"Beyond" free for Horizon owners - LEP musings
- Thread starter Astral Crawler
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Seems people are a tad confused. Whoever said FD won't be getting any new money from ED? I've spent at least £50 in skins in the last couple of years, and very likely to spend another £25 each year while the game is worth playing.
There are a heap of people that have vanilla ED - they will see value in paying for an upgrade. I think FD have realised they need to put work into the core of the game, and they also realised they can still make revenue whilst doing so. I, personally, don't see a problem.
This, by the way, coming from someone that bought the lifetime expansion pass.
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Yes ! It would be a very good initiative. Art concepts are always welcome in the community
![BigBANGtheory [VR]](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/71/71385.jpg?1644873788){kind=avatar}
I think the trap the OP has fallen into is assigning a value to the LEP before the end of the lifecycle of ED. Think of it as a long term investment sit back and forget about it imho.
Frontier I think is concerned about fracturing the community and is trying to do the right thing by all accounts, they want every player on Horizons and I think this will help. 2018 will be progressive change to a stronger product not a big bang
here is a new product ready to go that we want you to pay for. I bet (I don't know for sure but speculation) that part of the challenge is ED has a lot of LEP owners more than Frontier bargined for and in order to bring in new revenue they needs to:
1. Milk the player base a bit
2. Get the game into a position where they can launch big ticket items to attract non-LEP players
That quite clearly is going to be 18months ish away at least.... The important point is ED has a future and Braben clearly talked about 10yrs in an abstract fasion so LEP owners are likely to see the value kicking in around year 5.
Frontier I think is concerned about fracturing the community and is trying to do the right thing by all accounts, they want every player on Horizons and I think this will help. 2018 will be progressive change to a stronger product not a big bang
here is a new product ready to go that we want you to pay for. I bet (I don't know for sure but speculation) that part of the challenge is ED has a lot of LEP owners more than Frontier bargined for and in order to bring in new revenue they needs to:1. Milk the player base a bit
2. Get the game into a position where they can launch big ticket items to attract non-LEP players
That quite clearly is going to be 18months ish away at least.... The important point is ED has a future and Braben clearly talked about 10yrs in an abstract fasion so LEP owners are likely to see the value kicking in around year 5.
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I got in on Beta as missed KS, so have the lifetime pass, but only Horizons on my 2nd account.
I'm not too worried by this, and not just because I get another year on my 2nd account with no extra cost needed.
FDev must have done the Math to keep shareholders happy so the finances must be OK. I expect they have enough income generated from the vanity items (yes I have a couple), 2nd (or even multiple) accounts, new players and the platform expansions. I might even purchase a 3rd account next time there is a sale myself now I'm not expecting an upgrade cost this year on my 2nd account.
For content, we all know there is stuff that needs fixing, adding or developing and that is needed to keep a large user base as well as many non Horizons players to get upgraded. It does look like they are trying to address that and looking at most things raised. And they can do the basics while developing what we need for atmospheric planets with life on their other games.
Will they get it all right? Of course not. Squadrons sounds good but will it identify you as such? Can you join multiple ones? Will they have a membership limit? There are so many questions on that
Then for the rest, just as a starter. How bad will the instancing delay be on to ice planets? Will the ships be of any use or unbalance things? How much grind is needed to get new things? Will lone players still be able to compete? How many new vanity items will they be wanting us to buy? Will we get a more personal story for our own goals or will it mainly be big events? How well will that story develop? And will a faction in famine still be wanting me to deliver an important message to Colonia in 7 days to help deal with the problem or perhaps commission me to make multiple trips from the neighbouring agricultural system with fruit and veg instead which might be a little bit more useful in ending the famine?
There is a lot to do and a lot to get wrong, particularly if they start giving me pointless time sink mini games on exploration.
Giving FDev the benefit of the doubt though, this seems like a commitment to address many gameplay concerns and wishes to build a solid base of players before moving forward with the big developments on planets while doing that development elsewhere while creating new revenue streams for the company.
That seems sensible to me and while many concerns raised are valid fears, I would tend to hope for the positive outcomes instead from this and hope not to be disappointed.
I'm not too worried by this, and not just because I get another year on my 2nd account with no extra cost needed.
FDev must have done the Math to keep shareholders happy so the finances must be OK. I expect they have enough income generated from the vanity items (yes I have a couple), 2nd (or even multiple) accounts, new players and the platform expansions. I might even purchase a 3rd account next time there is a sale myself now I'm not expecting an upgrade cost this year on my 2nd account.
For content, we all know there is stuff that needs fixing, adding or developing and that is needed to keep a large user base as well as many non Horizons players to get upgraded. It does look like they are trying to address that and looking at most things raised. And they can do the basics while developing what we need for atmospheric planets with life on their other games.
Will they get it all right? Of course not. Squadrons sounds good but will it identify you as such? Can you join multiple ones? Will they have a membership limit? There are so many questions on that
Then for the rest, just as a starter. How bad will the instancing delay be on to ice planets? Will the ships be of any use or unbalance things? How much grind is needed to get new things? Will lone players still be able to compete? How many new vanity items will they be wanting us to buy? Will we get a more personal story for our own goals or will it mainly be big events? How well will that story develop? And will a faction in famine still be wanting me to deliver an important message to Colonia in 7 days to help deal with the problem or perhaps commission me to make multiple trips from the neighbouring agricultural system with fruit and veg instead which might be a little bit more useful in ending the famine?
There is a lot to do and a lot to get wrong, particularly if they start giving me pointless time sink mini games on exploration.
Giving FDev the benefit of the doubt though, this seems like a commitment to address many gameplay concerns and wishes to build a solid base of players before moving forward with the big developments on planets while doing that development elsewhere while creating new revenue streams for the company.
That seems sensible to me and while many concerns raised are valid fears, I would tend to hope for the positive outcomes instead from this and hope not to be disappointed.
I have LEP, but don't really feel any animosity towards Fdev for that. It was a gamble, and one that I still think will pay off, even more so because the 3rd season will be free to everyone. I think had they decided on a different pay model, it would hurt the game in the long term, and ultimately devalue my LEP purchase. Having season 3 a free core mechanics series of updates is going to make the game better overall, attract more new customers, and ensure ED gets a season 4 and 5.
If I'm really honest, the LEP already paid itself off. Even having paid 165€ or whatever, I think my €/hr played for ED is one the lowest of all my games.
If I'm really honest, the LEP already paid itself off. Even having paid 165€ or whatever, I think my €/hr played for ED is one the lowest of all my games.
Having lots more lifetime left, in theory, and having a Lifetime Pass; I don't mind that they wait a little longer to take money for expanding the game.
In fact, it think it pretty decent of them to do so.
But also generous.
There have been some troubles and and some rather serious delays; Frontier is now being fair and square about it.
Well done, Frontier! [yesnod]
In fact, it think it pretty decent of them to do so.
But also generous.
There have been some troubles and and some rather serious delays; Frontier is now being fair and square about it.
Well done, Frontier! [yesnod]
The other thing we don't know is if for example features like space legs and atmosphere landings will simply drop in as one-off, one time payment items. I suspect not because I get the feeling ED is making some breathing room for itself development wise. LEP owners will simply get those where as standard Horizon owners will have to get their flexible friend out
I have spent 10x what the OP has. I don't want a refund either.
I also don't want a refund for the two slices of pizza I'm about to eat. :S
If all the LEP amounts to (notice I said "if") is buying Horizons for 3 times the price as everyone else at the time, then asking for a refund of the difference isn't some radical idea or something. Elite isn't a charity case, you know.
But yes, I'm also hoping to see more expansions in the future as others have mentioned and would prefer that over having a refund, since of course that's why I bought the LEP in the first place, to cover the cost of these expansion DLCs.
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They can also now can *invest*. You know, that thing developers and publishers did back in the day when developing new things. Not just falling back to cash from current sales.
And FD can invest. If they will feel ED is ready for space legs for example - they will do it, and make no mistake, it will be glorious.
At the moment now it isn't a time or place. This isn't a race people.
Also such threads is why FD avoids to sell LEP on regular basis.
A key comment.
Did you have a good day Commander Pe ... EagleBoy?
And .. WHEN can I buy a dinosaurus!"?
What year is this now, ED year 3 .. or 4?
When I got into LEP I hoped to live at least this long so I reckon that's a plus, even if nobody else does
If you've made a lifetime investment in a product then the one thing you'd want above all is for the product to prosper. If people stop playing the game then there will be no future releases and your investment is worth nothing. Making 3 free helps shore up the player base, keeps people happy and ultimately paves the way for the long term viability of the game. If I was an investor this is what I'd want.
I've mentioned it before, but for the sake of clarity, I'm glad the Beyond Horizons content is coming at no additional cost to people who have Horizons. On the other hand, it isn't unreasonable to expect the eventual delivery of content you've already paid for, so some reassurances from Frontier about the future of the game would go a long way for some. People are only human, you know.
Well, since it is EA, it would be a sh*tstorm. But other than EA, FD has a reputation to lose.
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A key comment.
Did you have a good day Commander Pe ... EagleBoy?
And .. WHEN can I buy a dinosaurus!"?
What year is this now, ED year 3 .. or 4?
When I got into LEP I hoped to live at least this long so I reckon that's a plus, even if nobody else does
Day was amazing, I want to do video blog or blog entry about it.
FD clearly *cares* about it's community and legacy. They care about all us space weirdos, coaster artists and dino lovers in all shapes and sizes. Anyone suggesting anything else talks out of his backside.
Legacy corner was awesome touch. ScreamRide is definitely one of their underrated games in recent time. I mean, I would buy it on PC. It is just that small little game that works at what FD is so good at. It was amazing to see all old consoles and hardware for specific games.
Speeches were packed, entertaining and hands down amazing. I was on the edge all the time during galaxy speech - it felt like some professor explain to it's peers - and funny story, there were physicists in auditory too. Guy next to me took notes.
And so on and so forth. Handshake and 5 mins with David (can't believe even today), longer chats with Sandro, Dav, and other devs. Amazing people. Down to Earth, no snub nothing.
Ok, I will stop goshing.
JWE comes out next year right? I expect it to be aligned with movie release, although what I saw it goes way beyond movie license title. Rendering is just pure bliss. FD makes best looking games in industry, period.
ED is in year 3, and will go in year 4 next year. What devs in chatting indicated that they are very excited to extend base game with all those small improvements. Graphics guys (won't quote precisely, because, hey, it wasn't official word) openly said that they want to prepare game for next best good looking thing. Planet side tech is one of pure examples. They working on better rendering, better faster methods to show amazing things.
I came away from FX with full confidence in FD. Next year will bring lot of core updates we were waiting for long time, and FD will work with story and with improvements to pay way for updates after 2018.
Also it is not a 'Season 3'. They don't call it that way, and they call Q1 release "2.5" anyway.
And you can call me Pecisk, I just think EagleBoy is easier to pronounce, no?
Well, since it is EA, it would be a storm. But other than EA, FD has a reputation to lose.
Yes, Frontier is presumably a reputable company. If Frontier were EA, I wouldn't have bought this game from them in the first place.
But usually you dont want to show something which is still very early in developement since things can change, details are not fixed etc. And looking how the crowd react here to pure speculations i would think twice too and make sure i can deliver what i announce.
But usually you dont want to show something which is still very early in developement since things can change, details are not fixed etc. And looking how the crowd react here to pure speculations i would think twice too and make sure i can deliver what i announce.
I don't see anyone throwing stones here. Well, maybe the one off (I tend to just ignore what they have to say and move on), but there's the odd ones out there too.
Personally, I think and hope that they're just trying to shore up the base game so that it is in an even more attractive state to sell future expansions.
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