twisty on 7/3/2013 at 14:57
Over recent years, public betas have become an acceptable way for developers to iron out problems with their code-base and gauge reactions to their product before launching a final version. The trade-off for this has generally been that free or highly subsidised versions are provided to their participants.
BI seem to have broken that trend. I dunno about anyone else, but to me having to fork over US$32 to play an Alpha version of a game to "Be one of the first to play Arma 3 and contribute to its development by providing feedback" is a little rich.
(
http://store.steampowered.com/app/107410/)
Your thoughts...
Neb on 7/3/2013 at 16:32
If it was any other game then I probably wouldn't be cool with it. To me, the series is more of an ongoing, moddable, community platform than a title that wows you for a few weeks, so I don't mind playing around with it, using the bug tracker, and then going back to previous games.
I've been telling new players to hold off on buying it, though. I think that the alpha probably should have been a bit less open, and I wonder if Bohemia were impatient about getting a return on their funding (I don't actually know how the financial side works.)
catbarf on 7/3/2013 at 16:35
Quote Posted by twisty
The trade-off for this has generally been that free or highly subsidised versions are provided to their participants.
Since when? For years it's almost always been either 'pre-order now and gain EARLY BETA ACCESS', or just a free public beta as a demo shut down the day of release. I can't recall any games where public beta testers were given the game or a very low price as compensation.
I really don't have a problem with how they're marketing ArmA 3. If you want to buy early, the game will be messed up but you'll be able to play what's there and help out the devs in the process. If you don't want to playtest, you don't have to pre-order, or even if you do you don't need to play before release.
Malleus on 7/3/2013 at 18:20
I don't see how this is that much different from any other preorder stuff. You can buy the game at a (quite heavy) discount if you purchase in advance, and you even get access to aplayable alpha/beta.
Eagle Dynamics did the same thing with DCS A-10 (and that wasn't even at a discount, full price pre-purchase and you got beta access). Besides, wasn't Minecraft too available for purchase way before the actual release?
Ironpants on 7/3/2013 at 19:24
Yes, I bought Minecraft shortly after survival mode was added for $11. I also bought a very early version of Mount & Blade when it was still a husband and wife team for $11. It's definitely unusual for an established studio to do this - and it allows them to charge more for their pre-release. $32 is more than I've ever paid for a pre-release version, but it's tempting.
gunsmoke on 7/3/2013 at 19:52
I was going to mention Alpha's of Minecraft and the eternal Beta-state of Mount and Blade. Beaten to the punch by Ironpants. As far as my opinion on this goes, it's damn near half-price, and nobody's forcing you to buy. It is resemblant of pre-order early access. I dunno, I can see the other side too, though. :confused:
PigLick on 8/3/2013 at 00:14
You do get the final product when its released though, and you have only played$30 for it.
demagogue on 8/3/2013 at 02:46
I wouldn't do it, too pricey for that, but I like ArmA2 and imagine I'd like ArmA3 just the same.
So I wouldn't look down on it because of this.
Besides, one of the dark mod guys (dram) works for Bohemia Interactive as a mapper.
EvaUnit02 on 8/3/2013 at 04:05
Quote Posted by twisty
Over recent years, public betas have become an acceptable way for developers to iron out problems with their code-base and gauge reactions to their product before launching a final version. The trade-off for this has generally been that free or highly subsidised versions are provided to their participants.
BI seem to have broken that trend. I dunno about anyone else, but to me having to fork over US$32 to play an Alpha version of a game to "Be one of the first to play Arma 3 and contribute to its development by providing feedback" is a little rich.
(
http://store.steampowered.com/app/107410/)
Your thoughts...
It's not abnormal at all. It's a take on popular development funding model as the likes of Minecraft, Mount & Blade and nth amount of indie games. Buy the game for cheap as an alpha, the cost increases at beta, it increases once for finished retail. Do not forget that Bohemia is indie too, even though they're rolling in all of that fat cash from VBS. $32 USD for a AAA quality game is a fucking steal, especially a highly detailed, open world one.
I suggest that you go re-read the Steam product page, you GET ACCESS TO BETA AND FINISHED ITERATIONS TOO (whether or not the price goes up at each major milestone like Minecraft, remains to be seen though). Else continue to be a reactionary, irrational Angry Internet Man, up to you.
Jason Moyer on 8/3/2013 at 05:01
Probably going to get it as soon as my paycheck hits on Tuesday. I mean, I paid much more than $30 to beta test Operation Flashpoint and ArmA.
