Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Alpha Two Phase III testing has begun! During this phase, our realms will be open every day, and we'll only have downtime for updates and maintenance. We'll keep everyone up-to-date about downtimes in Discord.
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha Two Phase III testing has begun! During this phase, our realms will be open every day, and we'll only have downtime for updates and maintenance. We'll keep everyone up-to-date about downtimes in Discord.
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha 2 box cost feels deceptive
Chicago
Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
Just curious what people's thoughts on the 49.99$ steam price is? I don't really mind that they are dropping the cost on alpha access, in fact I believe they should make it free
But what I have a problem with is that this game has been advertised and boasted a NO box cost model. Isn't 49.99 basically a box cost plus subscription? If I remember correctly new world was cheaper than this for the full game with no sub.. just feels a bit deceptive
But what I have a problem with is that this game has been advertised and boasted a NO box cost model. Isn't 49.99 basically a box cost plus subscription? If I remember correctly new world was cheaper than this for the full game with no sub.. just feels a bit deceptive
1
Comments
There is also no subscription. If anything, the $50 includes the $15 for the first month after release iirc, so even there there's still no real box cost.
You are still paying money just to get access to the beta (that's in an alpha state of development).
Obviously, but it's basically a box cost let's be honest, it's pretty much double dipping
Nah it was justifiable before it launched on steam, now it's basically a box cost
So this steam move is hardly a surprise.
Honestly though, that probably wouldn't matter much if the game was fun. Crafting, lol.
They sell you insanely expensive packs at $250–500, making you believe you’ll get exclusive access to the alpha… and in the end we got what, two or three days?
Then they release new packs at $120–110–100.
I feel especially bad for the people who bought the $100 pack just to access a completely broken version — probably the worst of all phases and then, not even three months later, they watch the game drop to $50.
So yes, they need more testers.
As I keep saying: Intrepid doesn’t treat its players like customers, just like testers. We supposedly have the “privilege” of helping them fix and shape the game… but in reality, the project drifts further and further away from what was promised.
Right now they clearly need to refill the bank account, even if it means playing with labels — alpha, beta, early access…
But objectively, if you put AoC on the table, it’s still a very early alpha.
No gameplay loops finished, leveling unfinished, balancing unfinished, features nowhere near complete.
The problem is they hide all of this behind polished trailers, as if they were close to launch. Some filtered screenshots… but never the real state of the game.
And to me, that’s borderline false advertising.
Looking at third-party forums, loads of people genuinely believe AoC is finally entering its final pre-release phase.
They’re going to be shocked, and they’re going to feel deceived.
At least on my side, I bought a €250 pack back in 2022. I did enjoy Phase 2 a lot, it was fun, and honestly I feel less “cheated” than the people buying the $100 pack now… and even less than those buying the $50 pack, who are literally buying something that doesn’t exist yet.
And they better not complain when streamers, YouTubers, TikTokers and negative reviews completely tear the game apart.
I would have Steam Reviews LOCKED however if i would be Sir Steven,
for People who are "testing" (playing) the Game for free.
Why ?
The Answer is simple.
Because i " KNOW " of all the countless, many Whiners and Haters.
And because i just KNOW that these People would use this as an attempt and Chance to harm the Game as much as possible,
because they have what is called "para-balls" with this Game -> because these People (Losers?) can not even kill WORLD OF WARCRAFT after hating on it for so many Years and want to give it a Shot solely out of spite and sabotage possible Fun for other Players all around the World,
THIS IS WHY - i would generously allow myself "to get paid" by these People.
THIS IS WHY - i would allow them to "pay myself"
THIS IS HOW i would do it - in Sir Steven's Case.
Beware, Everyone.
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSIVE Hate/Shit-Storm on Steam coming in less than Month, when all People who have now bought it on Steam -> can comment there then.
Hell,
if it ISN'T already happening. .
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
I am in the guildless Guild so to say, lol. But i won't give up. I will find my fitting Guild "one Day".
Regardless of our presence on Steam, our status in Alpha hasn't changed. While in Alpha/Beta, there is a purchase required and no subscription.
After launch, our plans are to not have a purchased box cost but to have a subscription. Hope that helps!
Yes there is a box cost, even if they call it by another name, it’s the same thing.
Calling it a box is the same as Intrepid calling it an alpha. Both are wrong. It's an EA product. A bad one at that, because it is not finished enough to be on EA, yet it is.
And we are in Alpha Two Phase III, regardless of our presence on Steam.
I mean it's basically launched once it's on steam, it's launching with an in game cash shop, call it what you will but if you need a larger audience launch it for free with a cash shop to bring testers
And if intrepid keep it as EA for 2-3 years which is likely, they know that anyone that will sub to this game will have already paid to play it on steam which is basically the same thing as a box cost, if not give people 3 months game time for 49.99 as it would be about the same as the sub model, there is honestly no need to charge people to test their alpha for them when let's be honest, we all know this game would be years behind where we are now without the paid testers
Furthermore I would guess intrepid does not really have an internal testing team like they claim as the things they want tested really don't support this
Also a one time purchase is a box cost lol
Then I better get 5 months of sub for my $75 beta2 key! And all the $250 people better get all of that money transfered to subs too. Same for anyone who paid more. Cause ALL OF THIS IS THE SAME THING. Steam doesn't change anything!
A one-time purchase to the alpha. Once the game comes out - you'll have to pay money for sub. Outside of the $15 out of the current price, no money is going towards your sub, which means that your money paid for your alpha access instead of any "boxes".
Same, I can't believe I spent $350 on it. Lesson learned.
* sweats in Unseen Order *
Welp. One thing i can say with Confidence. This here is way better to support financially than to support something like Star Citizen. I promise it's not cope. With Ashes i have actually the Impression that is going to get completed in a few Years.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
I am in the guildless Guild so to say, lol. But i won't give up. I will find my fitting Guild "one Day".