Determine the optimal time to halt ship sales based on market trends and player demand.
Determine the optimal time to halt ship sales based on market trends and player demand.
Many folks aren't into purchasing ships, especially when it comes to Alpha. It's all about development, and we're not obligated to buy anything. That’s when things turn into a "for the rich" scene, which hurts the game's reputation. I’ve bought some ships and am fine with them, maybe upgrading cross-chassis later if possible, but otherwise I’m okay.
I wonder how long this trend will last. I’d prefer it ends before Beta is released. Also, no more anniversary sales would be nice—feels like a sneaky move when "limited" ships are back on sale. I’ll post a poll and ask for your thoughts.
What if there were just two packages? The Aurora for $50 and the 300i for $70? Still okay. And if people really want to contribute more, the subscription option remains a good choice. (I think this is where true supporters are)
Also, buying expensive ships doesn’t make you better; it’s all about skill and loadout.
From my perspective, the 300i isn’t simply an upgrade over the Aurora. It does move faster and carries more powerful weapons, but its reduced power plant means the weapons drain quicker. Right now, with the Aurora, they’re essentially level because I can sustain longer bursts of fire. Personally, I find the Aurora’s missiles lock in faster, which gives me an edge. I was close to winning a team death match yesterday—only one kill away—if those 300i pilots hadn’t been so aggressive.
The place is progressing much more slowly than expected. I already have more than 40 votes on the RSI forum. Thanks for your feedback—I wasn’t aware that none of these ships have been particularly attractive to me, just as you know. Still, it’s good to hear.
I don’t mind too much if they keep going until release, but I think they should stop once the beta starts. By then, everyone should have tried all available ships (via flights or videos) and know their preferences. Also, funding might not be necessary then, so they could focus on selling to those who didn’t support it. Regarding limited-sale ships, I’ve been misled before (like with skins in League of Legends), and even though it doesn’t matter much long-term, a week-long sale seems too much if they’re planning one.
IMO it hinges on how you define "sales." Basic ships being available until release makes sense since more people are discovering SC and should have the chance to join early, even if they're behind schedule. On the other hand, limiting actual sales to beta versions could reward early supporters with unique perks. Ideally, I'd see prices rise gradually until they match retail at launch, preventing CIG from missing out on potential revenue from pre-release buys. Ultimately, it doesn't matter much as long as they generate enough income to sustain operations and keep the project running for over a decade. What matters is maintaining growth without overwhelming the market with mass production of capital ships.
I've been taking advantage of the free weeks, the M50 stands out compared to the 300i and Aurora. The absence of upgrades and hardpoints gives it a unique balance. By the way, how's everything going?