Funny that it's began when they haven't even given us a link to download the client. I'd hardly say it's began. And yes, I'm in block A.

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

They actually upped it from 2000 to 2600 players in Block A.

SOURCE

The client should be available in the next few hours.

I can't wait, I've been listening to The Final Countdown for like 36 hours now.

the least they could do is pay for his plane ticket.

There are 1000 limited editions. The sold the #1 on ebay the other 999 to the general public (including myself).

Originally posted by falc0n

the least they could do is pay for his plane ticket.

Agreed.

buying number 1 copies and selling them on ebay for tons of cash....

dream job? on another note i canot wait for people to start hating/loving

me thinks its gona be darkfall all over again  

Originally posted by Kozom

buying number 1 copies and selling them on ebay for tons of cash....

dream job? on another note i canot wait for people to start hating/loving

me thinks its gona be darkfall all over again  

There was not much wrong with Darkfall. They'll be lucky if its anything like that. I think its going to be another Age of Conan. Age of Conan didn't function or launch with any features. Darkfall did. 

Originally posted by SignusM

I think its going to be another Age of Conan. 

Bingo.

Originally posted by MikeB

The closed beta for Mortal Online is underway; at least for those lucky 2,000 2,600 who made it into Block A of the beta release schedule. Those in Block B or later will have to wait until August 3rd at the earliest to get their grubby hands on the game.

I'd ask you guys what you thought so far, but you know, NDA's, *le sigh*.

On the other hand, we can talk about this guy, who spent $5,100 to purchase the #1 copy from the 999 unit limited edition of the game. At least the money went to a good cause.

I bet this guy is not even going to open the box. So much money looks more of a collector's investment. Good the money is going towards Doctors Without Borders.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

This is not launch. This is beta. You know beta? That phase where you'd expect anything (everything) to go wrong?

Age of Conan launched bugged worse than a beta. MO has at least 3 months of planned beta. Plenty of time to fix bugs, improve graphics, tweak mechanis etc.

By the way, having only people that preoder to play the beta is a major plus for the deveoplers - those people have an added motivation to submit bugs and to try to improve the game - their game. 

Originally posted by SignusM

Originally posted by Kozom

buying number 1 copies and selling them on ebay for tons of cash....

dream job? on another note i canot wait for people to start hating/loving

me thinks its gona be darkfall all over again  

There was not much wrong with Darkfall. They'll be lucky if its anything like that. I think its going to be another Age of Conan. Age of Conan didn't function or launch with any features. Darkfall did. 

1. If by "not much wrong" you mean "bugged, easily exploitable and devoid of content" then yes, there was not much wrong with Darkfall.

2. MO devs don't promie the stars, unlike AoC and Darkfall devs did. They are quite clear about what features will make release [and it's just the core of game], and which won't. So if you're going to knock a game down because it looks like it will finish off that epic failure that was DF, then at least do your research first.

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

I know all that. The scam is charging 75 bucks to beta test a game that has almost no media to prove it even exists. There is 1 teaser video and 1 gameplay video that shows almost no gameplay and barely any content. The fact the game is barely out of alpha, the lack of videos, the high cost and 6 months before the game even releases make this game very suspect in my opinion. Why charge 75 bucks for a beta test 6 months before release?

Makes me think they are running out of money or have no content or both.

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

 

  Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

Developers know that people are impatient, and will pay to play sooner.

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

 

I know all that. The scam is charging 75 bucks to beta test a game that has almost no media to prove it even exists. There is 1 teaser video and 1 gameplay video that shows almost no gameplay and barely any content. The fact the game is barely out of alpha, the lack of videos, the high cost and 6 months before the game even releases make this game very suspect in my opinion. Why charge 75 bucks for a beta test 6 months before release?

Makes me think they are running out of money or have no content or both.

 

  Again, do your research. The devs were quite frank about the fact that yes, the preorder goes now and goes for the price it does because they're a small, indie studio and they need the funds to continue development. It's not a secret, it's what the developers themselves explain time and time again on the official forum.

 Is preordering, in this case, a risk? Sure it is. The game may turn out to be total crap. However, the idea of it is fascinating enough, and the devs honest and open enough [really, never seen anything close to it] that some players feel it worth to take that gamble and support the developers so they can deliver the best game possible. I know, it's a boring, mundane explanation, it doesn't leave you much room to shout scam and flame the game. I'm sorry, but this is just how things are.

Originally posted by Fuerchtegott

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

 

  Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

 

I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

 

 You know what happened? WoW. Now its clones are the only sure business model and it's hard for developers to secure funding for games breaking out of that mould. Starvault isn't a huge company with deep coffers, so they do what they need to do to obtain funding to get the game finished. Sure, I'd prefer a free beta, especially since I don't preorder games, as a rule. But faced with the possiblity of WoW clone after WoW clone after WoW clone, I really do applaud those people who decided to support Starvault in something of a risky endavour.

If you wanna get rid of or even minimize the wow clones then you should support the good indie companies. And one of the is StarVault. So if you got the money and if the game looks intressting you should buy it, and if you do that now you can also play in beta and help them out so they get a better final product that you can say you helped form. And you can also if you got any idea that comes to mind when you play it. 

Originally posted by Fuerchtegott

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

 

  Remember the time - when you used to go to a games store, put 50 bucks on the counter and they would hand you a nice box, with a nice manual, with a CD/DVD?

Then they had digital downloads which were cheaper, because the production cost of manufacturing the box, printing the manual, pressing the CD/DVDs had been removed.

So now they charge you full prize for less what you used to get?

 

I remember a time - when Beta meant testing, which is work. And the community and fans were friendly enough to do it for free - because they wanted to support the company and game. Otherwise the company would have had to hire Beta testers.

Now they have the players pay to do work. Have you ever seen a test driver of a car company pay big bucks up front so he can test drive the latest model and hand in his reports?

What has happened to the game industry? When did the customers become employees who not only work for free but even pay to work?

 

You get the DVD posted to you.

The digital download is cheaper.

So now they can charge (their) full price and you get all the same stuff and postage.   Not less than what you used to.

You remember a time when people would test for free?   Guess what, they still do.   These people are buying the game, their free month gameplay starts after the test.   They were given the option to purchase early from an indie developer who obviously needs the cash.   Each person made the choice to not only test for free, but to trust this company with their money in advance, in the hope that their testing helps to make it the game they are looking for.   Will it work out for them?   Probably not, but it's their choice.

What has happened to the game industry?   Time and expectations.   It's really easy to look back on the old days through rose coloured glasses but in reality tons of games were utter crap.   Lots of stuff got released bugged to hell.   If UO released today with what I had to play through back in the day the venom on these forums would be endless.   Games are expected to be up to a certain standard, everyone wants in on the next big thing.   Look at AoC, huge expectations - massive failure.   Beta long ago stopped being about testing a game, it's become a trial in itself.   If people were willing and allowed to pay to test on the new diet pill/beer/Porsche I bet you they would.  

Things change, the sun comes up in the morning and we all move on.

Some scream scam. I say it's a brilliant business decision for an indie developer.

Apparently there are 10000 people who are willing to pay $75 up front for the boxed version of the game given that they are guaranteed a beta spot. Assuming a $50 profit per box, that's $500k to fund beta testing. Enough to keep it running for months, and extend it instead of launching early if things don't get sorted out according to schedule.So, basically, they can fund the testing with launch money and hopefully launch a fairly polished product instead of launching early to cash in and catch up as has been so common lately.

Anyway, I paid up front for a copy even if I doubt I'll stick with the game. Why?

•  I'd try the game regardless of reviews and opinions. That means I'd pay for it at some point, and it's irrelevant if I pay now, in 6 months, or in a year.
• Buying it now means I get a few months of beta testing in addition to the one month playtime that comes with the purchase to decide if the game is worth sticking with. Seeing how a company handles issues during a beta gives me more of an impression of what to expect later on than the mess that is launch week.
• $75 isn't really that much. It's a normal price for boxed games in stores here. I know games are cheaper in the US, but you can't expect localized prices from an indie developer. At least not for the boxed copies when they pay the shipping costs.

Anyway, if the game never launches, or does not deliver at all, then yes, it was a scam. As it is, paying for a game I would buy anyway up front as an alternative to playing the beta application lottery is a good investment for me, and for 9999 others. I'd do the same with any other game I am eager to try, and applaud the developers for giving me the option. For others who want to try it for free during the beta phase, but are not willing to pay up front for the game... good luck. 

Originally posted by Zyonne

Some scream scam. I say it's a brilliant business decision for an indie developer.

Apparently there are 10000 people who are willing to pay $75 up front for the boxed version of the game given that they are guaranteed a beta spot. Assuming a $50 profit per box, that's $500k to fund beta testing. Enough to keep it running for months, and extend it instead of launching early if things don't get sorted out according to schedule.So, basically, they can fund the testing with launch money and hopefully launch a fairly polished product instead of launching early to cash in and catch up as has been so common lately.

Anyway, I paid up front for a copy even if I doubt I'll stick with the game. Why?

•  I'd try the game regardless of reviews and opinions. That means I'd pay for it at some point, and it's irrelevant if I pay now, in 6 months, or in a year.
• Buying it now means I get a few months of beta testing in addition to the one month playtime that comes with the purchase to decide if the game is worth sticking with. Seeing how a company handles issues during a beta gives me more of an impression of what to expect later on than the mess that is launch week.
• $75 isn't really that much. It's a normal price for boxed games in stores here. I know games are cheaper in the US, but you can't expect localized prices from an indie developer. At least not for the boxed copies when they pay the shipping costs.

Anyway, if the game never launches, or does not deliver at all, then yes, it was a scam. As it is, paying for a game I would buy anyway up front as an alternative to playing the beta application lottery is a good investment for me, and for 9999 others. I'd do the same with any other game I am eager to try, and applaud the developers for giving me the option. For others who want to try it for free during the beta phase, but are not willing to pay up front for the game... good luck. 

 

 

 

I totally agree with you, well written and good points. I was losing my mind thinking that all people writing on this forums was not only greedy but also stupid. You prove me wrong on that point well done, thanks for giving me some hope back :)

Originally posted by Zyonne

Some scream scam. I say it's a brilliant business decision for an indie developer.

Apparently there are 10000 people who are willing to pay $75 up front for the boxed version of the game given that they are guaranteed a beta spot. Assuming a $50 profit per box, that's $500k to fund beta testing. Enough to keep it running for months, and extend it instead of launching early if things don't get sorted out according to schedule.So, basically, they can fund the testing with launch money and hopefully launch a fairly polished product instead of launching early to cash in and catch up as has been so common lately.

Anyway, I paid up front for a copy even if I doubt I'll stick with the game. Why?

•  I'd try the game regardless of reviews and opinions. That means I'd pay for it at some point, and it's irrelevant if I pay now, in 6 months, or in a year.
• Buying it now means I get a few months of beta testing in addition to the one month playtime that comes with the purchase to decide if the game is worth sticking with. Seeing how a company handles issues during a beta gives me more of an impression of what to expect later on than the mess that is launch week.
• $75 isn't really that much. It's a normal price for boxed games in stores here. I know games are cheaper in the US, but you can't expect localized prices from an indie developer. At least not for the boxed copies when they pay the shipping costs.

Anyway, if the game never launches, or does not deliver at all, then yes, it was a scam. As it is, paying for a game I would buy anyway up front as an alternative to playing the beta application lottery is a good investment for me, and for 9999 others. I'd do the same with any other game I am eager to try, and applaud the developers for giving me the option. For others who want to try it for free during the beta phase, but are not willing to pay up front for the game... good luck. 

 

 

 

I do think that there would be venture money for the game would it be considered a sound investment . If the game indeed is in a feature-ready beta-state already I can but wonder why there is noone willing to provide them with 500k (assumed) funding. After all, if the game is of quality that money will be easily re-gained through initial box sales not to mention first few months of subscription fees. This whole "we want to provide our loyal fans a chance to help develop the game" feels aweful lot like a red herring to divert attention from the fact that they are unable to secure other means of funding which speaks volumes. For one can be certain that they tried the more conventional means first.

Nonetheless, let's hope the game delivers and those venture capitalists are wrong. The concerns I have are solely those of my own and I can but wish happy beta testing for all those lucky and determined enough to get a ticket to that lottery. All the very best for Starvault and Mortal Online.

Originally posted by SignusM

Originally posted by Kozom

buying number 1 copies and selling them on ebay for tons of cash....

dream job? on another note i canot wait for people to start hating/loving

me thinks its gona be darkfall all over again  

There was not much wrong with Darkfall. They'll be lucky if its anything like that. I think its going to be another Age of Conan. Age of Conan didn't function or launch with any features. Darkfall did. 

i ment that the hate love relation people have towards darkfall will be similar not the quality / level of exitment. But i sps we need to hear from players first
 

While some of you think it is a brilliant idea by the developer, I am still going to chuckle at those that buy the preorder.  The chances of a small indie developer being a success story are not good.  I wish their company the best and hope they make me look bad.  From what I have read though, this game is a real work in progress which is not good even for a beta.

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by BadMedicine

Originally posted by chokepoint

Originally posted by Ozmodan

When you look at the preorder prices you have to wonder if this is the next major scam of the genre.  Certainly looks possible, unknown company asking for some big bucks up front.  Going to be interesting what we hear out of beta.  Certainly going to be laughing at anyone who preorders.

 

I agree, this game is highly suspicious. Charging so much up front and being 6 months away from release with only 1 gameplay video released that shows almost no gameplay... Am staying far away from this one for now. And charging 75 bucks to alpha/beta test the game? That's a scam right there.

 

 75 dollars for a boxed edition of the game, which is a limited run. Digitial download will be around DF price of 50, or less.

 

 And where's the scam? You don't pay for beta, you preorder a game, with the added bonus of getting into its beta. There's no trick here, no lies, it's all clearly laid out for you. You don't want to pay for it, don't.

 

 Jesus, mmorpg.com is quickly exhausting my patience for people making far fetched assumptions without bothering to do 30 seconds of research first.

 

I know all that. The scam is charging 75 bucks to beta test a game that has almost no media to prove it even exists. There is 1 teaser video and 1 gameplay video that shows almost no gameplay and barely any content. The fact the game is barely out of alpha, the lack of videos, the high cost and 6 months before the game even releases make this game very suspect in my opinion. Why charge 75 bucks for a beta test 6 months before release?

Makes me think they are running out of money or have no content or both.

 

Its a limited edition box. My understanding is this will be the only time, ever. to get a BOX for the game. You have spent more on CE editions, consider this one.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

While some of you think it is a brilliant idea by the developer, I am still going to chuckle at those that buy the preorder.  The chances of a small indie developer being a success story are not good.  I wish their company the best and hope they make me look bad.  From what I have read though, this game is a real work in progress which is not good even for a beta.

I know there are a lot of principles involved, but remember that people value money differently. An hour spent on a game I want to play is worth a lot more to me than the money it cost me to play the game for an hour.  I typically buy a game at launch, play it for a month or two, and then disgard it. If I regret something, it's always that I've wasted time, not that I have wasted money.

Of course that all comes down to your income and available time. While I was a student, I had all the time in the world, but buying a game was an investment. I suspect this is true for most "hardcore MMO players". Now my time is limited, but the cost of a full prize game is covered by an hour or two of overtime.

Just throwing it in there, one of the MO devs (think it was Mats) said they earned 1.5$ (might have been Euro) more on the Boxed version then they do on the Digital Download. Which to me says that the boxed version is fairly priced, with the digital download costing 50 Euro, same as Darkfall.