Alpha Squad Nail in the Coffin

[NewSith]

Not like I'm trying to say something, but even the name of the thread sounds like a yellow press article.

Why am I ready to bet a significant sum on the thread being a troll?

[OnexBigxHebrew]

OP doesn not understand the following concepts:

A)The concept of speaking positively and not starting a rant by insulting people as a means to get readers to listen - even when being critical. The flame war and fanboy comments are a surefire way to start a fight. Your point could be expressed in a more grown-up fashion.

B) The idea that more PS2 revenue = more PS2 for everyone (barring P2W). Could you imagine people trying to get those who aren't in betato buy alpha squad without letting them in? Fat chance. Letting them in the beta was a surefire way to have everyone interested in paying money in PS2 get a crack at it.

C) Somehow it is the OP's belief that the game will "Cost $40 dollars for some, and be free for others". The idea in this initial business model is that you're basically pledging to get station cash, and then geting a bunch of cool stuff for it. The game is free for everyone - and that same 'everyone' has the choice to basically agree to buy station cash with perks.

No matter how you cut it, this is a good, non-pay2win revenue getter. You should be happy the announcement wasn't "Pay 40 dollas up front and get this EXCLUSIVE 5-way homing laser cannon with an ultra-mag and nano-second reflex optix that NO ONE ELSE CAN BUY!!!!!".

Get it?

And before you accuse me of being a fanboy, I think you should know that I really don't like PS2 'as is' all that much - still testing and watching it progress.

[Tatwi]

It should be noted that the $40 you're spending grants $40 worth of Station Cash, which can be used in many SOE games, not just PS2. Honestly, you're getting more than $40 worth of stuff for the $40, because of that.

[Diehard]

Sad OP is sad. Ignorant OP is ignorant. Anyone who disagree with him is a fanboy, so he claimed without even giving share of justice to read the reasoning.

[MaxDamage]

Speaking as someone who has no interest in a single title by SOE outside of Planetside 1/2, I bought this for the camo. HAVE YOU SEEN DAT SHIT?

Also some of the terminology is revealing; suggesting that when you *buy* camo from the store, it expires after a duration. Ho ho.

FOUNDER CAMO IS ETERNAL CAMO.
Get it while it's hot.

[Electrofreak]

Originally Posted by SQLOwns

Ask the fanboys to not read and they still reply. /sadface

You're on a fan forum. What do you expect?! Do you think people come here because they don't like PS2?

I'm already in the beta (have been since Tech Test) and I'll probably buy the Alpha Squad package. Here's my reasons:

1) I can support the development of this awesome game. Game developers gotta eat too!
2) $40 worth of Stationcash for $40. That's fair.
3) XP boost - I have a family and can't play every day. Having a little more XP will keep me falling too far behind.
4) Weapon unlocks and other stuff. Playing the Beta for a game means doing a grind twice or more. Having some unlocks will mean I can skip the grind to unlock some of the stuff I'll have already unlocked in Beta.
5) I've been a pretty dedicated fan, through PS and now PS2. I don't mind showing it in game.

[PhoenixDog]

Your thought process completely confuses me, OP. I don't understand how a Founders Package...An optional $40 package that you can buy if you'd like...Is a forceful must buy for people?

Yeah..It gets you into beta. However, it's merely an optional package for fans to not only support SoE, but to get some cool shit with it. I really don't get your position. You're either a complete and utter moron, or you're a really good troll.

I'm already in beta and I'll be picking it up down the line. I think you're just an idiot.

[SUBARU]

Originally Posted by SQLOwns

I just thought I would share my thoughts about the Alpha Squad package.

INB4 flame war.
This isn't going to be good, so fanboys should just save their time and stop reading here.

13 weeks ago I signed up for the PS2 beta. I was excited. I just started watching footage from TB and thought the game looked awesome. I never played PS1, I'm completely against subscription based games. Never played one, and never will. I was thrilled when I heard that PS2 was going F2P. I have reservations about F2P and how well it works with FPS games, but at least this will give me a chance to play. Well, I've been waiting for my beta invite, that appears will never come. I thought Sony said that they were close to beta release months ago and were planning for release by the end of the year. Sorry but 13 weeks with no response is not "close to open beta". It could still be weeks or months before my invite, and that is if I ever even get one. I know some of you have been waiting for beta for a lot longer but that is not really the point. To top it all off, now I can get into beta if I pay Sony $40. Really? What happen to F2P? So the game itself is free at launch, but the unfinished version is $40? Hi-Rez did this same shit with the failure known as Tribes:Asscend. I'm extremely disappointed with Sony at this point. INB4 they have to make money. I know they have to make money, and I'm fine with that....Then sell the game....Don't charge certain people money and give it to others for free. Sure you have a right since it's your product, but to me that is just a little bit unethical. Game companies seem to be going backwards. Betas use to be free and the released product cost money. These days a company will stick the "F2P" label on a game just so they can feel good about charging for the beta. Again, I don't care if they make money. Just be fair about it. If it costs one person $40 to play the game, it should cost everyone $40 (at that specific point in time).

I would just like to add none of my feelings are directed towards this site or the administrators. I think you guys are doing a great job of promoting this game and supporting the community. My disappointment and disapproval belongs specifically to SOE. I would have posted on the official forums if I had access.

tl;dr.

This game is not F2P for everyone. Apparently SOE feels the need to charge some people $40 for it, and it is not even finished. Extremely disappointed.

-SQLOwns

I sent you a pm please read it

[PhoenixDog]

Originally Posted by SUBARU

I sent you a pm please read it

Please share with the rest of us =D

[Snipefrag]

Good troll OP, none of your points had any merit. This is where you slither off to whatever hole you crawled out of until you can think of another ill-informed, bitter, pretentious post.

[Crator]

Originally Posted by PhoenixDog

Yeah..It gets you into beta. However, it's merely an optional package for fans to not only support SoE, but to get some cool shit with it. I really don't get your position. You're either a complete and utter moron, or you're a really good troll.

I'm already in beta and I'll be picking it up down the line. I think you're just an idiot.

Harsh, I was thinking butt hurt kid with no money desperately wanting beta access... But, you could be right since there's so many beta key giveaways currently.

[vVRedOctoberVv]

In Beta already.

Purchased Alpha Squad Package.

Desired to support SoE for the game I intend to play in the future. $40, not so much, intended to spend that much anyway at some point. Got extra goodies, station cash (of equivalent value to the $40), small bonus, and some interesting camo.

Could have opted not to buy it, just as well. Fundamentally... Wouldn't have changed anything.


Conclusion: AS Package, good deal, if you're interested in playing PS2 and want to support SoE. If you don't want to cough up $40, you're not missing anything relevant.

[morf]

OP utterly fails at understanding the f2p model. F2P relies on selling convenience and novelty. That's all this is: convenience and novelty.

I'm irritated by this notion that this is some below the belt money-grab. The simple fact of the matter is the greenest, most lowly, entry level dev or artist at SoE costs AT LEAST $200 per workday to employ. (this is roughly a 42k salary plus benefits payroll taxes - its almost certainly more than this)

So you have to sell 5 of these at $40 each just to keep this one guy employed for 8 hours.

If not for attractive offerings like this, how are the rest of us supposed to pay for your sorry behind to play this game for free?

[cellinaire]

Wait. Does this 'Alpha Squad' thingy give purchasers weapons which give them actual combat advantage or not?

If not, well, no surprise here

[Ertwin]

I'm assuming it'll unlock some of the weapons that are purchasable with Auraxium. They've been pretty adamant against pay to win since the beginning.