We are currently preparing to open a new server for external testing of Meridian 59's new enhanced client. We're down to a relatively small number of fixes that are required before we start bringing in testers. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done before the new client will be available for live servers and I'm sure that opening up testing will find even more problems. Many of these fixes will be done while external testing is happening so the first few people introduced to the new client will not be experiencing the final product. ...but I have to tell you it's still a lot of fun!

People with older machines will not be excluded from testing. The new client has been developed so that it will be our only game client. It will not connect to illegal servers and is required to connect to ours. This gives players on older machines all of the non-graphical benefits of the new client and the development team only has one client to work on. Choice of renderer, traditional classic client engine or new 3D enhanced engine, will be included in the configuration file and will default down to the traditional engine for machines that can't run the new one. An added benefit is that many optimizations that MisterY has come up with will improve gameplay in both rendering engines including "lag drift" and BSP optimizations. (Level two of the Marion Crypt should run much smoother now with either renderer!)

The entire team is moving focus to preparing for the beta and behind the scenes we're establishing methods for download, tester communication, and tester selection. Of course we also have Zach working to get a new server online for testing and Psychochild and MisterY are working out the last punch list of client and server fixes before we invite people to try the new client. I'll be working with the team on fixing some levels and working the new lighting system into the world. We are hoping to bring the first testers online in a matter of weeks. Of course the normal requests for patience... Please do not gmail, email, post, ICQ, tell, appeal, or otherwise ask to be included in testing (even in joking, even if you consider yourself a friend of the team or a team member)

In closing we'd like to call to our fans for some extra support. We have been trying to get additional services online as discussed in other threads (character transfers, renaming, etc) in order to help generate extra revenue that is badly needed. With our focus now towards external client testing, which includes additional costs as well, bringing these things online may go slower than we'd like... need. So we ask that anyone that's thought of donating to support an independent game company to please do so now. Donations of any amount will not be considered payment to enter testing but will greatly help Near Death Studios and Meridian 59 to survive through some rough (but exciting!) times. Just follow the donation link below.

Source: Near Death Studios - Info@NearDeathStudios.com