About the "upgrade to alpha" offer

[Squicker]

something just isn't right. I'm concerned as to how long these additional Alpha phases will last and how many there might be.

At this point in time FD must know how many alpha test modules there are to run, but they might not clearly understand how long each test module will take to run. As they do each test that will become clearer to them as they go through a cycle of deploy, test, fault find, design modification and back to deploy, all for each test module (dog fighting, trading, docking, mining, whatever...)

My question is, have FD published the exhaustive list of test modules? I think that's something backers should know, even if we can't expect them to provide a fixed timeline for test stages at this point.

 

[Penthux]

At this point in time FD must know how many alpha test modules there are to run, but they might not clearly understand how long each test module will take to run. As they do each test that will become clearer to them as they go through a cycle of deploy, test, fault find, design modification and back to deploy, all for each test module (dog fighting, trading, docking, mining, whatever...)

My question is, have FD published the exhaustive list of test modules? I think that's something backers should know, even if we can't expect them to provide a fixed timeline for test stages at this point.

It would be great if Frontier could release just a little more information about what's going on with regards to development and why the Alpha phase is taking a lot longer than originally anticipated. As you say, they must have *some* idea what's involved even if they cannot or will not tie themselves to any kind of timeframe.

The latest dev diary #10 says very little and is only slightly interesting to those already taking part in Alpha... with yet another invitation for people to join Alpha (1:45). I'm glad David Braben likes the game-play videos which have been released on youtube, etc. but it tells us nothing much about anything else.

 

[Gibbonici]

It would be great if Frontier could release just a little more information about what's going on with regards to development and why the Alpha phase is taking a lot longer than originally anticipated. As you say, they must have *some* idea what's involved even if they cannot or will not tie themselves to any kind of timeframe.

They've already said that Alpha 2 is taking longer because they're testing more in it than they originally planned. There are still a few alpha phases to go, and the same may happen during those. As they've said many times, alpha will run as long as alpha will run.

Nothing anyone can do about it and all us beta guys can do is exercise some patience.

 

[Alien]

I'd rather a thoroughly tested game than something hastily thrown together.

 

[KING5TON]

I can't say that that thought that FD might be prolonging a suddenly popular Alpha to bring in extra readies didn't cross my mind. They are a private company after all not some charity. If I was in charge I'd keep it going as long as people were throwing £200 at me but then I'm an unscrupulous barsteward when it comes to business.

I guess you just have to take it on faith that this isn't what's happening. They just mishandled the Kickstarter delivery dates and originally just poorly planned for the phases other than Alpha. That there are legitimate reason for the delays other than lets make more free money. They are just responding to requests to allow access to the Alpha and their emails are just to let people know, nothing more.

I'm willing to give FD the benefit of the doubt, maybe misplaced but that's maybe because I'm so invested in the game financially and emotionally that I want to believe!

 

[Oss133]

Here is what actually happened.

1. There was a Kickstarter with many pledge levels, including Alpha at £200.

2. The Kickstarter closed, having met it's target.

3. FD opened the Backers App which allowed people to continue to pledge as per the Kickstarter.

4. The backers App closed and the Shop was opened with limited reference to the previously pledge levels of backing. The message was that buying anything now was no longer seen as backing the project but rather purchasing a product.

5. There were some complaints that upping your pledge via the Shop was now more expensive than had previously been the case. Personally I would have said Tough, if you wanted Alpha before now, you should have got it through the Backer App. But FD said OK we will change the price to reflect more of your previous pledge level, even though we warned you that the Backers App was closing and when.


As has been previously stated, Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Making money is what every company is in business to do, so if people are saying please let me give you some more, FD would be a little dull to say no. But perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps we should all stand together and demand that the world stop trying to sell us stuff.

 

[Stormprooter]

Personally, I do not think FD are out to just grab more cash. I think they genuinely just want more alpha testers, for the purposes of getting a better quality testing phase. They already have all the funding they need to get the game to first release.
As for the pricing, I think they are trying to be as fair as possible to backers who pledged at alpha level (and above) from the outset, as well as those who now want to upgrade.

 

[Michael Brookes]

In the latest newsletter we've said that there are two more major alpha releases.

The reason we've been adding opportunities for people to join in the alpha because they wanted to, we were happy to have a hard cut off, but many of you wanted to join in so we have facilitated that.

As for extending the alpha to gain more revenue that arguement doesn't make financial sense, we want the game to go to retail to sell to the wider world.

Michael

 

[sp33dy]

In the latest newsletter we've said that there are two more major alpha releases.

The reason we've been adding opportunities for people to join in the alpha because they wanted to, we were happy to have a hard cut off, but many of you wanted to join in so we have facilitated that.

As for extending the alpha to gain more revenue that arguement doesn't make financial sense, we want the game to go to retail to sell to the wider world.

Michael

Michael,

I completely agree with you. Financially, the only way to make real money is to go to market. How people think you are making significant profits from Alpha is beyond me; as much as why anyone would want to pay the extra £200ish now.

OK, I paid £300 during Kickstarter, but that was an investment choice. To pay £200 now, to join an Alpha seems a bit odd in spending sense. I still recommend others to buy a decent joystick setup/trackir and be patient.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

In the latest newsletter we've said that there are two more major alpha releases.

The reason we've been adding opportunities for people to join in the alpha because they wanted to, we were happy to have a hard cut off, but many of you wanted to join in so we have facilitated that.

As for extending the alpha to gain more revenue that arguement doesn't make financial sense, we want the game to go to retail to sell to the wider world.

Michael

THANK YOU for saying this out loud! I think we all kinda get little tired of these accusations

 

[Nazarene]

In the latest newsletter we've said that there are two more major alpha releases.

The reason we've been adding opportunities for people to join in the alpha because they wanted to, we were happy to have a hard cut off, but many of you wanted to join in so we have facilitated that.

As for extending the alpha to gain more revenue that arguement doesn't make financial sense, we want the game to go to retail to sell to the wider world.

Michael

Well said Michael!

Keep up the excellent work FD!

It's all exceptional so far - woo-hoo!

 

[ATARI.]

I don't think they were all 'accusations' as such, more that you can understand those in beta that are disappointed and the impression given by all the emails telling them they can upgrade to alpha for additional cash.

Anyways, going round in circles yet again - will leave it there

 

[Oss133]

I suspect Michael Brookes has a very sore tongue.

 

[jedt]

It's not making sense because you're assuming that I want to take part in Alpha perhaps?

no.... it's quite clear that you are not interested. i made no assumption.

_IF_ I wanted to be part of Alpha now it would cost me and extra £50 (so it reads in the email sent by Frontier Developments) but when the KS period was in effect it would have only cost me an extra £20 because I pledged £180 in total. Hence, _IF_ I chose to join Alpha _NOW_ it would cost me more than originally stated (£200) but I'm confused as to why it's _MORE_ money now. Makes sense?

no, it still doesn't make sense. given, as you have stated, that you are not interested in participating in the alpha what does the price matter? it isn't going to cost you anything because you have no intention of participating.

 

[Philip Coutts]

Today I'm wearing black socks with green lines on them.....Oh crap wrong thread.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Today I'm wearing black socks with green lines on them.....Oh crap wrong thread.

Maybe wrong thread, but right comment I might add

 

[ATARI.]

Today I'm wearing black socks with green lines on them.....Oh crap wrong thread.

lol

 

[KickahasTier]

no, it still doesn't make sense. given, as you have stated, that you are not interested in participating in the alpha what does the price matter? it isn't going to cost you anything because you have no intention of participating.

Why are you are not answering the question?, why are you being obtuse and evasive? It's a simple question to answer.

You need to pay more to upgrade to alpha because the web store does not respect the level of your Kickstarter pledge, this is how it was implemented. You were warned that this would be the case (so that makes it OK apparently).

In it's first configuration access to Alpha from the web store was 200 Gbp, regardless of your backing level. Frontier then deigned to allow beta backers to upgrade from the web store(by upgrade I mean pay the difference not the entire 200 Gbp). More recently they deigned to allow founder level backers to upgrade. If you pledged a increment in between these levels the difference is not respected in relation to upgrading to alpha. You are allowed be pleased that you have the privilege to join the alpha.

Personally I don't think that FD maliciously implemented the web store this way. It's most likely that transferring the pledge users and their pledge levels to the web store was a awkward technical exercise and they tried to take a short cut. Unfortunately now with the development time frame extending, access to alpha becomes more of an issue as beta pledgers are getting impatient.

 

[Cody]

... as beta pledgers are getting impatient.

Some Betas are getting impatient, yes - but most of us are quite content to wait.

 

[Slythe]

Some Betas are getting impatient, yes - but most of us are quite content to wait.

As another beta, I approve this message. And I do have some alpha videos on youtube to look forward to in the meantime.