Dear Frontier Developments

JeffRyan

JeffRyan
Dear FD,

We don't always see eye to eye you and I. There's some design decisions that I don't agree with. There was that period in January when we barely spoke to each other, part of that was because I knew if /I/ wouldn't have spoken. I'd have shouted.

I thought your latest letter was absolutely wonderful, lots of lovely information and I loved the news about the Gollancz books and seeing the thought and detail behind the station and the ships explained. I was seriously interested. I liked the little present you sent me of the station. I'll print it out tomorrow and it'll sit proudly on my bookshelves next to the toy car my nephew gave me and a crystal candlestick holder I didn't realise was a candlestick holder and used as an ashtray until my wife almost brained me with it when she saw what I was doing with the crystal candlestick holder.

I was touched by the thoughtfulness of the 50 percent discount, really, you shouldn't have and I appreciated the gesture!

I was also keen to see that I'd be getting a look at the betas first, I understand why you might want to 'alpha' them as well before releasing them to a wider audience, I'll be sure to give my feedback!

I was sorry to see so many people take umbrage (good word that! I don't get to use it often) at these kindnesses that have been given to others and totally ignoring the thought and meaning behind them. A simple thank you has become accusations of Pay-To-Win and a last minute check has people thinking you don't love THEM too :( I was sorry to see the storm all that caused.

But know that I appreciated both the letter, the gifts and the thought behind them.

Yours sincerely
Shaun (My real name as you know)
 

Evilroco

Evilroco
Jeff while I as a Beta do not begrudge anything the Alphas get as a perk for their large and long time support ,as a Beta+ who also pledged on KS I wouldn't mind what I was promised

* "Participate in the first round private beta test"

That's the first line on my Kickstarter reward list ,and if Frontier release it in advance to the Alpha backers I will no longer be in "The first round private beta test"

Todays newsletter announcement was I think poorly thought out ,and could have been better by simply saying that an Alpha 5.0 was now planeed and Beta+ would start two weeks later.

I know it's just about managing expectations and perceptions but I do feel let down by Frontier over this.

Still the good news is not long left to wait :) ,but... would nice to have been in the first round of Beta :( :(
 

Leonick

L
Evilroco said:
* "Participate in the first round private beta test"

That's the first line on my Kickstarter reward list ,and if Frontier release it in advance to the Alpha backers I will no longer be in "The first round private beta test"

Todays newsletter announcement was I think poorly thought out ,and could have been better by simply saying that an Alpha 5.0 was now planeed and Beta+ would start two weeks later.
Click to expand...

People keep doing that Alpha 5 suggestion... It's all the beta builds, not just the first one.

With that out of the way, let's play the devils advocate, the kickstarter reward for the premium beta only says you'll be in the first round of beta (there will be several beta phases just like there have been several alpha phases), it never said you'd be the first one there.

(Not that I'm saying I think we need to have alpha players test every beta build first, that's silly. If they want people to test "unstable" beta builds as well as more "stable" ones just make an opt-in for that. Look at Starbound.)

Of course, if we want to be nitpicks we can point out how the current store says the premium beta package gives "early access to the first beta stage of game"... Early access.
 

Cmdr Eagleboy

Cmdr Eagleboy
Evilroco said:
Todays newsletter announcement was I think poorly thought out ,and could have been better by simply saying that an Alpha 5.0 was now planeed and Beta+ would start two weeks later.

I know it's just about managing expectations and perceptions but I do feel let down by Frontier over this.

Still the good news is not long left to wait :) ,but... would nice to have been in the first round of Beta :( :(
Click to expand...

I fail to see where people get assumption about long period after beta is given to alpha testers and then given to beta testers. It is classic show stopper testing, for few days (most likely weekend) alpha testers goes trough build and see if nothing serious pops up. So it means for example 14th April - early access to Alpha testers, if everything is ok, 16th April - premium beta first build to beta testers.

Beta will come on second week of May. What else do you need?
 

Dr Wookie

Dr Wookie
JeffRyan said:
Dear FD,

We don't always see eye to eye you and I. There's some design decisions that I don't agree with. There was that period in January when we barely spoke to each other, part of that was because I knew if /I/ wouldn't have spoken. I'd have shouted.

I thought your latest letter was absolutely wonderful, lots of lovely information and I loved the news about the Gollancz books and seeing the thought and detail behind the station and the ships explained. I was seriously interested. I liked the little present you sent me of the station. I'll print it out tomorrow and it'll sit proudly on my bookshelves next to the toy car my nephew gave me and a crystal candlestick holder I didn't realise was a candlestick holder and used as an ashtray until my wife almost brained me with it when she saw what I was doing with the crystal candlestick holder.

I was touched by the thoughtfulness of the 50 percent discount, really, you shouldn't have and I appreciated the gesture!

I was also keen to see that I'd be getting a look at the betas first, I understand why you might want to 'alpha' them as well before releasing them to a wider audience, I'll be sure to give my feedback!

I was sorry to see so many people take umbrage (good word that! I don't get to use it often) at these kindnesses that have been given to others and totally ignoring the thought and meaning behind them. A simple thank you has become accusations of Pay-To-Win and a last minute check has people thinking you don't love THEM too :( I was sorry to see the storm all that caused.

But know that I appreciated both the letter, the gifts and the thought behind them.

Yours sincerely
Shaun (My real name as you know)
Click to expand...

+1
I also appreciate them,, and took them in the spirit that was intended :D. It's easy to see why others might get upset though, which is a shame
 

Wolf

Wolf
Untill just now I am at "Founder"-Level, and I also see no damage done by the little offer of thanks for alpha backers and the fact they might get the beta builds a little earlier.

The only thing I would like to reproach to FD is this little nervous tick I developed since yesterday with my finger twitching uncontrollably over the mousebutton with the pointer over the checkout of the basket containing the alpha upgrade!
If this does not go away soon, I might have to see a doctor...

Oh what the heck! See you all in alpha tonight! :D
 

Lestat

Banned
Lestat
Wolf said:
Untill just now I am at "Founder"-Level, and I also see no damage done by the little offer of thanks for alpha backers and the fact they might get the beta builds a little earlier.

The only thing I would like to reproach to FD is this little nervous tick I developed since yesterday with my finger twitching uncontrollably over the mousebutton with the pointer over the checkout of the basket containing the alpha upgrade!
If this does not go away soon, I might have to see a doctor...

Oh what the heck! See you all in alpha tonight! :D
Click to expand...
Glad to have you aboard Alpha.
 

-o-

O
Alpha gets early access to Beta1?

So to be consistent, I guess for Beta2...
Alpha gets early access to Beta2, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it late to Beta2.

Then for Gamma...
Alpha gets early access to Gamma, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it early to Beta2, who then release it late to Gamma.

Then for the Final Release...

oh dear.

Can't they see this will only add to the polarisation between the 'testing' backer groups. How can a Beta user justify access delays when they already know Alpha users already have the product. Especially considering Alphans got their product delivered on time, and the Betans got it late.

Hey why not frustrate them further by delaying it further, and not only that, tease them with the knowledge that Alphans already have it for no particular valid reason apart from 'they are 'nice' for giving us so much more money'.

Long live the Queen.

Lovely stuff :D
 

Alien

Alien
-o- said:
Alpha gets early access to Beta1?

So to be consistent, I guess for Beta2...
Alpha gets early access to Beta2, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it late to Beta2.

Then for Gamma...
Alpha gets early access to Gamma, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it early to Beta2, who then release it late to Gamma.

Then for the Final Release...

oh dear.

Can't they see this will only add to the polarisation between the 'testing' backer groups. How can a Beta user justify access delays when they already know Alpha users already have the product. Especially considering Alphans got their product delivered on time, and the Betans got it late.

Hey why not frustrate them further by delaying it further, and not only that, tease them with the knowledge that Alphans already have it for no particular valid reason apart from 'they are 'nice' for giving us so much more money'.

Long live the Queen.

Lovely stuff :D
Click to expand...

You're making a mountain out of a molehill.

I'm trying to see things from both sides. While yes, I am at Alpha level, and I could happily say this is not a problem but people are making it a problem, I can also not forget how I might have reacted if I were still at Founder level.

So, I am going to say this, to any Premium Beta Backers that feel "outraged" or "upset" over this, take it from me, I know how you feel.

Alpha 3.0 is released, station docking .... great says I, I can't wait to try it. And sure, the first time I docked, but after that I could not get that station to load. Day after day after day I sat here watching that spinning ship and seeing posts on the forum from people who not only kept docking, but very quickly got the credits to buy a Cobra MkIII.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't annoyed, I was. But I didn't make a fuss* because I knew soon I would be able to get there too. Sure I was missing out, but it wasn't a big deal.

Now you "outraged" Premium Beta Backers. Do you really want to sit there watching a spinning Cobra and not be able to get into the Beta? I don't think so, it isn't fun (trust me). Yes you will surely see someone go on about how great the Beta is, but calm yourself knowing it will be worth it, and I will welcome you when you get there (probably before I do).

You can choose not to get "outraged" etc

*ok, I did make one or two posts about how frustrating it was :p
 
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Riedquat

Riedquat
when they said Alphas will get the build first, I really thought they meant just being first to download it before the beta masses arrive.
 

Bob_H

B
-o- said:
Alpha gets early access to Beta1?

So to be consistent, I guess for Beta2...
Alpha gets early access to Beta2, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it late to Beta2.

Then for Gamma...
Alpha gets early access to Gamma, who then release it early to Beta1, who then release it early to Beta2, who then release it late to Gamma.

Then for the Final Release...

oh dear.

Can't they see this will only add to the polarisation between the 'testing' backer groups. How can a Beta user justify access delays when they already know Alpha users already have the product. Especially considering Alphans got their product delivered on time, and the Betans got it late.

Hey why not frustrate them further by delaying it further, and not only that, tease them with the knowledge that Alphans already have it for no particular valid reason apart from 'they are 'nice' for giving us so much more money'.

Long live the Queen.

Lovely stuff :D
Click to expand...

Alpha's are going to make sure a build is stable and is not going to kill the internet and cause World War 3 and stuff like that. Shortly after that and FD are happy then the Beta's get to try and kill the internet and start World War 3 and stuff like like that. Alpha's are going to have at tops 2 days prior access unless the Beta build is massively broken at which time they'll be the only ones to have played that particular build.

Beta testing is about stressing a system to breaking point and seeing if it does break. 2000 people aren't going to stress ED to the point it needs to. They're just going to be there for a quick check that everything works as intended before we Beta's coming and make it break as unintended. Thinking on it over night I'm actually glad the Alpha's get to log in to any particular Beta build first as they'll be the initial batch of lab rats. We all know what happens to lab rats right?
 

Majere

Majere
+1 to OP

I was going to post on that other thread about how ridiculous all the pitchforking was but glad there is a more enlightened one to do it on.

I am in Beta - don't give a monkeys as it won't affect me in the slightest.
You don't win at Elite - if you think you do then you are playing the wrong game and doing an orderly roll-out of beta builds is eminently sensible.

The only possible minor criticism is that maybe Frontier could have had those rewards up-front rather than at this late stage as it may have swung the decisions initially for some.
 

Gibbonici

Gibbonici
The insurance thing isn't that big a deal in itself (well, unless insurance is expensive in the first place). I think the problem for a lot of us (well, me anyway), is that it's another reward for alpha backing while beta backers have had their patience rewarded with another delay for another round of alpha which seems to be what the premium first round beta was going to be at the time of pledging.

I can see the reasons behind it and I can see it from the alpha testers' point of view (especially those who have had a rocky go of it in alpha), but it still feels like bit of a slap in the face for premium beta pledgers. Of course that's not what's intended, but that's how it feels.

If FD are throwing extra bones out, how about throwing one our way? We've been very patient and no less supportive than the alpha backers who have known exactly where they are regarding their pledges since 12th December 2013.
 
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