I know what an NDA is in principle. Rather, I want to know the details of what it means for this particular game.
My understanding is that the game is currently in closed beta 1, and still officially under NDA. However, anyone who wants to can pay $60 to get access to the beta and see whatever they want of the game. When it moves to beta 2, it will take a cheaper access package so you'll be able to buy access for $35; I'm not sure if the NDA will be removed before, after, or at the same time as the official move to beta 2. So in that sense, it's not a super strict NDA, and if there were any really juicy details, they'd surely have already leaked out.
Does the NDA for this game just mean that you can buy access, but have to agree not to say very much about the game outside of official channels only visible by the developers or others who have bought access? Obviously, it's not a complete ban on talking about the game; quoting or pointing to what the developers have said publicly is allowed under just about any NDA. But rather, is it just a restriction on giving out any information about the game that the developers haven't released publicly?
I've also seen people say that the developers have been really transparent. Usually I don't think of "game is under NDA" as being synonymous or even compatible with being transparent. Does that basically mean that the developers are transparent about telling the game's backers what is going on, but it's still under NDA so that they're not transparent with telling the general public so many details?
Comments
What is an NDA (Non -disclosure agreement)?
An NDA is an agreement between you and CSE that says you will not share information that is in the forums publically outside of the forums themselves, take screen captures, pictures of the game or talk about the game’s development (subject to the specific limitations of the NDA itself) or livestream the game to share publicly without our permission (C.U.B.E. is an exception to this). You can read more about our existing privacy agreement and backer agreement here (https://store.camelotunchained.com/tandc.html) or read about it when you log into the game and agree to the EUALA.
Right now Camelot Unchained IS under NDA, read below:
Thus, NDA means
You stay sassy!
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
I think the "transparent development" is really related to the idea that for $60 (less if you Kickstarted) you can actually get in game and see what it looks like. Some other games have tiers of $10,000 and those folks haven't been in the game even though it's been years past the ETA.
Now my understanding is that the NDA will drop when they start to advertise. If that doesn't happen or if they cancel the refund policy but keep the NDA then I would be more worried.
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
I am saying that I think it's weird to have an NDA that absolutely anyone can buy their way into for $60. If stealing ideas were the concern, that would offer basically zero protection against it. Though really, no one steals game ideas, at least outside of making knock-offs of already launched games that are wildly popular. All real game developers (and most of the armchair wanna-bes) have more ideas of their own than they can implement, anyway.
Nor does an NDA assuage any worries about ending up as the next Adam Osbourne. The company has no previous product that they own that hype about Camelot Unchained will draw people away from.
That should align with having the core classes in place in a mid Beta phase, all major systems in place along with siege combat being basically done and all the new animations in place. This should allow some flashy videos to promote the game.
Mark mentioned hope that the game still has a small chance to release this year. Hopefully this also means a reduced chance of major delays into 2020. I still feel that CU will release before Pantheon, but both are entering the "fun" part of development where we get to see the worlds developed and the games get "big".
You stay sassy!
DAOC Live (inactive): R11 Cleric R11 Druid R11 Minstrel R9 Eldritch R6 Sorc R6 Scout R6 Healer