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Mortal Online: Closed Beta Begins

MikeBMikeB Community ManagerAdministrator RarePosts: 6,555

The closed beta for Mortal Online is underway; at least for those lucky 2,000 2,600 who made it into Block A of the beta release schedule. Those in Block B or later will have to wait until August 3rd at the earliest to get their grubby hands on the game.

I'd ask you guys what you thought so far, but you know, NDA's, *le sigh*.

On the other hand, we can talk about this guy, who spent $5,100 to purchase the #1 copy from the 999 unit limited edition of the game. At least the money went to a good cause.

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Comments

  • fldashfldash Member UncommonPosts: 227

    Funny that it's began when they haven't even given us a link to download the client. I'd hardly say it's began. And yes, I'm in block A.

    Former xFire user... I only wanted a game tracker and messenger, not a screenshot taker, video recording, broadcasting piece of bloatware.

  • OzmodanOzmodan Member EpicPosts: 9,726

    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.

  • BrifBrif Member UncommonPosts: 529

    They actually upped it from 2000 to 2600 players in Block A.

    SOURCE

  • MikeBMikeB Community ManagerAdministrator RarePosts: 6,555
    Originally posted by Brif


    They actually upped it from 2000 to 2600 players in Block A.
    SOURCE

     

    Thanks.

  • BrifBrif Member UncommonPosts: 529

    The client should be available in the next few hours.

    I can't wait, I've been listening to The Final Countdown for like 36 hours now.

  • falc0nfalc0n Member UncommonPosts: 385

    the least they could do is pay for his plane ticket.

  • skeaserskeaser Member RarePosts: 4,208

    There are 1000 limited editions. The sold the #1 on ebay the other 999 to the general public (including myself).

    Sig so that badges don't eat my posts.


  • csthaocsthao Member UncommonPosts: 1,122
    Originally posted by falc0n


    the least they could do is pay for his plane ticket.



     

    Agreed.

  • KozomKozom Member Posts: 121

    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  

    image

  • SignusMSignusM Member Posts: 2,225
    Originally posted by Kozom


    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. 

  • TenebrionTenebrion Member Posts: 179
    Originally posted by SignusM


    I think its going to be another Age of Conan. 



     

    Bingo.

    image
    Content Writer for RTSGuru.com
    And overall bitter old man.

  • alakramalakram Member UncommonPosts: 2,301
    Originally posted by MikeB


    The closed beta for Mortal Online is underway; at least for those lucky 2,000 2,600 who made it into Block A of the beta release schedule. Those in Block B or later will have to wait until August 3rd at the earliest to get their grubby hands on the game.

    I'd ask you guys what you thought so far, but you know, NDA's, *le sigh*.
    On the other hand, we can talk about this guy, who spent $5,100 to purchase the #1 copy from the 999 unit limited edition of the game. At least the money went to a good cause.

    I bet this guy is not even going to open the box. So much money looks more of a collector's investment. Good the money is going towards Doctors Without Borders.

     



  • chokepointchokepoint Member Posts: 160
    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

  • BeermanglerBeermangler Member UncommonPosts: 402


     

    This is not launch. This is beta. You know beta? That phase where you'd expect anything (everything) to go wrong?

    Age of Conan launched bugged worse than a beta. MO has at least 3 months of planned beta. Plenty of time to fix bugs, improve graphics, tweak mechanis etc.

     

    By the way, having only people that preoder to play the beta is a major plus for the deveoplers - those people have an added motivation to submit bugs and to try to improve the game - their game. 

    Better to be crazy, provided you know what sane is...

  • BadMedicineBadMedicine Member Posts: 86
    Originally posted by SignusM

    Originally posted by Kozom


    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. 

     

    1. If by "not much wrong" you mean "bugged, easily exploitable and devoid of content" then yes, there was not much wrong with Darkfall.

     

    2. MO devs don't promie the stars, unlike AoC and Darkfall devs did. They are quite clear about what features will make release [and it's just the core of game], and which won't. So if you're going to knock a game down because it looks like it will finish off that epic failure that was DF, then at least do your research first.

    The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

  • BadMedicineBadMedicine Member Posts: 86
    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

    The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

  • chokepointchokepoint Member Posts: 160
    Originally posted by BadMedicine

    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

     

  • FuerchtegottFuerchtegott Member Posts: 79
    Originally posted by BadMedicine

    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

     

      Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

    Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

    So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

     

    I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

    Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

    What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

     

  • DekthroDekthro Member UncommonPosts: 24

    Developers know that people are impatient, and will pay to play sooner.

  • BadMedicineBadMedicine Member Posts: 86
    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by BadMedicine

    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

     

     

      Again, do your research. The devs were quite frank about the fact that yes, the preorder goes now and goes for the price it does because they're a small, indie studio and they need the funds to continue development. It's not a secret, it's what the developers themselves explain time and time again on the official forum.

     Is preordering, in this case, a risk? Sure it is. The game may turn out to be total crap. However, the idea of it is fascinating enough, and the devs honest and open enough [really, never seen anything close to it] that some players feel it worth to take that gamble and support the developers so they can deliver the best game possible. I know, it's a boring, mundane explanation, it doesn't leave you much room to shout scam and flame the game. I'm sorry, but this is just how things are.

    The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

  • BadMedicineBadMedicine Member Posts: 86
    Originally posted by Fuerchtegott

    Originally posted by BadMedicine

    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

     

      Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

    Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

    So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

     

    I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

    Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

    What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

     

     

     You know what happened? WoW. Now its clones are the only sure business model and it's hard for developers to secure funding for games breaking out of that mould. Starvault isn't a huge company with deep coffers, so they do what they need to do to obtain funding to get the game finished. Sure, I'd prefer a free beta, especially since I don't preorder games, as a rule. But faced with the possiblity of WoW clone after WoW clone after WoW clone, I really do applaud those people who decided to support Starvault in something of a risky endavour.

    The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

  • patrikd23patrikd23 Member UncommonPosts: 1,155

    If you wanna get rid of or even minimize the wow clones then you should support the good indie companies. And one of the is StarVault. So if you got the money and if the game looks intressting you should buy it, and if you do that now you can also play in beta and help them out so they get a better final product that you can say you helped form. And you can also if you got any idea that comes to mind when you play it. 

  • KoreapsuKoreapsu Member Posts: 13
    Originally posted by Fuerchtegott

    Originally posted by BadMedicine

    Originally posted by chokepoint

    Originally posted by Ozmodan


    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.

     

      Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

    Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

    So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

     

    I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

    Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

    What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

     

    You get the DVD posted to you.

    The digital download is cheaper.

    So now they can charge (their) full price and you get all the same stuff and postage.   Not less than what you used to.

    You remember a time when people would test for free?   Guess what, they still do.   These people are buying the game, their free month gameplay starts after the test.   They were given the option to purchase early from an indie developer who obviously needs the cash.   Each person made the choice to not only test for free, but to trust this company with their money in advance, in the hope that their testing helps to make it the game they are looking for.   Will it work out for them?   Probably not, but it's their choice.

    What has happened to the game industry?   Time and expectations.   It's really easy to look back on the old days through rose coloured glasses but in reality tons of games were utter crap.   Lots of stuff got released bugged to hell.   If UO released today with what I had to play through back in the day the venom on these forums would be endless.   Games are expected to be up to a certain standard, everyone wants in on the next big thing.   Look at AoC, huge expectations - massive failure.   Beta long ago stopped being about testing a game, it's become a trial in itself.   If people were willing and allowed to pay to test on the new diet pill/beer/Porsche I bet you they would.  

    Things change, the sun comes up in the morning and we all move on.

  • ZyonneZyonne Member Posts: 259

    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. 

     

     

     

  • patrikd23patrikd23 Member UncommonPosts: 1,155
    Originally posted by Zyonne


    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 totally agree with you, well written and good points. I was losing my mind thinking that all people writing on this forums was not only greedy but also stupid. You prove me wrong on that point well done, thanks for giving me some hope back :)

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