Feedback Sought: The new access tiers

MarkJacobs

Folks,

    Okay, so yesterday was another interesting day here in KickstarterLand and I got a lot of feedback, some rotten fruit and some confused stares in regards to both the splitting of our pledge tiers and our Alpha Access tiers. The former I hopefully addressed by posting on our site and now I’ll talk about the later. Andrew and I have reviewed the access schedules and here are our current thoughts:

1. As per my previous posts, we still do need to limit access to all stages of testing both for financial reasons but also for non-financial but still practical ones.
2. Today’s players have a higher level of expectation for alpha than either of us thought they did so Mea Culpa.
3. We both want to have a lot of players (not all of them) in our alpha testing and give them plenty of time to both test the game and, based on (2), play a game and we don’t want this access at a high price point but it still must be limited due to (1).
4. We still need people who want to break stuff, test stuff and be our favorite guinea pigs when more than a few dozen CSE team members, assorted victims friends and family can provide. However, unlike alpha testing we do want this at a higher price point and very limited so only the hardiest of testers need apply and they can’t be looking to play a game.

As a result, here’s our current plan and we are looking for feedback on it.

1. There are now five (5) total access tiers, Internal Testing, Alpha, Beta 1, Beta 2 and Beta 3.
2. The former “Alpha Access” tier has been renamed to “Internal Testing” and is now very limited (1K) and the price point has been lowered to $180. Any tier that comes with IT access is a very limited tier and if/when that tier sells out, no new tiers will be created with that same access. Players who select the IT tier will be required to help test the game. If they can’t, their access will be moved to Alpha. So please, please don’t select the IT tier unless you can really help us out. This tier is geared to one thing only and it needs to stay that way to help discourage people who are expecting a game in a modern alpha state. IT access will begin approximately 1/15/2014.
3. Alpha Access (according to today’s more “game complete” standards) is included in a number of limited tiers (total of about 10K across multiple tiers) and as per above, if those tiers sell out, that access won’t be repeated. While the game is not feature, content or system complete, it is a playable game and not a shell of a game. The current tiers that come with AA are $110, $175, and all individual tiers above $250 unless those tiers sell in which case they will come with Beta 1 access or that tier comes with IT access. Alpha access will begin approximately 6/15/2014 and last for six (6) months.
4.  Beta 1 access will come with the $50 tier (limited) and then be in any individual tier from $75 upwards unless that tier has higher access. Beta 1 access will start approximately 12/15/2014 and last for a minimum of 4 months.
5. Beta 2 will come with the $55 (no limit) tier and start on 4/15/2015.
6. Beta 3 (final beta) will start on 7/15/2015 and last until the game ships.

As per yesterday, access to any earlier access level gives you access to all future access levels.

 

So, what do you folks think? IMO, it addresses the vast majority of concerns, gets people into the alpha testing that most were expecting sooner, lasts six months and at a lower price. The IT testing is available more limited and at a lower price but we will expect people actually test.

Please let me know what you think, I’m still reviewing the spreadsheets, dates and capacity issues so…

Mark

Edit: As per above, this schedule is subject to change and of course, don't expect the servers to be up all the time in alpha and beta but you guys know this already right?

BowbowDAoC

Sounds good, very well explained, so there is hardly any room for confusion / misunderstanding.

Explains pretty well what are the goals for each testing phase are, so we know what stage of testing best fits our expectations or how each and everyone can contribute on what is needed

 

RealLifeGobbo

Well said Mark.  Thanks for clearing the air on the topic.  The only question I have is, how much time would you like each person to contribute to during each tier?  I work night-shift at my job and can work some odd hours. :-)

gylnne

Originally posted by BowbowDAoC

Sounds good, very well explained, so there is hardly any room for confusion / misunderstanding.

Explains pretty well what are the goals for each testing phase are, so we know what stage of testing best fits our expectations.

 

Agree with Bow, this will cut down on all the confusion.

Unknown

These seem GREAT!  Also allows me a lot more flexibility in being able to test at a much earlier stage of the game.  As someone who has been BETA testing for quite some time this would work in CUs benefit (I'd like to think).

My 2 biggest concerns.

1. Your opinion of the fanbase:  You need to go in with a LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR mentality.  Assume we know literally nothing and are reading these things.  Assume I don't know how crummy Alpha is going to be.  Make sure people understand 100%.  Unfortunately people are dumb, this needs to be taken into account.  Miscommunication is as dangerous as not communicating at all and sometimes maybe more.

2. Feedback and communication are great.  Just remember those foundation principals as time stretches on.  We are all here to see this thing succeed beyond our wildest dreams.  In case we (the community) lose sight, don;t be afraid to whack us back on track. :P

 

Once again thank you for taking our opinions to heart at such an early stage!

MarkJacobs

Originally posted by RealLifeGobbo
Well said Mark.  Thanks for clearing the air on the topic.  The only question I have is, how much time would you like each person to contribute to during each tier?  I work night-shift at my job and can work some odd hours. :-)

Only the IT tier will come with our ask for testing effort. As to what it will be, not a ton and we will be accomodating to different time zones/schedules so we will do things in batches as well as leaving the doors open for a certain amount of time.

Beyond IT, it's really up to the players to decide how much time they want to spend, nothing is required for non-IT other than the usual stuff. That's why I called it the IT stage and made alpha a more proper modern alpha.

Wazluk

Thanks Mark

Will the TBD's in tiers be determined by KS kickoff?

RealLifeGobbo

Originally posted by MarkJacobs

Only the IT tier will come with our ask for testing effort. As to what it will be, not a ton and we will be accomodating to different time zones/schedules so we will do things in batches as well as leaving the doors open for a certain amount of time.

Beyond IT, it's really up to the players to decide how much time they want to spend, nothing is required for non-IT other than the usual stuff. That's why I called it the IT stage and made alpha a more proper modern alpha.

Awesome!  Thanks for the quick response! :-)

MarkJacobs

Originally posted by Wazluk

Thanks Mark

Will the TBD's in tiers be determined by KS kickoff?

That was the plan but I've been consumed by other things. Fortunately, each day has 24 hours in it.

Ice-Queen

Sounds great, thanks for the update MJ!

Now......When can I give you my money?

Wazluk

Originally posted by MarkJacobs

Originally posted by Wazluk

Thanks Mark

Will the TBD's in tiers be determined by KS kickoff?

That was the plan but I've been consumed by other things. Fortunately, each day has 24 hours in it.

Awesome, ty

Have Andrew code in some more hours in the day...

 

ps. and I wasn't asking for them now.  I just wanted to make sure it'd decided before KS time.

Sornin

It all sounds very reasonable to me - I approve.

Unknown

Originally posted by Wazluk

Originally posted by MarkJacobs

Originally posted by Wazluk

Thanks Mark

Will the TBD's in tiers be determined by KS kickoff?

That was the plan but I've been consumed by other things. Fortunately, each day has 24 hours in it.

Awesome, ty

Have Andrew code in some more hours in the day...

If only we could make that a gobal hotfix haha

sweetdigs

Looks fantastic!

Mark, any thoughts on how the testing forums will work?  For example, if you don't get the internal testing tier, but instead get the alpha access tier, will you have access to the forums/feedback areas used by the internal testing folks?  How about if you get the beta 1 access tier - do you have access to the testing forums used by the internal testing and/or alpha testing folks during their testing phases?

When are the internal forums planned to go up and will there be different points at which each tier can access those forums?

BowbowDAoC

I also want to add that all that we just read on IT/alpha/beta tiers should totally be visible on KS page when it starts, to avoid any complainings afterward with a "important" mention on them.

I'm pretty sure that's the plan, but just an extra thought

sweetdigs

Originally posted by Xobdnas

Looks good. The fleshed out explanations should help the new school players decifer what they are buying.

Your a bold man to dare listing dates on a game forum but I am extremely relieved that you did. Im sure, as we all should be, these are target dates and may not be exact pending issues so please dont freak put on MJ if they arent followed to a T. Us old schoolers know the song and dance well enough. Chaos happens dates move.

Wth these revisions it looks like its Alpha for me. I dont think Id be able to commit enough testing for the IT phase.

I'm probably with you Xobdnas.  I'm just hoping that the folks who get alpha access get access to the internal forums and testing forums used by the Internal Testing folks.  Otherwise I'll just have to suck it up, commit to the early breaking and basic mechanic testing, and go the IT route.

Plastic-Metal

Lookin' good, Mark!

/approve

Arbroath

Brilliant. This definately helps me decide which tier I want to participate in. Cheers !

 

Are you still looking at the end of this week for KS launch?

BowbowDAoC

Originally posted by Arbroath

Brilliant. This definately helps me decide which tier I want to participate in. Cheers !

 

Are you still looking at the end of this week for KS launch?

with family reunions this weekend for Easter, everyone could talk about CU's KS at the table while eating chocolate

Raagnarz

Very impressive new layout. Much clearer and honestly more practical for balancing your needs as a developer versus prospective players desires. The IT tier should be an eye opening experience for those that get involved with it. It would be a great experience for those that are curious about game design, world building, and want to see how its done almost from scratch.

 

I was going to do alpha access and will probably stick with that since my work and travel schedule might make exact times a problem. So I think I'll stick with the alpha access and wish those in IT the best of luck. I do really like this new layout and the fact that access is more clearly and logically structured.

gylnne

Originally posted by BowbowDAoC

Originally posted by Arbroath

Brilliant. This definately helps me decide which tier I want to participate in. Cheers !

 

Are you still looking at the end of this week for KS launch?

with family reunions this weekend for Easter, everyone could talk about CU's KS at the table while eating chocolate

lol so true.:)

Aeodo

Originally posted by BowbowDAoC

I also want to add that all that we just read on IT/alpha/beta tiers should totally be visible on KS page when it starts, to avoid any complainings afterward with a "important" mention on them.

I'm pretty sure that's the plan, but just an extra thought

This. If you don't make this statement clear on the KS page, you may have some very annoying whiners... whining at you.

meddyck

This does clear things up. I think I finally understand and agree with your logic behind not giving the alpha (now internal testing) tier all the goodies tiers below it get.

The answer to the following question seems obvious but let me just ask anyway. These beta stages are not weekend events like many MMOs do these days but are 24/7 beta access except for maintenance, patches, etc. Right?

Does Kickstarter require you to post the dates for the betas? If not, it seems like a mistake to create (potentially) false expectations that you will be ready for this or that beta stage on a specific date so far in advance.

BowbowDAoC

Originally posted by meddyck

This does clear things up. I think I finally understand and agree with your logic behind not giving the alpha (now internal testing) tier all the goodies tiers below it get.

The answer to the following question seems obvious but let me just ask anyway. These beta stages are not weekend events like many MMOs do these days but are 24/7 beta access except for maintenance, patches, etc. Right?

Does Kickstarter require you to post the dates for the betas? If not, it seems like a mistake to create (potentially) false expectations that you will be ready for this or that beta stage on a specific date so far in advance.

Good point. It could be mentionned that each date is subject to change if needs be. Pretty much anyone knows that there is usually some delays, but would be wise to mention it nonetheless to avoid still other whining or complaints.

Bordog

I would love to pledge for IT and break the game but I'll be in Taiwan studying until May 2014, so Alpha tier it is for me. My only questions is, Will I still be able to purchase the 3 year subscription with the Alpha tier? If not and I decide to purchase a higher tier for it I'll simply be moved to Alpha access since I wont be able to join the IT access?

Edit: PS - Thanks for listing approximate dates! Very helpful for planning.

Krullen

Mark,  is timezone or playtimes of the testers significant?

 

I'm in Australia,  and while I'm keen, do I need to be online at the same time as the dev crew? is it a live interaction? I don't want to join up and have my primetime be in the useless offline state and take a spot I shouldn't.

 

On the other hand, do you want a nightshift grinding it out while your all alseep and potentially have a swag of bugs ready for the next day. 24hr testing so to speak.