Alpha Games: Expectations and Responsibilities

[Unsubbed]

Naval Action is an amazing game thus far, in my experience.  It is engaging, beautiful, and polished for an Alpha game (in many aspects).  From my understanding the Game Labs development team is rather small, and I imagine the reason the game is on sale in the Alpha stage is so that they might have the funds to continue the production and eventual release for an even enhanced gaming experience for the masses.   Please keep in mind that while the developers do stand to make profit from this game, at some point, it is highly unlikely they have made themselves wealthy to-date; far from it, I am sure.  Even if 20,000 people have purchased the game at US$40 that is only US$800,000.  A paltry sum to devote to creating the game and paying employees (especially after taxes!)  This is not Sega, Blizzard, Creative Arts, or some other giant studio making this game, and we would all do well to remember that as we play this game in its early stages.

 

That being said, I am sure the development team have poured their hearts and souls into the creation of this game.  It is their baby and they are dedicated and committed to making it better.  So before you insult or make demands of the developers or the game they have created, think about that for just a moment.  They want and need our feedback, but they are doing the best they can with the resources they currently have.

 

We, the community, are here to help refine this game through constructive means.  This will mean sticking around to help by reporting bugs, giving feedback when and where its needed and to ensure a friendly environment (or friendly rivalry!) for our fellow gamers on the open seas.  This game needs a collective effort to succeed, and I hope we will continue to do our best as a community to see that happen.  We all have our own opinions as to what will make the game best, but they cannot possibly make everyone happy and there will definitely be rough times ahead (server merge/low pop/etc).  

 

It's pretty cool that we have the chance to help shape this game and enjoy sinking stuff while we do it, lets make the most of it!

 

For those of us who are not aware of what it means to be part of an Alpha game, I have grabbed a good description from a steam forum and will post the link in case you want to read the full text.

 

http://steamcommunity.com/app/255500/discussions/0/630800445001699632/

 

Alpha state games are:

-Incomplete basic forms of the game
-Full of bugs
-Unbalanced in some areas (or all)
-Will have major changes at times 
-Graphics Changes
- And a lot of other inconsistencies with the game that wont be in a full release or even beta state games

Edited April 3, 2016 by F4ppinFr3nzy

[Mrdoomed]

That sums it up pretty well.

[Pigafetta]

Thank you F4. I think it is nice to remind everyone that this is a work in progress. As such we need the players help finding problems and bugs... also simply play the game and find out what is needed to improve it.

It is a great game and I am sure it will became fantastic if we all help.