Beta Access Only License?
Krizzen
Join Date: 2011-12-16 Member: 138181Members
Join Date: 2011-12-16 Member: 138181Members
Subject says it... mostly.
It would be nice to have a beta access only license, which wouldn't include the full release, but at a reduced cost. Before the alpha was released, I remember the standard edition was around $10-$20. I thought... that's awful low. I should buy it. Then I delayed, and delayed, and boom: $35! For an unfinished game!
I guess I'm spoiled to the old modding days of Quake, Quake 2, and Half-Life where mods were free and fantastic where you could follow along as the developers designed their masterpiece.
Regardless, I'll probably buy NS2 (at release), but its hard to let go of $35 when I can get 2-3 released games that are 1-2 years old for the same price on Steam (specifically: Mount and Blade, Borderlands, Battlefield series).
I'm not complaining about the price for the finished product. I played Natural Selection near the first release (which I hilariously mistook for a mod my friend showed me, The Specialists, since they both debuted on FilePlanet about the same time; boy was I glad I made that mistake!). I believe the price is spot-on, and Unknown Worlds TOTALLY deserves that 110%, however I feel there is room for an additional revenue stream with the current IP at a different price point.
As an aside: I could easily convince four or so of my friends to purchase a beta license immediately, but there's no way I could convince them to buy the unfinished game at $35.
Just some food for thought.
It would be nice to have a beta access only license, which wouldn't include the full release, but at a reduced cost. Before the alpha was released, I remember the standard edition was around $10-$20. I thought... that's awful low. I should buy it. Then I delayed, and delayed, and boom: $35! For an unfinished game!
I guess I'm spoiled to the old modding days of Quake, Quake 2, and Half-Life where mods were free and fantastic where you could follow along as the developers designed their masterpiece.
Regardless, I'll probably buy NS2 (at release), but its hard to let go of $35 when I can get 2-3 released games that are 1-2 years old for the same price on Steam (specifically: Mount and Blade, Borderlands, Battlefield series).
I'm not complaining about the price for the finished product. I played Natural Selection near the first release (which I hilariously mistook for a mod my friend showed me, The Specialists, since they both debuted on FilePlanet about the same time; boy was I glad I made that mistake!). I believe the price is spot-on, and Unknown Worlds TOTALLY deserves that 110%, however I feel there is room for an additional revenue stream with the current IP at a different price point.
As an aside: I could easily convince four or so of my friends to purchase a beta license immediately, but there's no way I could convince them to buy the unfinished game at $35.
Just some food for thought.
Comments
If your friends want to try out NS2 but arn't sure if they are willing to make the investment, then you could take up Acid_rain's awesomely generous offer for <b>free </b> access to the beta here <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=115663" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/in...howtopic=115663</a>. UWE also seems to have a pretty relaxed refund policy but it might be a bit improper to take advantage of that..
Mount and Blade: Warband was (is) amazing, though somewhat dated. With Fire and Sword was a disappointment. I can't wait for Mount and Blade 2.
On-topic:
Being a student, I'll agree that $35 is a significant amount to part with - and that it may be too much for an unfinished game IF you look at it in those terms - but as a finished game, I imagine it will be worth every dollar. Now, people who pre-order are doing it for various reasons: foremost, because they're pre-paying for the future, finished game, but also because they want to "give back" to the people that brought them NS1, and also to support the development of the game (or indie development in general). If you don't want to do it for any of those reasons, then I'd really just advise that you wait.
I did the crazy thing and convinced 4 of my friends to pre-order NS2 with me - and when the alpha came out, none of us could actually play it at all. It was a total buzz-kill.
Your suggestion is... well, interesting, a nice compromise. But it may create some complications... and it seems kind of like paying money for a demo. So again, I'd really just advise you wait. My personal prediction is that they'll complete the game by October 31, 2012. :P
Slightly off-topic:
I wonder, would it be a bad idea if UWE had a "test demo" on their pre-order page (with a huge disclaimer that the game is still under development)? It would be devoid of actual content, and it would be more of a stress-test, and represent a game of NS2 without being the game - but people would not have to pay for it. So basically, they could download the "demo", test to see if it works on their system, and if it does, then they can choose to pre-order it now if they want to play now. That way, you get less "refund" threads and bad word-of-mouth.
Right, and I do understand it's a pre-order, but I'm willing to buy access to the unfinished game for $5 to $10, contribute to the development of the game (bug feedback, balance feedback, etc.), and <i><b>still</b></i> buy the finished game for $35+. This seems like added value for the developer.
Besides, the license purchased could be a non-refundable gift/donation for the goodwill continuation of development.
PS
The guy with the "Want to try NS2?" just doesn't seem fair to UWE. He should either completely gift the licenses away or not allow free access, especially on any kind of rotation. Imagine if these types of threads popped up on Bethesda's forums for Skyrim! "Want to try Skyrim out? Free 2-week access". Makes no sense. Also, depending on the state of the game (which I've heard it has become shaky; read: laggy), that could push off potential players (buyers) all the while discouraging useful feedback and merely acting as a poor, unofficial demo substitute.
PPS
Does UWE collect system specs for each individual tester?
Besides, the license purchased could be a non-refundable gift/donation for the goodwill continuation of development.
PS
The guy with the "Want to try NS2?" just doesn't seem fair to UWE. He should either completely gift the licenses away or not allow free access, especially on any kind of rotation. Imagine if these types of threads popped up on Bethesda's forums for Skyrim! "Want to try Skyrim out? Free 2-week access". Makes no sense. Also, depending on the state of the game (which I've heard it has become shaky; read: laggy), that could push off potential players (buyers) all the while discouraging useful feedback and merely acting as a poor, unofficial demo substitute.
PPS
Does UWE collect system specs for each individual tester?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Selling public beta access for a minimal sum of money, at this stage of development, would probably result in the same scenario you described above:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Depending on the state of the game (which I've heard it has become shaky; read: laggy), that could push off potential players (buyers) all the while discouraging useful feedback and merely acting as a poor, unofficial demo substitute.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Whereas, since UW are charging the full $35(£23), this only really appeals to the 'dedicated' members of the community, who full heartedly want to pre-order the title, play/test it and give supportive feedback. As opposed to the people who will purchase the beta, and more often than not, demand a refund because the title is nowhere near finished, then be disgruntled at the fact they have to fork out <b>more</b> money once the title is released.
Plus, the world <b>Beta</b>, for most people, means 'Near Final Product'. Look at the BF3 beta for example, that game was almost fully polished, on all platforms. This game, is <b>not</b> fully polished, as all of the class-types aren't included yet. Possibly, closer to 85%-90% completion of their development roadmap, they could offer up cheap beta keys, or do an 'open beta' test.
Any form of public testing, right now, could potentially damage the good Natural Selection name!
Plus, it's close to Xmas, see if you can squeeze a cheeky present out of someone ;)
<ul><li>+New revenue from players that otherwise would not buy/try the game</li><li>+Allows for an 'upgrade' purchase option to get the full game before/after release (increased revenue)</li><li>+Reduces buyer's remorse for players who will not like the game</li><li>+Will garner media attention; free advertising because of a unique idea that will inevitably <i>Spark</i> interest</li><li>-Lost revenue from players who do not like the game, but would've paid full price to play/try it</li><li>-Steam will have to handle these new game access conditions; I do not know what that will cost/entail</li></ul>
All things considered, seems like a good idea!
No point speculating on this, I didn't because like everyone who isn't a game developer that has worked with Steam, I don't know. It may turn out the Steam game framework already supports multiple keys for games (e.g. Steam already handles multiple game keys for normal and special versions of games, as well as DLC.)
I like the implication that this game has a first rectum.
;)
;)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm worried as to why it actually has two!
The game is of Kharaa origin. Dual anus.
i want the targets back!!!!