In case you didn't notice; FD is making "a game" not a demo. A demo stands alone. Multiplayer and Docking/Provisioning netcode etc. together with the following 'Alpha 4' are forging the main parts of "a game". You don't have to like it Fromhell; but FD's producing a game, not a demo. I'm sure you're just confused.:S
April Alpha
- Thread starter Amorelia
- Start date
In case you didn't notice; FD is making "a game" not a demo. A demo stands alone. Multiplayer and Docking/Provisioning netcode etc. together with the following 'Alpha 4' are forging the main parts of "a game". You don't have to like it Fromhell; but FD's producing a game, not a demo. I'm sure you're just confused.:S
Wait until the 15000+ "Gamma" backers remember the game they backed in 2012 and are coming here to look for their download link.
"Swoosh.. rumble.. swoooooosh..."
Wait, did you hear that?
It´s a %$#$storm approaching.
We can not compare the aggressive marketing of SC with the simplicity and friendliness of the people of Frontier and their request of additional support
Either the freebie is worthless and so is a plastic carrot for getting more to upgrade, or it has real value so is a real carrot to disadvantage those who don't get it.
Either way, it's another FD .
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!"
Do they mean "We still need your help Alpha backers ... you're the best !!!" and Peeps don't worry about Beta content ... we will know all by You tube/Twitch TV and the forum long before we get a chance to play ... You tube and twitch even beat FD to docking at a space station video's ... I am really sorry ... just peed off !
Or maybe even a CLUSTER****?! Oh dear...
At what point did anyone say alpha testing was about making beta bug free at release? We are talking about catching as many bugs (especially big ones) as we can during alpha so that beta gets off to a better start....
Everybody knows alpha is not feature complete (or in essence the same game) in the way beta will be, so how could we possibly get all the bugs in things we haven't tested?!?
I think you might be arguing with yourself!
Again who said anything about a perfectly polished game?!?
Put words in my mouth why don't you!
Once again just in case you missed it - better alpha testing with more bugs fixed = better working beta.
Better - not perfect, not polished and releasable. ...
We are talking about the difference between a WORKING beta and a beta that no one can play due to network glitches and dx errors...
And I've already said I don't agree with the cheap insurance and early beta access for alphas; though the bafta weekend release that was practically non-functioning and following uproar probably has something to do with this decision.
Do not confuse to be a backer and to be a buyer. To be a backer is a fantastic adventure and a true backer could care less deadlines for the release of the game. Remember that when there will be 10 million of buyers, you will be a member of 50,000 - 60,000 backers. This will be a mark of distinction.
Perhaps, prefer you the commercial methods of SC ? Which them, undoubtedly, do not need help ...
Do not confuse to be a backer and to be a buyer. To be a backer is a fantastic adventure and a true backer could care less deadlines for the release of the game. Remember that when there will be 10 million of buyers, you will be a member of 50,000 - 60,000 backers. This will be a mark of distinction.
I already have my online name on a newsletter (#17) .. i do not need anymore distinction than that .. Even though that question was asked (probably) over a year ago ... I just want what I paid for ... I didn't pay for Premium Beta to watch others playing it .. sorry, I Know this is petty .. but it certainly isn't right ... as I have said .. the ball has been dropped on this one .. it hasn't been thought through .. and I hope the situation is resolved.
And which date will they be coming? You know, the one where FD clearly stated that the game would be released to the public on.
I was referring to this:
And then:
I was referring to this:
There just seem to be repeatedly an assumption on this thread that somehow people who have been backing the premium beta, are assuming that it will be a fully functional game without bugs. We all know that a beta version is version with plenty of bugs and still pretty much work in progress with limited features.
Many of us pledged for the early beta to help the development and fix bugs as well .. Otherwise I would have saved a lot of money and gone for a gamma version.
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I'd just like to say that I bought in to Alpha simply to support FD and help test the game. Also because I was impatient and had some extra money laying around, and partly in protest to SC's aggressive marketing campaign that shows no sign of slowing down (FD seems to be the underdog).
Believe it or not, Alpha isn't all fart jokes and propeller hats. The gameplay loop that came out with 3.0 was very much anticipated, and when it finally launched very few people were able to play it during the entire weekend because of all the bugs. I, personally, wasn't able to get passed the spinning ship screen 90% of the time - and most of our time is spent doing the same things over and over again.
If the sound isn't cutting out and the docking pads going haywire, then the station will disappear or you'll be shot by someone in another instance that you can't see. Needless to say it's more work than it is fun (after 10 hours).
I can't wait for Beta to come out and am practically doing cartwheels that Alpha 4.0 will most likely come out before the 25th of April - which means Beta is quickly soon after. The newsletter that just came out says this:
For anyone still interested in joining the Alpha now but unsure if it is worth it for a short period of time before we start the Premium Beta - here are two fantastic reasons;
- As we move into the Beta process, all Premium and standard Beta builds will be given exclusively to the Alpha players first.
- Also, all Alpha players will be granted a life time discount of 50% on ship insurance in game as a thank you for your support!
In my opinion it's a double edged sword. On one hand people will complain that Alpha testers get extra perks and the Beta builds before anyone else, but I don't see it that way.
In fact, I see the 50% discount of ship insurance as a "payment" for having to eternally test the development builds. This means that when they release an update for the beta build, we get to see if it breaks and have to wait for them to fix it before being able to play again - all the while the Beta people are unaffected.
It's what we signed up for and we're happy to do it - but please don't think we're getting special treatment, because only the Beta/Gamma people will benefit from us getting a broken update like with Alpha 3.0 (which is why I think there is a pay wall to limit the number of people affected).
Believe it or not, Alpha isn't all fart jokes and propeller hats. The gameplay loop that came out with 3.0 was very much anticipated, and when it finally launched very few people were able to play it during the entire weekend because of all the bugs. I, personally, wasn't able to get passed the spinning ship screen 90% of the time - and most of our time is spent doing the same things over and over again.
If the sound isn't cutting out and the docking pads going haywire, then the station will disappear or you'll be shot by someone in another instance that you can't see. Needless to say it's more work than it is fun (after 10 hours).
I can't wait for Beta to come out and am practically doing cartwheels that Alpha 4.0 will most likely come out before the 25th of April - which means Beta is quickly soon after. The newsletter that just came out says this:
For anyone still interested in joining the Alpha now but unsure if it is worth it for a short period of time before we start the Premium Beta - here are two fantastic reasons;
- As we move into the Beta process, all Premium and standard Beta builds will be given exclusively to the Alpha players first.
- Also, all Alpha players will be granted a life time discount of 50% on ship insurance in game as a thank you for your support!
In my opinion it's a double edged sword. On one hand people will complain that Alpha testers get extra perks and the Beta builds before anyone else, but I don't see it that way.
In fact, I see the 50% discount of ship insurance as a "payment" for having to eternally test the development builds. This means that when they release an update for the beta build, we get to see if it breaks and have to wait for them to fix it before being able to play again - all the while the Beta people are unaffected.
It's what we signed up for and we're happy to do it - but please don't think we're getting special treatment, because only the Beta/Gamma people will benefit from us getting a broken update like with Alpha 3.0 (which is why I think there is a pay wall to limit the number of people affected).
About 4 years ago I took a notion to see if there was an Elite sequel. I came here looking. At that time in the internet way of things I was able to find a select band of die-hards who were resolutely protecting the pilot light.
In shear frustration some even getting involved in the various open source alternatives. It was kind of tragic to see wandering satellites pass by and ask any news on the next Elite 4 and note the encouraging but ultimately baseless debate.
Its difficult to recognise now that we have a following that could max out the Aviva Stadium but only a few years ago there was little more than a 7 aside squad treading the boardwalks. For these people the new Elite will be like the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1991.
Except they had to wait less time for that to happen.
In shear frustration some even getting involved in the various open source alternatives. It was kind of tragic to see wandering satellites pass by and ask any news on the next Elite 4 and note the encouraging but ultimately baseless debate.
Its difficult to recognise now that we have a following that could max out the Aviva Stadium but only a few years ago there was little more than a 7 aside squad treading the boardwalks. For these people the new Elite will be like the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1991.
Except they had to wait less time for that to happen.
I understand your point of view, since I am in the same situation (and even engaged as founding member of the Elite). But frankly it does not disturb me to play the beta, 2 or 3 weeks after the alpha backers. I just take into account, that Frontier is a compagny of size small / medium, and they need a little extra money to make the best game possible. Allow alpha backers to start before the other is also for a technical reason. It is, perhaps, necessary not to start the beta immediately with 50 000 people, but progressively make a rise to power
condescending Much?
"In fact, I see the 50% discount of ship insurance as a "payment" for having to eternally test the development builds."
for having to TEST a game that we all want to play/test regardless of bugs .. in fact most people signed up to the Beta to help with that process.
I am so sorry you have the hardship of Testing the game .. Thanks you so much for taking the pain for me ... I have changed my mind Alpha's RULE !!!!
Again ... thank you so much ... i never released... and I doubt you will be eternally testing ...well I hope not....
Again, Sorry guys ... but this is the sort of thing that drives me wild ... I had better go for the night ...
"In fact, I see the 50% discount of ship insurance as a "payment" for having to eternally test the development builds."
for having to TEST a game that we all want to play/test regardless of bugs .. in fact most people signed up to the Beta to help with that process.
I am so sorry you have the hardship of Testing the game .. Thanks you so much for taking the pain for me ... I have changed my mind Alpha's RULE !!!!
Again ... thank you so much ... i never released... and I doubt you will be eternally testing ...well I hope not....
Again, Sorry guys ... but this is the sort of thing that drives me wild ... I had better go for the night ...
Ok first you quote pecisk who only stated that beta will feature complete ie not alpha
Then you quote me - I said those complaining about broken promises would be ones complaining about a broken game
Neither of these quotes has anything to do with a polished bug free beta - only a beta that boots up and functions better than it would if showstopper bugs and network issues aren't fixed first.
I was of course unaware that if beta doesn't get released in a broken state then it would be released in a perfect state; those being the only 2 possible outcomes....
Like I said- putting words in my mouth and arguing with yourself
It's a bit like arguing over estimated dates not being hit as if estimate means set in stone.
It doesn't make sense...
And those, we'll not hear them to complain, never.