and not a Release version?
Originally Posted by Exorcet
I guess it depends on your definition of beta, but the label isn't the point. It's about the software we get. If the OB is the same as the release version, minus having OB in the title, what's the difference? Especially if 2.5 will only ever be an intermediate state of DCS.
The label **IS** the point. If you get a product full of bugs, "Oh, what do you expect? It's a Beta!" can be a perfectly valid excuse which they cannot utilize if the product is labelled Release Everyone here understands the difference between Beta and Release versions.... it's only you guys that is insisting on different definitions and even stating 2.5 will only ever be an intermediate state? **ALL** products that get developed or get post-release support are in an intermediate state, but none of them blur the lines of Beta and Release like you're insisting for DCS. Windows 10 was RELEASED although it's in an intermediate state, then Windows 10 Anniversarry Edition was RELEASED although it's in an intermediate state.... Elite Dangerous was released, then we got Horizons which was released, then we're getting [forgot the name] which is going to be released. We were **NOT** playing with Windows Beta all this time; we were **NOT** playing with Elite Dangerous Beta all this time.
Originally Posted by Flogger23m
Why not?
Aaaannnddd.... we're going 'round in circles now. Re-read the posts as to why not.
Originally Posted by Flogger23m
I'd imagine it will be similar to other independent games of similar scale, which typically ranges from months to years.
You can imagine all you want.
Originally Posted by Flogger23m
What is why I said should.
Why even make an assumption when we can already see that the assumption is already wrong. ED *should* do their job right and so the work between Open Beta and Release *should* be small.... but then why are we getting the Open Beta on the RELEASE date and not before?
Originally Posted by Flogger23m
I never made that argument.
That was just a follow up to my statement about Open Beta being released on the RELEASE date.... something no other dev group or studio does. Why should we then compare ED to other dev studios and AAA groups when ED clearly does things its own way and none of the other studios do this? Why should we accept ED's "commonplace" practice when it clearly results in a non-commonplace outcome (Open Beta on release date)?
Originally Posted by Flogger23m
Originally Posted by - Ice
That remains to be seen
One can only hope.
Well, I can see your level of confidence on ED seeing as you've not taken any of the wagers set earlier
Everyone here understands the difference between Beta and Release versions.... it's only you guys that is insisting on different definitions and even stating 2.5 will only ever be an intermediate state? **ALL** products that get developed or get post-release support are in an intermediate state, but none of them blur the lines of Beta and Release like you're insisting for DCS. Windows 10 was RELEASED although it's in an intermediate state, then Windows 10 Anniversarry Edition was RELEASED although it's in an intermediate state.... Elite Dangerous was released, then we got Horizons which was released, then we're getting [forgot the name] which is going to be released. We were **NOT** playing with Windows Beta all this time; we were **NOT** playing with Elite Dangerous Beta all this time. 
