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Colen neglected to mention an important additional detail regarding the Beta. The current list of Beta testers was provided to us by Green Ronin. Ultimately, it is GR who has final say on who can/can't be included in the M&M Beta. If someone wants to participate in the Beta, approval needs to be secured from GR. I'm not saying that new folks can't be added to the Beta, but there is an important extra hurdle that is outside of our control.
I should also take a moment to clarify Colen's comment about "lack of features". Thus far, the focus within the M&M files has been on the "hard stuff", with the "easy stuff" being completely ignored. For example, how do we cleanly, intuitively, and efficiently let users create and modify power arrays? And what about power arrays with alternate powers associated with each power in the array? And what about various power feats, flaws, drawbacks, and whatnot on some of those powers? I'm sure that this one example alone should elicit an "Ugh!" from you M&M veterans out there. And there are multiple "Ugh!" situations within the M&M character creation process (devices, anyone?).
So Colen has been focusing on these nasty things first. Once those are well in hand - which they basically are at this point - then it's time to focus on the easy stuff. However, without all that easy stuff in place, the M&M files lack a lot of utility for character creation, and that's what Colen meant by "lack of features".
We have been Beta testing how all the hard stuff should work and getting feedback on that stuff alone. With the hard stuff pretty well sorted out, Colen is now overhauling the visuals in preparation for a public preview. The preview will show off how well we can handle all the nasty stuff. If we can do that well, then you won't have any doubts about how the easy stuff will be handled. :-)
And yes, there will be a second public preview shortly before official release of the M&M files that will incorporate nearly everything - including all the easy stuff.
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