the funding - missing investments

1stBiker · Mar 23, 2013

greetings community

About the Thread
I dont know is this question already bouncing around. I'm sorry if so, I didnt get it by searching the Forum.

-> Why isnt there more to buy right now ?

Elite is much bigger then Wingcommander ever was and RSI is having 8.5M. They sell "digital" Content, Ships and Skins at example and I'm sure this would bring another M$ for Elite Dangerous if this would be available.

Dont get me wrong, I'm not rich. But I'm an idealist and I would immediately drop another 200£ for a Ship if it’s something exceptional and difficult to achieve in-game.

Please, if someone can direct me to the thread running about this ?
Otherwise I'm happy about your responses.

<<<1stBiker

About my Way
I'm back here after 3 years and I'm totally surprised to see what’s going on here. Sadly I missed the start.

The last 3 Weeks I hung around on RSI reading the Forums. I checked Kickstarter-Projects today and have seen THIS: "Elite Dangerous". So I'm back here and so excited ! Not to express as a non-native English speaking person.

So far I pledged to participate the Alpha (Private Alpha Test).
My hands were shaking - I was so nervous when doing it.

Elite comes back - am I dreaming ?
Thanks DB and Frontier THANKS so much !

psykokow · Mar 23, 2013

you are not dreaming and it is REAL.. also LOOK AT ALL THE NEW fiction!!

Its amazing.. and I think there is items to buy on the Elite Pledge Ap...

But yes they now need to add some more..

1. Orange FozzAsbo Onsie
2. Elite Commander Flight Suit Onsies!! (See Mobius)
3. Mannappies for undisrupted game play.

Perseus · Mar 23, 2013

There has been a lot of talk about this. I don't think that buying 'ability' with real cash is a good idea. As for fluff, I don't know.

1stBiker · Mar 23, 2013

psykokow said:
you are not dreaming and it is REAL.. also LOOK AT ALL THE NEW fiction!!

.. starting to believe

Perseus said:
I don't think that buying 'ability' with real cash is a good idea. As for fluff, I don't know.

I'd like to see this rocked launched with some 'reserve'. Anyone who may spend a bit more that way would be a win.

Consider that to be a 'pay to win Elite' rather than the 'pay to win a battle'.

I'm sure RSI got at least 50% with selling digital content.
Myself, I bought 5 Ships and did spend two to friends.

No question to do the same for Elite.
<<<1stBiker

JeffRyan · Mar 23, 2013

I actually admire the reserve of Frontier on this and agree with it.

Dave Lave · Mar 26, 2013

I guess they intend to make many more sales of the game after release than before. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if there was any hint of it being "pay to win".

1stBiker · Mar 26, 2013

Dave Lave said:
I guess they intend to make many more sales of the game after release than before. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if there was any hint of it being "pay to win".

There will be many adults standing in the store totally stunned when they have a copy of ED in their hands that unexpected.

So, I as well think there will be a very 'lasting' effect once released to the stores.

Dont get me wrong though, I'm NOT for any 'pay to win' but what about little things as like the appartment in the space-station or a ship which may be bought with ingame-cr as well ? Skins for the ship or a house in a city on a sphere ? Thats not p2w, but thats FANCY and I could imagine there are many old Elite fans with a healthy flair for that - I'm just thinking that generates more income. And me thinks THAT'd be gooood.

thanks for your thoughs
<<<1stBiker

SAB380 · Mar 26, 2013

An updated version of the Elite Badge with Elite: Dangerous logo is the obvious one.
Color code for different pledge levels, personalize them in some way perhaps....

People went bonkers for the citizen cards in Star Citizen.

Alan the Armadillo · Mar 27, 2013

Hi,

Merchandising can be a real money spinner and fan base builder.
It could include:
Airfix kits for ships and stations
Pilots Licence
Electronic ship database (Fancy name for a PDF file)
Elite D key fob
Bumper stickers (an elite bumper sticker would be the only sticker I would want on my car)
As already mentioned: apartments in stations
Frontier energy drink (Gives you wings)
Frontier Beer (Looses wings)
As already mentioned: Flight suit
Elite lego kits
As already mentioned: Badges in representative backing colours
Full size replica rem-lock mask (I hope thats waht it was called)
Cargo pod pensil case
Space station Lunch box (My disney cars one has worn out)
iPone and mainstream Android phone covers
Elite D Top Trumps set
Frontier sun glasses
Elite Commander's base ball cap
Lightwave, 3DS Max, DFX and Obj ship models in full detail
Thargoid and Fer De Lance beer mat
Elite D PS3/360 game controllers (or equivelent PC/Mac controller)
Elite D Cherry gaming keyboard
IOS and Android sound board apps
IOS and Android 3d ship data base
IOS and Android galactic map maker/plotter
Replica Wall mounted Jonty Bass that hums the Blue Danube

fikuserectus · Mar 27, 2013

I think they have handled everything very well and done a nice job. Well done Frontier! I can't wait for beta testing.

insanephoton · Mar 27, 2013

Alan the Armadillo said:
Hi,

Merchandising can be a real money spinner and fan base builder.
It could include:
Airfix kits for ships and stations
Pilots Licence
Electronic ship database (Fancy name for a PDF file)
Elite D key fob
Bumper stickers (an elite bumper sticker would be the only sticker I would want on my car)
As already mentioned: apartments in stations
Frontier energy drink (Gives you wings)
Frontier Beer (Looses wings)
As already mentioned: Flight suit
Elite lego kits
As already mentioned: Badges in representative backing colours
Full size replica rem-lock mask (I hope thats waht it was called)
Cargo pod pensil case
Space station Lunch box (My disney cars one has worn out)
iPone and mainstream Android phone covers
Elite D Top Trumps set
Frontier sun glasses
Elite Commander's base ball cap
Lightwave, 3DS Max, DFX and Obj ship models in full detail
Thargoid and Fer De Lance beer mat
Elite D PS3/360 game controllers (or equivelent PC/Mac controller)
Elite D Cherry gaming keyboard
IOS and Android sound board apps
IOS and Android 3d ship data base
IOS and Android galactic map maker/plotter
Replica Wall mounted Jonty Bass that hums the Blue Danube

I'd say that a lot of the things (especially Airfix kits and similar) can't be done yet because the exact design of the ships and other stuff isn't quite nailed down yet. It also helps if you have a big enough market. Companies are quite happy to do tie in products for the Star Wars or Star Trek franchises because they have millions of fans. So far Elite D has around 27000 fans, not all of them will buy merchandise. I hope that one day Elite D will have millions of fans, if that happens, I'd expect a whole lot of merchandise.

1stBiker · Mar 27, 2013

Alan the Armadillo said:
Hi, Merchandising can be a real money spinner and fan base builder.

fantastic summary Alan !!!
.. add some more digital gadgets though

@SAB380, you're so right !
for these little details, physical or digital, they could make a fortune
AND its not a game-changer but veeery nice to have and I assume in this discipline the Elite Veterans will drop some coins too, very similar to the silver/gold-cards in SC you've mentioned (very good point)

fikuserectus said:
I think they have handled everything very well and done a nice job

They did, no question - but Frontier could easily get much more money with very little effort

<<<1stBiker