Quit backing and seek a refund?

[Amorelia]

FD now need to be braced for accusations from new alpha backers that they paid for exclusive access, and all they received was a couple of hours when they were at work.

This could be interesting...

 

[Yaffle]

This could be interesting...

I really, really, hope that does not happen, but there's nowt so strange as folk.

 

[Philip Coutts]

I really think that by quitting backing you are cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you really don't like the Alpha insurance discount and some of the other decisions made then play single player on-line and it won't trouble you in the slightest. I really think ED will be one of the best games in years and to miss out after waiting so long for another dose of Elite would be a crying shame.

 

[xyphic]

Before Tuesday this week, nobody outside of FD knew there would be any queue-jumpers for Beta.

Chances are FD have been thinking about the alpha grace period for a while, but lack of communication makes it appear to be something that it isn't.

People were first offered an opportunity to jump the queue this week, as a reason to upgrade.

That's certainly one way of reading it.

If the project runs out of cash, e.g. not enough decide to jump the queue, this bru-ha-ha on the part of Beta backers who feel slighted will be a walk in the park compared with how Alpha backers will suddenly feel about things.

The project isn't going to run out of cash. There's a lot at stake for Frontier and their investors -- those being the private investors that are funding the game over and above what the Kickstarter raised. If they truly needed to go on a funding drive right now, you'd see a lot more agressive marketing than 50% off insurance and a few hours of early access.

 

[Riandor]

This could be interesting...

I think you find it will be a damp squib... none of the Alpha backers I have seen post will be bothered in the slightest.
Those who felt uncomfortable with the perk might even feel relieved if that was the case.

What you in all likelihood will NOT see is some kind of thread similar to the couple in the general forum akin to a witch hunt.
Though no doubt the odd lurking troll will try to make something of it.

I can promise you all of us are looking forward to the Alphas and BETAs joining up (apart from those wanting to play single player, but hey)

 

[Yaffle]

I think you find it will be a damp squib... none of the Alpha backers I have seen post will be bothered in the slightest.

Just like none of the alphas moaned about the delay from 1.0 to 2.0?
Or were upset when Dara O'Brien had a go on alpha 3.0 before they did?

See - it's the same each way. People are people. There will always be some upset or annoyed. Good, clear communications can help prevent that. Sadly that's been the weak link in this adventure so far.

 

[Riandor]

Just like none of the alphas moaned about the delay from 1.0 to 2.0?
Or were upset when Dara O'Brien had a go on alpha 3.0 before they did?

Ha true forgot about that, probably because I wasn't one of the ones throwing my toys out of the pram at the time .


The problem with this organic milestone hitting is that FD are damned if they do and damned if they don't and no one has been happy with its ready when its ready. (Some people on here really should try waiting for Blizzard games for patience )

Give targets and miss them and it s raaaaah. Don't give targets and its raaaaah.

So hey ho...

I still don't think any of the Alphas or certainly the majority will care one iota if this so called early access lasts only a few hours during a time they can't get online.

Maybe some of those signing up now as a result of the "promotion", but still.

Let's just say i will be surprised. Naive maybe... we will see.

 

[Jezzah]

Before Tuesday this week, nobody outside of FD knew there would be any queue-jumpers for Beta.

People were first offered an opportunity to jump the queue this week, as a reason to upgrade.

If the project runs out of cash, e.g. not enough decide to jump the queue, this bru-ha-ha on the part of Beta backers who feel slighted will be a walk in the park compared with how Alpha backers will suddenly feel about things.

At this point the amount of urine and bile you and a few others have splashed about im near sure you'd like to see the game run out. is this not true? .. ok then you'll still play the game and be very pleased with it.

Micheal B has been in this thread not a page ago and stated the "queue jump" might only be a matter of hours in any case.

A lot of spit and grizzle over nothing.

 

[Francois]

wow, what is the point of these polls ??

stop making idiots topic and shut the ****

 

[Gen-Han-Solo]

There are options in the web store, you may purchase or upgrade; but you may also apply to get a full refund before you download anything.

The recent announcement more perks to Alpha backers as a marketing drive offended me by a) diluting the promise made to premium beta backers, and b) unnecessarily gifting insurance breaks to Alpha Backers.

Are you annoyed? are you delighted? do you care?

Im not going to vote for this thread . Its like buying a car one person buys car ( A ) one person buys car ( B ) they are both new cars same model . One person pays $50,000 and one pays $40,000 . The person that paid the most gets all the upgrades included you really think the person that paid the least should get all the upgrades and free gifts ?????? .

 

[KickahasTier]

I can't believe people are still posting that "The game wouldn't be made without the Alpha backers" and "You didn't pay to get Premium beta, you only backed the game".
The game wouldn't be made without all the backers, get off your high horse.
People that pledged at the level of premium beta should expect to get access to the premium beta when it's available. It did not say "Access to the Premium beta after the Alpha backers have played with it for a bit". People have a right to feel aggrieved by this. Your constant attempts to spin the recent newsletter announcement as something other than it is are starting to become ridiculous. Try having some empathy for people, put yourself in their shoes and imagine how you'd feel if people who pledged £201 or more got preferential treatment over your pledge rewards and FD used your pledge rewards to eek out more money.

Well said

 

[KickahasTier]

I spoiled my ballot by voting "I'm an FD employee" when I'm not. It is a terrible poll.

That's OK science accounts for the like of you.

 

[Jezzah]

Well said

Not really - Micheal B says the "wait" could be as little as hours. And has also confirmed what many have said here which is that its for testing the build stability.

 

[Rog]

Not really - Micheal B says the "wait" could be as little as hours. And has also confirmed what many have said here which is that its for testing the build stability.

Well that's OK then.

By the way, to answer one of the OP's points, I've been emailed to say that any kind of refund or downgrade in pledge level is not on the cards, in spite of receiving nothing to date.

So it's all academic: like it or lump it.

 

[KickahasTier]

Is the main complaint about the early Access thing because the Alpha Backers will have extra play time before the Beta guys get in and thus have an advantage?

No, the main complaint is that having backed to the level of premium beta, access to the first round of private beta testing. A new concept of pre-beta beta testing has been conceived to sell more alpha subscriptions.

It's FD breaking its promise for the sake of some quick cash, it alludes to FD acting like this in the future, wringing value out of us players at the expense of the game play. Its the first slice in a salami tactic introducing a pay to win strategy.

Cant afford insurance, buy more credits. Not enough people dying, increase the gold sink value of insurance by upping difficulty of NPCs.

 

[sp33dy]

I don't give a rat's bottom what happens. I joined the Alpha, as part of the Kickstarter, because I wanted the game BUILT! I didn't care what I got or what I didn't. I pledged what I could afford (plus a bit that the wife doesn't know about). My only concern in all of this is that the game is built and released. It is just simply beautiful. It has exceeded all dreams already. All this squabbling, arguing and disappointment often comes from people that don't 'take' risks; i.e. they put something in, expecting something out. To be honest, you could take all privs away from me and I'll be happy. Give me the final game, some empty space and I'll be in heaven. By the way, I think most players will want to start from 100 credits. I don't see why any would start with the other options. They were perks offered to encourage pledges...

[edit]... and to get back on track. If there is demand, I don't blame Frontier opening up and taking people's money. You pay for what you get. Every £ is definitely going to a very worthy cause right now.

 

[Jason S]

The polls are really showing all the fuss on the forums must be from a rather vocal minority.

Most people are happy or do not mind.

 

[KickahasTier]

Well that's OK then.

By the way, to answer one of the OP's points, I've been emailed to say that any kind of refund or downgrade in pledge level is not on the cards, in spite of receiving nothing to date.

So it's all academic: like it or lump it.

Not according to their policy. If I hadn't been hovering over the submit button I'd never have put the poll together.

If you mean to say that you have evidence that FD will not act honourably, that just goes to my point.

https://store.zaonce.net/cancellations-returns/

You may cancel a pre-order for a Digital Product up to and including the day before the release date of the relevant Digital Product by contacting Customer Services clearly stating your order number and item(s) to be cancelled.

The polls are really showing all the fuss on the forums must be from a rather vocal minority.

Most people are happy or do not mind.

On the contrary, the poll shows that nearly half do have an opinion.

There will be some more details next week, however this is an organic process so we'll change what we need to for the benefit of the game.

Michael

Thank you Michael, your comments are very welcome.

 

[Rog]

Not according to their policy. If I hadn't been hovering over the submit button I'd never have put the poll together.

If you mean to say that you have evidence that FD will not act honourably, that just goes to my point.

https://store.zaonce.net/cancellations-returns/

It would appear that being an early enthusiastic backer has its downside:

That order was imported into the online store as part of your earlier pledge, so I’m afraid it is non-refundable unfortunately.

I've no wish to spoil anyone else's enjoyment of the game (it's looking great), and I'm still happy to support and eventually enjoy it.

However, my opinion of FD has taken somewhat of a nosedive I will confess. It does *not* bode well for the whole p2w/microtransaction thing in the future, but those discussions just give me a headache, so we'll just have to wait and see on that.

Whatever.

 

[PacalB]

No, the main complaint is that having backed to the level of premium beta, access to the first round of private beta testing. A new concept of pre-beta beta testing has been conceived to sell more alpha subscriptions.

It's FD breaking its promise for the sake of some quick cash, it alludes to FD acting like this in the future, wringing value out of us players at the expense of the game play. Its the first slice in a salami tactic introducing a pay to win strategy.

Cant afford insurance, buy more credits. Not enough people dying, increase the gold sink value of insurance by upping difficulty of NPCs.

What utter utter poppycock! Sorry but that sounds about as silly as this whole thread. If you are really so bent out of shape by the way the game is being designed and run why are you still here?