To all you overlyloveydoby fan boys go read something else!
To the rest, proceed:
I also got this email was like: Yes! I finally manage to get into the Beta But then i read on: if you pre-order…
Personally I think this is a stupid move on their part. A beta period is a test phase! And using all the hype surrounding the game to get people to pre-purchase it, is just plane stupid and not to speak of greedy.
Why should we pay full freaking price just to see if like the game or not, when 9-10 publishers proceed with both closed and open beta? Yeah you could argue with the fact that its pay once and play forever. But when you think about it, even single player games offer their players demos or even beta!
It would have been fine if they did like a lot of other games, pre-purchase now and get access to all the betas, and then give the opportunity to get a beta key through a contest or a specific time (Like Tera did on their Facebook page.)
soon all will see that it wont be the second comming of jezus but just another game that was overhyped.
It'll be better than the second coming of Jesus. It'll be the first coming of Jesus and all the non-believers will crucify him anyway.
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
To all you overlyloveydoby fan boys go read something else!
To the rest, proceed:
I also got this email was like: Yes! I finally manage to get into the Beta But then i read on: if you pre-order…
Personally I think this is a stupid move on their part. A beta period is a test phase! And using all the hype surrounding the game to get people to pre-purchase it, is just plane stupid and not to speak of greedy.
Why should we pay full freaking price just to see if like the game or not, when 9-10 publishers proceed with both closed and open beta? Yeah you could argue with the fact that its pay once and play forever. But when you think about it, even single player games offer their players demos or even beta!
It would have been fine if they did like a lot of other games, pre-purchase now and get access to all the betas, and then give the opportunity to get a beta key through a contest or a specific time (Like Tera did on their Facebook page.)
soon all will see that it wont be the second comming of jezus but just another game that was overhyped.
It'll be better than the second coming of Jesus. It'll be the first coming of Jesus and all the non-believers will crucify him anyway.
plz stop putting word in my mouth.....i already stated i also love to play this game....djeezez (lolz)
Welcome to the GW2 forum voice of reason, sorry to say but you aren't welcome here nor is anyone else who would dare to question the great Arenanet, maker of the second most popular mmorpg on the planet.
If you can't accept the fact that GW2 is the answer to everything that is wrong in this world then you are the problem not A Net and this will remain true until three months after release and half of these people realize this game is not the second coming and turn all the love they spew into venom.
You may think you are very clever but yet you cant understand that the beta acces is not what they are selling, its a REWARD for those who trust Anet and want to prepurchase.
When did I say they are selling the beta access?don't recall making that statement. i do though recall trying to call to task all the people calling the op greedy and any other off color comment they can make simply because he is not willing to buy a game that isn't out yet simply so he can help them finish the game.
I wonder how many of you same people railed against Cryptic,SE or any of the other companies who tried marketing tricks with beta's and early access.
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
No offense, but if you don't want to defend / explain your opinion then maybe it's a better idea to not post a discussion thread with it on forums?
Besides that i'm not attacking you nor trying to make your point invalid. I post infrmation with a little of my own opinion as spice.
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
I'm sorry? If you want to get in earlier than others, that's usually how you have to do it. Anyway, here is the link to the FREE beta signup page:
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
To all you overlyloveydoby fan boys go read something else!
To the rest, proceed:
I also got this email was like: Yes! I finally manage to get into the Beta But then i read on: if you pre-order…
Personally I think this is a stupid move on their part. A beta period is a test phase! And using all the hype surrounding the game to get people to pre-purchase it, is just plane stupid and not to speak of greedy.
Why should we pay full freaking price just to see if like the game or not, when 9-10 publishers proceed with both closed and open beta? Yeah you could argue with the fact that its pay once and play forever. But when you think about it, even single player games offer their players demos or even beta!
It would have been fine if they did like a lot of other games, pre-purchase now and get access to all the betas, and then give the opportunity to get a beta key through a contest or a specific time (Like Tera did on their Facebook page.)
They want everyone who is already commited to buying the game to have first dibs at Weekend Beta Events as a perk for pre-purchasing the game. This is actually putting the commited fans ahead of marketing, because instead of opening the first WBE slots to people on the fence about the game, they are giving them to people who they already know are buying the game because, well, they have already bought it.
This game will grow based on word of mouth of those who play it and enjoy it, not just leading up to launch, but well beyond. They are recognizing early adopters willing to pay in advance as being most likely to turn their beta experience into positive word of mouth about the game.
The more people who pre-purchase, I would suggest, the fewer slots there will be available for each event for people who signed up for beta but didn't pre-purchase.
I think Arenanet pretty much have to make this first WBE almost exclusively Pre-purchase customers, to give real value to the exclusivity of the WBE access guarantee. It would make sense for them to then allow more non-pre-purchase people into the next WBE, from the ranks of those who signed up for a chance to get into beta and probably through some key give away promotions as well.
There is no way of knowing, however, how many slots they may open in the future for non-pre-purchase testers. If they somehow managed to pre-sell a million copies by the time the May WBE comes rolling around, there may be very few slots available for people who want to "try before I buy". If only a couple hundred thousand people have pre-purchased, they may give away a lot of keys for the May WBE.
It's a win-win for Arenanet either way. Pre-sell in such large numbers you don't need to offer many "free" keys, or fill in an gap between the number of pre-purchases and your beta capacity with "trial" keys meant to hook potential customers into buying.
I don't see how anyone can complain, since they have been up front about the fact that pre-purchasing is the only guaranteed route into all the WBEs, but they have also made clear they may invite others in, as needed.
As an educated fan of the game, I would prefer that they pre-sell so many copies that there are few slots for the "try before I buy" crowd, because one would assume people willing to pre-purchase the game are going to be more educated about the game and more likely to go into it with a positive attitude, rather than looking at WBEs as an opportunity to troll the chat channels and otherwise be disruptive to the community.
For people who are really interested in the game, but who haven't seen enough yet to convince them to pre-purchase, the WBE for paying customers, with no NDA, provides a good opportunity to get a lot more information about the game from people who have actually played it. No reason to resent the pioneers, they are paying up front so that you can get access to a lot more first hand information with out paying a cent. For those that find they regret having missed the first WBE? Well, they will just be a pre-purchase away from being in the next WBE themselves.
And? does that make it right for those who don't believe in it? i don't even know why you posted that link. I know other companies do it too but we are talking about Ncsoft / Anet right now.
i posted the link as a verification of source
- ive seen several people in the past week, months claim that paying with no release date seems to is a new trend that ANET is starting and other companies dont do this
or the more common complaint: paying for beta
as others have stated,
many were going to buy the game anyhow -- access to beta is another perk for pre-ordering
What have you seen is people talking in regards with MMOS and not video games in general. I am fine with people who want to pay for beta access but i am against telling those people who are against this practise to 'shut up' and not voice their concern.
Thank you that's all I have been trying to impart as well and I'm now to the point where people are simply responding to things I haven't even discussed like I'm a first grader learning to read.
I know that you aren't paying for the beta and it doesn't matter I'm speaking about the fact that it is common practice for us as a community to question almost all these companies that try to get our money for anything other than the release version of the game.
I challenge anyone to ever find a comment I made dismissing someone for saying they are willing to buy a pre order for beta, because i never would.
My problem is with all the people on the first second and up to the third page who are making snide comments to the op and anyone who dares to continue the course we have always travelled questioning practices we don't agree with.
Alot of these folks on here should really think long and hard at the message the tone they take sends to both potential on the fence players and the devs as well.
i can't be the only one who saw Tasos of Df in matrix vision step into a quagmire because the fanatical few refused to realize he doesn't walk on water and can make mistakes.
Well guess what guys so can ANET as they have by adopting pracitces that I and many others on here have always dismiessed the difference between people like myself and I suspect some of the posters in this site is I stand by what I say I don't bend it simply because now it is being done by a game I'm interested in and it's good to see the op stand for what he believes and equally good to see folks like chrome willing to stand with me in his defense.
Is this the only beta sign-up that you will have for Guild Wars 2?
No, we will have additional sign-up periods in the future. If you sign up now, you will NOT have to sign up again in order to be considered for future Beta Events.
Well, believe it or not, thats the subject of the email beeing sent by NCSoft/Arenanet to people who did sign up as beeing interested in checking their upcoming title Guild Wars 2.
Let me tell you something,
IF i was thinking on buying this game, after receiving this email, i am PRETTY SURE i wont
One of the dumbest things I've heard. How shocking that they send you and advert for something you've already expressed an interest in. Oh, the humanity.
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
I'm sorry? If you want to get in earlier than others, that's usually how you have to do it. Anyway, here is the link to the FREE beta signup page:
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
btw: i registered months ago.....hoped for a quick test in beta b4 i bought it....thats all.
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
I'm sorry? If you want to get in earlier than others, that's usually how you have to do it. Anyway, here is the link to the FREE beta signup page:
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
You don't need to pay to play the beta, I've seen tons of beta key giveaways by fansites all promoted through Twitter / Facebook.
Pre-purchase gives you guaranteed access to the beta if you're allready sure you want to play the game. If you're not sure yet, don't prepurchase, and if you still want to participate in the beta then go take your chances at the numerous giveaways.
Not that hard is it?
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
I'm sorry? If you want to get in earlier than others, that's usually how you have to do it. Anyway, here is the link to the FREE beta signup page:
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
btw: i registered months ago.....hoped for a quick test in beta b4 i bought it....thats all.
Yes, I do. Do you bother to read the posts you quote? Or do you always stop after the first sentence? I'll give you a hint, the answer to your first statement is highlighted in green.
Well, believe it or not, thats the subject of the email beeing sent by NCSoft/Arenanet to people who did sign up as beeing interested in checking their upcoming title Guild Wars 2.
Let me tell you something,
IF i was thinking on buying this game, after receiving this email, i am PRETTY SURE i wont
One of the dumbest things I've heard. How shocking that they send you and advert for something you've already expressed an interest in. Oh, the humanity.
I'm pretty sure your smart enough to know the op is not complaining because they sent him an email about a product he has an interest in but is in fact peaved that they are trying to twist people into purchasing a game that isn't out yet to GUARANTEE beta access.
I swear you people are genius' unless of course someone is saying something less than favorable about the games you like.
I've seen you engaged in pretty deep conversations about the business of gaming and can't believe you wouldn't see that.
more than likely you are just trying to troll the op much like the first two pages of GW fanatics.
I've been tempted to go ahead and pre purchase. But since you pre purchasers get an open beta I thought Id just make you my guinea pigs. So make videos and test the game and Im sure I'll see your stuff somewhere.
Looking forward to it. GW2 seems a safe bet to me, and Im very good at picking games. So have fun and let us know what you think. Im excited to hear it.
So...this game isnt going to have an Open Beta at all?
But they have already started sending out adverts for assured Beta spots on prepurchase while not giving out a fixed release date.
Definitely going to wait a few months after this game has been released before putting down any money on the product. Contrary to popular belief on these boards, IMHO something about the way the release is getting handled just doesnt seem right, it just got a lingering smell of NCSoft shenanigans behind it.
I've been tempted to go ahead and pre purchase. But since you pre purchasers get an open beta I thought Id just make you my guinea pigs. So make videos and test the game and Im sure I'll see your stuff somewhere.
Looking forward to it. GW2 seems a safe bet to me, and Im very good at picking games. So have fun and let us know what you think. Im excited to hear it.
Since you are one of the more level-headed posters, and I know you will actually read / use this info. Check out this thread Corehaven:
There's a bunch of people that will be livestreaming the event, so you could kinda back-seat play the beta if you wanted to.
As you are probably aware, there will be other opportunities to get in beta, so you could always wait till after this BWE and then see if there are any pre-purchases left if you decide you like what you see.
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
btw: i registered months ago.....hoped for a quick test in beta b4 i bought it....thats all.
Yes, I do. Do you bother to read the posts you quote? Or do you always stop after the first sentence? I'll give you a hint, the answer to your first statement is highlighted in green.
imho....dont post links that dont work.....but maybe need to read a fiew post B4 your reaction m8.
So...this game isnt going to have an Open Beta at all?
But they have already started sending out adverts for assured Beta spots on prepurchase while not giving out a fixed release date.
Definitely going to wait a few months after this game has been released before putting down any money on the product. Contrary to popular belief on these boards, IMHO something about the way the release is getting handled just doesnt seem right, it just got a lingering smell of NCSoft shenanigans behind it.
Honestly, we probably won't hear anything about a fully open beta until after we hear about a release date.
Technically the BWEs are open betas. They don't have an NDA. However, that's not what you're asking about I don't think. Guild Wars 1 had all access beta weekends that anyone could participate in. We'll see what they end up doing, but I'll be surprised if they don't have something similar closer to launch time. It will probably be limited, though (only a few days worth of play).
I've been tempted to go ahead and pre purchase. But since you pre purchasers get an open beta I thought Id just make you my guinea pigs. So make videos and test the game and Im sure I'll see your stuff somewhere.
Looking forward to it. GW2 seems a safe bet to me, and Im very good at picking games. So have fun and let us know what you think. Im excited to hear it.
Since you are one of the more level-headed posters, and I know you will actually read / use this info. Check out this thread Corehaven:
There's a bunch of people that will be livestreaming the event, so you could kinda back-seat play the beta if you wanted to.
As you are probably aware, there will be other opportunities to get in beta, so you could always wait till after this BWE and then see if there are any pre-purchases left if you decide you like what you see.
Comments
It'll be better than the second coming of Jesus. It'll be the first coming of Jesus and all the non-believers will crucify him anyway.
link it or it didnt happen......i aint got the time to surf the internetz all day in search for a free key...sorry that actually have other things to do....
Been on facebook, mmorpg.com (DUH) but i got no luck in getting one......how bout you give me one then huh so i can try this game?? guess not.....tsss
Done defending myself for saying my mind.....oubers OUT.
plz stop putting word in my mouth.....i already stated i also love to play this game....djeezez (lolz)
When did I say they are selling the beta access?don't recall making that statement. i do though recall trying to call to task all the people calling the op greedy and any other off color comment they can make simply because he is not willing to buy a game that isn't out yet simply so he can help them finish the game.
I wonder how many of you same people railed against Cryptic,SE or any of the other companies who tried marketing tricks with beta's and early access.
No offense, but if you don't want to defend / explain your opinion then maybe it's a better idea to not post a discussion thread with it on forums?
Besides that i'm not attacking you nor trying to make your point invalid. I post infrmation with a little of my own opinion as spice.
what ANET said is there will be no unlimited public access betas
there will still be weekend betas that players who signed up MAY get into
GW2 still has beta signups
http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/game-faq/#beta
EQ2 fan sites
I'm sorry? If you want to get in earlier than others, that's usually how you have to do it. Anyway, here is the link to the FREE beta signup page:
https://beta.guildwars2.com/
Yes, it's currently down, you kinda missed a 3-4 month window on that one. However, as the page says, you can follow them on twitter or facebook to find out about the next opportunity.
I can tell you that I have personally played in the game's beta, without having to buy the game first. I actually pre-purchased the game BECAUSE I was able to play it, and absolutely had a blast. I get why some people are abrassive to the whole pre-purchase thing. It could easily be exploited, but in this case I know it's not.
To put it in a different perspective, the pre-purchase decision gave Anet the ability to do the following:
- Show off the game to a much wider audience
- Secure additional funding to give them the flexibility to make significant changes to the game if necessary prior-release.
Most games would just launch, and then clean up the mess after you are already paying for a subscription. Personally, I don't see that as being any better. In fact I find it to be a much much worse alternative. Remember that this is still an MMO, with no sub-fee. In order for it to survive, Anet needs to ensure a long-term strategy. Doing a cash grab with this model would more than likely put Anet out of business.
https://beta.guildwars2.com/ is the link that link above ultimately takes you to and it it says '
The Guild Wars 2 beta sign up is currently closed.
The support site also says beta sign up opportunities are passed.
They want everyone who is already commited to buying the game to have first dibs at Weekend Beta Events as a perk for pre-purchasing the game. This is actually putting the commited fans ahead of marketing, because instead of opening the first WBE slots to people on the fence about the game, they are giving them to people who they already know are buying the game because, well, they have already bought it.
This game will grow based on word of mouth of those who play it and enjoy it, not just leading up to launch, but well beyond. They are recognizing early adopters willing to pay in advance as being most likely to turn their beta experience into positive word of mouth about the game.
The more people who pre-purchase, I would suggest, the fewer slots there will be available for each event for people who signed up for beta but didn't pre-purchase.
I think Arenanet pretty much have to make this first WBE almost exclusively Pre-purchase customers, to give real value to the exclusivity of the WBE access guarantee. It would make sense for them to then allow more non-pre-purchase people into the next WBE, from the ranks of those who signed up for a chance to get into beta and probably through some key give away promotions as well.
There is no way of knowing, however, how many slots they may open in the future for non-pre-purchase testers. If they somehow managed to pre-sell a million copies by the time the May WBE comes rolling around, there may be very few slots available for people who want to "try before I buy". If only a couple hundred thousand people have pre-purchased, they may give away a lot of keys for the May WBE.
It's a win-win for Arenanet either way. Pre-sell in such large numbers you don't need to offer many "free" keys, or fill in an gap between the number of pre-purchases and your beta capacity with "trial" keys meant to hook potential customers into buying.
I don't see how anyone can complain, since they have been up front about the fact that pre-purchasing is the only guaranteed route into all the WBEs, but they have also made clear they may invite others in, as needed.
As an educated fan of the game, I would prefer that they pre-sell so many copies that there are few slots for the "try before I buy" crowd, because one would assume people willing to pre-purchase the game are going to be more educated about the game and more likely to go into it with a positive attitude, rather than looking at WBEs as an opportunity to troll the chat channels and otherwise be disruptive to the community.
For people who are really interested in the game, but who haven't seen enough yet to convince them to pre-purchase, the WBE for paying customers, with no NDA, provides a good opportunity to get a lot more information about the game from people who have actually played it. No reason to resent the pioneers, they are paying up front so that you can get access to a lot more first hand information with out paying a cent. For those that find they regret having missed the first WBE? Well, they will just be a pre-purchase away from being in the next WBE themselves.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
check the website and try....not possible anymore to sign up for beta.....but i already signed up months ago.
Thank you that's all I have been trying to impart as well and I'm now to the point where people are simply responding to things I haven't even discussed like I'm a first grader learning to read.
I know that you aren't paying for the beta and it doesn't matter I'm speaking about the fact that it is common practice for us as a community to question almost all these companies that try to get our money for anything other than the release version of the game.
I challenge anyone to ever find a comment I made dismissing someone for saying they are willing to buy a pre order for beta, because i never would.
My problem is with all the people on the first second and up to the third page who are making snide comments to the op and anyone who dares to continue the course we have always travelled questioning practices we don't agree with.
Alot of these folks on here should really think long and hard at the message the tone they take sends to both potential on the fence players and the devs as well.
i can't be the only one who saw Tasos of Df in matrix vision step into a quagmire because the fanatical few refused to realize he doesn't walk on water and can make mistakes.
Well guess what guys so can ANET as they have by adopting pracitces that I and many others on here have always dismiessed the difference between people like myself and I suspect some of the posters in this site is I stand by what I say I don't bend it simply because now it is being done by a game I'm interested in and it's good to see the op stand for what he believes and equally good to see folks like chrome willing to stand with me in his defense.
from the BETA FAQ
Is this the only beta sign-up that you will have for Guild Wars 2?
No, we will have additional sign-up periods in the future. If you sign up now, you will NOT have to sign up again in order to be considered for future Beta Events.
EQ2 fan sites
One of the dumbest things I've heard. How shocking that they send you and advert for something you've already expressed an interest in. Oh, the humanity.
OMG.....the link says it's no longer possible to register for beta.....DO YOU GUYS EVEN CHECK YOUR LINKS???
btw: i registered months ago.....hoped for a quick test in beta b4 i bought it....thats all.
Do you read the posts you respond to?
The next sentence after the link for instance?
edited....
Yes, I do. Do you bother to read the posts you quote? Or do you always stop after the first sentence? I'll give you a hint, the answer to your first statement is highlighted in green.
I'm pretty sure your smart enough to know the op is not complaining because they sent him an email about a product he has an interest in but is in fact peaved that they are trying to twist people into purchasing a game that isn't out yet to GUARANTEE beta access.
I swear you people are genius' unless of course someone is saying something less than favorable about the games you like.
I've seen you engaged in pretty deep conversations about the business of gaming and can't believe you wouldn't see that.
more than likely you are just trying to troll the op much like the first two pages of GW fanatics.
I've been tempted to go ahead and pre purchase. But since you pre purchasers get an open beta I thought Id just make you my guinea pigs. So make videos and test the game and Im sure I'll see your stuff somewhere.
Looking forward to it. GW2 seems a safe bet to me, and Im very good at picking games. So have fun and let us know what you think. Im excited to hear it.
So...this game isnt going to have an Open Beta at all?
But they have already started sending out adverts for assured Beta spots on prepurchase while not giving out a fixed release date.
Definitely going to wait a few months after this game has been released before putting down any money on the product. Contrary to popular belief on these boards, IMHO something about the way the release is getting handled just doesnt seem right, it just got a lingering smell of NCSoft shenanigans behind it.
Since you are one of the more level-headed posters, and I know you will actually read / use this info. Check out this thread Corehaven:
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/346545/Any-known-livestreamers-for-the-future-beta.html
There's a bunch of people that will be livestreaming the event, so you could kinda back-seat play the beta if you wanted to.
As you are probably aware, there will be other opportunities to get in beta, so you could always wait till after this BWE and then see if there are any pre-purchases left if you decide you like what you see.
imho....dont post links that dont work.....but maybe need to read a fiew post B4 your reaction m8.
I know how to surf the internet...
now let's drop this off topic dispute ok?
After seeing some of the games in your sig....Please....You're not fooling anyone.
Honestly, we probably won't hear anything about a fully open beta until after we hear about a release date.
Technically the BWEs are open betas. They don't have an NDA. However, that's not what you're asking about I don't think. Guild Wars 1 had all access beta weekends that anyone could participate in. We'll see what they end up doing, but I'll be surprised if they don't have something similar closer to launch time. It will probably be limited, though (only a few days worth of play).
Nice one. I'll have some links. Thanks! Will use.