I was ready to drop $100 after the stream today, thinking that it was a pretty decent pledge. Then I look at the pledge page, and it's one of the lowest packages there is. Packages range from 50, 100, 150, 250, 300, 500, 1k+. This isn't really unusual among kickstarters, but what got me was what was offered at the different tiers, and then on top of that, what the most popular tier was. $1,000 being the most popular pledge tier.
For 1 grand or more, you don't even get a lifetime sub, you get 6 months. Not only can I not help but wonder who's got a grand to drop on a game that's still in alpha, but I'm astounded by the fact that this is the most popular pledge tier. Maybe I'm just old, but I can remember when you bought a game for $50-60 and then had a $15 sub on top of that, and that was all. Now we're expected to drop a grand on a game that's still in development, in the hopes that we like the end product?
I mean, assuming $15 a month for a sub, and a $60 box price. It would take me 5 years to pay a grand in box+ sub fees. And people are dropping a grand left and right on this game? I really don't understand what gamer culture has come to if this is the case. The microtransaction shops that infest games are bad enough (can remember when games supported themselves on subs alone), but this is just crazy.
As much as I really enjoyed the stream, and really admire what Visionary Realms is doing, I would have to be insane to drop a grand on the game instead of putting that money in my child's college fund, or my own retirement fund. I understand that VR is trying to make the game without having to cow down to suits telling them what to do, and that's why they are seeking crowdfunding, but at this point it just feels like rape. Maybe if we got to see some dividend returns after the game is released and making money, making the pledges more of an investment in something you believe in. But as it is now, it just feels like Brad and team are just going to be laughing all the way to the bank once the game is released.
And, yes I know, "If i don't like it, don't pledge". But that's the real rub, I do like it, and I wanted to pledge something. But at this point it feels like if i'm not pledging a grand, I may as well just not pledge at all.
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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.
Is it that you "want to pledge" or you want to pledge AND get high level bonuses? Because reading your post it looks like you wanted to spend about $100 and get very high level bonuses and then were shocked that those bonuses were wayyyy above what you wanted to spend.
As far as people spending $1000, you underestimate how many people don't think $1000 is a lot of money.
Would "I" spend $1000? No. but if I made well into 6 figures then maybe as it wouldn't really be much but a drop in the bucket provided that I thought the bonuses were worth it to me. I really doubt they would be as all I ever want to do is support the game and get into beta, maybe a name reservation. Anything else isn't worth it to me.
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Crowdfunding was gamer-friendly for a New York minute. It has since become awfully perverted in its purpose, until gamers are paying exponentially more for an unfinished product than they would've ever imagined paying for a finished one. My advice in general at this point in the game (game meaning the crowdfunding "game" in general) is to avoid pledging like it's the plague.
Just a couple of years ago people laughed at Archeage and Landmark charging $150 for that privilege. Apparently they weren't charging enough since the market seems to bear much more than that.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
I do not consider any terminology to change the fact devs are simply asking people to pay MORE than a game deserves on a whim it might finish as a quality product.
The housing industry could be judged as similar,you pay a contractor in hopes he might build your dream home with no problems.The difference of course being ,penalties if it is not done to your satisfaction or of quality effort.
Game developers want their cake and eat it too,they want TOO much money with no guaranteed promise of a quality product.
I do not and will NEVER condone asking money for unfinished products and getting around law by claiming they are "PLEDGES" or "Early access" or whatever other terminology to pretend these are not simple UNFAIR sales.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
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.
People talk about that as if it's recent history in gaming, that practice ended damn near 20 years ago. And it wasn't very common.... even then
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For that I would need Firiona Vie as my mail order bride.
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Ssshhh! We're in the digital world, here, the rules are different! For.... reasons.
The OP wants all his money back..... Let me ask, when you go to Church and they pass the basket, do you put money in or take money out ?
Ah yes it's a pledge. Where gamers go fund developers in order to make a better world. It's just like the Make a Wish Foundation except for healthy adults with 6 figures + jobs. Nothing as crass as sales happening here
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
You heard him. You can't stand the large pledges but there are only limited slots, so you gotta buy now, don't delay!
Not only that we are way past pay to beta, we have pay to pre-pre-alpha now.
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It's actually worse, now we pay to talk about the game that we may get to test at some point.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
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