How long does it take for a game to come out of alpha?

[Sjarmtrollet]

How long does it take for a game to come out of alpha? I see Evolution, https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29949, is still in alpha, for instance...

[robinzig]

How long does it take for a game to come out of alpha? I see Evolution, https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29949, is still in alpha, for instance...

Anywhere between 1-2 weeks and never.

It all depends on how long it takes for the game to get both sufficiently many approvals from alpha reviewers (typically 10, but BGA can vary this in special cases), and an indication from the game publisher that they're happy enough with the adaptation for it to go forward to beta (where everyone on BGA can play it, at least in theory, even if it isn't "advertised" yet at that point).

Aside from some time sometimes being needed to get to this stage - which can happen with a complex game where many bugs are found, for example - some projects sadly never move forward, either because the publisher gets cold feet or because the developer of the adaptation disappears at a point where there are still important bugs to be fixed. (The vast majority of developers of game adaptations for BGA are doing this voluntarily, for no financial or other reward other than seeing their work available on BGA for them and others to enjoy. It's hardly surprising that often people simply "disappear" - and while usually that happens long before enough work has been done to reach Alpha status, it's not unknown for it to happen afterwards. They could simply get too busy in their real life for a time - hopefully only temporarily but who really knows if they don't respond to any messages?)

[grandslam]

There are quite a few games in alpha due to the lack of ten reviewers approving it, which is what it needs to move to beta. I'm not sure if there is a way to list/publicize games where the publisher is onboard, the programmer is active, and it just needs a few more reviews to get over the line. Pls. help Starship Merchants, for example, get over the line.

[SquashEngineer]

With all the games that are being cried for to be brought to development, surely we must be bringing games to Alpha that are easily in demand. I can’t imagine there would be a problem finding 10 reviewers for the most in demand games. If not, clearly we’re bringing the wrong games to the community.

What’s going on with Railroad Ink Challenge. I was offered to participate in the Alpha, and yet it won’t launch.

I think I’m also supposed to be trying the Tortuga 1667. Ooopps.

[SquashEngineer]

Formula D and Railroad Ink Challenge are still stuck in Alpha. Let's get some developer cycles on these two classics.

Can we not develop a $$ incentive for developers on BGA to explode this market wide open?

I understand the BGA community definitely doesn't want to be bombarded with advertisements, but can't BGA make this community/hobby space more of a revenue / profit / valuable business case adventure?

Many hobby based activities linger in the not-for-profit or volunteer space, until they become irrelevant and disappear. I would rather see BGA get out in front of the wave, and create a business model where game publishers are part of the economic success of digital use of their already fantastic board game tabletop product.

demand = $$ = growth = demand = $$ = growth ...

Premise => If gamers like the digital version, they are more likely to purchase the tabletop version and spread the word to family and friends.

[SiRan90]

Pretty sure Formula D is being held up by the publisher