Proposal Discussion Is buying alpha for 50% off insurance worth it
- Thread starter joffa
- Start date
In my opinion, no. You buy Alpha because you want to participate in the Alpha, the insurance discount is just a bonus.
It might not even matter if you're a SP offline player like me.
Why would the insurance not apply offline too? I'm sure I'm being slowwww this morning.
Hi Joffa.
The short answer is, No it isn't.
The long answer is the £200 is to get access to the Alpha to test the limited game model that is available at the moment so that when it gets to Beta it doesn't fall over at the first hurdle when its released to the Beta testers, all of which have been waiting patiently for it. Its also to financially support a game that many have wanted made for years (Decades) and so its a sincere demonstration of support for that ideal.
You do get early access to the little fish-bowl of the testing environment of 4 different game models 3 of which are slanted towards PvP which are not good representations of what the final game will be, but they do test the MP game mechanic. You also get to outfit your ship and Dock at a station, which never gets old.
The insurance is meant as a little thank you to the Alpha testers for their help in getting the game to a point where it can be realised to Beta, nothing more. If your thinking of getting the Alpha to gain some significant advantage once in game then your looking at it in the wrong way and the 50% insurance wont provide that.
But if your really can't wait to get you hands on a Sidewinder or a Cobra MkIII, or to come barrelling into a Coriolis Station with 45 Seconds of air left in your helmet because you canopy has been shot out, or to experience the tension of waiting for the Hyperspace to count down when your under fire from some unknown assailant, not knowing if you'll make it, or to slide-slip around asteroids in silent running while sneaking up on some unsuspecting ship, then the choice is yours. But you could take the Premium Beta option, and get to test it when its more polished and way more expansive than it is now.
But mainly, if you just want to support Elite Dangerous because some of your fondest gaming memories are of sinking hours and hours into Elite it as a kid/teenager. Then take the plunge and join in, but remember it is Alpha and by no means the finished article.
Although its it a lot more stable now, it really hasn't been in the past and it may repeatedly crash all over again once the Travelling a Trading components get released for testing. So prepare yourself for the probability of sitting at your desk/cockpit for hours on end just looking at a spinning orange sidewinder. However, you will get the chance to experience a whole galaxy of a sandbox to play in and explore once your testing has helped to fix it.
Personally I did it because I just really really want this game to be the best it can be and hopefully to help in some small way so that others may share in that experience, which hopefully will be sooooon. Oh, and I just couldn’t wait to get my mitts on a sidewinder either.
Hope that helps.
The short answer is, No it isn't.
The long answer is the £200 is to get access to the Alpha to test the limited game model that is available at the moment so that when it gets to Beta it doesn't fall over at the first hurdle when its released to the Beta testers, all of which have been waiting patiently for it. Its also to financially support a game that many have wanted made for years (Decades) and so its a sincere demonstration of support for that ideal.
You do get early access to the little fish-bowl of the testing environment of 4 different game models 3 of which are slanted towards PvP which are not good representations of what the final game will be, but they do test the MP game mechanic. You also get to outfit your ship and Dock at a station, which never gets old.
The insurance is meant as a little thank you to the Alpha testers for their help in getting the game to a point where it can be realised to Beta, nothing more. If your thinking of getting the Alpha to gain some significant advantage once in game then your looking at it in the wrong way and the 50% insurance wont provide that.
But if your really can't wait to get you hands on a Sidewinder or a Cobra MkIII, or to come barrelling into a Coriolis Station with 45 Seconds of air left in your helmet because you canopy has been shot out, or to experience the tension of waiting for the Hyperspace to count down when your under fire from some unknown assailant, not knowing if you'll make it, or to slide-slip around asteroids in silent running while sneaking up on some unsuspecting ship, then the choice is yours. But you could take the Premium Beta option, and get to test it when its more polished and way more expansive than it is now.
But mainly, if you just want to support Elite Dangerous because some of your fondest gaming memories are of sinking hours and hours into Elite it as a kid/teenager. Then take the plunge and join in, but remember it is Alpha and by no means the finished article.
Although its it a lot more stable now, it really hasn't been in the past and it may repeatedly crash all over again once the Travelling a Trading components get released for testing. So prepare yourself for the probability of sitting at your desk/cockpit for hours on end just looking at a spinning orange sidewinder. However, you will get the chance to experience a whole galaxy of a sandbox to play in and explore once your testing has helped to fix it.
Personally I did it because I just really really want this game to be the best it can be and hopefully to help in some small way so that others may share in that experience, which hopefully will be sooooon. Oh, and I just couldn’t wait to get my mitts on a sidewinder either.
Hope that helps.
Last edited:
Why would the insurance not apply offline too? I'm sure I'm being slowwww this morning.
If MODS are ever allowed, and because it is SP offline that does not affect anyone................it would not be an issue.
Hi Joffa.
The short answer is, No it isn't.
The long answer is the £200 is to get access to the Alpha to test the limited game model that is available at the moment so that when it gets to Beta it doesn't fall over at the first hurdle when its released to the Beta testers, all of which have been waiting patiently for it. Its also to financially support a game that many have wanted made for years (Decades) and so its a sincere demonstration of support for that ideal.
You do get early access to the little fish-bowl of the testing environment of 4 different game models 3 of which are slanted towards PvP which are not good representations of what the final game will be, but they do test the MP game mechanic. You also get to outfit your ship and Dock at a station, which never gets old.
The insurance is meant as a little thank you to the Alpha testers for their help in getting the game to a point where it can be realised to Beta, nothing more. If your thinking of getting the Alpha to gain some significant advantage once in game then your looking at it in the wrong way and the 50% insurance wont provide that.
But if your really can't wait to get you hands on a Sidewinder or a Cobra MkIII, or to come barrelling into a Coriolis Station with 45 Seconds of air left in your helmet because you canopy has been shot out, or to experience the tension of waiting for the Hyperspace to count down when your under fire from some unknown assailant, not knowing if you'll make it, or to slide-slip around asteroids in silent running while sneaking up on some unsuspecting ship, then the choice is yours. But you could take the Premium Beta option, and get to test it when its more polished and way more expansive than it is now.
But mainly, if you just want to support Elite Dangerous because some of your fondest gaming memories are of sinking hours and hours into Elite it as a kid/teenager. Then take the plunge and join in, but remember it is Alpha and by no means the finished article.
Although its it a lot more stable now, it really hasn't been in the past and it may repeatedly crash all over again once the Travelling a Trading components get released for testing. So prepare yourself for the probability of sitting at your desk/cockpit for hours on end just looking at a spinning orange sidewinder. However, you will get the chance to experience a whole galaxy of a sandbox to play in and explore once your testing has helped to fix it.
Personally I did it because I just really really want this game to be the best it can be and hopefully to help in some small way so that others may share to share in that experience. Oh and I couldn’t wait to get my mitts on a sidewinder either.
Hope that helps.
Second the above !
Reply
Ok thanks for the replies and Spiggs you may have nailed my query.
An advantage.
I can only compare to eve online which has a crappy insurance on ships.
The people behind the game have added this 50% for a thank you, that I can understand.
So far its been 4 no's to is it worth it, I'm only looking at this little extra bonus to make life a little easier, its not the final game so the cost of everything may change.
So if it's still 4 no's then I'll go Beta.
If someone has a yes, please explain.
Regards Joffa...
Ok thanks for the replies and Spiggs you may have nailed my query.
An advantage.
I can only compare to eve online which has a crappy insurance on ships.
The people behind the game have added this 50% for a thank you, that I can understand.
So far its been 4 no's to is it worth it, I'm only looking at this little extra bonus to make life a little easier, its not the final game so the cost of everything may change.
So if it's still 4 no's then I'll go Beta.
If someone has a yes, please explain.
Regards Joffa...
It depends on your circs. I'm 30 this year and have grown up playing elite 2 Amiga 64!!! I have spent £3000+ for this game (and battlefield 4). I have headsets comfy chair gtx780ti you name it. Now I had already in kick starter pledged £100 over a year ago so an extra £100 now wasn't much. It depends how much your gonna play but if it's a lot then 50% of say 1 million (if you die often) is a lot of money and this will ever evolve over the many years you will have it. I say yes for the alpha alone, nothing cooler (literally) when you turn off life support and you put your helmet shield on and cockpit windows freeze up!!!
We still don't really know enough about insurance costs or types to make an informed decision, which is a bit of a shame because the deadline is looming.
I think the discount fits in well with the alpha level because its all about accelerated access - whether that be access to the pre-game itself, or access to a replacement ship.
If you are the kind of player that is looking at maximising every possible advantage you can in a competetive environment against other players, then yes, its probably worth it.
If your the slow and steady type who cares not about the destination (because there is none in ED), then no.
I think the discount fits in well with the alpha level because its all about accelerated access - whether that be access to the pre-game itself, or access to a replacement ship.
If you are the kind of player that is looking at maximising every possible advantage you can in a competetive environment against other players, then yes, its probably worth it.
If your the slow and steady type who cares not about the destination (because there is none in ED), then no.
Pazmeister
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It depends on your circs. I'm 30 this year and have grown up playing elite 2 Amiga 64!!! I have spent £3000+ for this game (and battlefield 4). I have headsets comfy chair gtx780ti you name it. Now I had already in kick starter pledged £100 over a year ago so an extra £100 now wasn't much. It depends how much your gonna play but if it's a lot then 50% of say 1 million (if you die often) is a lot of money and this will ever evolve over the many years you will have it. I say yes for the alpha alone, nothing cooler (literally) when you turn off life support and you put your helmet shield on and cockpit windows freeze up!!!
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Cool, dying sounds like fun
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It depends on your circs. I'm 30 this year and have grown up playing elite 2 Amiga 64!!! I have spent £3000+ for this game (and battlefield 4). I have headsets comfy chair gtx780ti you name it. Now I had already in kick starter pledged £100 over a year ago so an extra £100 now wasn't much. It depends how much your gonna play but if it's a lot then 50% of say 1 million (if you die often) is a lot of money and this will ever evolve over the many years you will have it. I say yes for the alpha alone, nothing cooler (literally) when you turn off life support and you put your helmet shield on and cockpit windows freeze up!!!
__________________
Cool, dying sounds like fun
I'm 40 this year and been playing games since the Atari 2600 but never played Elite :/
Better late then never I say...
I might wait a month and a bit and play BF4 till the Beta comes out.
It's very frustrating seeing these new games creep along bit by bit.
I'm also frustrated playing Alpha's and being disappointed.
Btw its a great forum and see a lot of activity and positive vibes about the game.
I really don't care too much when it is finished, as long as that is never and they always keep improving it and adding more content and peoples ideas from the forum.
Better late then never I say...
I might wait a month and a bit and play BF4 till the Beta comes out.
It's very frustrating seeing these new games creep along bit by bit.
I'm also frustrated playing Alpha's and being disappointed.
Btw its a great forum and see a lot of activity and positive vibes about the game.
I really don't care too much when it is finished, as long as that is never and they always keep improving it and adding more content and peoples ideas from the forum.
Its really great to see so many `Mature` players for want of a better word. I am 39 this year and also played the Atari 2600, space invaders back then was sooo good lol and pacman
I too hope they support the game for years to come as the potential is huge and ive not been this excited about a game for some time.
I have BF4 and its a game Elite developers should learn from in the respect of its poor quality in terms of bugs and netcode, i would rather wait another 6 months and have a polished game experience than bugs galore.
You are the only person that can categorically answer that for yourself. For me, if it had existed during the KS it wouldn't have been enough to swing it for me alone but it is a nice perk. Long term, it will only save you money if you are very unlucky or a bad pilot..or a combination of the two!
If you have the money to spare why not, but don't get in to Alpha just for the 50% insurance thing. Alpha is so much more than that alone.
In and of itself. No.
INaeem
Elite Greeter
If you have time and money I’d say go for it, I have thoroughly enjoyed the beneficial experience since upgrading on 10th April. Do you have the time to test-play the alpha sufficiently to justify the cost?? It’s not how long we have alpha for but how much time you can commit to alpha.
Take care and Elite!
Take care and Elite!