66 replies to this topic

[Adridos]

Vahz, on 02 November 2011 - 04:00 AM, said:

This has been done many times so far, have you heard of preordering to get beta access? It's simply a new model, just as f2p/p2w is. The name of the game for any developer is to make cash by making a great product they can be proud of. It's only an old school thought to think beta should be free. If Piranha was to toss something extra in like keychains, t-shirts, etc would that solve your 'morality' issue?

And what about allowing beta testing for everyone, just give there an option, that people who donate will have access right away (as long as it isnt like paying for the half of the game, just a small donation like 2$).

[Amarus Cameron]

Maverick Howell, on 01 November 2011 - 11:21 PM, said:

bad idea..... take all the profiles people have made so far and throw them on a list to be beta testers. anyone who made an account this early into production must care some how about this game.

Gotta say this has some sense, but I understand the OPs opinion in trying to throw some cash at the devs, as they are not making money on this now and we want to help (including myself with OP)

[MaddMaxx]

Perhaps a small cast replica's of the starting 3 In game Mechs.

I would drop $10.00 Can. on one of those (Atlas or HunchBack right off) given I get to paint it myself and then can show it off in my Sig or in game Profile.

[Tweaks]

ChargerIIC, on 01 November 2011 - 05:29 PM, said:

You want to buy the right to be a beta tester?

They did it for Tribes: Ascend, another F2P game, reboot of good old Tribes 2. The starter kit comes with lifetime VIP status, automatic Closed Beta access and 3000 gold. The closed beta for Tribes: Ascend started last Friday and there's already a ton of players in it.

I'm sure they made a ton of money with this, and it's a good way to get a feel for how much more money they'll make when the game launches. If someone is ready to pay 30$ for Closed Beta access and some other VIP perks, then they'll definitely pay for upgrades and the like when it goes gold.

I would be the first to pay for this.

Edited by Tweaks, 07 November 2011 - 10:34 AM.

[Tweaks]

Oh and if they do, please DO NOT go with Paypal! Use your own private credit card processing system!

[Kyll Long]

CBT (Closed Beta Testing) is supposed to be used to find bugs. I know nowadays people use it as a way to get a head start on the game but that is not what it should be for. People who pay to get in a CBT aren't going to care as much about finding bugs and reporting them IMO as they will in finding bugs they can exploit. A closed Beta is closed for a reason so you can run specific tests be they load or otherwise. As well they are used to check machine compatibility and numerous other areas that Devs want to verify they got right. Open Beta is another matter entirely as is the in house beta. If you get into the Beta use the chance to help make the game the best it can be.

[Lorebot]

Tweaks, on 07 November 2011 - 10:33 AM, said:

They did it for Tribes: Ascend, another F2P game, reboot of good old Tribes 2. The starter kit comes with lifetime VIP status, automatic Closed Beta access and 3000 gold. The closed beta for Tribes: Ascend started last Friday and there's already a ton of players in it.

I'm sure they made a ton of money with this, and it's a good way to get a feel for how much more money they'll make when the game launches. If someone is ready to pay 30$ for Closed Beta access and some other VIP perks, then they'll definitely pay for upgrades and the like when it goes gold.

I would be the first to pay for this.

Oh snap! A new Tribes game!? How did I not hear about this?! I loved those games and I've been wanting a new one for ages...

[Tweaks]

Kyll Long, on 07 November 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

CBT (Closed Beta Testing) is supposed to be used to find bugs. I know nowadays people use it as a way to get a head start on the game but that is not what it should be for. People who pay to get in a CBT aren't going to care as much about finding bugs and reporting them IMO as they will in finding bugs they can exploit. A closed Beta is closed for a reason so you can run specific tests be they load or otherwise. As well they are used to check machine compatibility and numerous other areas that Devs want to verify they got right. Open Beta is another matter entirely as is the in house beta. If you get into the Beta use the chance to help make the game the best it can be.

The way HiRez Studios did it for Tribes:Ascend is that they pre-selected a bunch of Beta applicants, nominated certains to get in for free, and allowed the other viable candidates to pay to join. They still had a say on who gets in though. You had to have the granted Beta access flag in your account in order to be able to pay.

Still though, it's not because someone gets picked for closed beta testing that he will necessarily care to do actual beta test. I have been part of several betas so far, and I always see a lot of players who just wanted a shot at the game before everyone else and don't report any bugs.

This is not a valid argument.

[Tweaks]

Lorebot, on 07 November 2011 - 10:43 AM, said:

Oh snap! A new Tribes game!? How did I not hear about this?! I loved those games and I've been wanting a new one for ages...

http://www.hirezstudios.com/hirezwp/

been playing it all weekend, and it rocks!

Edited by Tweaks, 07 November 2011 - 10:47 AM.

[Kyll Long]

Actually its still a valid argument but I agree with your counterpoint that not paying doesn't insure good beta testing. My point still remains that if you get into Beta Bug hunt. I'm of the opinion if you aren't bug hunting you shouldn't be there

[Tweaks]

Kyll Long, on 07 November 2011 - 10:48 AM, said:

Actually its still a valid argument but I agree with your counterpoint that not paying doesn't insure good beta testing. My point still remains that if you get into Beta Bug hunt. I'm of the opinion if you aren't bug hunting you shouldn't be there

Completely agree, but I don't see a problem with paying to get in as long as the devs filtered your application first.

[Lorebot]

Tweaks, on 07 November 2011 - 10:47 AM, said:

http://www.hirezstudios.com/hirezwp/

been playing it all weekend, and it rocks!

Oh no! It's the Global Agenda people! Pay to Win makes me cry...I hope they're not doing that with Tribes...

[Tweaks]

Lorebot, on 07 November 2011 - 10:55 AM, said:

Oh no! It's the Global Agenda people! Pay to Win makes me cry...I hope they're not doing that with Tribes...

They are, it is a F2P game.

[Lorebot]

Tweaks, on 07 November 2011 - 10:59 AM, said:

They are, it is a F2P game.

F2P doesn't mean P2Win like Global Agenda is. I stopped playing GA when I realized I'd end up sinking way too much money into it just to keep up with everyone else and stay competitive.

I'm really hoping that doesn't happen with MWO and I'm confident it won't because they've said as much. I'm guessing it'll run a lot more like Team Fortress where you earn your gear but buy your costumes and glamor items. I'll probably love Tribes, but if I have to pay for weapons and armor with real money I probably won't be playing it long

[Tweaks]

Lorebot, on 07 November 2011 - 11:04 AM, said:

F2P doesn't mean P2Win like Global Agenda is. I stopped playing GA when I realized I'd end up sinking way too much money into it just to keep up with everyone else and stay competitive.

I'm really hoping that doesn't happen with MWO and I'm confident it won't because they've said as much. I'm guessing it'll run a lot more like Team Fortress where you earn your gear but buy your costumes and glamor items. I'll probably love Tribes, but if I have to pay for weapons and armor with real money I probably won't be playing it long

I didn't play GA, so I don't know what you're referring to. However, so far, in T:A, you have to pay for a certain VIP status (lets you play on VIP only servers which grant you extra experience), you have to pay to unlock non-base classes (it's class based now, yon can't just pick armor, weapons and equipment separately like in Tribes 2), you have to pay to get XP boosters.

Anyway, I don't want to hijack this thread with non-MWO talk, so let's stop here.

Edited by Tweaks, 07 November 2011 - 11:27 AM.

[Tweaks]

Aegis Kleais™, on 07 November 2011 - 11:54 AM, said:

I never thought of Beta testers as being a source of project funding.

To me, it would be nice if the tester not only had a varied PC as far as components go (in order to get a wide range of configuration tests) but, of course, also had the skills that makes beta testers akin to QA (reporting, thorough, provides good explanations, technically inclined, etc.)

A public beta is a good way to get load-testing done, but to me it's always been too late in the development cycle to implement any sweeping changes.

It can be a GREAT source. Just promise them a lifetime status or something they can brag about later, and they'll pay for it I've seen it done, and I don't see why it could not be a source of income for MWO too!

[Jacob]

I would love to throw my money at developers but they have to justify it with something more than just beta access, and yes t-shirt would be enough although i am not sure about delivery cost since i live in EU.

[Blair]

I'd love to help support this game through a Kickstarter fund, particularly if I could get some art/swag/etc. Generally speaking, I'd imagine the people who are willing to pay money this far in advance, are also the kind of people who would give thoughtful, useful feedback during the beta process. While I'd certainly include more people in the closed beta than those who paid, I don't see it as a problem to give guaranteed access to those who do.

See WoW's new Annual Pass, which gives guaranteed beta access for the new expansion Mists of Pandaria.

[Tweaks]

I really hope the devs notice this post!

[JimboBillyBob]

Amarus Cameron, on 07 November 2011 - 07:00 AM, said:

Gotta say this has some sense, but I understand the OPs opinion in trying to throw some cash at the devs, as they are not making money on this now and we want to help (including myself with OP)

As an experienced beta-tester for a number of popular MMO:
I would not want to pay to be a tester..unless there is some sort of recognition after the game goes live

As a fan of the Mechwarrior(Battletech) series:
I would definatly be willing to fork over a bit of chedder to get in on the testing of this and have some input as to the development.

But that just my .02