Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Alpha Two Realms are now unlocked for Phase II testing!
For our initial launch, testing will begin on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific and continue uninterrupted until Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10 AM Pacific. After January 6th, we’ll transition to a schedule of five-day-per-week access for the remainder of Phase II.
You can download the game launcher here and we encourage you to join us on our for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha Two Realms are now unlocked for Phase II testing!
For our initial launch, testing will begin on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific and continue uninterrupted until Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10 AM Pacific. After January 6th, we’ll transition to a schedule of five-day-per-week access for the remainder of Phase II.
You can download the game launcher here and we encourage you to join us on our for the most up to date testing news.
Pre-Order Bundle Cosmetics Question
Hydromance
Member, Alpha Two
What are the odds of converting early access bundle cosmetics to embers?
For example I jumped on the last train to alpha and the bloody bone cosmetics, as impressive as they are, aren't my vibe. Very likely they'll gather the dust of ages never to be touched. If I was able to cash them in as a one time deal to spend on other cosmetics though, I'd get that much more mileage out of the bundle.
I understand this is pretty low hanging fruit and as a non-dev I don't know how much effort this ask actually involves, but thought it'd be worth asking.
For example I jumped on the last train to alpha and the bloody bone cosmetics, as impressive as they are, aren't my vibe. Very likely they'll gather the dust of ages never to be touched. If I was able to cash them in as a one time deal to spend on other cosmetics though, I'd get that much more mileage out of the bundle.
I understand this is pretty low hanging fruit and as a non-dev I don't know how much effort this ask actually involves, but thought it'd be worth asking.
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Comments
$250 USD is a lot of money to spend on something you'll never use.
Not sure what the refund policy is, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I'm sure there will be other opportunities to get into Alpha 2 between now and Q3 (e.g. giveaways).
It is on their main site. 90 days.
You dont exactly buy the bundle just for the cosmetics now do you? Also, it's not like you got a choice, except earlier when you could wait a month and hope the next random cosmetics looks better.
That being said, there will be plenty of cosmetics down the line for scraps. The cosmetics feel important because there is nothing else and are attached to a huge price tag. Personally I dont even remember what cosmetics I got with the bundle, nor do I care. It's not why I got the bundle.
Well obviously the cosmetics aren't $250. To that point they didn't even factor into my cost\benefit assessment. No one is about to lose out on the last opportunity for A2 access over the cosmetics, and I'm certainly not suggesting that either.
Being able to cash them in for cosmetic only currency would be a simple quality of life adjustment, one that I understand they've already implemented for crossbow skins. Again I recognize this is low hanging fruit, but it would be appreciated nonetheless.
In part this is true, in regards to buying a package vs. getting a giveaway.
Key differences though, are while you get access to A2 either way
Buying a pack:
Getting a key:
So If people want to buy in and knowing this is the last pack, and it has been since Oct/Nov, That's 3-4 months of not having the ability to look at a different skin unlike the rest of us who have been here a while.
I do think it would be a great quality of life thing to offer those who just recently joined our community, who wanted to participate A2 and beyond, but who just genuinely don't like the cosmetic style they ended up getting.
Also, this applies to other people who maybe had to get it at a time they could afford it but if they had waited, they may not have been able to use that money towards that anymore.
All in all, great idea @Hydromance
I think that is subjective
Never tell me the odds!
If it was possible to just buy an alpha key, people would. As it stands, its a non-starter.
I suppose?
free vs an expense is the obvious.
Could probably get 6 months game time and not give them money for in-store credits which saves you money.
Better cosmetics in live version of the game.
Probably wont use your skins for caravans and freeholds as often due to the restrictions in-game.
Beta phases quite short supposedly.
Risk of getting bored/disappointed of the game before launch as things change during development especially since there is no box price.
Not to forget that these are just the end of the FOMO packs. They have hinted at possible other things.
Free definitely seems like the better end of the deal in my opinion
I see where you are coming from, which is why I said it was subjective haha.
For you, that is a better option, but maybe for someone else, they will want guaranteed access.
Both are valid for the person who is considering, but either way, if you are looking for a person to go in-game achievable cosmetic hunting, I'm your girl!
Low odds of free vs paying for a sure thing. Regardless, getting away from the point.
haha
Assuming the key is a fair price, I bet most would have just bought that. So many better ways they would've crowd funded through these packs.
Referral program is kind of scummy. No point helping someone else play for free when you have to pay full price
https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Referral_program
lol.
They got 90 days from date of purchase to refund assuming the cosmetic doesn't mean more to them haha
You are right, in one single aspect: Free is better than paying. Very true! ^.^
Not so true when hoping for future access to test and provide feedback in future testing phases.
I'd have to hard disagree on this point though. Nothing scummy about giving someone a bit of bonus for bringing you into a game you like. You don't even have to pay full price if you invite a friend or three.
It's like the "Friend Codes" in other games, except you get to choose how the bonus is spent. When compared with "you both get this one specific mount/pet/gadget that everyone else in the world gets," I think it's far superior.
Halloween Costume, if nothing else. Amirite?!?
This would be a nice feature, for sure!
Talking about trading current cosmetics with old or simply buying old cosmetics you missed would definitely trigger the explanation: "Intrepid won't want to go back on their 'exclusive monthly cosmetics never to be available again' statements," but this wouldn't really contradict that. It would simply allow you to sell the cosmetics back to the shop so you can buy future cosmetics.
In a way, you would be kinda giving up your fancy exclusive purchase.
and I hard disagree and say it is scummy lol. It's great for the person who publicly drop their referral code so they dont have to pay for the game and essentially get free cosmetics as the currency is amalgamated over time.
It even displays that the USD $15 monthly sub fee could just essentially be lower considering time and time again the cosmetics and monthly sub being announced as how the game is funded. lol. Contradictive marketing fomo tactics.
No clue what you're referring to with this statement here. Can you explain a bit? Where does it display what?
Insert obligatory "I do not think that word means what you think it means" movie quote.
Fair enough that we're all allowed to have an opinion, but it's the facts that you have incorrect. IF I'm interpreting what you mean correctly.
You pay $15 per month with no referrals. Game earns $15.
You pay $12.75 with one referral. Referral pays $15. Game earns $27.75.
You pay $0 with 7 referrals. Referrals pay $15 each. Game earns $105.
Contradiction where? FOMO where? What are you "missing out" on? What's the fear driver?
You're simply bringing in people to play the game, making the community bigger, and continuing to ensure the game you're playing has life.
Maybe I just don't grasp what you're referring to, so please correct me if I missed it.
it's pretty straight forward. If they can afford to hypothetically have that many not paying a monthly subscription because others have to pay full price, then the monthly subscription could just be cheaper for everyone overall instead. Even with the amalgamated intrepid bucks bonus for cosmetics through the in-game shop through this referral program, seems like they can afford to give away free cosmetics too which brings up the question why not just have a cheaper monthly subscription for everyone with a few cosmetic sales either one free or discounted through the referrals. Seems like a backwards marketing to encourage more FOMO sales. Unless further details are specified, there could hypothetically be a big loop hole in this with "genuine" referrals. It doesn't add up ethically and comes off as manipulative for consumerism.
Sounds Correct. Obvious 90 refund policy and alpha 2 doesn't start until Q3.
Yes, this is correct ^-^
There will be other cosmetic items available for purchase in the future