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00 Early History
Private Beta
July 2001
There starts inviting people to participate in this beta without saying much about what it actualy is.
There starts sending out video cards to women who apply to get more women participating in the early beta tests.
The first tests take palce on Caldera island with members gathering at Island Tours. Neaby is Nada island but because of water it is difficult to reach.
Ootay is nowhere to be seen.
Single Seater buggies came in different speeds. Faster ones has darker colored fenders. Slower ones had basicly solid color bodies.
Monday Oct. 22 2001 6-9pm First Private Betat Test ?
I am unclear if there were earlier groups let in or not. the original plan was to have the betas starting on october 10th.
The beta CD came with a Quick Start Guide as well as technical support information.
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What is There:
THERE is a new kind of consumer online service -- the first virtual universe where you can express your identity, communicate visually, and enjoy spontaneous experiences with others. An ever-evolving place, THERE grows based on what you create and contribute. People who have experienced THERE say it's like a next-generation 3D AOL.
The THERE universe has planets, and the first one resembles the Earth. The first place you'll be able to go in THERE is a tropical island. When you arrive, you get to create a 3D character, or avatar. Be yourself, or someone you've always wanted to be -- we provide the tools to experiment. Once you've created your avatar, you can roam the island - meet interesting people, discover new places, and do fun things. Best of all, you can communicate in ways you'll have to see to believe. THERE is not a game - you don't play THERE, you are THERE.
Players were given 75,000t to start.
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Wednesday Oct. 24, 6-9pm (used same CD as sent out earlier)
Testers now able to post to forums 24 hours a day.
Attempt to fix buggy rubberbanding that was effecting some members.
Price drops for some items in catalog
Improved catalog navigation
Improved stability on various Windows operating systems
Attempted to fix random log-outs and unsucessful gives and purchaces.
At the time There was busy working on requested features including:
The ability to emote outside of chat props. The ability to point at something.
Developing houses members can own and hold private parties at
A mirror so you can see yourself
A way to try something for free before you have to buy it
Ways to earn Therebucks
Oct 29th Halloween Party test (new CD sent out)
The first annual Halloween Party in There
Tick Or Treating
- Pick up free "treats" from secret locations around Caldera Island. The first 5 people to collect all the treats win special Halloween prizes like the MonsterPak Jetpack and the Doom Buggy. You can also take your time, Trick-or-Treat for fun and keep all the treats as collectibles forever.
Costume Contest
- Showcase your creativity and win prizes! Use our costume combinations or create your own!
There created costumes including skeletons, chicken girl, biker dude, uberman, robots, western outfits and more! Some of the head worn items made it into production later (masks) while other never appeared again (chicken head and hatchet head)
Early beta testers were paid to participate in the series of beta tests At this point they were offered the ability to turn that future payment into in game therebucks. $5 real money converted to 125,000t
During this beta test There Central was updated several times. Global messages were used.
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Trick or treating went well. People visited many out of the way places. The winners of the costest were
Beeker, Andar, Jboogie, e, and jbodhi
The beta test ended during the middle of the costume contest so it was only narrowed down to five finalists before the end.
This test also featured the first ever treasure hunt in There! It got off to a late start but teams raced off solving riddles and finding the next clue. Kane and Valentine won that contest.
Many bugs were fixed from the previous test, but others cropped up. Some members were dropped from conversations mysteriously. other members snapped from one location to another. This was the result of having too many people in one place ending up with an overloaded server.
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October 31st ? - ? Used previous verison of the CD
The Halloween celebration continued.
Final voting for the costume contest
Members were to check There Central for informaiton on how to vote.
There Demons of Speed! This night 8 selected members were invited to participate in an experimental buggy race, the first buggy race in There history at 7pm! At the time There was deciding the best method to make races work.
The problem with giving itmes and not having them show up was islolated.
The servers were re-load ballanced. This caused some avatars to vanish or disconnect in rare occasions.
Monday Nov 5th 6-9pm
The give bug was stomped out.
No other information. the planned CD for this test was canceled.
Wedenesday Nov 7th 6-9pm
Join us in our first Scavenger Hunt
- a thrilling, fast-paced race through There. You and a partner will answer 20 Scavenger Hunt questions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams. The Hunt starts at 7:00 PM sharp. Please sign up for this event in a topic called "SIGN-UP NOW: Nov. 7 Scavenger Hunt" in the Buzz section of There Forums.
Guided Tours
- Are you getting tired of the same hangouts? Would you like to discover secluded areas? Come explore some scenic spots with us! We'll show you places where you can have fun or just sit and soak up the view. You will be teleported around the island by a local guide in 20-30 action-packed minutes with 2-3 people in a group. No special equipment is required.
Tours run from 6:00pm - 9:00pm on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in There. You will be summoned by a Greeter to start a tour. You may sign-up for a guided tour by going to the Buzz section of There Forums. Reply to a topic called "SIGN-UP NOW: Nov. 7 Guided Tour of There".
Monday Nov 12 6-9pm (Beta enters its second month!)
More ThereBucks
-You thought tax refunds were exciting!...We have reached the one month mark of the There beta program and have given all members their new monthly allotment of 75,000 ThereBucks. You'll see this allotment in your gear when you log in on Monday.
Sign-up for "Incognito"
-Have you ever dreamed about being a secret agent? Here is your opportunity to test your powers of subtlety and smooth. Find out more and sign up in the Buzz section of There Forums. Look for the post titled "SIGN-UP NOW: Nov. 12 Incognito".
Greeter_Rich gave a crash course on buggy driving There was volcano racing, and a new twist on soccer,
Wednesday Nov 14 6-9pm
Demolition Derby
-Join us for an evening of buggy bashing! Find out more and sign up in the Buzz section of There Forums. Look for the post titled "SIGN-UP NOW: Nov 14 Demolition Derby".
Also Scavenger Hunt and a Guided Tours of There
Monday November 19th 6-9pm
There continues to attack the lag problem now know as rubberbanding.
New improvements included:
The ability to use expressions anywhere (not just at the spa)
The ability to type an expression as a word, an emoticon like : ) or just typing the word smile in a conversation. The function keys still work as well.
An indicator that the avatar is looking at a web page so you do not think they are ignoring you
New views were also included including First person, Face Mirror, Body Mirror, and super zoomed live map.
Hours expanded for Monday and Wednesday tests. Open visit time was added on Fridays and Saturdays.
Date ???? First There stage (Manoa Stage) is tested ???
Private Beta Testers also recieved, as a spcial thank you, a leather embossed CD container.
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