"Beyond" free for Horizon owners - LEP musings

[nrage]

As good flamer I would want to point out that if mega ships will come for real money that might trigger some additional threads to this one.

I just assumed real money, but in-game currency might well be the way they go. Either way, LEPs could get a discount

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

I just assumed real money, but in-game currency might well be the way they go. Either way, LEPs could get a discount

I understand why it might be real money (because mega ship might be something they have to do additional work internally) but I hope it's in game credits though, because money sinks are something missing in ED. I would prefer smaller things like actual tear and wear and bit more costs with every day ship usage, but this wouldn't be bad too.

We will see in mean time.

 

[babelfisch]

LEPs apply to expansions - FD decide what constitutes an expansion and what doesn't. Indeed they say they will look after LEP owners - if the new content was expansions then there would no need for any looking after, players would automatically qualify.

Hence some clarification rather than snide comments would help.

(Lifetime probably applies to the game, not the player by the way)

*knock knock*
Who is there?
Common sense.
I don't know you.

 

[Coral Ferrinas]

I think it's the right way to go ; the yearly season model just does dwindle the player base. Still I have a bitter taste i my mouth when I think of the 165€ I cashed in for the LEP, when I could have got Horizons and be good until Q4 2018 - at the very least. When I bought LEP in August 2015, the (10y)plan was one extension per year, and even then the added-value of the LEP was a gamble : it would be covered after about three extensions/seasons. Now we know that Horizons lasts for three years... FDev should really seriously consider some perks, or partial refunds by now.

I have the same feeling of what you said here. When I bought LEP, the idea that I had was a 10 years development plans, 1 expansion per year. Now we know the development is gonna end at 2022, that's an 8 years plan, with season 2 spanning 3 years. By calculation, the LEP is more expensive. Personally, with this information at hand, I do feel it was a bad investment. If I have known, I would have bought each expansion during discount offers.

Although, I don't regret it to the point I'm disappointed. Elite Dangerous has been a fantastic experience. If FD needs to reroute their plan to extend the game's development longevity, I'm fully on board. I'm also glad to hear about premium contents for LEP owners. Hopefully, there are more to come. I just can't help feeling, based on my earlier assumption, I am now with an investment loss. It would take time to come to terms with it. Since this is my first LEP, ED is now a lesson of a need for careful decision before buying one.

 

[Zak Gordon]

RE: my getting in a tizz that my LEP was getting 'de-valued' before I even started to play ED !

Yes, you'll have access to that too. Everyone who purchased Horizons will have access to that, and your LEP means that you have Horizons. The only thing you don't get with the LEP is the cosmetics, as they need to be purchased on the store.

Nah, they're included. Just read the thread when you have the time to help sort out some of the details. Wait, it's 31 pages now... OK, maybe not then. [haha]

Also, AFAIK, scanner range is static and based on the type and grade of the scanner you're using.

For a while there some of the function settings in the HUD panel on the right would revert to defaults occasionally, but this has been fixed for me for probably at least a year now. There were also some similar issues with the selection options on the galaxy map, which also seem to be resolved now.

Thanks for the clarification chaps

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I don't think FD only thing FD offered to LEP owners was Horizons beta pass. But even that has been available at sale before two of four Horizons betas.

No, I don't see FD making exclusive content for LEP.

My gut feeling is with hindsight FD would not have said cobra IV was exclusive to Lep and early horizons orders. TBH I would love them to make it available to all now but I suppose would (arguably legitimately) complain if the did. Even IF they do I hope they will add the word timed in there (timed exclusive). Other than that and a few skins there has been no exclusive content afaik

 

[WR3ND]

https://media.giphy.com/media/xTiTnrdatCmIKiF37G/giphy.gif

I understand the position you guys are in. Thanks for your efforts addressing some of the LEP owner concerns as you're able. It really is much appreciated.

 

[Riverside]

My gut feeling is with hindsight FD would not have said cobra IV was exclusive to Lep and early horizons orders. TBH I would love them to make it available to all now but I spoke see would (arguably legitimately) complain if the did. Even IF they do I hope they will add the word timed in there (timed exclusive). Other than that and a few skins there has been no exclusive content afaik

There's a solution for that:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/365425-New-Ship-Cobra-MkIV-functional-clone

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

In case you didn't notice, they are already complaining that not everything in 2018 will be free of charge. This community is just nuts

We are not some hive mind. There will never be total unity between a group of people esp here as so many radically different type of gamers have bought into ED

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

LEPs apply to expansions - FD decide what constitutes an expansion and what doesn't. Indeed they say they will look after LEP owners - if the new content was expansions then there would no need for any looking after, players would automatically qualify.

Hence some clarification rather than snide comments would help.

(Lifetime probably applies to the game, not the player by the way)

Mary mother of god. You where asking about what happens after 2018. I pointed out you have a Lifetiime expansion pass. When more paid for content updates/expansions arrive in 2019 you will get these for free too as it is in the lifetime of the game. I very much doubt they will stop developing the game after 2018 after spending a large sum of money on peoples wages to give the player base something for free and then shut it down for no return. It makes no business sense.

Common sense please.

 

[babelfisch]

We are not some hive mind. There will never be total unity between a group of people esp here as so many radically different type of gamers have bought into ED

I absolutely agree that there are lots of different people in this community, doesn't change that we are all nuts though.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I absolutely agree that there are lots of different people in this community, doesn't change that we are all nuts though.

I never deny it (the clue is in my name )

 

[Stewart_]

I am not sure why people seem to think it is exclusive to LEP owners. He said nothing or.the sort. Didn't even hint at that.

Why is it that people keep putting 2 and 2 together to make 5 on these forums.

People like making s??t up, then posting with fury and anger based upon their made up s??t!

Its like a one person chinese whispers game...

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

People like making s??t up, then posting with fury and anger based upon their made up s??t!

Its like a one person chinese whispers game...

I think I want to curl up in a darkend room and start crying after reading this thread.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Didn't know that a LIFETIME pass had any other expiry date than death....

I'm getting closer to that, with no LEP.

Yeah, I have it to and backed to Founder level (£150) but I will be honest, I paid to get the game made; that was my biggest concern (and would have paid a whole lot more if my wife hadn't stopped me). I don't feel as if I have been misled, I'm here for the long haul as is ED. The pay off period may be longer but I am confident it is a journey to be enjoyed.

Be glad you married someone smart.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

LEP owners helped get this project started, and the 'free expansions' were a way for FD thank them for their faith and financial support. I see nothing wrong with that.

I don't see Frontier going down the P2Win avenue. What they will do remains to be seen, but let's not jump to conclusions about it just yet. The only thing LEP owners have had gratis so far is Horizons. No cosmetics and no P2Win game balance breaking perks.

Yes, and not wiping gamma saves wasn't Pay-To-Get a head start on everyone else, either.

 

[ndrwc]

Yes, and not wiping gamma saves wasn't Pay-To-Get a head start on everyone else, either.

The free Kickstarter "planet" decal, the Founders decals, the Mercenary paint pack, the Freagle, the free Sol permit, the free Founders World permit, reduced insurance costs, access to the betas... shall we go on?

 

[JetsonRING]

Hey Astral! This is a very reasonable and understandable post. Hopefully I can put your mind at ease a little.
In addition to all the content talked about at Frontier Expo, we also have some pretty cool things in the works which will be available to purchase. We're not ready to talk about them just yet so we can't give you any details but rest assured that the lifetime expansion pass owners will be looked after and will be getting their hands on premium content as part of their lifetime expansion pass before the end of 2018 and the Beyond series of updates.
I hope that helps,
Zac

Just went and glossed right over the "partial refunds" comment, didn't he?

 

[Riverside]

Just went and glossed right over the "partial refunds" comment, didn't he?

A company will always prefer to give free content (or a voucher) rather that actual cash, if they have the choice. Product has a margin, so the cost to the company is reduced while the perceived value to the customer remains unchanged.

The choices (as I saw them) were either future paid content (which Zac confirmed), or future free content & a partial refund if the plan has changed. Situations like the company going bust & there being no money left for refunds aren't on the table IMO. You may feel differently of course, if you want a partial refund despite Zac's comments I guess just ask privately & see what they say.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

Just went and glossed right over the "partial refunds" comment, didn't he?

Probably because it's irrelevant.