This will be a niche game that is meant to serve a small but currently underserved crowd of gamers. As such, the amount of money from donors is gonna be a bit steep because there will be fewer donors.
It's perfectly sensible to have your concerns, OP, but really, all you have to do is pay the $50. That's what you'd pay for any new MMO, anyway. And if it features the gameplay you want that other MMO's are lacking...?
Personally, I'd wait for it to launch. It'll be 50 bucks then, and they will try to entice new players after the game launches, too. And if they're true to their philosophy, donors won't get P2W, right?
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
I think the reason so many people pledged that much is that they really want the game, not the bonuses they get for that. For me, $100 was enough, I want Pantheon but there is a limit.
If you like what you see, support the game but the how much should be focused on your budget (never pledge money you can't loose) and how much you really want the game to be made, not how much other pledges.
$1000 bucks is pretty much and while I could afford it I rather use the other $900 for something else but I certainly wont complain on people that pledges more. If you believe in the game, pledge the amount you want not the sum someone else pledged.
Not really shocking their tier system is greedy when they charge to use the forums. That said, this is a wasted topic. Just buy the game when it launches or not at all. Problem solved.
Not really shocking their tier system is greedy when they charge to use the forums. That said, this is a wasted topic. Just buy the game when it launches or not at all. Problem solved.
You have an odd definition of greedy. Not one penny is required. You can wait till launch and use the free trial to around lvl 10 to see if you even want to buy it. If you want to support the game, that's a personal choice.
Not really shocking their tier system is greedy when they charge to use the forums. That said, this is a wasted topic. Just buy the game when it launches or not at all. Problem solved.
You have an odd definition of greedy. Not one penny is required. You can wait till launch and use the free trial to around lvl 10 to see if you even want to buy it. If you want to support the game, that's a personal choice.
So it's impossible to be greedy unless you're forced to pay? What planet do you live on? Almost every MMO in existence has a trial of some sort so not really sure what that proves.
There is no way $1k pledge is the most popular. That's called marketing, my friend.
I see no reason why you feel obligated to pledge a grand based on something a tiny image is suggesting. If you like the game, pledge whatever you want. Go the $50 route and grab a copy of the game and a few perks. If you want to test, go a little higher. No reason to feel constrained.
Not really shocking their tier system is greedy when they charge to use the forums. That said, this is a wasted topic. Just buy the game when it launches or not at all. Problem solved.
You have an odd definition of greedy. Not one penny is required. You can wait till launch and use the free trial to around lvl 10 to see if you even want to buy it. If you want to support the game, that's a personal choice.
So it's impossible to be greedy unless you're forced to pay? What planet do you live on? Almost every MMO in existence has a trial of some sort so not really sure what that proves.
Not really shocking their tier system is greedy when they charge to use the forums. That said, this is a wasted topic. Just buy the game when it launches or not at all. Problem solved.
You have an odd definition of greedy. Not one penny is required. You can wait till launch and use the free trial to around lvl 10 to see if you even want to buy it. If you want to support the game, that's a personal choice.
So it's impossible to be greedy unless you're forced to pay? What planet do you live on? Almost every MMO in existence has a trial of some sort so not really sure what that proves.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
"... the "influencers" which is the tech name we call sell outs now..." __ Wizardry, 2020
I think it takes $500 (maybe $250) to get testing access immediately. That is probably a bit daunting for most people. I can understand the shock.
I would recommend waiting until the beta period gets closer and then see if buying in makes sense.
VR is not selling beta slots, there is a limited number of them and when they are filled. They will be removed from the pledges. So if you want one get it soon as I'm am sure they won't last long.
That's kind of semantics. Testing access is really expensive at this point. It seems to me to be a bit in poor taste to dangle potentially missing on testing if they don't jump in soon, for $500!
They're not selling testing slots. They're selling exclusive testing slots. I'm not a huge fan of that, but I don't care because I don't mind waiting. It's easy for me to overlook. Don't be surprised though that potential fans are put off by current access entry fee and it being marketed as an exclusive.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
Corporations are not to be blamed for the downfall of the mmorpg. They follow player trends, they go where the money leads them. Players themselves are to be blamed, you made the mmorpg sandwich, tasted it and don't like it. Others have noticed this pushback and saw money to be made. They know how frustrated today's mmo junkie is, they know how desperate they are too. They know if they say the right buzzwords, show the right footage of game mechanics you'll part ways with your money. The junkie will always throw away their money if shown a small hope they will get what has been promised, what they crave and need so badly. All the junkie need to do is sit back and imagine how wonderful it will be to sit in a tavern, sip some ale, and thank god they have that founders tag next to their name so that night elf hooker will finally show then some interest. Wallets open, kickstarters flourish. These indie devs can smell it on you, right through your keyboard straight into their wallets.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
Corporations are not to be blamed for the downfall of the mmorpg. They follow player trends, they go where the money leads them. Players themselves are to be blamed, you made the mmorpg sandwich, tasted it and don't like it. Others have noticed this pushback and saw money to be made. They know how frustrated today's mmo junkie is, they know how desperate they are too. They know if they say the right buzzwords, show the right footage of game mechanics you'll part ways with your money. The junkie will always throw away their money if shown a small hope they will get what has been promised, what they crave and need so badly. All the junkie need to do is sit back and imagine how wonderful it will be to sit in a tavern, sip some ale, and thank god they have that founders tag next to their name so that night elf hooker will finally show then some interest. Wallets open, kickstarters flourish. These indie devs can smell it on you, right through your keyboard straight into their wallets.
Corporations follow trends, is exactly correct and proves my point perfectly. The first 3-5 years, game companies made MMO's they thought would be fun and enjoyable. Now game companies make games that they think will give them the biggest return as quickly as possible on their investment. A lot has changed over the past 20 years in this genre and no, it's not enough to say graphics are better. The F2P cash shop is a trend that needs to die a horrible but quick death.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
At a $1000 or more you are getting a "VIP" Planner who was recently hired to plan activities to make VIPs feel more "special"
I think anyone spends that kind of money crowdfunding a game is pretty "special" already.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing FO76 at the moment.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
At a $1000 or more you are getting a "VIP" Planner who was recently hired to plan activities to make VIPs feel more "special"
I think anyone spends that kind of money crowdfunding a game is pretty "special" already.
Everyone is special in their own way. Bottom line is, crowdfunding is a means to an end, which is to make the game official. Pantheon is heading in the right direction. Thus, I am willing to help them get there.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
What is to stop Brad, or any dev for that matter, from selling off his shares in the company the second the game releases to a corporation, and just running to the bank laughing? Their word? Even if they don't pull a Mark Zuckerberg, you do realize that without having a corporation to answer to, ie pay back, they are going to be making tens of millions dollars off of you as the "Donor".
Miss Brandy, here's a fiver. Now bring me your finest hooker! What??? $3200 for an hour? I can get married for that amount!!!
Constantine, The Console Poster
"One of the most difficult tasks men can perform, however much others may despise it, is the invention of good games and it cannot be done by men out of touch with their instinctive selves." - Carl Jung
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
What is to stop Brad, or any dev for that matter, from selling off his shares in the company the second the game releases to a corporation, and just running to the bank laughing? Their word? Even if they don't pull a Mark Zuckerberg, you do realize that without having a corporation to answer to, ie pay back, they are going to be making tens of millions dollars off of you as the "Donor".
Nothing can stop anyone from doing anything, not even laws. Not really sure what your point was with bringing that up, but there's my reply to that segment of your comment. I'm not investing in a portfolio or stocks, so what are you getting at? I am merely investing in a game that I would very much like to see have an official launch. I've already wasted time and money on games that are far less appealing. I don't think you understand how crowdfunding works. Brad nor anyone else at VR is making 10's of millions off anything. They need to make a game first, which is what my money is going towards. Any profit they make AFTER the launch is used to improve the game, pay salaries and other company expenses.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
At a $1000 or more you are getting a "VIP" Planner who was recently hired to plan activities to make VIPs feel more "special"
I think anyone spends that kind of money crowdfunding a game is pretty "special" already.
I just came from an Alvin Ailey performance and looking at the donors I could see people donating 5k, 25k and 100k+.
Me being in the arts, the idea of patronizing, donating, whichever word one wants to use, isn't beyond the pale at all. Happens all the time.
So this type of patronage is commonplace in other walks of life. Now, in order to get games that have smaller audiences, it sort of makes sense. It also makes sense that people who give at that level get an extra "thank you".
In the case of games, I don't really think that should place one player above another player in terms of game play but having special events isn't any different than another concert I considered going to that allowed people who paid a "certain amount" to get dinner and drinks at a function with the performers.
As long as people can "really" afford it and it helps get a niche game off the ground I'm not really against it.
I do think that some players get caught up in the moment and shouldn't be giving/spending their money on such things.
You dont have to give them one cent. Wait till it releases and play the trial. If you like the game pay for the box. If you want to support the game, then give what you are comfortable giving and enjoy the feeling that you were a small part of helping give birth to something you want.
OP has the misconception of a lot of people of our veteran status. These crowdfunded games, the pledge tiers are not the same as buying the game at a store or on steam. When you pledge you are basically investing in a game that you WANT to succeed. A lot of us are tired of the corporate destruction of the MMO genre. The regurgitated crap of F2P and cash shops coupled with hollow content and anti social mechanics.
I'm not pledging a $1000 to buy a game. I'm pledging a $1000 to hopefully have access to an MMO that makes sense. That is how sick and tired I am of this genre. This doesn't mean everyone has to pledge a $1000 to play this game, but enough of us do in order for the game to become a finished product. So don't feel obligated or left out. There is nothing stopping you or anyone else from waiting till the game launches and buying it for $50-60. All that matters is that it does launch, so we can all sit back at the tavern, sipping our ale and thank the gods their isn't a Night Elf hooker upstairs role playing in public chat.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
At a $1000 or more you are getting a "VIP" Planner who was recently hired to plan activities to make VIPs feel more "special"
I think anyone spends that kind of money crowdfunding a game is pretty "special" already.
I just came from an Alvin Ailey performance and looking at the donors I could see people donating 5k, 25k and 100k+.
Me being in the arts, the idea of patronizing, donating, whichever word one wants to use, isn't beyond the pale at all. Happens all the time.
So this type of patronage is commonplace in other walks of life. Now, in order to get games that have smaller audiences, it sort of makes sense. It also makes sense that people who give at that level get an extra "thank you".
In the case of games, I don't really think that should place one player above another player in terms of game play but having special events isn't any different than another concert I considered going to that allowed people who paid a "certain amount" to get dinner and drinks at a function with the performers.
As long as people can "really" afford it and it helps get a niche game off the ground I'm not really against it.
I do think that some players get caught up in the moment and shouldn't be giving/spending their money on such things.
Quite possibly one of the best explanations of the motivation of large scale supporters of crowd funded games, a modern patronage mentality of a sorts, just with more specific, beneficial and perhaps enduring perks than is typical in the arts.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing FO76 at the moment.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Comments
It's perfectly sensible to have your concerns, OP, but really, all you have to do is pay the $50. That's what you'd pay for any new MMO, anyway. And if it features the gameplay you want that other MMO's are lacking...?
Personally, I'd wait for it to launch. It'll be 50 bucks then, and they will try to entice new players after the game launches, too. And if they're true to their philosophy, donors won't get P2W, right?
QFT
If you like what you see, support the game but the how much should be focused on your budget (never pledge money you can't loose) and how much you really want the game to be made, not how much other pledges.
$1000 bucks is pretty much and while I could afford it I rather use the other $900 for something else but I certainly wont complain on people that pledges more. If you believe in the game, pledge the amount you want not the sum someone else pledged.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
You have an odd definition of greedy. Not one penny is required. You can wait till launch and use the free trial to around lvl 10 to see if you even want to buy it. If you want to support the game, that's a personal choice.
So it's impossible to be greedy unless you're forced to pay? What planet do you live on? Almost every MMO in existence has a trial of some sort so not really sure what that proves.
@Dullahan qft
You should read your posts before you post them.
So you would be perfectly OK then with the elimination of tiered pledge rewards? You give them $1,000 because you want them to succeed that much and someone else gives them $50 and neither of you gets any more perks or special treatment than the other... limited alpha slots are drawn at random and he gets one and you don't.
Is that right?
That would be a system where the donors would be truly deserving of praise for their integrity and putting their money where their gaming philosophy commitments are. But I've never seen one like that. All of them have tiered perks according to the amount donated. As soon as you do that, no matter how much you try to skate around the issue, a financial transaction that walks and talks like the purchase of goods and/or services is happening.
― CD PROJEKT RED
"... the "influencers" which is the tech name we call sell outs now..."
__ Wizardry, 2020
That's kind of semantics. Testing access is really expensive at this point. It seems to me to be a bit in poor taste to dangle potentially missing on testing if they don't jump in soon, for $500!
They're not selling testing slots. They're selling exclusive testing slots. I'm not a huge fan of that, but I don't care because I don't mind waiting. It's easy for me to overlook. Don't be surprised though that potential fans are put off by current access entry fee and it being marketed as an exclusive.
traveller, interloper, anomaly, iteration
Corporations are not to be blamed for the downfall of the mmorpg. They follow player trends, they go where the money leads them. Players themselves are to be blamed, you made the mmorpg sandwich, tasted it and don't like it. Others have noticed this pushback and saw money to be made.
They know how frustrated today's mmo junkie is, they know how desperate they are too. They know if they say the right buzzwords, show the right footage of game mechanics you'll part ways with your money. The junkie will always throw away their money if shown a small hope they will get what has been promised, what they crave and need so badly. All the junkie need to do is sit back and imagine how wonderful it will be to sit in a tavern, sip some ale, and thank god they have that founders tag next to their name so that night elf hooker will finally show then some interest. Wallets open, kickstarters flourish.
These indie devs can smell it on you, right through your keyboard straight into their wallets.
There's a difference between alpha / beta access, a glorified title and some additional items that really don't affect the game play for anyone. In fact, the in-game items are available as low as $100. So in reality, I am pretty much spending $900 more with some additional out of game fluff and reputation status.
Let's not confuse this with the notorious P2W cash shop shenanigans we see flooding the market.
Corporations follow trends, is exactly correct and proves my point perfectly. The first 3-5 years, game companies made MMO's they thought would be fun and enjoyable. Now game companies make games that they think will give them the biggest return as quickly as possible on their investment. A lot has changed over the past 20 years in this genre and no, it's not enough to say graphics are better. The F2P cash shop is a trend that needs to die a horrible but quick death.
At a $1000 or more you are getting a "VIP" Planner who was recently hired to plan activities to make VIPs feel more "special"
I think anyone spends that kind of money crowdfunding a game is pretty "special" already.
"See normal people, I'm not one of them" | G-Easy & Big Sean
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing FO76 at the moment.
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Everyone is special in their own way. Bottom line is, crowdfunding is a means to an end, which is to make the game official. Pantheon is heading in the right direction. Thus, I am willing to help them get there.
What is to stop Brad, or any dev for that matter, from selling off his shares in the company the second the game releases to a corporation, and just running to the bank laughing? Their word? Even if they don't pull a Mark Zuckerberg, you do realize that without having a corporation to answer to, ie pay back, they are going to be making tens of millions dollars off of you as the "Donor".
Churches are not making millions of dollars after I donate to them, and my donations to a church would be tax deductible.
Nothing can stop anyone from doing anything, not even laws. Not really sure what your point was with bringing that up, but there's my reply to that segment of your comment. I'm not investing in a portfolio or stocks, so what are you getting at? I am merely investing in a game that I would very much like to see have an official launch. I've already wasted time and money on games that are far less appealing. I don't think you understand how crowdfunding works. Brad nor anyone else at VR is making 10's of millions off anything. They need to make a game first, which is what my money is going towards. Any profit they make AFTER the launch is used to improve the game, pay salaries and other company expenses.
I just came from an Alvin Ailey performance and looking at the donors I could see people donating 5k, 25k and 100k+.
Me being in the arts, the idea of patronizing, donating, whichever word one wants to use, isn't beyond the pale at all. Happens all the time.
So this type of patronage is commonplace in other walks of life. Now, in order to get games that have smaller audiences, it sort of makes sense. It also makes sense that people who give at that level get an extra "thank you".
In the case of games, I don't really think that should place one player above another player in terms of game play but having special events isn't any different than another concert I considered going to that allowed people who paid a "certain amount" to get dinner and drinks at a function with the performers.
As long as people can "really" afford it and it helps get a niche game off the ground I'm not really against it.
I do think that some players get caught up in the moment and shouldn't be giving/spending their money on such things.
Quite possibly one of the best explanations of the motivation of large scale supporters of crowd funded games, a modern patronage mentality of a sorts, just with more specific, beneficial and perhaps enduring perks than is typical in the arts.
It actually makes sense now.
"See normal people, I'm not one of them" | G-Easy & Big Sean
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing FO76 at the moment.
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon