LIFETIME Expansion pass, and Python Mk2

[Viaharo]

Question to Frontier,

So with the LEP, us holders are supposed to get access to new content added to the game etc.
With Frontier going in to selling ships, all good and fine. No complaints, They have to stay in business.
My issue with it is, the new python mk2 is locked behind "purchase" now in the arx store to get early preview before release.
This kinda goes against the spirit of the LEP when it was put out possibly.
Is that arx cost for us LEP holders going to be 0, or will it be available for us LEP holders from the preview date in the regular ship stores?

Or is this the Beginning of the end of the LEP promise?

 

[DemiserofD]

I'm not a lifetime Pass Holder myself, but it does seem a little bit odd to suddenly start skipping them. I can't imagine they're too huge a portion of the player base that it will cause an unreasonable financial burden.

 

[Rainbro]

I'd consider it worthwhile just for the ability to write "Lifetime Expansion Pass holders will have normal access for free". Even beyond the few with LEPs, it just sounds a lot more reasonable to others thinking of buying the Python than "oh yeah, we also want more money from the people who already paid us £80 years in advance as well".

 

[lefty1117]

Offering LEP was probably one of the significant mistakes made, I've seen it elsewhere like in LOTRO where they seem to prioritize getting rid of lifetime accounts - you end up closing yourself off to what is probably the cohort most willing to keep spending on the game.

 

[Viaharo]

I'd consider it worthwhile just for the ability to write "Lifetime Expansion Pass holders will have normal access for free". Even beyond the few with LEPs, it just sounds a lot more reasonable to others thinking of buying the Python than "oh yeah, we also want more money from the people who already paid us £80 years in advance as well".

Totally agree. I have zero issue with monetizing to keep the game going etc. I happily buy arx from time to time for cosmetics etc. It is a business and it has to turn profits to stay alive.

But a feature, like a ship being locked to arx for a "preview" for sure goes against the spirit of the LEP's.
It it self is a feature of the game not a cosmetic.
I'm not talking the custom build ships they are going to do. By all means LEP should NOT imho get access to those for free when we can get them for free already just by putting in the work to engineer them.
Imagine there being ships in the game, Just the hull alone, that are only accessible via arx with no other way to earn them. Sure in this case its just the "early preview" but it sets precedence.

That right there is the precedence that would spell the end for LEP folks.

 

[Vedmo]

Should an LEP get everything else in the store for free? They are adding something that you will be able to buy in game like anyone else and it is not being added as part of a paid expansion, so I really don't see what the problem is.

 

[Viaharo]

Should an LEP get everything else in the store for free? They are adding something that you will be able to buy in game like anyone else and it is not being added as part of a paid expansion, so I really don't see what the problem is.

LEP has historically gotten access to betas etc with out the extra cost.
The Python mk2 is basically being offered in "Preview" aka beta mode for arx in the open game.
Difference is clear vs the LEP's history.

 

[Vedmo]

LEP has historically gotten access to betas etc with out the extra cost.
The Python mk2 is basically being offered in "Preview" aka beta mode for arx in the open game.
Difference is clear vs the LEP's history.

It's being offered in the live version of the game. Do they have plans to do a beta for this update? If so, I would agree you should get access to that beta with an LEP. I get your point and am not trying to be difficult here, but nothing in the LEP agreement really covers this as the store and the concept of live game early access were both nonexistent at the time. I'd be perfectly fine with them giving all LEP owners the 3 month early access free of ARX fee, but do not think they are required to do so.

Edit: Spirit of LEP yes, text of LEP no.

 

[Sublime]

Do LEP holders automatically get everything new that’s released in the ARX store for free? If the answer is no, then why should that include the Python? It’s not an expansion pass.

 

[DYSEQTA]

I'm a LEP holder. My memory of the deal was that I purchased the game plus all future expansions to the game. This "early access" thing is just that, earlier access to something I will have access to. Not sure what that has to do with LEP.

 

[Rubbernuke]

I think its a bit of a grey line, given that as a KS backer I got (IIRC) the early access beta test for EDO, but that FD drew a line under other obligations with the cosmetic pack of goodies they gave us.

But I'm not fussed with the PM2- FD have to make money somehow given the challenges they face and I don't see it as a slap to the face / buttock them doing it this way.

 

[Alien]

Key word is "expansion". The LEP grants all the expansions for free.

The Python mkII is not an expansion.

BUT the LEP does mean you have Odyssey, and therefore you don't have to pay ARX to buy the ship in-game.

 

[Factabulous]

Back in 2014/2015 the 'standard' way that a game released was in expansions / DLC - I think a lot of ppl bought the LEP as a way to ensure they got access to new content as soon as possible - because that was how you did that back then.

In 2024 the games industry is switching to the 'pay premium for early access' model where games like Starfield / Diablo 4 etc let you pay a premium for a few days of early access. And now Elite is doing the same: pay a premium to avoid the 3 month wait for the P2.

Paul's post about the LEP follows the letter of the law, but not the spirit. People bought the LEP for ongoing early access and are now being told they don't get it. Which is fine if they want to do that - but don't expect a lot of good will from a bunch of ppl who by definition have been playing the game since the start.

Seems like a needless own-goal, but hey - this is fdev

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

The ship is not an expansion - it's semi-monetized content. I don't think the LEP entitles to any content added for free.

 

[NeoTron]

It might not strictly be an "expansion" but it would help throwing a bone to people that paid $180 for it, when we've gotten a whole 2 expansions in nearly 10 years. It was marketed as:

For a limited time only, players will be able to purchase a Lifetime Expansion Pass granting access to all current and future Seasons of Elite: Dangerous.

I think most that opted to support Frontier this way expected more than 2 "seasons" in 10+ years, and an investment that eventually might make monetary sense. There's been "non dlc" rewards given as a minor rewards to pass holders, such as paintjobs, so this would totally be in line with that.

 

[amigacooke]

If you look in the FAQs for the KickStarter it says expansions and updates.

 

[NeoTron]

I didn't get my LEP from the kickstarter. I bought it later. It cost more and this is how it was sold:

Elite Dangerous: Lifetime Expansion Pass - Elite: Dangerous - Games

<p>Elite: Dangerous is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic, bringing gaming’s original open world adventure to the modern generation with a connected galaxy, evolving narrative and the entirety of the Milky Way re-created at its full galactic

web.archive.org

For a limited time only, players will be able to purchase a Lifetime Expansion Pass granting access to all current and future Seasons of Elite: Dangerous. The Lifetime Expansion Pass also includes access to all Elite: Dangerous Beta builds to gain an early glimpse at upcoming game content before release plus exclusive content.

In addition Horizons itself, in that post, was sold as:

A New Season Of Major Gameplay​

Elite Dangerous: Horizons is a new season of major gameplay expansions for Elite Dangerous, beginning with Planetary Landings across the Elite Dangerous galaxy. Elite Dangerous: Horizons will continue to introduce new features and gameplay as the season continues into 2016, enriching the Elite Dangerous experience with new activities and new ways to play.

Which lead one to believe 2017 would be the next season.

They basically stopped doing seasons after Horizons, and betas also went away. As noted, I'm not arguing that the early access is 100% included in the pass as sold, but rather that given how badly they have handled the LEP, it should be.

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

It might not strictly be an "expansion" but it would help throwing a bone to people that paid $180 for it, when we've gotten a whole 2 expansions in nearly 10 years. It was marketed as:

I think most that opted to support Frontier this way expected more than 2 "seasons" in 10+ years, and an investment that eventually might make monetary sense. There's been "non dlc" rewards given as a minor rewards to pass holders, such as paintjobs, so this would totally be in line with that.

There you have it: 1 ship semi-monetarised per Arx is not a season and I assume that the majority of the paintjobs haven't been given out for free either.

 

[NeoTron]

Again missing the point. The paintjobs and snowman and wasn't expansions either. It was a reward given to people that spent a large amount of money to support Frontier and getting barely anything for it.

 

[amigacooke]

Again missing the point. The paintjobs and snowman and wasn't expansions either. It was a reward given to people that spent a large amount of money to support Frontier and getting barely anything for it.

I can’t agree I didn’t get barely anything for it, two expansions and a whole load of other goodies means I’m quids in.