Doom and gloom in the media

[Squicker]

As I say, perhaps me reading too much into it. Your rationale makes good sense although FD really are conducting something akin to beta testing (alpha does not engage external users).

Nonetheless, the trend of people *paying* to be test subjects is a poor one for the many reasons already eloquently made, and we consumers ought to stop supporting it.

What next, me paying for the 'privilege' of carrying my own luggage to my hotel room!

Alpha wasn't polished because FD see it as marketing exercise....but because with hype and skepticism surrounding ED *everything* they release is seen marketing exercise. While you can say about the game - well, duhh, it's alpha, lot of people make judgment subconsciously already. David knows that and therefore while there will be bugs and missing features, all alpha/beta builds will come out "polished" - actually running, so you can make report on actual game, not "game is not running for fifth day!" or something like that.

But no, alpha wasn't polished because they wanted free press attention. They wanted working piece of software so alpha backers could provide feedback on actual game play.

 

[Andrew Sayers]

But no, alpha wasn't polished because they wanted free press attention. They wanted working piece of software so alpha backers could provide feedback on actual game play.

It's also worth remembering Frontier have an experienced team, presumably with established good practices, working on a mature codebase they understand really well. Most of the silly mistakes probably got ironed out years ago.

 

[Shishakli]

Nonetheless, the trend of people *paying* to be test subjects is a poor one for the many reasons already eloquently made, and we consumers ought to stop supporting it.

I really don't understand this stance. I would MUCH rather be able to buy into an alpha than to be excluded from alpha regardless of love or money.

If you're saying Alpha access should be included with "pre order", I completely disagree. If you're saying we shouldn't have the option to "buy" into Alpha, then I still disagree... but reserve the right to change my mind once the game is released and we have 20/20 hindsight

 

[G.T]

I pledged to founder level, and imo you can't grumble not having a more significant discount on Alpha because you chose not to pledge to alpha at the time. In addition, the reason for pledging to founder (other than sheer altruism and being a generally all-round good egg and snappy dresser) was the additional perks of being a founder. If it was only 50 quid for me to get to alpha, I am getting a better deal than the bloke who upgrades from beta premium and ends up paying he same amount of cash.

 

[ellay]

Halfway through the kickstarter, the initial flurry of pledges died off dramatically, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought the target wouldn't be reached. If it weren't for the early access, I wouldn't have pledged as much, simple as.

I don't really see what the problem is - there are so many games I've bought in the past that I want to love, but can't because the bugs are so bad. If this helps iron them out before official release, it can only be a good thing surely?

 

[G.T]

Halfway through the kickstarter, the initial flurry of pledges died off dramatically, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought the target wouldn't be reached. If it weren't for the early access, I wouldn't have pledged as much, simple as.

I don't really see what the problem is - there are so many games I've bought in the past that I want to love, but can't because the bugs are so bad. If this helps iron them out before official release, it can only be a good thing surely?

Yes you're right, but don't call me Shirley.

 

[Squicker]

I really don't understand this stance. I would MUCH rather be able to buy into an alpha than to be excluded from alpha regardless of love or money.

If you're saying Alpha access should be included with "pre order", I completely disagree. If you're saying we shouldn't have the option to "buy" into Alpha, then I still disagree...

I say it because when paying for something, confirmation bias comes into play, thereby skewing and possibly invalidating test results.

 

[Amos]

SC is taking the limelight because Elite is so old and the new generations of gamers do not know what Elite is, I know I have spoken to many 20 year olds and they have no clue but they know what SC is, so I guess its all down to advertising exposure.

 

[huwthomas]

What next, me paying for the 'privilege' of carrying my own luggage to my hotel room!

If you really want to stay in a particular hotel/location (for which there is not enough obvious commercial demand, so it can only be built if enthusiasts are willing to pay in advance, including for gimmicks such as the right to take their luggage in early) then why not?

 

[JackWeaver]

And so it continues.

Direct URL of this comic. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/art...list-a-Horse-and-Nikola-Tesla-Walk-into-a-Bar

Don't get me wrong I've upgraded to alpha and I am not sorry I did. Games journalists do seem to be having a problem with paying for early access. Perhaps it is because they too have to pay for it. Or if they do get a free pass they don't understand why anyone would, because they are so busy being objective they have lost the emotional engagement that some people have with certain games.

 

[Herik]

SC is taking the limelight because Elite is so old and the new generations of gamers do not know what Elite is, I know I have spoken to many 20 year olds and they have no clue but they know what SC is, so I guess its all down to advertising exposure.

This....;and of course when E is released, and the media rides with it, watch the flood of young adults.

 

[Patrick_68000]

SC is taking the limelight because Elite is so old and the new generations of gamers do not know what Elite is, I know I have spoken to many 20 year olds and they have no clue but they know what SC is, so I guess its all down to advertising exposure.

The life is cruel because Elite is a cult game, and all the glory should return to him. But his time will come with the youth of today, at the appropriate moment

 

[Salvatory]

I think there will be floods of people coming to ED once released - They will be very hungry for a quality space sim and very few will be as well rounded as this I feel.

I just hope that the servers cannae take it captain.

 

[Squicker]

If you really want to stay in a particular hotel/location (for which there is not enough obvious commercial demand?

Ah, Bradford!