Wait, wait, wait! So even when you`ve bought everything you still have to buy the Beta?

[bitstorm]

I really don't understand the burning desire to be part of these betas.
REAL beta-testing is a job that FD should be paying for instead of something you have to pay them for.

So, you get early access to the new stuff first. Bugs and all.
Then the beta ends and you're back where you started before the beta.
No gains gameplay wise.

For the ordinary gamer taking part in these betas doesn't really add anything.
For those that genuinely want to test I suppose the beta is good fun.

Well there are a couple of benefits :

1) Engineering. You can muck around with various engineer mods to your heart's content. But I think this is mainly a use case for the PvPers.

2) Often there'll be some Hutton Truckers (or whover) blow out event where people turn up in Cutters and nobody cares about rebuys, this can never happen in the live game.

But on the other hand, even without those it's literally a couple of quid anyway.

I mean sure yeah I agree with what you're saying, you join the beta and really you're like "oh right saw some things no big deal", in a way it's more about sating curiosity.

But either way it works out at £2.50, so I mean who cares really, it's not probably even worth the time I took to write this post!

 

[Archvillain]

I guess some of you do not know what free speech is,

Your comment indicates that you are the person who does not know what free speech is. Here is a primer

 

[Scarmax]

"Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it." - Publilius Syrus

So funny that different people have so many different ideas of what is "ethical" to them. You can cry all day about what you believe is ethical and what isn't... about what you believe a company should and should not do, but ultimately, it's not up to you. It's not up to any of us. It's FDev's product so they make the rules, end of story, regardless of what you would like to believe you paid for, which BTW, is clearly spelled out in the EULA if you bothered to read it. (We're going under the assumption that nobody here can show proof that FDev are violating any laws.) The beauty of the whole thing is that you retain the option to exercise your right to NOT buy the beta, or any other product they offer.

And, just to be clear, FDev is not charging extra for the content contained in the beta... what they are charging for is the PRIVILEGE to access it EARLY, and that's all. Everyone will have access to it at ZERO extra cost later on after it has been approved for release out of beta. Going that route, the only real cost is your patience, but apparently some people think that's also too much to ask...

Bottom line; put up or shut up, because either it's worth it to you to pay for the privilege or it's not, but your views on what is ethical and what isn't has no bearing on the reality of the situation.

 

[Haleks]

And I'd say your view on this discussion has no bearing with constructivism and is quite PAINFULL to read.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Ok so I bought everything, the Horizons season Pass, the Commander Deluxe Edition... That includes everything.

But it don`t include the beta, that`s what I`m going to get anyway?

So I have to pay extra for a Beta of what i`m going to get anyway and already paid for?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA[haha]

Great joke. [up] Excellent humour.


So how do I get this Beta without having to pay extra for it? Seriously now.

Nope, only those with the LEP or those who bought in during the beta period back in 2014 get automatic beta access. I paid for my beta access-separately-when 2.1 beta dropped. Best 7 pounds I ever spent.

 

[GG7]

Overhead is a part of running a business. They're charging people to make sure something they already bought works.

I suggest you stick to the live game, and leave the beta access to those of us with a clue. It is painfully obvious from your baseless assumptions and opinions so far, that you really have no idea what you are talking about.

Therefore, best to leave the testing/early access to those of us who have been doing these for years now, who know the drill, why these exist and ultimately who benefits the most from the process.

 

[Haleks]

I suggest you stick to the live game, and leave the beta access to those of us with a clue. Seriously doubt you would be able to contribute anything of worth into the process anyway.

Could we stop with the implied insults? That attitude is lame and doesn't help anyone.

 

[Garagiste]

That time again I see.
Ah well might as well point out, again, that they only started offering beta access to non backers for a small fee because loads of people ASKED THEM TO.
"I want it, I'll pay for it, please let me in, it's not fair". So they let them in and of course now that's not fair either.

Let's look forward to the rash of "Where has all my progress gone" threads when the beta ends.

 

[Gédéon_Lecanard]

Here's a question.

What proportion of players in beta do you think actually beta test? I mean actually beta test like a job.

And what proportion of players just go on to muck around with the new shiny things? I dunno 1 in 10, 1 in 20, 1 in 50 even?

Do you think OP wants access so he can actually beta test things?

Why should a company spend a bunch of time and money scaling up and maintaining infrastructure so people who don't beta test things can pretend to beta test things?

It's a fiver fer God's sake, sure sure "but it's the principle"!!!! =p

You are most certainly right. Many play for the shiny new toys. BUT it's still called a beta, and there is a specific place to report bugs and give some feedback on it. So we gotta assume it's considered to be betatesting, even if not that much betatesters -sorry players- do bother about actual betatesting.

I was a premium betatester, yes sir! And I never wrote anything useful to Frontier during that whole period (maybe a "keeeewl" post at some point). I was there for the very reason you gave: shiny spaceships.

But some do that very seriously. Just read the insane amount of feedback and bug reports each time. Some of us are very dedicated to the task, and more would be if betas were opened to anyone who bought the game.

Hell, let Frontier open betas from all versions to everyone using any licence from the game! This way, maybe they'll get people who are still in the base game and undecided about going into the next season to bite and jump to the next step.

The infrastructure part, I have no idea what it represents. Bigger server access?

 

[GG7]

Could we stop with the implied insults? That attitude is lame and doesn't help anyone.

The guy's opening post basically insulted everyone who has purchased the Beta access. The tone was set long before I responded.

Nothing to apologize for here.

And as they always say.... "If you can't take the heat..."

 

[Kurok]

Its called constructive criticism, I have no problem helping new Cmdrs with legit enquiries but this whinge fest, no thanks. I feel no shame in pointing out the obivious, also grown ups don`t need to write in capitals.

I wrote in capitals as a joke, seems to me that insulting other members is your thing so do you just need a hug? and if this is a whinge fest why are you bothering yourself with it?

 

[Para Handy]

Ok so I bought everything, the Horizons season Pass, the Commander Deluxe Edition... That includes everything.

....................

Nope ... only the Lifetime Expansions Pass (LEP) and certain kickstarter-type purchases include "everything" I have LEP so all betas plus I have another account with a sort of mercenary pack (I think) which has non-Horizons beta. I wouldn't shell out £5 just to have beta access but my purchases were well worth the money and the beta access was/were just incidental nice extra(s) for me.

 

[[DOOK] Droogie]

I suggest you stick to the live game, and leave the beta access to those of us with a clue. It is painfully obvious from your baseless assumptions and opinions so far, that you really have no idea what you are talking about.

Therefore, best to leave the testing/early access to those of us who have been doing these for years now, who know the drill, why these exist and ultimately who benefits the most from the process.

Rather than refute what I said, you just stick to the "you obviously don't get it" fallacy. All businesses have overhead. I've participated in many alpha's and beta's. No other company has ever charged for access to testing their product. The only exceptions are games that charge for early access, but you save money in the end by getting the full release cheaper. They don't charge you more to test their products later patches.

- - - Updated - - -

The guy's opening post basically insulted everyone who has purchased the Beta access. The tone was set long before I responded.

Nothing to apologize for here.

And as they always say.... "If you can't take the heat..."

I'm saying what FD is doing is unethical. Charging people to test something they already paid for. It is very anti-consumer. It's sad to see people easily taken by a scam such as that.

You buy a product, product is ready for testing before you receive it, then you have to pay to test the product you already paid for if you want to make sure it's right. That practice is all kinds of wrong. It's double dipping.

 

[Gully Foyle]

FD releases a new update in beta form. Those who wish to experience it early may pay for that right. It's a choice.
No one is forced to purchase it.
Those who choose to wait for the true release lose nothing.

Elite D is unique in how it is developed dynamically over time with not only their Dev teams but also with players input from here on the forums.
o7

 

[Moonax IRL]

I wrote in capitals as a joke, seems to me that insulting other members is your thing so do you just need a hug? and if this is a whinge fest why are you bothering yourself with it?

Speaking of hugs, Huggies are what`s needed for individuals who feel the need to scream down the internet by capitalising their comments, you may grow out of it at some stage.

 

[Sole Hunter]

Not quite sure what you're on about - the Horizon's season pass includes the beta.

no it doesn't I had the season pass and found out I had to buy the beta access a while ago.

 

[Demascus]

Boils down to the life time backers, FD just needed a little more for that backer reward package. A "buy this and have full access to every beta while everyone else pays". So regardless of common sense or what other companies in the industry are doing, FD can not allow free beta access. If they did then I'm sure the back would grab the torches/pitchforks and become the very thing they mock and sneer at in the forums.

Personally I take the beta process seriously, sure its a chance to see some new features before anyone else. However if your like me and have a significant investment in the game, you want to see it grow and improve. I like being one of many spending time documenting, reporting and exploring all the corners of the beta. So to me a paid beta for any game is a slap to the face and I refuse to pay for it even if its cheap. I understand why FD can't or won't change it, doesn't mean I like it.

Special Snowflakes

 

[NW3]

The most useful part of beta access is that it lets you experiment without risk to your main account. I practiced neutron star jumping in the last beta. I often try out ships (like the Dolphin) in beta where they are 1/10th the price.

It's worth it to me, to pay extra. If you don't want to spend the money, that's OK; you'll be able to play with the new content in a few weeks.

What proportion of players in beta do you think actually beta test? I mean actually beta test like a job.

I do actually test it, but not like a full-time job. I also try to have some fun while I'm at it. I'm a software engineer, so I know how to properly submit a defect. If you take a look at the Beta feedback forum, you'll see that FD is getting a lot of good feedback.

Yesterday I gave the SRV scanner a thorough testing. I'm glad to report that it is hugely improved. It's almost too good now. It's not a challenge at all, at least for someone like me, who became skilled in using the semi-broken scanner.

 

[Cosmos]

No it doesn't.

Only way you get beta is if you paid for beta in some form. There were two Horizons versions initially, with beta and without beta, a tenner different, maybe you got the beta one.

Beta is just an add on now, so this thing : https://www.frontierstore.net/games...ite-dangerous-horizons-beta-upgrade-pass.html

For that you will have access to the beta for 2.3 and 2.4 and that's it.

Up to you really, I mean it's ok being able to see things early, but it's not a big deal really, just looks it until you get access and then you're like "oh ok yeah I could have waited".

But it's only a fiver, so £2.50 for 2.3 beta and £2.50 for 2.4 beta.

I can see why some people look at this and wonder whats going on but as you say it sounds more enticing than it actually is. For the most part I find all the post release betas to have reduced my enthusiasm when it goes live so I don't tend to bother these days.

Most useful bit about the betas is having access to all the ships and be able to try out new changes, modules, loadouts etc.. I certainly don't spend my time play testing frontiers game for them.

 

[Mr_Foxhound]

Easy. Wait until the early access Beta is finished and then you will be playing a beta version of 2.3 for the next month or two until FD throw in a bug fix and balance patch. That's how it works.

its true
its true