DEMO/BETA TESTING: GIVE US A SIGN
Yes, there will be demo set to come out at about the same time RoN hits store shelves. The ideology behind this timing is to expose those who are still a little sceptical about whether they're getting a decent bang for their buck to at least get a taste of the gameplay.
As for beta testing, no doubt of great and considerably more interest to those who are apt to be reading this, no decisions have yet been made. This is an area where BHG defers to the Microsoft Corporation, the game's publisher, for its expertise. Reynolds' understanding is that there is to be a public test, but “I am not committing to that… but we certainly want to have beta testing because we have found that that adds a lot to the polish level to our games, but [again] I don't exactly know what the details are going to be".
WHEN ALL THE ENERGY IS SPENT
Before we take our leave, a moment now with Brian to talk about what the people behind the game do to unwind. The BHG office is stocked with competitor games, e.g. Dungeon Siege and various board games – yes, including RISK; the place is also equipped with ping-pong and pool tables. For Reynolds himself, playing the harmonica and piano are his relaxation techniques along with trips to his family's summer cottage in the 1000 Islands. From here, sailing along the St. Lawrence River and taking hikes in the woods are his preferred means of getting away from the stresses of a 21st-century game developer.
THE END OF ONE ROAD, LEADING TO ANOTHER
This instalment of our extended first look at Rise of Nations marks the end of the road for the “Rise Up: Reynolds on RoN” series. What began as an informal discussion between Brian and myself this past March has resulted in this and the previous five incarnations of this ongoing feature over a three consecutive month period. I hope that I have imparted upon you a solid grasp of the what the game is about in as much if not more detail than other previews to date. Fear not, however, for where this road ends it inevitable leads to another. Appropriately during the final editing of Part 5, FedEx delivered my copy of the first RoN press beta. Next month, a more up-to-date preview will surface. Beyond, one and all call look forward to booting up Big Huge Games' debut title in early 2003.
In closing, I would like once again to thank Brian and the rest of the BHG team for the opportunity to see Rise of Nations in action in-person over the summer and to you, the reader, for taking time out of your day to join me on this journey. This Civilization meets Age of Empires project is well on its way to rejuvenating the computer strategy genre by incorporating the best of both real-time and turn-based worlds. Ride on, and rise up.
Rise Up: Reynolds On RoN 
