I have question about Alpha

ArchivedUser

Hello everybody,

I just discover this game and i want to buy it but before i want to know something.
It is an open alpha that i can play when i want or it's just alpha just for some weekend?

Sorry for my english !

Thank you all

ArchivedUser

The alpha package for sale at the moment will allow access from Alpha 2 onwards. 

These won't initially be persistent, so won't allow you access all the time, these will be over certain periods. (Unknown at the moment)
Alpha 1 and 2 are scheduled to be at some point over 2018, but there's not much more information as to times.

Someone else should be able to give more information as to the expectation of when the persistent stage is estimated to start.

I hope that this doesn't dissuade you and you join us in the alpha's

ArchivedUser

Check the store on the site, 

Also welcome to the community

ArchivedUser

So far as my understanding goes. Alpha 0 from December 15th. 3 node limited experience for those that have won keys. No info on exactly how long it will run and whether it will be up 24/7 or just at certain times. The 4 PAX classes available, many systems not in place, limited crafting (called baby crafting by Jeffrey) Expect the server to go up and down constantly when things are being updated and tweaked. Under NDA.

Not under NDA and can be streamed. Name reservation schedule announced.
Alpha 1 has been called "persistent" Alpha by the big boss. The plan is to have most systems/mechanics in place in at least a basic fashion, full node map, and all the promised classes. Up all the time, may experience significant downtime due to problems and updates. Possibly might be sometime 2nd quarter 2018 (rumor).

Alpha 1 experiences a wipe and either with short downtime or immediate re-up, Alpha 2 starts. More tweaking of systems and adding of content. This most likely will be the longest period of play before the Beta cycle. Possibly 3rd or 4th quarter 2018. (depends on how Alpha 1 goals are reached.)

Here is where a mod or someone else with better info can fill in. There is a key won Beta 0 that needs to go somewhere in the schedule. No confirmed info whether that will be part of Alpha 0 or come after Alpha 1 and 2.

Beta 1 and 2 through most of 2019. Once all the bells and whistles in place, satisfaction with bug squashing and mechanics, and all the other various metrics they are looking for have been met, live release date and build up announced. Live before 2020.

This is once again information from livestreams, interviews, and Discord quotes all mashed together into my understanding of the schedule. I may have some of it wrong, but there are quotes out there for most of it. Then again, they can of course throw it all out and change it at any time.

ArchivedUser

No need to apologize for your English. 

ArchivedUser

Welcome, we are all waiting excitingly for the game!

ArchivedUser

I'm a bit confused as to that offering on the store, myself.

I mean, it's the PAX exclusive deal - wasn't that back in September?  (Penny Arcade Expo)??

So, if I'm buying this nice little package deal, but have no plans to attend a PAX event - which there's a lotta confusion....   is it?   When?   What's the full deal??

ArchivedUser

There were other packages that offered tickets to PAX in addition to the Alpha 2 or Beta 2 access, or the $40 exclusive PAX cosmetics. Those were pulled off the page once sold out. So while they are called PAX packages, they really have nothing to do with it anymore. Basically you can buy the more expensive package with Alpha 2, Beta 1 & 2 access, or go with the less expensive Beta 2 access one. The cosmetics are just extra. They may offer other packages in the future with different deals. They have stated there will be no further crowdfunding, but other packages may occur closer to launch.

ArchivedUser

Megs said:

The alpha package for sale at the moment will allow access from Alpha 2 onwards. 

These won't initially be persistent, so won't allow you access all the time, these will be over certain periods. (Unknown at the moment)
Alpha 1 and 2 are scheduled to be at some point over 2018, but there's not much more information as to times.

Someone else should be able to give more information as to the expectation of when the persistent stage is estimated to start.

I hope that this doesn't dissuade you and you join us in the alpha's

Isn't Alpha 2 meant to be a persistent alpha?

Suomynona said:

I'm a bit confused as to that offering on the store, myself.

I mean, it's the PAX exclusive deal - wasn't that back in September?  (Penny Arcade Expo)??

So, if I'm buying this nice little package deal, but have no plans to attend a PAX event - which there's a lotta confusion....   is it?   When?   What's the full deal??

The PAX packages include limited pax costumes, not pax entry tickets. Technically, the packages have nothing to do with PAX.

ArchivedUser

@FliPIsn't Alpha 2 meant to be a persistent alpha?

There are a couple different interpretations of what they have said. Alpha 1 and beyond are meant to be "persistent". However, with the caveat that at the end of each phase they will be wiped and progress reset. They may have changed this. I took it to mean that at each phase they will wipe the board so to say and let everyone start again. Thus node development over the course of the year to year and half of testing will get to see a couple different iterations of the node system functioning. Also puts everyone who joins at the beginning of a phase to start at the same level as everyone else. People will naturally scream if they come into Alpha 2 and get greeted by someone 30 levels higher than them that just wants to stand right outside the portal zone and burn them down. @Belewyn had some more definitive info on this.
And we have a Discord quote that the server will be wiped at the end of testing and become their primary "test server" just before live. Nothing that is done during any of the testing phases will carry over to live.(character and node development meant)

ArchivedUser

You questions seem answered . Welcome @S3MP4II.