Some scream scam. I say it's a brilliant business decision for an indie developer. Apparently there are 10000 people who are willing to pay $75 up front for the boxed version of the game given that they are guaranteed a beta spot. Assuming a $50 profit per box, that's $500k to fund beta testing. Enough to keep it running for months, and extend it instead of launching early if things don't get sorted out according to schedule.So, basically, they can fund the testing with launch money and hopefully launch a fairly polished product instead of launching early to cash in and catch up as has been so common lately. Anyway, I paid up front for a copy even if I doubt I'll stick with the game. Why?
I'd try the game regardless of reviews and opinions. That means I'd pay for it at some point, and it's irrelevant if I pay now, in 6 months, or in a year. Buying it now means I get a few months of beta testing in addition to the one month playtime that comes with the purchase to decide if the game is worth sticking with. Seeing how a company handles issues during a beta gives me more of an impression of what to expect later on than the mess that is launch week. $75 isn't really that much. It's a normal price for boxed games in stores here. I know games are cheaper in the US, but you can't expect localized prices from an indie developer. At least not for the boxed copies when they pay the shipping costs.
Anyway, if the game never launches, or does not deliver at all, then yes, it was a scam. As it is, paying for a game I would buy anyway up front as an alternative to playing the beta application lottery is a good investment for me, and for 9999 others. I'd do the same with any other game I am eager to try, and applaud the developers for giving me the option. For others who want to try it for free during the beta phase, but are not willing to pay up front for the game... good luck.
I do think that there would be venture money for the game would it be considered a sound investment . If the game indeed is in a feature-ready beta-state already I can but wonder why there is noone willing to provide them with 500k (assumed) funding. After all, if the game is of quality that money will be easily re-gained through initial box sales not to mention first few months of subscription fees. This whole "we want to provide our loyal fans a chance to help develop the game" feels aweful lot like a red herring to divert attention from the fact that they are unable to secure other means of funding which speaks volumes. For one can be certain that they tried the more conventional means first.
Nonetheless, let's hope the game delivers and those venture capitalists are wrong. The concerns I have are solely those of my own and I can but wish happy beta testing for all those lucky and determined enough to get a ticket to that lottery. All the very best for Starvault and Mortal Online.
buying number 1 copies and selling them on ebay for tons of cash.... dream job? on another note i canot wait for people to start hating/loving me thinks its gona be darkfall all over again
There was not much wrong with Darkfall. They'll be lucky if its anything like that. I think its going to be another Age of Conan. Age of Conan didn't function or launch with any features. Darkfall did.
i ment that the hate love relation people have towards darkfall will be similar not the quality / level of exitment. But i sps we need to hear from players first
While some of you think it is a brilliant idea by the developer, I am still going to chuckle at those that buy the preorder. The chances of a small indie developer being a success story are not good. I wish their company the best and hope they make me look bad. From what I have read though, this game is a real work in progress which is not good even for a beta.
When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre. Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front. Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta. Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.
I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.
75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.
And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.
Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.
I know all that. The scam is charging 75 bucks to beta test a game that has almost no media to prove it even exists. There is 1 teaser video and 1 gameplay video that shows almost no gameplay and barely any content. The fact the game is barely out of alpha, the lack of videos, the high cost and 6 months before the game even releases make this game very suspect in my opinion. Why charge 75 bucks for a beta test 6 months before release?
Makes me think they are running out of money or have no content or both.
Its a limited edition box. My understanding is this will be the only time, ever. to get a BOX for the game. You have spent more on CE editions, consider this one.
---------- "Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
While some of you think it is a brilliant idea by the developer, I am still going to chuckle at those that buy the preorder. The chances of a small indie developer being a success story are not good. I wish their company the best and hope they make me look bad. From what I have read though, this game is a real work in progress which is not good even for a beta.
I know there are a lot of principles involved, but remember that people value money differently. An hour spent on a game I want to play is worth a lot more to me than the money it cost me to play the game for an hour. I typically buy a game at launch, play it for a month or two, and then disgard it. If I regret something, it's always that I've wasted time, not that I have wasted money.
Of course that all comes down to your income and available time. While I was a student, I had all the time in the world, but buying a game was an investment. I suspect this is true for most "hardcore MMO players". Now my time is limited, but the cost of a full prize game is covered by an hour or two of overtime.
Just throwing it in there, one of the MO devs (think it was Mats) said they earned 1.5$ (might have been Euro) more on the Boxed version then they do on the Digital Download. Which to me says that the boxed version is fairly priced, with the digital download costing 50 Euro, same as Darkfall.
Comments
I do think that there would be venture money for the game would it be considered a sound investment . If the game indeed is in a feature-ready beta-state already I can but wonder why there is noone willing to provide them with 500k (assumed) funding. After all, if the game is of quality that money will be easily re-gained through initial box sales not to mention first few months of subscription fees. This whole "we want to provide our loyal fans a chance to help develop the game" feels aweful lot like a red herring to divert attention from the fact that they are unable to secure other means of funding which speaks volumes. For one can be certain that they tried the more conventional means first.
Nonetheless, let's hope the game delivers and those venture capitalists are wrong. The concerns I have are solely those of my own and I can but wish happy beta testing for all those lucky and determined enough to get a ticket to that lottery. All the very best for Starvault and Mortal Online.
There was not much wrong with Darkfall. They'll be lucky if its anything like that. I think its going to be another Age of Conan. Age of Conan didn't function or launch with any features. Darkfall did.
i ment that the hate love relation people have towards darkfall will be similar not the quality / level of exitment. But i sps we need to hear from players first
While some of you think it is a brilliant idea by the developer, I am still going to chuckle at those that buy the preorder. The chances of a small indie developer being a success story are not good. I wish their company the best and hope they make me look bad. From what I have read though, this game is a real work in progress which is not good even for a beta.
I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.
75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.
And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.
Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.
I know all that. The scam is charging 75 bucks to beta test a game that has almost no media to prove it even exists. There is 1 teaser video and 1 gameplay video that shows almost no gameplay and barely any content. The fact the game is barely out of alpha, the lack of videos, the high cost and 6 months before the game even releases make this game very suspect in my opinion. Why charge 75 bucks for a beta test 6 months before release?
Makes me think they are running out of money or have no content or both.
Its a limited edition box. My understanding is this will be the only time, ever. to get a BOX for the game. You have spent more on CE editions, consider this one.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
I know there are a lot of principles involved, but remember that people value money differently. An hour spent on a game I want to play is worth a lot more to me than the money it cost me to play the game for an hour. I typically buy a game at launch, play it for a month or two, and then disgard it. If I regret something, it's always that I've wasted time, not that I have wasted money.
Of course that all comes down to your income and available time. While I was a student, I had all the time in the world, but buying a game was an investment. I suspect this is true for most "hardcore MMO players". Now my time is limited, but the cost of a full prize game is covered by an hour or two of overtime.
Just throwing it in there, one of the MO devs (think it was Mats) said they earned 1.5$ (might have been Euro) more on the Boxed version then they do on the Digital Download. Which to me says that the boxed version is fairly priced, with the digital download costing 50 Euro, same as Darkfall.