7 replies to this topic

[Thirdstar]

I wanted to bring attention to this Rock Paper Shotgun article.

http://www.rockpaper...two-months-old/

Let me quote the relavent part.
" Neverwinter, which I’ve played to what I’d consider near-completion, has just announced its launch date. No. Its launch date was the 30th April, when it launched, feature complete, and started accepting money for in-game purchases. 20th June is not its launch date, no matter how fast and loose they play with “beta” – it’s its first major update."

Now I know the usual dozen or so people will show up and tell me how the opinion of a highly regarded PC website doesn't apply here. However I'm hoping that at least some discussion will take place regarding PGI's use of the Beta shield. It's not going to hold forever, and MWO will be judged for what it is now.

[FupDup]

This reminds me of the "Activate hero shield!" quote from Drawn Together...funny stuff (I didn't post the video because it has blood, you'll be able to find it really easy with a Youtube search though).

ACTIVATE BETA SHIELD!

[Egomane]

How is an article about a different game and a personal opinion of the author about the definition of beta, related to gameplay balance?

Moving to off-topic!

[Xeno Phalcon]

Yeah I was impressed NW dropped their beta shield so soon, their money laundering ways are still terrible. Even worse then PGI's paint/camo scam ($5 for camo, $6 for a color!?!!?!) they have a 50 use "Health Potion" for $5 and a single use CONSUMABLE used in combining runes for a mind blowing $10, for a single use item your going to need probably several of when your lvl60.

Needless to say i quit playing NW in favor of MWO.

[GingerBang]

Niko Snow, on 08 June 2013 - 02:17 AM, said:

All I can add to this conversation is remembering arcades.
Please keep in mind what is provided free of charge as well.
Also keep in mind that we actually have a launch planned: Some people said we would never actually go to Open Beta and we certainly proved then wrong too.

Technically this is still a test launch though, and not a beta. This is the phase when most companies just release to a test market like canada or singapore. PGI has even gone as far as to advertise the game all over, definitely not something you do in beta. You are already on to metric harvesting.



Also, "remember arcades" and "free of charge" remind me of the machines where player two would be free because one or more of the buttons would be stuck or just missing. A pretty good representation of what you get to play with without paying MC right away.

Edited by GingerBang, 08 June 2013 - 12:48 PM.

[Gremlich Johns]

Niko Snow, on 08 June 2013 - 02:17 AM, said:

All I can add to this conversation is remembering arcades.
Please keep in mind what is provided free of charge as well.
Also keep in mind that we actually have a launch planned: Some people said we would never actually go to Open Beta and we certainly proved then wrong too.

What is available free of charge is okay. I, however, have not spent any real cash beyond my Founder's $120. I get enough c-bills to get the mechs I prefer - none of which are Heros, of course. Unit camo notwithstanding, my $120 investment has gotten me far - I still have my 20,000 MC, seven mechs (4 are mediums), and 38 mil C-bills in the bank. (no, I don't play everyday and think the paints are excessively priced for something I cannot hold in my hand.)

IMHO, I think the hero mechs should come with a mechbay - PGI can afford a 300 MC loss relative to the price of a Hero.

As far as a Launch is concerned, semantics, the "soft launch" (as it's called) of F2P games has occurred when Open Beta dropped as it has with MW:O. The next "Launch" is more like "New and Improved" or "Grand Opening" instead of a "Brand New" product coming on the market. Semantics.

[Skunk Wolf]

Niko Snow, on 08 June 2013 - 02:17 AM, said:

All I can add to this conversation is remembering arcades.
Please keep in mind what is provided free of charge as well.
Also keep in mind that we actually have a launch planned: Some people said we would never actually go to Open Beta and we certainly proved then wrong too.

1. Way to invalidate your company's business strategy. Read your post again and think a bit.

2. Only to keep the servers populated with targets to keep long term whales.

3. You have already launched, right at the point where you accepted the first dollar from your players. Everything else is just semantics now that you have income from your player base.

[Steve Varayis]

You people are so impatient.

Freshen up, and try again!