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[BigD145]

Yeah, these Kickstarters that go on to Steam EA are between a rock and a hard place. They can't offer a price lower than what was offered during the KS for alpha-beta access. Otherwise their KS backers think they're getting shit on.

Yes, I've heard this before. Don't shit on KS backers, just shit on EVERYONE ELSE. That'll sell lots of copies.

[Darkmere]

In my worthless internet opinion, if cash is so critical that they MUST go on steam NOW, after already completing a kickstarter, the kickstarter funding goal should have been more carefully planned. Otherwise, shooting yourself in the ass with an absurd asking price *for an unfinished product* is in no way worth all the bad PR that's going to be gained. Just suck it up, wait a few months and list with a sane price that people won't instantly reject.

[Knave]

I don't see this as a 'We must release now or we're going to sink' sort of move rather than a 'Some people have asked for it to be released on steam, so we may as well make a few extra bucks' move.

I'm pretty sure that the large majority of players agree that the $60 for alpha access is ridiculous, but there's always a small group of people who are willing to pay a premium for early access to content. That's how kickstarters get people to pony up more cash, and EA is just an extension of that.

[Grendus]

I think a lot of game companies are looking at the Steam Greenlight as a way to get customers to pay to get involved in the Alpha. It's win/win, fans get to play the game early, devs get extra money.

[MrWiggles]

Early access isn't really different then pre ordering. Your pre oder bonus is getting to play feature incomplete builds.

[lordcooper]

Yeah, these Kickstarters that go on to Steam EA are between a rock and a hard place. They can't offer a price lower than what was offered during the KS for alpha-beta access. Otherwise their KS backers think they're getting shit on.

Yes, I've heard this before. Don't shit on KS backers, just shit on EVERYONE ELSE. That'll sell lots of copies.

I'll never understand this attitude.  Just don't buy it if/while you think the price is too high.

[Zangi]

Wait for the inevitible 'discount', when it comes out of alpha.  It may seem like a terrible price and policy to you, who did not already pony up a buncha money in support of the game early on in its life.  But it is how this particular game's life started.  People paid up to get early access, to invest in this game's success and life.  Paypal donations were also available for the longest time...  This is the continuation of that 'terrible' price and policy.

On that note, I'm too busy playing other games, both old and new to actually play my pre-alpha of this.

[nenjin]

I think a lot of game companies are looking at the Steam Greenlight as a way to get customers to pay to get involved in the Alpha. It's win/win, fans get to play the game early, devs get extra money.

It's a win-win as long as the process of taking money for an incomplete product doesn't change development in some way. With studios like inXile, probably not. But I think it's a blanket statement to say it's always a win/win. Dead State, anyone?

Sometimes the fact you haven't yet made money or succeeded is what keeps you on track. Some devs start getting paid and start thinking immediately about what else they could be doing, other than finishing the thing they were paid for.

[BigD145]

Yeah, these Kickstarters that go on to Steam EA are between a rock and a hard place. They can't offer a price lower than what was offered during the KS for alpha-beta access. Otherwise their KS backers think they're getting shit on.

Yes, I've heard this before. Don't shit on KS backers, just shit on EVERYONE ELSE. That'll sell lots of copies.

I'll never understand this attitude.  Just don't buy it if/while you think the price is too high.

I'm not and will not and I'll warn others against doing so. JOB DONE

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Yeah, these Kickstarters that go on to Steam EA are between a rock and a hard place. They can't offer a price lower than what was offered during the KS for alpha-beta access. Otherwise their KS backers think they're getting shit on.

Yes, I've heard this before. Don't shit on KS backers, just shit on EVERYONE ELSE. That'll sell lots of copies.

I'll never understand this attitude.  Just don't buy it if/while you think the price is too high.

I'm not and will not and I'll warn others against doing so. JOB DONE

Lovely attitude. Anything to add?

Installing my build now so I can do something besides spout off.

[ductape]

Yeah, I would like to know how the game is, ya know, gameplay wise.

anyone playing it?

[kcwong]

Will get this on GoG. Even if it costs more than Steam. I dislike DRMs in any form, and would even pay a little extra to get rid of them.

[lordcooper]

Will get this on GoG. Even if it costs more than Steam. I dislike DRMs in any form, and would even pay a little extra to get rid of them.

As far as I can tell Wasteland 2 isn't using Steamworks.  Given that the only restriction is having to download it from Steam's servers, how exactly is GoG any different?

[guessingo]

I dont pay for alpha games. Sell me something when its done. The only kickstarters I pay for are for charities or people doing things for fun (such as Cataclym DDA). Companies love the kickstarter funding source because its free money. In the past companies got funding from 3 sources (I have an MBA, its in the textbooks), your own money, loans, or venture capital investments.

Venture Capital investments require equity in the company which is part ownership. Kickstarter allows vendors to go hat in hand to potential companies and say 'please give us money to make you a game, we will make it uber cool'. This is not an 'investment', its a handout. Wasteland 2 raised several million dollars this way. There isn't any legal obligation for them to spend it wisely or pay appropriate salaries. The owners of the company could pay themselves very large salaries and make mistakes spending the money. The people who 'fund' kickstarters have no write to a refund.

Paying $60 for an 'alpha' game is similiar to kickstarter. You are paying early so that people who do not want to invest their own money, get a loan, or get investors can develop a product on your dime. This is essentially free money.

If they have a marketable product than they can go look for venture capital investors and give up equity in their company. This is typically a last resort, because they are not giving up a fixed percentage. So if the game is a huge success the venture capitalists make more money. Unlike people who pay for 'alpha games' or kickstarters they expect a return.

Just look at the 'towns' abandonment (alpha game where the developers got bored and took people's money) or the various kickstarters that never get done. Show me a finished product and then Ill decide if Im going to buy. The threat of 'we will charge you more' doesn't work on me. You will charge me less because I won't buy your product. Besides eventually all games get marked down as they age anyway. I am patient and can wait before spending my money.

[MrWiggles]

Towns is no longer being developed?

One of the Dev is still active on their forum, and last month they were looking for a program.