Game seems to be coming along nicely..BUT

[MechPilot]

I have to ask what in the heck is with the massively expensive cost to get early access? I mean its $100 just to get into beta and what 2 to $300 to even glance at alpha access? I have a strong feeling this is why the game isn't exactly making "raking" it in. Such a high level of entry. Where as Starcitizen had like $40 and lower to get from beta to alpha access. and breaks stretch goals left and right.

Im still interested in what they are doing in this game, LOVE the HUD and cockpit design, give more of a simplistic almost utilitarian look. Gives me that almost "evochron-esqe feel. Also excited about another space-sim with a community (atm at least) thats not summoned from the depths of reddit or 4chan. So liking how the overall look of everything from the game to the community. Could not tolerate S.C community. However now i'm mad because its soo expensive to actually participate in the game.

 

[Lorenzo]

Yes the prices are quite high for Alpha still they got a good deal for 100euros you get expansion for life. And yes SC community is getting worse every day more people join. I got jumped and flamed by PC elitism for asking a question any way here the community is way nicer and helpful.

 

[Hellhawk666]

ED has followed a different marketing dynamic - a tiered hierarchy of benefits rather than the SC model which is very "horizontal". It seems restrictive but maybe they just didn't want so many alpha testers to handle? Whatever the reason I'm sure it wasn't just an arbitrary decision to make more money.

It does mean you have to be passionate, however - it cost me over $375 to be an alpha tester, which is way more than I've invested in SC.

 

[Tinman]

I have to ask what in the heck is with the massively expensive cost to get early access? I mean its $100 just to get into beta and what 2 to $300 to even glance at alpha access? I have a strong feeling this is why the game isn't exactly making "raking" it in. Such a high level of entry. Where as Starcitizen had like $40 and lower to get from beta to alpha access. and breaks stretch goals left and right.

Im still interested in what they are doing in this game, LOVE the HUD and cockpit design, give more of a simplistic almost utilitarian look. Gives me that almost "evochron-esqe feel. Also excited about another space-sim with a community (atm at least) thats not summoned from the depths of reddit or 4chan. So liking how the overall look of everything from the game to the community. Could not tolerate S.C community. However now i'm mad because its soo expensive to actually participate in the game.

I guess you can always wait until release, or chance that the prices for beta will be lower when the new store opens up the 9:th December. Beta access in the new store won't have any of the other benefits and rewards though.

Personally I think the £80 reward is a steal since that grants you free expansions for life. It's only available until the new store opens though then the ship will have sailed. I honestly think people are going to kick themselves later for not getting that one when they had the chance if they pass up on it now.

 

[Hellhawk666]

I honestly think people are going to kick themselves later for not getting that one when they had the chance if they pass up on it now.

And I really hope we don't have the sort of whining about missed opportunities and unfair benefits like happened on SC general forum with LTI.

 

[Cosmos]

I have to ask what in the heck is with the massively expensive cost to get early access? I mean its $100 just to get into beta and what 2 to $300 to even glance at alpha access? I have a strong feeling this is why the game isn't exactly making "raking" it in. Such a high level of entry. Where as Starcitizen had like $40 and lower to get from beta to alpha access. and breaks stretch goals left and right.

Im still interested in what they are doing in this game, LOVE the HUD and cockpit design, give more of a simplistic almost utilitarian look. Gives me that almost "evochron-esqe feel. Also excited about another space-sim with a community (atm at least) thats not summoned from the depths of reddit or 4chan. So liking how the overall look of everything from the game to the community. Could not tolerate S.C community. However now i'm mad because its soo expensive to actually participate in the game.

Welcome to the forums.

There were a few things that put me off SC but then again I am old school Elite and thats where this entire genre comes from. Its not just promo - the community here is probably one the best in all my online experiences. In some ways I think its improved me a little too

Probably a combination of the work the moderators do and all the positive people here. When it comes to the game, you could opt for private beta access - that's fairly reasonable.

We're at a pivitol moment with Elite Dangerous. And I would expect when Alpha footage appears this place is going to go crazy.

 

[MechPilot]

You know... I can fully and truthfully say i don't mind missing on out "rewards" or other physical perks. I'm just excited about the game and want to play it in early access with you guys. So if I miss out on some swag. For me it would be ok as I know it would only be fair If I donated less to the game.


here's hoping they make make a "entry level" friendly price points change in Dec. if So you can bet I'll be there.And of course I will try to continue the overall vibe of the forum and keep it calm, and courteous.

 

[Crystles]

ED isnt "raking it in" because they wernt milking the cash cow since day 1.

Chris Roberts has consistently, systematically and intelligently setup a model where he's already selling digital in game items to players, in a manor that makes them extremely appealing.

Life Time Insurance was also largely misunderstood (and a lot of misinformation was put out too, I'm smelling a bait and switch here). LTI was a major factor in purchasing ships early on, and that carried through.

CR has sold nearly every ship they've scrapped together up to this date. With (extremely well done) marketing commercials to boot, showing off how awesome the ships are was also a very strong move. Millions were thrown down on the 300i commercial, and the Hornet sale was a blow out. The month of November alone netted nearly 8 million as they strategically announced it well in advance, then simple re-released nearly every ship they had, including 2 brand new ones, all with LTI (to new AND old backers). It was a complete blow out.

So yeah... Braben didnt do this, and thats why ED's fundraising didnt blow through the roof. And quite frankly, I'm more secure with Elite now than SC. Chris Roberts has gotten the craving, and I dont know for sure he'll stay honorable and not find a way to continue to milk the cash cow post release.

 

[Sparticus]

I have invested Heavily in this game both in Pledges and new Hardware - Why ?

Not because I am an avid gamer - but because I took this on as a sort of a future hobby.

I intend to immerse myself in this game - and as such pledged to Alpha testing so as to start this immersion ASAP.

If E.D. Runs for 5yrs - then and my PC lasts as long - then my investment will have only cost me $10 per week - plus electricity.

 

[Norbert]

I have invested Heavily in this game both in Pledges and new Hardware - Why ?

Not because I am an avid gamer - but because I took this on as a sort of a future hobby.

I intend to immerse myself in this game - and as such pledged to Alpha testing so as to start this immersion ASAP.

If E.D. Runs for 5yrs - then and my PC lasts as long - then my investment will have only cost me $10 per week - plus electricity.

plus beers and snacks

 

[Mazhurg]

ED has followed a different marketing dynamic - a tiered hierarchy of benefits rather than the SC model which is very "horizontal". It seems restrictive but maybe they just didn't want so many alpha testers to handle? Whatever the reason I'm sure it wasn't just an arbitrary decision to make more money.

It does mean you have to be passionate, however - it cost me over $375 to be an alpha tester, which is way more than I've invested in SC.

It's all relative. My head will roll if the wife ever found out how much I put out to support both E: D and SC. The $375 here has been at least twice beaten on SC yet in the long run I suspect that I'll be playing E: D far longer than SC.

I also suspect that a bunch of folks in SC have spent much more than the price for Alpha here.

 

[Mazhurg]

plus beers and snacks

Plus the treadmill to burn off those calories..

 

[synchromesh]

Star Citizen only wanted $500,000 in the original kickstarter and that's Dollars...where as Elite Dangerous wanted 1.25 million in pounds.

As playing the Alpha and Beta were going to be high on most peoples list then I guess it was a good way to bring in high funding...

Elite is the Landmark Space game that moulded all the rest so it does have a kind of pedigree that makes it special for many who would pay a lot for the privilege I guess.........I would if I could afford it..

 

[Jenner]

It's all relative. My head will roll if the wife ever found out how much I put out to support both E: D and SC. The $375 here has been at least twice beaten on SC yet in the long run I suspect that I'll be playing E: D far longer than SC.

I also suspect that a bunch of folks in SC have spent much more than the price for Alpha here.

Lol! I'm in the same boat, except I've spent way more on ED than SC. Way more on both than I care to think about.

 

[Lestat]

I have invested Heavily in this game both in Pledges and new Hardware - Why ?

Not because I am an avid gamer - but because I took this on as a sort of a future hobby.

I intend to immerse myself in this game - and as such pledged to Alpha testing so as to start this immersion ASAP.

If E.D. Runs for 5yrs - then and my PC lasts as long - then my investment will have only cost me $10 per week - plus electricity.

plus beers and snacks

You forgot the BEER dang it

 

[FoxTwo]

You guys are really infectious... I just upgraded my backing to 80 pounds... T

 

[CaptGrumpyPants]

You guys are really infectious... I just upgraded my backing to 80 pounds... T

Thanks to a few great friends, my backing just now went to Alpha Test!!

Thanks to good friends and my great wife (yo quiero su tanta!)

 

[Norbert]

You guys are really infectious... I just upgraded my backing to 80 pounds... T

Not enough, go for 100 and you get to the first round!

 

[Christian68]

digital download edition is your friend

I have played a lot of games in alpha, over time I just gave up wanting to do it anymore. I expect I will get an Oculus Rift after it goes retail to play elite and do some programming. I have an interesting idea I would like to make for a rift like device.

 

[MechPilot]

See that to me is an issue. because with the $80 you get the digital game, and "theoretically" all other expansions free. Still ways away from not only alpha but beta access too. For me I cant justify laying $80 down now knowing in reality I'll only get just the game, no perks, no early access. Because we all know expansions (true expansions, not "EA expansions") aren't guaranteed to be released in any time frame known as *soon*. So you pay that price and you don't get to participate in anything until the game is 100% ready of launch. That will of course take some time. then you have expansions that might be so far down the road, that the foundation of them wont be ready until long after launch. $30 of that certainly goes to giving you a digital copy, the rest of the money kind of floats off into the ethereal plain until further notice.

alpha testing is not for me, i've done it enough to know that, only with projects im truly diehard-geek crazy it would suit me. For general enthusiasm I think beta would be a safe bet for me. I get to experience the game early, yet enough content and polish remains to truly enjoy the game.

Im just not seeing the incentive as with other projects. Wish it was there