Can we talk about key prices?

ArchivedUser

So $100 for beta two and $225 for alpha one seems crazy high espesualy given that we would be testing the game. I dont need to go on some long rant but having a limited number of keys and a standard price range $30-$50 would feel far more fair. Remember in alpha and betas we are testing it for them and have to live with bugs and lots of changes. I understand wanting to limit access due to severe loads and everything and that's fine. But if anything game packs should be cheaper before it's finished. I know this isn't likely to change but i wanted to bring my voice to the table about this. Ill give Worlds Adrift as an example. Games ~$40 but keys only go on sale occasionally. creates demand and focus from players wanting to get in while the price is low enough that people aren't turned off by it.

ArchivedUser

I agree, these keys are extremely overpriced compared to other games. Other than the weekly key lottery it seems this company only supports higher tier incomes to have access to their game. $225 to start testing a game in alpha state... no thanks I am going to pass on this one! 

ArchivedUser

You guys do realise they didn't just sell keys and those campaigns were mostly about backing the game?

Pretty sure (or highly likely) you will see stand-alone key sales on the website when Alphas are actually close.

ArchivedUser

AeonAuron said:

Pretty sure (or highly likely) you will see stand-alone key sales on the website when Alphas are actually close.

Let's hope so. If not already considered, should be suggested to the team.

ArchivedUser

The best way is to vote is with your wallet...if it's too high don't buy.  I am in total agreement that the price is over the top.

ArchivedUser

If that price came with a perk like a prorated amount to the monthly subscription cost when it goes live that would be great. But yeah way too high. That said I can surmise that at that rate they will only get the most devoted and serious testers.

ArchivedUser

I would like to add that it seems strange, those with high disposable income, usually work hard for it. Which means less time to actually test, no?

ArchivedUser

Ariatras said:

I would like to add that it seems strange, those with high disposable incoming, usually work hard for it. Which means less time to actually test, no?

For sure and not strange at is the way the wheel turns. I am willing to drop that much if I could play more than a few minutes a day. But cannot justify it because I could not devote that much time to it. Work and family obligations. So it would be not right to take that slot away from some one that can put more time into the game.

ArchivedUser

AeonAuron Yea I'm definitely hoping for the cheaper prices come closer to the alphas/betas. I'd like to support the game and gain access to them but right now it is a little to much. If not, fingers crossed for the weekly giveaway . Either way I'm still super pumped for this game.

ArchivedUser

Hardmode said:

AeonAuron Yea I'm definitely hoping for the cheaper prices come closer to the alphas/betas. I'd like to support the game and gain access to them but right now it is a little to much. If not, fingers crossed for the weekly giveaway . Either way I'm still super pumped for this game.

Same...

ArchivedUser

@Ariatras said "I would like to add that it seems strange, those with high disposable income, usually work hard for it. Which means less time to actually test, no?"

I am an Alpha Tester per KS Backer. I do work hard for my money and do well, but that's still only 40 hours a week. So middle-aged, upper/middle income, no children + wife that loves crafting and working with our dogs = lot's of game time.

*I think the big ones are no children and no ongoing family commitments*

ArchivedUser

Azathoth said:

@Ariatras said "I would like to add that it seems strange, those with high disposable income, usually work hard for it. Which means less time to actually test, no?"

I am an Alpha Tester per KS Backer. I do work hard for my money and do well, but that's still only 40 hours a week. So middle-aged, upper/middle income, no children + wife that loves crafting and working with our dogs = lot's of game time.

*I think the big ones are no children and no ongoing family commitments*

Or people who have an awesome wife.

ArchivedUser

If your buying it just for the key your doing something wrong the purchase doesn't even come with the game. If you want the cosmetics and can justify the money that would be the reason to purchase. With the number of braver and above packages they sold i don't foresee them lowering the prices of the alphas at all. From the kickstarter alone they have more than enough to test through alpha 1 and 2 

ArchivedUser

I feel the prices are really outrageous 225 bucks for alpha test.  Includes 0 Subscription months.... I mean come on... thats like the price of 4-5 AAA games just to enter a test phase?  If it included some real ingame bonuses and/or many months of Subscription it would make more sense.

ArchivedUser

Purchase doesn't even come with the game? There is no game cost. The only cost is the sub. Braver and above packages come out to around 4-5k people, more than enough for Alpha1. You can wait for them to offer keys without any cosmetics, but the Alpha 2 price probably isn't going to drop below $185. If you want to be a tester and help improve the game, you are going to pay a premium. You want a $20 alpha steam sale so you can try out the game then go on various media talking smack. None of the keys are required, just wait for the game to go live and kick out your $15 along with everyone else. The alpha and beta servers are going to be wiped, and it will become their test server. The live servers will launch for everyone at the same time (headstart 2 days earlier for those that have it, but with no node progression). There is absolutely no advantage to playing on the test servers other than getting familiar with the systems as they change and evolve and since the persistent alphas aren't under NDA everyone will be streaming. People seem to think they need to go begging for money, when the game was fully funded before the KS. The KS was done just to increase visibility and raise extra money to throw at more staff to add features they wanted, but couldn't do in the self-imposed development timeline they had set.

ArchivedUser

Sorry @UnknownSystemError i didn't word my post right, there is no game time with the purchase for the alpha and beta keys.

ArchivedUser

The high prices are one thing, but the fact that even if you buy a key, you will be waiting well over a year to even touch the game. I'll pass on that deal. Once they get the persistent testing going, then I'd consider buying in, but not a year ahead of time. I get that this is a crowd funded game and all, but this is a bit silly.

 They keep claiming they are going to be different while using the same playbook every other crowdfunded games have been using. If this game already had funding before the KS, then why the need for overpriced keys years ahead of time now? Kind of looks like a big cash grab. 

ArchivedUser

Azathoth said:

@Ariatras said "I would like to add that it seems strange, those with high disposable income, usually work hard for it. Which means less time to actually test, no?"

I am an Alpha Tester per KS Backer. I do work hard for my money and do well, but that's still only 40 hours a week. So middle-aged, upper/middle income, no children + wife that loves crafting and working with our dogs = lot's of game time.

*I think the big ones are no children and no ongoing family commitments*

And that's great for you, you're living the dream, as it were. But I believe you are the exception to the rule. Most people that work full-time that have the income to spend on these keys, have less time in general to be testing the game. Not that I'm complaining. I can actually afford it, as I saved up, and I have enough free time. As I am one of the no children, no family commitments. But it's not worth it for me personally..

ArchivedUser

That includes cosmetics.

Not just the key.

ArchivedUser

I agree 100% percent. 
It would be fine with me though if, uh, example.
I buy an alpha 2 key, then I should have access to the other upcoming versions.
And the game could at least save our data as well for that extremely high price.

ArchivedUser

I take all they money I saved by having a vasectomy at age 26 and put it into video games. 

ArchivedUser

Things we do know. Key winners can get into Alpha 0 and Beta 0. They don't get access to Alpha 1 and 2 or Beta 1 and 2 unless they have purchased the relevant package. People who bought KS or Summer backing packages get all the content from lower tier packages. For example, if you bought BoW you have access to Alpha 1, and since all the lower packages give corresponding access, Alpha 2, Beta 1 and Beta 2.
Here is a question. Those that bought the PAX packages with Alpha 2 "key" have a legitimate concern since it was never stated that they get access to the later Beta 1 and 2 as part of their "key". Probably needs a developer response to clear it up or one of our mods like @Belewyn or @Shunex to clear that up. (I think it is a given, but you never know)
People who bought the PAX Beta 2 key have nothing to worry about, since there is no "key" access beyond that.

ArchivedUser

the PAX store currently sells alpha 2 and beta 2 keys, if you purchase the alpha pack you will get the beta 2 access with that pack. we had a dev clear that up in the discord for us. 

ArchivedUser

@Shunex but not Beta 1?

ArchivedUser

UnknownSystemError said:

@Shunex but not Beta 1?

not sure about that one, i'll reach out and see if i can word on that

ArchivedUser

Its not a pay2win problem (aside from gaining gaming experience and exploits over those who dont pay).
Do I think the prices are extortionate and greedy ? Yes
But if people want to pay for alpha/beta temporary access that will be wiped when the game starts....and people want to pay those prices to do so....who am I to judge ?
All the more money in Intrepids coffers to make the game we want.

I just hope intrepid realises that not all those people who test that game intend to play the game or help intrepid.
To many its just early access to probe for weaknesses/vulnerabilities and find ways to exploit a money making opportunity and for them...notifying intrepid about what they find is not in their interests.

ArchivedUser

I'm not sure if allowing more players by reducing prices would only bring in those that genuinely want to test the game...

ArchivedUser

The non-NDA tests will be streamed so no tester will get any advantage besides having more hands on time with the game. I'm sure there will be tons of people that will test the game thoroughly, and yes there will be those that will try and find exploits and keep quiet about them. Hopefully most exploits will be found and patched before release.

About the prices I'm not sure. They are probably set to a high price for a reason. Maybe they don't want too many testers? I'm sure less expensive packs will be released later (without PAX exclusive cosmetics). But I doubt they'll be $20-60.

ArchivedUser

I think you need to consider that AoC is going to be a subscription game.  You are going to pay a monthly fee to play it once it is released.  So, consider how early you get to play.  Alpha 2 is likely to be more than a year before general release.  At a "normal" subscription price of $15 a month, you are probably going to get the equivalent of about $200 of play time during the persistent Alpha 2, if not more.

We can make a lot of noise about play testing the game for Intrepid, but lets deal with the elephant in the room on that subject.  Most of us will gladly report problems we find and do some legitimate testing while we are really playing the game to see it early and for enjoyment.  Are you actually trying to say that you do not get any enjoyment from the play testing experience?  I know that I do.  If it is a good game you will have fun while you are testing.

So you get your money's worth in play time and get some cosmetics to boot.  I think that is not a bad deal.  It is all in how you choose to look at it.

ArchivedUser

Valherus said:

I think you need to consider that AoC is going to be a subscription game.  You are going to pay a monthly fee to play it once it is released.  So, consider how early you get to play.  Alpha 2 is likely to be more than a year before general release.  At a "normal" subscription price of $15 a month, you are probably going to get the equivalent of about $200 of play time during the persistent Alpha 2, if not more.

Looking at it that way.. interesting. Then Alpha 2 including Beta 2. That's quite a lot of playtime.

ArchivedUser

Oh yeah, the thing that it won't be a Pay2Win game sure eases the pressure of possible dissapointment.