I wonder how many Alpha Techs there will be before we reach first Beta release.

I guess only MS knows( or maybe even they do not know at this time)

As you said, it's something MS decides.

If each version takes around 2 months like it seems to be the case and they want a final release in 2020, that doesn't let a lot of room for more than 2 or 3 max...

Edited November 1, 20196 yr by Noooch

41 minutes ago, nas123 said:

I wonder how many Alpha Techs there will be before we reach first Beta release.

Simple answer - as many as it takes...

Well presumably they're  intending to have a beta so it comes down to how much time there is between now and their target date for the start of the beta.

Edited November 1, 20196 yr by SamYeager
Typo

I suspect the only answer is "as many as they think they need", but my own guess would be that they are planning on three alpha tests, before the product is considered to be in beta.  And then I expect an extremely long period in beta.

With a product like this, they are probably very sensitive about making sure everything is polished to a mirror shine before they release it into the wild.

On 11/1/2019 at 11:30 AM, SierraDelta said:

Simple answer - as many as it takes...

So you don't subscribe to a 2020 release?

19 hours ago, dtrjones said:

So you don't subscribe to a 2020 release?

I subscribe to Holiday 2020 myself. Gives them a year to nail down the initial feature list and get things prepped for maybe having something ready to run on the XBOX Scarlett platform which is slated for Oct 2020 if the E3 trailer is anything to go by.
 

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/next-xbox-release-date-rumors,news-27484.html

I feel like the hype is over now. We got a lot of information, but the main points are still open (seasons, ATC, AI, multiplayer, ...) 

I'm looking forward to it, but I know today that it may take another two years for the simulation to be what I expect. Until recently, I was several times a day on the Internet to find news, now only every few days once. 

What would I wish to recover the hype? 

A rough long-term plan. Only for insiders with the note that it can change at any time, but at least more information. 

What exactly is the difference between Alpha and beta versions?

47 minutes ago, jlund said:

What exactly is the difference between Alpha and beta versions?

Alpha is testing of new features, new code is still added to the program.

Beta is debugging of a complete software.

Isn’t there a difference between Tech Alpha and Alpha?

 

5 hours ago, jlund said:

What exactly is the difference between Alpha and beta versions?

Just refers to the software development cycle. "Alpha" and "beta" are testing phases. "Pre-alpha" (what MSFS was up until recently), just refers to any development up until alpha testing is ready.

If software is in alpha, it's generally not feature-complete yet, and is also still potentially unstable.  Once software enters beta, it's generally a "complete" product, and work begins on stuff like debugging and optimization.  Beta software is also generally far more stable and suitable for public eyes.

If you're doing alpha testing on a game, you're generally looking to get feedback on the game itself - systems, features, feel, etc.  When you're doing beta testing, you're generally just eliminating bugs.

There's been a lot of blurring of these terms over the years.  "Betas" in gaming these days are often just glorified demos or early access periods.  "Technical Alphas" are usually just testing network infrastructure for multiplayer games.

Edited November 3, 20196 yr by Scottoest

Thank you for an easy understandable explanation of the difference between Alpha and beta versions.

Let's just pray that there is enough testing to have a working product at release.  There is nothing worse than that of a flop !