Is over $1,000 in support packs enough for PoE2 Beta Access?

Beta access should be inclusive, accessible to a broad audience encompassing different hardware configurations, playstyles and backgrounds. Not a source of additional revenue, nor a VIP club for whales.

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ShamelessWhiteknight wrote:

Beta access should be inclusive, accessible to a broad audience encompassing different hardware configurations, playstyles and backgrounds. Not a source of additional revenue, nor a VIP club for whales.

It been exactly that way so far.
But to incentivize spending, people who spent >x$ also got beta access more or less automatically.
GGG staff have to eat, too.
So if you want guaranteed access to the beta, spend some money.
If you don't want to or can't, behave on the forums, write constructive posts, play the game and with a bit of luck, you'll also get in.

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jsuslak313 wrote:

Didn't the developers already say that if you purchased a certain amount across your account lifetime that you would automatically gain access to the beta? I could have sworn I heard or read them say that....

Ed: found where I heard it....somewhat indirectly from devs
https://youtu.be/vkySpn3JwXo?t=24

Doesn't specifically mention $, but it does mention activity.

yeah i saw the interview, he said it would be the same as the last beta which was $500 life support will get guaranteed access.

they will sell keys with a supporter pack for $30 and then invite people who dont buy a pack or have $500 lifetime support in waves.



its not a mystery thats actually confirmed as far as i am aware.

while FOMO is nice, I'd rather wait for the 'full' release in spite that testing the game before hand would be cool, it kills the joy of a first playthrough, let'em whom lives of gaming, work for us, and test bugs. aka stream-bob's that is the only thing they are useful for if not at all.

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Mikrotherion wrote:

It been exactly that way so far.
But to incentivize spending, people who spent >x$ also got beta access more or less automatically.

In the past, POE beta access was indeed behind a paywall, requiring players to purchase supporter packs to gain entry. Equating spending with a guaranteed spot in the beta suggests that the value of feedback is directly proportional to the amount of money spent, like OP, which couldn't be further from the truth.

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Mikrotherion wrote:

GGG staff have to eat, too.

There are other ways to generate revenue that don't compromise the integrity of beta testing. Also with Tencent's backing, they have the resources to feast, not to just survive on noodles.

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Mikrotherion wrote:

So if you want guaranteed access to the beta, spend some money.
If you don't want to or can't, behave on the forums, write constructive posts, play the game and with a bit of luck, you'll also get in.

I respectfully opt out of the beta access frenzy not because I lack the means, but because I value the experience of playing a game in its completed form.

I also feel that we are already a form of beta tester. The distribution of day-one patches, bug fixes and ongoing updates has blurred the line between a finished product and WIP. It's as if every league is merely the beginning of an 3 month extended beta phase with players unintentionally enlisted as testers.

Encouraging players to "behave on the forums" as a condition for beta access is pretty much the echo chamber starter kit, where only specific viewpoints are welcomed, potentially silencing players with legitimate concerns or criticisms.

True engagement should encourage open discourse, valuing diversity of opinion over blind loyalty.

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DarthSki44 wrote:

^

I wouldn't put too much stock in a "one guy" take on Exiles as a term of identity. Plenty of games do this, whether it's Tenno in Warframe or Guardians in Destiny. Often times coming straight from the developer, like is true in this case with PoE, as part of a marketing strategy to drive a sense of shared experience.

Ironically as I see it, actually typing out what is essentially "that's cringe bro" is far more "cringe" as a retort. Its clearly driven more out of personal embarrassment or uncomfortability with a simple descriptor, which overall, is quite disconnected.

Tbh I laughed when I read that. Perhaps it's generational, I have to admit, but I was like "Really? That's what you wanted to convey here? This helps make a point"? It reeks of seeking validation, which while not a new concept, is exacerbated in today's younger generation imo. Perhaps it's an overwhelming desire to want to be accepted or included in a group (Twitch is a really good example of this), but that discussion definitely veers us way off topic.

I will approve your post if you say that with a coffee mug in your foot and a joben on your head....

Watching this walls of text that speaks only pompous words which speak nothing about the topic or were it even started it's a waste of time.

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Wykyng001 wrote:

while FOMO is nice, I'd rather wait for the 'full' release in spite that testing the game before hand would be cool, it kills the joy of a first playthrough, let'em whom lives of gaming, work for us, and test bugs. aka stream-bob's that is the only thing they are useful for if not at all.

i hear you, ive been in 2 minds before about the same thing.

this time round they said the full game will be in the beta, it will be the full campaign with a functioning endgame and then over the course of about 6 months they will add more endgame systems in at intervals.

so im gonna play it i think because i get to do the entire campaign in 1 hit properly as a player. but ill probably not be in there day 1, ill give it at least a couple of patches to iron out any massive bugs so i can have a proper experience.

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ShamelessWhiteknight wrote:

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Mikrotherion wrote:

It been exactly that way so far.
But to incentivize spending, people who spent >x$ also got beta access more or less automatically.

In the past, POE beta access was indeed behind a paywall, requiring players to purchase supporter packs to gain entry. Equating spending with a guaranteed spot in the beta suggests that the value of feedback is directly proportional to the amount of money spent, like OP, which couldn't be further from the truth.

they want massive amounts of people in the beta. they will get all the expert feedback they need from the hardcore fans who will all be in the beta. they got to pay for the development costs and test the economy and the systems with 10,000s of people, probably 100,000k+ eventually. im sure they are not rly bothered about feedback from every one of those people.

they have already been doing highly focused feedback with groups of people who have never played an arpg before, people who have played other arpgs but not poe. they know what feedback is valuable to them and they will get it.

Can we gently conclude this thread by agreeing that anyone who cares enough to want to get into the beta will have a far greater chance than someone who doesn't? Be it long time support, paying attention to the means of entry, and/or a willingness to jump through GGG's familiar hoops.

I am willing to bet it'll be easier to get into than the beta for GGG's first game. We infamously had future supporters literally begging for keys at their office in NZ. I had to tell a joke to get my key. And I still have flashbacks to that fucking key lottery ticker.

So yknow. Chill. It'll happen and you, Exiles, will be first in line... At least for economy class. There will always be someone before you, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the ride. You sure didn't when GGG openly gave first class priority to their influencers at league start. Lol. Laters gators.

Edit: whoops, missed a word. Perils of not allowing oneself to use a real computer for the forum, heh.

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ShamelessWhiteknight wrote:

I respectfully opt out of the beta access frenzy not because I lack the means, but because I value the experience of playing a game in its completed form.

missing the chance to be part of something great and help it to become a really good game? why?

the only problem ggg faces is to get testers who can actually give good feedback and reasons why some aspect is good or bad.

for that, i would suggest them to value forum activity and helpful feedback more than total money spent or time spent in game idling or runnig your trade bot 24/7.

Looks like now what you'll need is a time machine. Best of all good luck to yas! =^[.]^=