There is some discussion around UWE about ending the program soon, though we haven't made an absolute decision yet. We will give warning before it closes!
IeptBarakatThe most difficult name to speak ingame.Join Date: 2009-07-10Member: 68107Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow
edited February 2014
It should end when it reaches the goal. Gives everyone a chance to support it eventually, I don't see why you would end it prematurely unless the perks were going to be resisted for micro-transactions. There isn't even Shadow Fade/Onos yet. :P
Honestly, taking down the program would pretty much say the game is done.
Don't do it. :<
I want to put my money in but I need to see some more effort on the Linux front before I can justify dropping $70 on it. Still doesn't run on any of my AMD cards with any version of fglrx, can only run in a window and still gets a lot of CTDs and random other errors. Had to downgrade to my old 560ti to play.
If you can just get the AMD thing and the lack of fullscreen sorted out that'd probably be enough for me but I haven't seen the effort I expect yet. Let me know if you're still working on it, I'd appreciate it.
There is some discussion around UWE about ending the program soon, though we haven't made an absolute decision yet. We will give warning before it closes!
seems crazy to consider ending it, before Christmas it was only just over 200k and now its 220k+.
@hugh you should add a option to create team emblems like the ones for the wc. £50 to create and then £10 to buy. 6+ in each team, that's at least £110 :]
I definitely think it would not be a good idea to end it. People still seem to be supporting it at a rate that I even find surprisingly high given so many circumstances.
It seems daft closing down any stream of revenue but the threat of never being able to get an item will cause a rush of purchases. Gimmie rare stuff... RAH! 8-}
There is some discussion around UWE about ending the program soon, though we haven't made an absolute decision yet. We will give warning before it closes!
@Hugh I'm going to assume that you're being honest here and its not just a "better hurry, cuse it might not last much longer rotfl loool" incentive.
Truth be told, unless you plan on replacing it with something else, even I (a person that wasn't exactly thrilled about the way Reinforced was introduced) don't see much point in taking it down. If sending out parcels with physical merchandise is the issue then reworking the tiers to leave just the digital rewards should still make them appealing to most people that intended to throw some cash at Reinforced anyway.
As long as there aren't any major drawbacks that I may not be aware off, I see no sense to cut off a system that generates additional funding and in most cases pushes the purchase of NS2 over the AAA tier of pricing (lets face it, shadow is by far the most popular tier and thats hardly a bad thing).
Its pure cosmetic non invasive DLC that currently generates next to no community backlash. Discontinuing without a substitute would be a bizzare business decision to say the least.
Once again, bare in mind that this is coming from someone that wasn't exactly fond of the idea in the first place.
AsranielJoin Date: 2002-06-03Member: 724Members, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester, Retired Community Developer
I would guess that the shadow skins etc could become available as steam purchases, but not the badges. Makes sense to me as many people would love to have the skins, but dont really want to pay 70$ for them
Well, you've taken John's quote out of context. There are many potential reasons why accepting someone's money could be a very bad idea. No absolute decision on the future of the Reinforcement Program has been made, but at the core we feel it has been an outstanding success so far, I am thrilled that many people are supportive of its continuation, and UWE will carefully consider any decision about its future.
IronHorseDeveloper, QA Manager, Technical Support & contributorJoin Date: 2010-05-08Member: 71669Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester, Subnautica PT Lead, Pistachionauts
@hugh
Yes, I most definitely took it out of context.. but i felt the quote reflected my own opinion on this matter too much to not use it. :-P
The way i see it, as long as the system is automatic it shouldn't be any sweat off UWE's back to just let it continue. But I have no idea whether this is the case or not. ( i know for the Onos tier it was not)
The program made no promises for future development. Only that if you buy "x" package you get "x" rewards. Not sure why continuing to allow people to claim those rewards by donating would be a bad thing. I guess if there is a cost of maintaining the donation system but beyond that let the players pay stuff if they want to.
Yeah, I can't claim to fully understand the cost of the reinforcement program vs the revenue being generated by it, but the way I see it if players are willing to donate money UWE should be willing to accept it. I don't see how shutting it down would do anything but prevent them from making some money. But if it there is a cost to maintain the program then I could see how they might one day shut it down
Honestly, I'd be happy to extend my support to onos tier (I donated at every level below that) without the physical assets.
Say the first 25 onos donors got the limited edition goodies, but later donors at that level wouldn't get the book or poster (or bot name if that is also much effort to maintain).
Just have a look at StarCitizen if you want to learn how to whip people into a spending frenzy. Roberts will break the 40 million dollar (sic!) barrier by the end of March...
How do they do it? By offering huge (and frankly: ridiculous) reward tiers while you still could just spend $30 and be done with it.
I'm pretty sure they won't be able to deliver anything that can remotely live up to the staggering expectations... but I've also bought 2 (albeit minor $65 and $30) tickets to the front row when the hype shuttle smashes into the ground like it's 1986...
Short version:
You wanna reach the funding goal?
Offer more reward tiers between $75 and $333 and reopen Onos.
While I don't even remotely understand people who spend thousands of dollars on virtual space ships (well, I don't have to), StarCitizen is the best indicator that they exist and will dry hump and shower you with their wallets and credits cards the very moment you make that stuff available.
I say: The day the daily cost of hosting and maintaining the reinforced website/stuff costs more than the average daily income generated by donations, shut it off. But not earlier.
AsranielJoin Date: 2002-06-03Member: 724Members, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester, Retired Community Developer
I honestly think the best solution would be to announce that reinforced ends in a month or so and then create a DLC for the skins (specially shadow). I think they would make much more money if the skin dlc would be something like 5-10$ instead of having to pay 70$ right now. Throw in a shadow fade+onos and it will be perfect.
Cannon_FodderAUSBrisbane, AUJoin Date: 2013-06-23Member: 185664Members, Squad Five Blue, Squad Five Silver, Reinforced - Shadow
@Hamlet, neither do I until I got NS2. The dev team is so awesome (and so is the game), that I put in $75 for the Reinforce prog. Making this game cost over $100AUD for me (my most expensive STEAM game). Yet I don't feel ripped off. Its how you perceived the experience I guess. I think being honest about what you are offering is important. It is that level of trust you build with the fans that enables you to say to them, will you give us money for something that is intangible. How to do it right: UWE. How to do it wrong: EA.
Maybe Shadow fade and onos, an elite weapon skin for the lmg, shotgun or pistol, your choice ! A reinforcement badge when the goal is reached ?
Because exclusive taunt "kill em all" dont work for me, i have already the soundtrack with the deluxe edition. ok just for 4 songs and more old cut tracks.
I cant find what is the UWE's secret project access on twitter...
i think shadow is a lot more expensive for 75$, but reinforcement program is a very good idea
its not a post for whining or whatever ist just a realistic post !
Comments
EDIT: woohoo, past 200 posts.
Honestly, taking down the program would pretty much say the game is done.
I want to put my money in but I need to see some more effort on the Linux front before I can justify dropping $70 on it. Still doesn't run on any of my AMD cards with any version of fglrx, can only run in a window and still gets a lot of CTDs and random other errors. Had to downgrade to my old 560ti to play.
If you can just get the AMD thing and the lack of fullscreen sorted out that'd probably be enough for me but I haven't seen the effort I expect yet. Let me know if you're still working on it, I'd appreciate it.
@hugh you should add a option to create team emblems like the ones for the wc. £50 to create and then £10 to buy. 6+ in each team, that's at least £110 :]
@Hugh I'm going to assume that you're being honest here and its not just a "better hurry, cuse it might not last much longer rotfl loool" incentive.
Truth be told, unless you plan on replacing it with something else, even I (a person that wasn't exactly thrilled about the way Reinforced was introduced) don't see much point in taking it down. If sending out parcels with physical merchandise is the issue then reworking the tiers to leave just the digital rewards should still make them appealing to most people that intended to throw some cash at Reinforced anyway.
As long as there aren't any major drawbacks that I may not be aware off, I see no sense to cut off a system that generates additional funding and in most cases pushes the purchase of NS2 over the AAA tier of pricing (lets face it, shadow is by far the most popular tier and thats hardly a bad thing).
Its pure cosmetic non invasive DLC that currently generates next to no community backlash. Discontinuing without a substitute would be a bizzare business decision to say the least.
Once again, bare in mind that this is coming from someone that wasn't exactly fond of the idea in the first place.
-Founder of humble bundle (awesome guy) to Hugh, regarding the Onos tier.
Somehow that quote still applies! Hehe
Well, you've taken John's quote out of context. There are many potential reasons why accepting someone's money could be a very bad idea. No absolute decision on the future of the Reinforcement Program has been made, but at the core we feel it has been an outstanding success so far, I am thrilled that many people are supportive of its continuation, and UWE will carefully consider any decision about its future.
While this is certainly true, I don't see how it would be for the reinforced program.
Yes, I most definitely took it out of context.. but i felt the quote reflected my own opinion on this matter too much to not use it. :-P
The way i see it, as long as the system is automatic it shouldn't be any sweat off UWE's back to just let it continue. But I have no idea whether this is the case or not. ( i know for the Onos tier it was not)
Say the first 25 onos donors got the limited edition goodies, but later donors at that level wouldn't get the book or poster (or bot name if that is also much effort to maintain).
Context pls!
Just have a look at StarCitizen if you want to learn how to whip people into a spending frenzy. Roberts will break the 40 million dollar (sic!) barrier by the end of March...
How do they do it? By offering huge (and frankly: ridiculous) reward tiers while you still could just spend $30 and be done with it.
I'm pretty sure they won't be able to deliver anything that can remotely live up to the staggering expectations... but I've also bought 2 (albeit minor $65 and $30) tickets to the front row when the hype shuttle smashes into the ground like it's 1986...
Short version:
You wanna reach the funding goal?
Offer more reward tiers between $75 and $333 and reopen Onos.
While I don't even remotely understand people who spend thousands of dollars on virtual space ships (well, I don't have to), StarCitizen is the best indicator that they exist and will dry hump and shower you with their wallets and credits cards the very moment you make that stuff available.
I say: The day the daily cost of hosting and maintaining the reinforced website/stuff costs more than the average daily income generated by donations, shut it off. But not earlier.
I really rather would, thanks.
Because exclusive taunt "kill em all" dont work for me, i have already the soundtrack with the deluxe edition. ok just for 4 songs and more old cut tracks.
I cant find what is the UWE's secret project access on twitter...
i think shadow is a lot more expensive for 75$, but reinforcement program is a very good idea
its not a post for whining or whatever ist just a realistic post !