April Alpha

[devastat]

There are bugs which need fixing, issues under investigation and probably quite a few problems we haven't noticed yet;
Is the alpha fun? Yes I've had a laugh and enjoyed myself- however for the most part it's been more like work, test, crash, report, crash, crash, crash....

...

The people here complaining of broken promises would be the same ones complaining that the game was broken...

This has been discussed before, and this thread is starting to going around in circles, but do you really think that after one Alpha version the game will be automagically fixed and perfect, especially since there are new features implemented in the primary Beta version as well .. ?

Also, what makes you to make the assumption that the people complaining about their early access being late, that they want to play a perfectly polished game? Do you really think that I pledged for a primary Beta because I want to play an "unbroken" game?

 

[Yaffle]

But then why so much angst? You will get beta. No, you won't be at disadvantage, alpha testers will receive few days earlier, you will get good beta build with much more features than any alpha build.

If waiting makes people angsty, it's understandable, but let's be honest then.

I think the point is that how would you feel if, say the writers pack people had alpha for a week before the Jamesons, who had it for a week before the basic alpha backers?

Also the wording is:

As we move into the Beta process, all Premium and standard Beta builds will be given exclusively to the Alpha players first.

Emphasis mine. That may be poor drafting, but it reads as if the beta backers get the same build as the alpha backers, just later. So there will be no intermediate bug patching. Even if there was the betas get the buggy one, the alphas the new build.

I don't particularly care, this is just a game, but it is getting tiresome having alpha-only competitions in the general forum, further perks in the newsletter. It feels as if I am having my nose rubbed in it somewhat.

 

[Luniticisi]

But then why so much angst? You will get beta. No, you won't be at disadvantage, alpha testers will receive few days earlier, you will get good beta build with much more features than any alpha build.

If waiting makes people angsty, it's understandable, but let's be honest then.

It isn't Angst Pecisk, it more annoyance, the people in Beta have been waiting some 3 and a half months for any real news on when the Beta comes out .. now we hear that all of that goes to the Alpha backers first ... and I doubt the alpha backers will be able to change anything in the first build .. They will just get it first ... (Same build) ... that (to me) doesn't seem fair ... it should be as any download, first come first served .. Earlier in this thread I was all about the lack of preferential treatment of Alpha backers and in one fell swoop ... I was proved wrong .. I truly believe that FD have made a big mistake here (not that it will effect the game really, apart from the 50% discount on insurance) .. just my faith has been bruised a little, as I feel that Beta backers are being treated badly.. as if we didn't really contribute enough ... like £100 is nothing to them ... that's how I feel .. if it is wrong the so be it ... it is however what I feel right now.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

This has been discussed before, and this thread is starting to going around in circles, but do you really think that after one Alpha version the game will be automagically fixed and perfect, especially since there are new features implemented in the primary Beta version as well .. ?

Also, what makes you to make the assumption that the people complaining about their early access being late, that they want to play a perfectly polished game? Do you really think that I pledged for a primary Beta because I want to play an "unbroken" game?

Well, beta indicates all features in place and working as planned, sans big and small bugs. This stage will be reached after traveling and trading.

You just want to get your hands on the game asap, let's say how it is. No need for drama.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

It isn't Angst Pecisk, it more annoyance, the people in Beta have been waiting some 3 and a half months for any real news on when the Beta comes out .. now we hear that all of that goes to the Alpha backers first ... and I doubt the alpha backers will be able to change anything in the first build .. They will just get it first ... (Same build) ... that (to me) doesn't seem fair ... it should be as any download, first come first served .. Earlier in this thread I was all about the lack of preferential treatment of Alpha backers and in one fell swoop ... I was proved wrong .. I truly believe that FD have made a big mistake here (not that it will effect the game really, apart from the 50% discount on insurance) .. just my faith has been bruised a little, as I feel that Beta backers are being treated badly.. as if we didn't really contribute enough ... like £100 is nothing to them ... that's how I feel .. if it is wrong the so be it ... it is however what I feel right now.

I will ask again - what difference does it make which one get it first? There are some practical reasons for giving beta to alpha testers few days early. That's all.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Emphasis mine. That may be poor drafting, but it reads as if the beta backers get the same build as the alpha backers, just later. So there will be no intermediate bug patching. Even if there was the betas get the buggy one, the alphas the new build.

I don't particularly care, this is just a game, but it is getting tiresome having alpha-only competitions in the general forum, further perks in the newsletter. It feels as if I am having my nose rubbed in it somewhat.

No, it is not poor drafting. It basically means if there will be show stopper bugs, beta testers will get updated versions of the build. Case closed.

 

[Amorelia]

You clearly wanted them to promise something, which they clearly weren't ready to do. It is practically the same in my book
.

I clearly wanted nothing of the sort.

 

[Luniticisi]

I will ask again - what difference does it make which one get it first? There are some practical reasons for giving beta to alpha testers few days early. That's all.

O.k. why don't the Beta backers get Beta first and the Alpha backers get what we decide is playable ... if it doesn't matter?

There are no practical reasons for Alpha backers to get the build first, unless you think that being able to pay more money makes you a better games tester,

 

[Patrick_68000]

You are a ****ing idiot mate. seriously.

Alpha backers (I am not one of them) have not had "exclusive" access to anything. They are testing the game for bugs, what the alpha's have is barely a game!!!

If they had only tested it for a month, then the beta would be a bloody mess, and then people like you would be foaming at the mouths. Do us all a favour and stop posting the same crap over and over again.

But let Fromhell quiet. It is a picturesque character, which has its place in the forums. It is appreciated by the community. Yes hard to believe, but true

 

[devastat]

Well, beta indicates all features in place and working as planned, sans big and small bugs. This stage will be reached after traveling and trading.

You just want to get your hands on the game asap, let's say how it is. No need for drama.

Well, let's put it this way - If I would have pledged only 30$ to access the early version, I wouldn't have complained at all about it being 4 months late.

And If you think that the last version of the Alpha 4 will have all the features in place and working as planned, without any major bugs, I cannot help but call you extremely naive. For example, are all the billion star systems going to be implemented on the next Alpha..? What about asteroid stations?

Are all these systems really going to be tested before the release of Premium Beta?

 

[Yaffle]

No, it is not poor drafting. It basically means if there will be show stopper bugs, beta testers will get updated versions of the build. Case closed.

Well, aside from it not saying that in any way at all I am sure you are correct.

You missed my first question - you'd be cool with those who pledged above you getting alpha before you?

Second question - as the order does not matter can one of us beta people have your ID when beta drops, as it doesn't matter who gets it first? We'll look after it, I promise.

 

[kilvenny]

What we are seeing clarified is what the advantages of Alpha over First Beta actually are.

Some are common sense like giving a beta build to alphas first so you trap the showstoppers with a smaller number of people. Some like the insurance are I think designed to cover the fact that late alpha backers are getting somewhat less of a deal than those who backed earlier.

Sweetening the Alpha by making it an Alpha for the Beta's as well, is to the detriment of Beta Backers who are now not getting quite what they thought. It's sort of like a beta of a beta - or should it be a beata of a beta!

What now intrigues me is how long the Beta's will run for? Since although we will have most of the components they will be somewhat cut down - limited ships/planets/space stations etc. What are peoples thoughts on that?

 

[ste]

While I'm as impatient as the next guy, I have played enough, rushed, unfinished, broken games the last few year to last me until Elite 5.

It would be nice to get one that isnt for once. So I'm happy to wait.

I got 100% faith, and the speed of progress I imagine couldnt be any faster.

 

[Patrick_68000]

In other words they lied .. not good .. to say I am disappointed with today's announcements would be an understatement ... Damn, I'm annoyed !

It is not dramatic. After all, it is deserved that the testers alpha, begin the beta, a little before the others. Ultimately we will all be equal when it comes time to the gamma

 

[Globusdiablo]

Language!

Fromhell is a complete ****. There I said it. Banhammer if you must.

Newtonian?...

 

[devastat]

Sweetening the Alpha by making it an Alpha for the Beta's as well, is to the detriment of Beta Backers who are now not getting quite what they thought. It's sort of like a beta of a beta - or should it be a beata of a beta!

We are most likely talking of a release of each Beta to the Alpha crowd a few days before the actual release, just like in the Shroud of the Avatar.

 

[Yaffle]

It is not dramatic. After all, it is deserved that the testers alpha, begin the beta a little before the others. Ultimately we will all be equal when it comes time to the gamma

Assuming gamma doesn't go to the alphas for two weeks, then the betas for a week...

Above the clarification point was made, and I think that's correct. It just hurts that I thought (clearly erroneously) I was buying the beta stage, not the beta-beta stage. As it says in the other thread this whole argument could be avoided by simply calling what will be premium beta 1.0 "alpha 5.0" (or whatever) and then release it as beta 1.0 once FD is happy. It's not the message, it's the message's frame. It reads as if to actually get the premium beta I need to fork out another wodge of cash. That's not what I signed up for.

Indeed, had all this been made clear on the kickstarter it's possible I'd have Jonty'd.

 

[Luniticisi]

It is not dramatic. After all, it is deserved that the testers alpha, begin the beta, a little before the others. Ultimately we will all be equal when it comes time to the gamma

I didn't pay for the Gamma though, I paid for premium Beta (the game was already past the Kickstarter, so no, I didn't pay for development) .. Alpha backers are getting the cream whilst us Guttersnipe, Beta backers are getting the finger .. I think these forums are fantastic and I don't mean to upset anyone .. but I do feel cheated ... even if it is just a tiny little addition to the Alpha (God's among us) ... So sorry to all that feel I have over stepped the mark by finding today's announcements a bit underwhelming ... they were (and the news letter was rubbish as well ... more news on things we already know, apart from the travesty of alpha backers getting Beta before Beta backers) ...

See .... angry

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

What now intrigues me is how long the Beta's will run for? Since although we will have most of the components they will be somewhat cut down - limited ships/planets/space stations etc. What are peoples thoughts on that?

Really have no idea. I suspect premium beta will have game loop, traveling, trading, but won't have dynamic missions and other profession specific content.That stuff will be introduced slowly during premium beta.

 

[Patrick_68000]

Assuming gamma doesn't go to the alphas for two weeks, then the betas for a week...

Above the clarification point was made, and I think that's correct. It just hurts that I thought (clearly erroneously) I was buying the beta stage, not the beta-beta stage. As it says in the other thread this whole argument could be avoided by simply calling what will be premium beta 1.0 "alpha 5.0" (or whatever) and then release it as beta 1.0 once FD is happy. It's not the message, it's the message's frame. It reads as if to actually get the premium beta I need to fork out another wodge of cash. That's not what I signed up for.

Indeed, had all this been made clear on the kickstarter it's possible I'd have Jonty'd.

In the newsletter, Frontier says "We still need your help". It is a cry from the heart and a request for help to make the best game possible. In exchange for this assistance, Frontier give 2 little advantages for the backers of alpha. I think we should especially appreciate the frankness of Frontier when they say "We still need your help!"