Why is soliciting opinions translated as worrying about the mod's reputation? I was curious about what people wanted. None of us can control the reaction to the mod, and no matter what we do, people aren't going to like it. We've tried to set expectations properly, but some people are going to assume different things that we just can't live up to.

These same people are likely those who wouldn't understand or care what a "beta" is, or that we would announce it to be released with bugs so that the public can help us test. They are the ones who will be outspoken and be upset, no matter what we do.

However, the fans who have posted here and waited here for so long have opinions that matter to us, and that is why I asked for these opinions. It doesn't have anything to do with reputation, but with what our fans would like to see. We can't control our reputation, but we can control other things, such as the timing of our release, and the degree to which it is polished.

I can tell you that internally there are rumblings that we shouldn't release until all bugs are squashed, and everything is completely polished. That would mean it isn't an open beta, but a full release.

I promised to you long ago that there would be an Open Beta. This open beta is what you have been waiting for, for so long. You'll either get an open beta with me as the head PR guy and the integrator, or you will get a full release with someone else in that role, because I will not break my word to you.

I have always said that the mod will be released as soon as it is playable, and I have read no overwhelming opinion that leads me to believe that there is any reason to go against this promise. I intend to keep it.