Alpha package: no perks

[vintager]

I have to say that Frontier is probably missing out on a large chunk of cash.

I myself and a few friends of mine, all Elite fans back from the ZX Spectrum days, would each gladly fork over 200 pounds if it gave us at least some perks. Any perk, for that matter. It's purely a psychological thing: we need a justification for spending that much money on something that just went into the alpha testing stage.

The way it looks now, people have a possibility to participate in an alpha-test that would only last a month, and for that they have to lay out almost 250 euros. Basically these people pay developers to be able to help those very same developers. I have to say I find the concept slightly appalling. E.g., Star Citizen, even though it's already funded to the brim, still hands out perks.

I bought premium beta purely out of respect for the old Elite days, but I have to say I'm slightly put off by the current donation policy.

 

[Andrew Sayers]

Welcome vintager

Yeah, the current store is pretty bare-bones. They spent a lot of time on perks back in the kickstarter campaign, but since they switched over to the store last week they haven't really had time to add much stuff. Hopefully they'll roll out some more goodness in time.

See you in the beta!

 

[Patrick_68000]

Many new goods will appear in the new store in the future. But independent of the offer of the game itself (betas, final version). I think.

 

[Kerrash]

I have to say that Frontier is probably missing out on a large chunk of cash.
...
I bought premium beta purely out of respect for the old Elite days, but I have to say I'm slightly put off by the current donation policy.

Greetings Commander!

Don't worry more things are coming to the store soon.
Please bare in mind that Frontier cannot make the Alpha any cheaper than what it cost during the KickStarter campaign; otherwise it would be a kick in the teeth for those who paid upfront a year ago

If you want to get a sneak peek of the Alpha, head over to my live stream (Click my sig below)

 

[popuptoaster]

I don't want them working on the store, i want them lashed to their computers working on the game, without rest, without sleep and without mercy!

 

[Philip Coutts]

Greetings Commander!

Don't worry more things are coming to the store soon.
Please bare in mind that Frontier cannot make the Alpha any cheaper than what it cost during the KickStarter campaign; otherwise it would be a kick in the teeth for those who paid upfront a year ago

If you want to get a sneak peek of the Alpha, head over to my live stream (Click my sig below)

Maybe someone should have told 22 Cans that when they put Beta access to Godus on sale for half the price of the Kickstarter! Naughty boys....

Yes the time for getting "extras" was during the Kickstarter, as a reward for early backers.

 

[Erimus Kamzel]

I have to say that Frontier is probably missing out on a large chunk of cash.

I myself and a few friends of mine, all Elite fans back from the ZX Spectrum days, would each gladly fork over 200 pounds if it gave us at least some perks. Any perk, for that matter. It's purely a psychological thing: we need a justification for spending that much money on something that just went into the alpha testing stage.

The way it looks now, people have a possibility to participate in an alpha-test that would only last a month, and for that they have to lay out almost 250 euros. Basically these people pay developers to be able to help those very same developers. I have to say I find the concept slightly appalling. E.g., Star Citizen, even though it's already funded to the brim, still hands out perks.

I bought premium beta purely out of respect for the old Elite days, but I have to say I'm slightly put off by the current donation policy.

But there have been perks on offer for nearly a year.

For example, beta testers who pledged before December 9th got...

• Participate in the first round private beta test.
• DRM-free collector's premium boxed edition of "Elite: Dangerous". Includes a T shirt with "I backed Elite: Dangerous" on the back, an A3 Star Map and a paperback copy of the official sequel to "The Dark Wheel".
• Kickstarter Special: Have the option to start in the founder's world with any starter ship and 4,000 CR. Note: any Kickstarter decal-carrier will be able to travel to this secret system in gameplay.
• Digital Download Pack. This includes a single digital download of the game, any expansions and 500 credits when starting a new game.
• Access to the private backer’s discussion forum.
• Explorer: Have the option to start on the edge of explored space with a long range version of the Cobra Mk III and 3,000 CR (randomised system choice for multiplayer reasons).
• Independent Trader: Have the option to start in the Lave system with a basic Cobra Mk III and only 100 CR.
• Participate in the second round private beta test.
• Download a digital copy of the “Elite: Dangerous” music.
• Pirate: Have the option to start in an anarchic Frontier system with a stolen but upgraded Cobra Mk III and only 100 CR (randomised system choice for multiplayer reasons).
• Your name forms part of the naming database (so your name will be one of those used randomly for non-player in-game characters).
• Federal Trader: Have the option to start in a Federal border system with a basic Cobra Mk III loaded with cargo worth 1,000 CR and 1,000 CR in cash (randomised system choice for multiplayer reasons).
• Download a digital copy of the official sequel to “The Dark Wheel” novel.
• Imperial Bounty Hunter: Have the option to start in an Imperial Colony with an Imperial Eagle Mk II Fighter with upgraded weapons and shields and 1,000 CR (randomised start system choice for multiplayer reasons).
• Reserve your Commander name in the game (first come, first served, except Jameson).
• Receive the digital newsletter and progress updates.
• Be an Elite supporter, and get a digital code when the game is released to apply a transferrable decal to your ship, unique to you, the game’s backers.

Those who pledged to alpha level got all of the above plus access to the DDF (I think). Personally I would agree the £100 jump from Beta to Alpha is a bit of a stretch for what effectively is a few weeks of early gameplay, but FD probably have their reasons for that.

If you've only just found out about Elite I assure you FD have had some really good perks on offer for a year which ended the week Alpha was released. I'd agree buying alpha access now though is a bit crazy since you've missed out on the perks that went with it.

 

[nats]

Yes I have to say that at the moment they are missing out on LOADS of spondoolies on upgrades to the Beta and Alpha testing. I forked out for the digital game a few months ago and I would easily pay another £20 to get into the Beta test IF I could upgrade my pledge but I cant.

And like you say there are loads of new people coming to the site who have seen the new alpha footage which is acting as the biggest advert for them for ages who are no doubt looking at the three purchase opportunities and thinking meh. They really need to add on some optional extras asap they are losing out bigtime.

Just got to look at how much the total has gone up over the last couple of weeks to realise that. Honestly Frontier need better sales people they constantly seem to be missing these opportunities. Everyone still remembers the almost-nightmare that was the Kicktarter - they havent learned anything it would seem.

The biggest thing is the effect that the Alpha footage is having on the gaming community - they just arent taking any advantage of that at all. Where are the interviews in gaming mags etc? It just been complete silence from them since it was released. It's weird.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Just got to look at how much the total has gone up over the last couple of weeks to realise that. Honestly Frontier need better sales people they constantly seem to be missing these opportunities. Everyone still remembers the almost-nightmare that was the Kicktarter - they havent learned anything it would seem.

There's problem with this - it seems to me that they don't want to give in-game perks anymore. They offered them after very long discussions during Kickstarter. They clearly wanted to "cut off" it at the beginning of the alpha. Their aim is *not* to sell as much as alpha access as possible, just giving a chance if someone's late. Upgrading was perk for KS and early backers afterwards, as little reward for trusting and believing them before any footage was shown. After all pledging was open for a whole year. There's reason why early backers get more than those which are late, and those rewards is a "thank you" from FD for trusting and believing them.

With preorder shop they kinda wanted to start more official relationship with buyer. They have working game to show, they don't have to promise rewards for trusting them anymore.
I think it's clear that they plan to earn their biggest share of money trough normal retail sales. Currently selling alpha access isn't just their priority, it is just open for those who still want to join.

 

[Alien]

Greetings Commander!

Don't worry more things are coming to the store soon.
Please bare in mind that Frontier cannot make the Alpha any cheaper than what it cost during the KickStarter campaign; otherwise it would be a kick in the teeth for those who paid upfront a year ago

If you want to get a sneak peek of the Alpha, head over to my live stream (Click my sig below)

22Cans made that mistake by putting the Beta on Steam (which was already half the price I "donated" in the kickstarter), then let Steam drop that price by half. The general opinion from Godus backers was "not happy"
I hope Frontier were watching that and saw sense.
So while I have already "donated" £150 to ED, to now participate in the Alpha (and let's be fair, I've had a year to upgrade my pledge) I'd have to pay another £200. For me, it's not worth it. I am happy to wait, happy people in Alpha are streaming (thank you to them), and happy that Alpha looks impressive and that Frontier are allowing people to stream it.

 

[Skaldrom]

Nice point! I would love to spend some money for this game but I want something in return. in -the-other-game- you can buy ships and it is very hard to resist .

 

[popuptoaster]

I have to say that Frontier is probably missing out on a large chunk of cash.

I myself and a few friends of mine, all Elite fans back from the ZX Spectrum days, would each gladly fork over 200 pounds if it gave us at least some perks. Any perk, for that matter. It's purely a psychological thing: we need a justification for spending that much money on something that just went into the alpha testing stage.

The way it looks now, people have a possibility to participate in an alpha-test that would only last a month, and for that they have to lay out almost 250 euros. Basically these people pay developers to be able to help those very same developers. I have to say I find the concept slightly appalling. E.g., Star Citizen, even though it's already funded to the brim, still hands out perks.

I bought premium beta purely out of respect for the old Elite days, but I have to say I'm slightly put off by the current donation policy.

You want perks for giving them money now you have seen Alpha footage?

Some of us spent quite large sums of money on faith that Frontier would make a great product and the reward for that faith was the perks, and lets be honest many of us would have put money in WITHOUT the perks just to see the game get made.

People can still buy into beta (as i see you have done) which is a bonus in and off itself, many games companies make you apply for beta months before it starts and select you based on your demographic so at least this way you get to know you can participate.

It's a shame you guys missed out but that's just life, I'm sure you'll see something in the future you can get in on early while others will miss it and miss out.

 

[vintager]

2Andrew Sayers
2Patrick_68000
2Kerrash
Greetings Commanders

If you've only just found out about Elite I assure you FD have had some really good perks on offer for a year which ended the week Alpha was released

Actually, I'd found out about Elite: Dangerous a few years ago and had been feeding on crumbs of information for some time, then I had stopped, and it was apparently about that time that the Kickstarter campaign began.

You have to understand that, as nats correctly mentioned, the game really went big when the larger community got wind of the Alpha. Had a sufficient psychological excuse been provided to people, the number on the front page would have doubled already. You could say they already have all the money they need, but then why put the number there in the first place?

You want perks for giving them money now you have seen Alpha footage? It's a shame you guys missed out but that's just life, I'm sure you'll see something in the future you can get in on early while others will miss it and miss out.

You've totally misinterpreted my post. Skaldrom, on the other hand, nailed it.

- I want to give Frontier 250+ euros because playing Elite on Speccy was one of the brightest moments in my life;
- I have the money to fork out;
- however, since it's a considerable sum, I need an excuse to do that; a justification if you will for why I'm giving this money to Frontier and not adding it to my wife's Christmas present.

It's like my inner monologue would go "Hey, I just gave away this cash for an extra month of participation in a project that's already funded", "Yep but at least I got a ship <or fuel scoops, or even a stupid docking computer, anything>".

Currently selling alpha access isn't just their priority, it is just open for those who still want to join.

You make a valid point (they need more testers -> they can't sell the Alpha cheaper than they did during Kickstarter -> they sell the Alpha for the same price, but it's just a tool to get more people to alpha-test), but why on Earth miss out on the opportunity to get more cash into the project? And if getting money is not a priority, why the "Help support Elite: Dangerous" label on the main page?

 

[govny]

The way it looks now, people have a possibility to participate in an alpha-test that would only last a month, and for that they have to lay out almost 250 euros. Basically these people pay developers to be able to help those very same developers.

you miss the point.
most backers pay 200 £ not to play the alpha but to support the game.
I can't understand why some people don't understand this.

 

[govny]

Nice point! I would love to spend some money for this game but I want something in return. in -the-other-game- you can buy ships and it is very hard to resist .

it's a shame the same ships can be earned in game without spending money.

 

[Seonid]

People can still buy into beta (as i see you have done) which is a bonus in and off itself

I will be buying into the Premium Beta (have clearance from the Long-Haired Colonel ) as that's the part of the game I want to test. As much as I am enjoying watching the Alpha, it doesn't cover the "core" elements that I personally will be looking for in ED. Yes I have missed out on stuff from the Backer phase beyond Federation Trader, but I can live with that. If ED even gives me a fraction of the experience of its predecessors, it's still money very well spent IMHO.

 

[vintager]

you miss the point.
most backers pay 200 £ not to play the alpha but to support the game.
I can't understand why some people don't understand this.

To clarify it once again: I bought premium beta mostly to support the game. However, I would have bought the Alpha if I had an excuse for myself to fork over this money to something as ephemeral as a PC game and not add it to, say, my wife's Xmas present.

I'm not lamenting the fact that I missed out on perks. I'm lamenting the fact that the game that I've really wanted to play for almost 15 years is getting much less funding than it could.

 

[Tinman]

- I want to give Frontier 250+ euros because playing Elite on Speccy was one of the brightest moments in my life;
- I have the money to fork out;
- however, since it's a considerable sum, I need an excuse to do that; a justification if you will for why I'm giving this money to Frontier and not adding it to my wife's Christmas present.

It's like my inner monologue would go "Hey, I just gave away this cash for an extra month of participation in a project that's already funded", "Yep but at least I got a ship <or fuel scoops, or even a stupid docking computer, anything>".

If you need a reason.

The developers will take the feedback from the alphatesters not just to test it, but also shape it to some extent because of the very issues we discover or the features we feel is needed.

We don't know if it is only going to last a month, it might be longer depending on what issues comes up during testing.

It has also been hinted at that alpha testers will get early access to future expansions and content before it goes live to the public for the very same reasons the alpha phase is taking place now. DISCLAIMER: This is in no way confirmed! It does make perfect sense though. This bit of (wishful) thinking is what finally made me take the leap. Noone is landing on a planet before me!!!

Finally, and most importantly! The Alpha is awesome!

 

[MikeSnos]

If you're missing out on Alpha I wouldn't worry too much, you'll get your chance in the Beta before too long (I very nearly typed soon... it's that catching!).....

Besides life in Alpha isn't all that it's cracked up to be... it's hell in here with all the issues etc... Like which mission should I practice in now.. be glad you don't have THAT choice!

 

[vintager]

If you need a reason.

The developers will take the feedback from the alphatesters not just to test it, but also shape it.

That, unfortunately, is not enough for me, especially considering the fact that I will have next to zero time to play anything at all during Christmas time & the next month

We don't know if it is only going to last a month, it might be longer depending on what issues comes up during testing.

True enough; however, psychologically this too works against buying the Alpha. "Hey, I will give away this cash, I'm sure it will last longer than a month!", "Don't fool yourself, it will last exactly a month" In essence, you'd have fear that you're only paying for one month, which is even worse than certainty.

It has also been hinted at that alpha testers will get early access to future expansions and content before it goes live to the public for the very same reasons the alpha phase is taking place now. DISCLAIMER: This is in no way confirmed! It does make perfect sense though.

It does, but so does handing over some perks along with the Alpha access

Finally, and most importantly! The Alpha is awesome!

I'm really glad to hear it and here's hoping the ~120 euros that I've spent on the premium beta will help polish the alpha even more.