If You Want Pre-Alpha Access, Your Time is Running Short - Dual Universe News

SBFord

If You Want Pre-Alpha Access, Your Time is Running Short - Dual Universe News

The Dual Universe team is reminding lollygaggers that the time to purchase a Founder Pack or a Lifetime Subscription to the game is running short. These packages will allow players to gain access to pre-alpha and alpha 1 when the time for launch arrives. The final day to purchase one is September 7th, after which the packages will no longer be available.

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Xingbairong

From 15 to 7000 euros... Seems like there will be a lot of equality in this game...

SpottyGekko

There will be a new range of packages on offer before launch, but Novaquark have not indicated when those will start being available, or what they will offer. General consensus is that they will not come with as many DAC (gametime units similar to EVE's PLEX) as the current round.

The current "Gold" package gives access to all testing phases prior to launch AND includes 23 DAC, which can be used for 23 months of game time after launch (or sold to players for ingame cash).

DrunkWolf

i know im old, but i remember way back when companies paid people to test their games. now its the other way around....

Talonsin

How much do you want to bet that these offers pop up again? This is one marketing trick that I wish would go away. I know it works on weak minded people but I still hate it.

Octagon7711

Lollygaggers... lol. I do wish more games had life time subs. I usually get them because you usually get all kinds of bonuses that build up over time and I love returning to games over the years to play them more.

CrazKanuk

DrunkWolf said:

i know im old, but i remember way back when companies paid people to test their games. now its the other way around....

Only in outward appearances. In reality, there is actually more testing going on behind the scenes these days prior to a build being deemed good enough for public consumption. 

Problem with this model is that you get less objective feedback. These days all of your feedback on framework level changes comes from internal testers instead of your alpha pool, and your alpha pool now gets to see a version of the game where the core elements are essentially concrete, or at least VERY difficult and/or time consuming to change. Why? If it's not polished then you get all sorts of backlash.......on an alpha...... This is the only real reason I hate paid alphas. 

SpottyGekko

CrazKanuk said:

DrunkWolf said:

i know im old, but i remember way back when companies paid people to test their games. now its the other way around....

Only in outward appearances. In reality, there is actually more testing going on behind the scenes these days prior to a build being deemed good enough for public consumption. 

Problem with this model is that you get less objective feedback. These days all of your feedback on framework level changes comes from internal testers instead of your alpha pool, and your alpha pool now gets to see a version of the game where the core elements are essentially concrete, or at least VERY difficult and/or time consuming to change. Why? If it's not polished then you get all sorts of backlash.......on an alpha...... This is the only real reason I hate paid alphas. 

DU's pre-alpha is a "true" version, lol

Only the most basic features will be active: building stuff and flying around.

The rest (mining, PVP, markets, skill training, etc) will come later, in alpha and beyond.

SBFord

@Octagon7711 - Thank you for appreciating today's use of "lollygaggers" brought to you by the letter "L". Next I need to find a way to insert "kerfuffle" into an article again soon. ^^

Octagon7711

SBFord said:

@Octagon7711 - Thank you for appreciating today's use of "lollygaggers" brought to you by the letter "L". Next I need to find a way to insert "kerfuffle" into an article again soon. ^^

Definitely brought a smile to my face, thanks for that.    Not a word one reads everyday.

IceAge

I was in need to actually read twice the title : PRE-Alpha

5 years later, this kind of dev's will come with something special for their games : NEA = NotEvenAlpha , where you need to pay 20k to only be able to speak on skype about their "Awesome" game.

Tofke

Wouldn't want that digital stock to run out ey!

ConstantineMerus

Lollygaggers!! Oh.. Oh.. I always wanted to be one. 

postlarval

DrunkWolf said:

i know im old, but i remember way back when companies paid people to test their games. now its the other way around....

The sad thing is there are people more than willing to keep on doing it.

I'm in the wrong line of business. If I had only known how many gullible people there are out there.

Note to self: To afford my own island...

Step 1: Scrub game forums to determine what nostalgia could possibly motivate disillusioned gamers wearing rose-colored glasses. This should not be difficult. They're everywhere.

Step 2: Crowdfund a "game" based on vague promises culled from my research and use the money to hire clueless developers using a convincing line of bullshit and a promise of riches. Try and hire right after <insert AAA game developer here> lays off staff. Remember to offer 20% less salary. Take advantage of their desperation.

Step 3: Periodically publish videos showing staged pseudo-gameplay based on the fact that they have no idea they're wearing said glasses. Cash flow begins. Like taking candy from a baby.

Step 4: Build a half-assed alpha and front load it with more empty promises. Regularly release updates with minimal features and call them "patches". If my backers are particularly obedient, call them DLCs and charge $30 for each.

Step 5: Copy a shit-ton of assets from the Unity store, re-skin some of them and sell them to backers under the false premise that they are unique and may have significant value in the future. Consider selling my hair or blood as well. Also remember to get a washed-up fantasy writer to author a companion book.

Step 6: Hold a fundraiser each year, claiming that all those amazing vaporware features are "coming soon" and more $$ is needed. Backers will gladly throw more cash my way, no problem. Don't forget to remind my quarry they are an integral part of the development process and "it's their game too". That statement is more addicting than crack and I must remember to use it often.

Step 7: Purchase island with proceeds.

Step 8: Retire to my recently purchased island, and let the morons I hired run the business into the ground.

Step 9: Easily fend off the stragglers who actually get a clue with the "no refunds" policy. Use the idiot lawyer I hired to do the dirty work, if possible. I'm too busy sunbathing on my island.

Step 10: Profit!

MightyUnclean

Hurry, this will only be in pre-alpha for another two years!

Gruug

While I am interested in this game, I am no longer doing paid alpha or early access games. Too many times I see them start off meaning well only to become stalled done the road. Hey, if you feel comfortable taking the risk go for it.

Ginaz

7000 euros? Who do these people think they are? Richard Garriott?

Wylf

IceAge said:

I was in need to actually read twice the title : PRE-Alpha

5 years later, this kind of dev's will come with something special for their games : NEA = NotEvenAlpha , where you need to pay 20k to only be able to speak on skype about their "Awesome" game.

I agree, actually thought this was a joke. I'm a bit disappointed that this "Pre-Alpha" nonsense is being peddled here.

Grendizer73

lol, one must be crazy to buy a pre-alpaha pack and to be closed in a asylum to buy a life subscription for a game that probably will never be finished. And don't think that they won't sell other packs in the future

Phry

Pre Alpha, not really the stage in development where i would be even remotely interested in spending money on a game, also the last chance bit to buy those things, is a bit suspicious, obviously there is no chance of them 'running out' of digital copies, so i am wondering if they have hit some kind of crisis point for funding the game, which would be bad enough if they were in the beta stage of development, but not even a working alpha version? personally i think the 'gamble' is far too risky as the chances of there not even being a game at the end of all this seems to be significant.

ConstantineMerus

Phry said:

Pre Alpha, not really the stage in development where i would be even remotely interested in spending money on a game, also the last chance bit to buy those things, is a bit suspicious, obviously there is no chance of them 'running out' of digital copies, so i am wondering if they have hit some kind of crisis point for funding the game, which would be bad enough if they were in the beta stage of development, but not even a working alpha version? personally i think the 'gamble' is far too risky as the chances of there not even being a game at the end of all this seems to be significant.

Sorta like a dating site set you up in the prenatal stage. 

"We ain't sure about the sex yet. But you're a liberal, right? Either way you should be fine." 

Raxeon

Umm there will be supporter packs after this not as good of value

swapnali

hello

i am new to this place really more informative palce here i am happy to say this place is really too good thank you  

hello all,

nice place to be here, i see nice comments and nice people as well, i will make it a point to come here more often to read and post comments so people and myself benefit.

Cheers!!!

ConstantineMerus

swapnali said:

hello

i am new to this place really more informative palce here i am happy to say this place is really too good thank you  

hello all,

nice place to be here, i see nice comments and nice people as well, i will make it a point to come here more often to read and post comments so people and myself benefit.

Cheers!!!

Fresh meat! Mwahahahaha >:E

Raxeon

I think a lot of people are cynical here

Phry

Raxeon said:

I think a lot of people are cynical here

Opinions are varied, but the thing is, we all have them and what you see as being cynical could be viewed as being realistic or something else altogether, as long as peoples opinions are varied then there is nothing particularly to worry about, if we all suddenly are of the same opinion however, then you can be sure its because the subject matter is somewhat akin to being of train wreck proportions.