Welcome to the Public Test Shard! - Getting Started

[Elrar]

Welcome to the RIFT Public Test Shard!

This Public Test Shard is the bleeding edge of the game and where you can check out the latest updates before they're released world-wide.

All active subscribers have access to the Public Test Shard when it is available; however, we will often bring the Public Test Shard offline without notice for frequent unless there is a scheduled testing event. (We'll be sure to announce them in this forum when we have one.)

Always expect the unexpected when accessing the Public Test Shard. There are no guarantees that a patch or new update won't cause everything to break, but take comfort in the fact that you're helping us to discover issues before they can impact players all around the world - thanks!

Downloading the Public Test Shard Client

You'll need a special Public Test patcher to access the Public Test Shard. You can download it here:

• Download the Public Test Patcher here.

Simply copy the patcher into a new directory (create a folder next to where RIFT is installed called "RIFT PTS" for example) and login using the same Username and Password you normally use.

The patcher will need to download the latest version of the Public Test client, this may take some time and requires additional space on your hard-drive (roughly the same amount as the Live client.)

And that's it!

Character Copy to PTS!

You can now copy your character to the Public Test Shard! Simply click the Transfer button when you’re at Character select on the Live client and select “Copy to PTS” – it’s as easy as that! (though there may be a few bugs/limitations we’re working out). We will no longer be offering Gear/Leveling vendors with the introduction of this feature (except when testing requires it.)

Thanks for your help in making RIFT better, keep an eye on these forums for schedule events and how you can participate - Have fun!

[Remissus]

Yaaay. This is good news in my book, checking new and in-progress things out on public test shards is always a fun part of MMOing. ^^ Thanks Devs for letting us help out!

[SinisterDeath]

Welcome to the RIFT Public Test Shard!

This Public Test Shard is the bleeding edge of the game and where you can check out the latest updates before they're released world-wide.

All active subscribers have access to the Public Test Shard when it is available; however, we will often bring the Public Test Shard offline without notice for frequent unless there is a scheduled testing event. (We'll be sure to announce them in this forum when we have one.)

Always expect the unexpected when accessing the Public Test Shard. There are no guarantees that a patch or new update won't cause everything to break, but take comfort in the fact that you're helping us to discover issues before they can impact players all around the world - thanks!

Downloading the Public Test Shard Client

You'll need a special Public Test patcher to access the Public Test Shard. You can download it here:

• Download the Public Test Patcher here.

Simply copy the patcher into a new directory (create a folder where RIFT is installed called "PTS" for example) and login using the same Username and Password you normally use.

The patcher will need to download the latest version of the Public Test client, this may take some time and requires additional space on your hard-drive (roughly the same amount as the Live client.)

And that's it! We currently do not offer character copies to the Public Test Shard; however, the character you create there will generally be available forever and during events we often create leveling and gear merchants for your use.

Thanks for your help in making RIFT better, keep an eye on these forums for schedule events and how you can participate - Have fun!

IS it possible to transfer files from the live client into the new folder, and than let the patcher update the ones that are actually different? Makes no sense to me to have to download files 'twice' when I already have the 'base' stuff intact.

+ My connection sucks and it would take me 3 weeks to download, and wouldn't be able to play rift at the same time. ;)

[Neuronicercasi]

IS it possible to transfer files from the live client into the new folder, and than let the patcher update the ones that are actually different? Makes no sense to me to have to download files 'twice' when I already have the 'base' stuff intact.

+ My connection sucks and it would take me 3 weeks to download, and wouldn't be able to play rift at the same time. ;)

... i really don't know, but i would try that
As long as there is a "Recover" option in the alpha launcher it should work... but my assumpion is that the patcher is programmed perfectly as i think it should be and function... so i'm 0% reliable

[SinisterDeath]

... i really don't know, but i would try that
As long as there is a "Recover" option in the alpha launcher it should work... but my assumpion is that the patcher is programmed perfectly as i think it should be and function... so i'm 0% reliable

Yea, it can take me 2 hours to download 150 MBs some days, so updating 8GBs is.. unfeasable.

I really wish they'd make the alpha client just 'a patch away' from our main one. >_<

[nefermore]

Is this the same as the old alpha client? Cause the alpha client has the test shard on it but its constantly crashing and recover doesn't seem to fix it.

[Lord Krighton]

So I would like to play my level 50.

This game hasn't earned my time and attention to level another character through the droves of redundant quests to test damage.

If I can't use my 50, how is this PTR useful again? Steve Jobs.. you there? Did you buy Trion?

[Theandras]

So I would like to play my level 50.

This game hasn't earned my time and attention to level another character through the droves of redundant quests to test damage.

If I can't use my 50, how is this PTR useful again? Steve Jobs.. you there? Did you buy Trion?

I agree. I am not spending hours and hours to level up a temp toon.

How are we suppose to test the new patches???

[Davexeno]

Agreed,

I have two toons at 50 on Firesand, like hell I'm gna grind through that again on a PTS. I just got one to lv4 and got bored, either give us an ability to lv50 insta, or allow us to copy our characters to the PTS, preferably copy the characters that way only those who are already 50 get to test the 50 content (no easy rides for lowbies) and we also get to test like for like, on the PTS and the Live servers.

[Sormerense]

Why im always disconnected from server? Only can create character. Connect to server -> disconnect on 9%

[LOLtex]

When I try to update, I get an error: "Cannot recover at this time. Please try again in a few minutes. (Error #1012).

What's this?

[LOLtex]

Oops, forgot to copy the .exe into the rift folder, and make a new folder specifically for it. It's working now.

Can't edit the above post, so postcount +1 I suppose.

[Repulse]

10char /

[Helluin]

I'm unable to start Rift for test.

I downloaded and patched as explained, during last PTS event I was able to start the game and play/test.
This time I can't do it. I get an error as soon as I press "Play" after the update.
I sent reports about it every time.
Just to be sure I deleted folder, downloaded and reinstalled but I still get that error.

On release version I can play normally without any issue.

Is there any way to solve this please?

[Elrar]

Hey all, the team is continuing to look into a crash issue some players encounter when running the patcher - we've been looking at it since receiving initial reports and will update you as new information is available.

Thanks!