IMPORTANT: Survey - should admins play with players in alpha test?

YES It helps for them to play along side us, especially when we have general questions about the gameplay, etc.

Yes, absolutely.

It was very clear that this is a testing experience.  I can't image how the developers could have a complete grasp on the issues if they were not experiencing them concurrently with the testers, and also hearing the tester feedback in real time.

You are favouring a player, so then the player can go around and say "look, gm is my friend, i can do things and have things that you can't, bla bla". How are you going to prove that the person is lieing?

Hello, ladies, its not about questions in the chat, its about facing actual force of a GM in your own or someone's else town

Well Arri, in phase 1 and early in phase 2 none of us were battling each other so  the devs took the matter into their own hands and some decided to attack us to make us go  to war, after all going to war is an integral part of the game and it needed to be tested.  Those of us who have been interacting on the TT forum over the past five years, waiting for this release,  have developed a semi personal relationship with some of the team, however, I do agree  that there are some players who like to think they are best friends with them, and get to tell others what they can and cannot do.  And yes in early phases 1 & 2 I was constantly attacked by Astor and Guro as was Udive and a couple of other players.
It would appear that you don't want to be attacked by those with bigger and better armies than yours, but you don't mind attacking those whose army and navy are much much smaller than yours.  None of us get to have it both ways.  If you can dish it out then you should not complain when  you're the one at the other end stick.

Yes

I am very new to this type of gaming, but it seems that in order for developers to make a game that is both functional and fun, they would have to play along side the rest of us. It was VERY clear that this is a testing phase and what to expect. I also do not think a developer would spend so much time and effort on a game just to play favorites, so I do not see that as  a concern. As far as the developers knowing more about the game than the rest of us, there will always be someone who knows more, has more time, resources etc. So I do not see that as a reason that they should not play with the rest of us.

AnneeR my post was referring to this.

Recently some players accused us in being unfair because we play the game alongside testers in the same server.

Fair enough, but I don't see it that way and like I said earlier, if you or those others (yet to come forward and announce who they are - so we only have yourself and Arris word for it)  who  don't want them to play along side us  have an option open to you all of waiting till the game is put out on general release.  Like it or lump it, its that simple.

Yes this is testing of course they should. I can't even believe it came into question. 

In Alpha 2 I had a great time beating and being beaten by Astor and Guro. Also love to get a sneak peak into the next stage by spying on their towns. How would I ever gotten ship killer achievement if they weren't right there with us?

Yes. I think it would slow the game developement if you dont play. And after all, its your own game, i don't think you are such bad people to cheat on it. its true that you know better the game but that happens in a lesser way when you invite people into new alphas, and it its going to happen always 

Yes, the admins should be part of the alpha test group.

Yes.  Absolutely developers need to play.  Only getting feedback from other players always shows their personal feelings about how the game should be played, which colors the discussion.

And I am with AnneeR on her comments about dishing it and taking it.

Yes,
We all benefit from having you and Guro present to participate in the chat. We get to ask questions and get general information. We can bring up problems and issues and get faster feedback to these problems.

As far as playing in the game, I see no problem with that. It is a lot harder to test problems or new ideas between a few developers, than a large group of testers/developers.

Yes by all means.  It is nice to have you here

Yes definitely.

Good to have the admins testing the game too:)

Absolutely yes the developers should play alongside the testers.  I won't reiterate what everyone else has said but my opinions are similar regarding the issues raised.

YES. Moar noobs - moar fun.