Shroud of the Avatar Early Access Key Giveaway

I am a little confused how this works. All of us backers $45+ already have access to release 5, so why do we need keys? Are these mainly for drumming up new backers?

 

250 members of the Alienware Arena Shroud of the Avatar Group. Not all of us backers.

 

I'm confused like Gracekain.

Do only these 250 people get access to R5, do they get access on another time or is it really for those who haven't pledged so far and will be able to take part with the key?

 

They're basically public Early Access "keys" for R5. You don't have to be a backer. You just need to be registered on the Alienware site (as well as the SotA site using the same email address) and have joined the SotA group there.

 

It sounds like they are doing it for the people who are on the fence about backing, not so much for existing backers. They should be more specific.

 

I'm actually pissed off about this, the whole point for being Dev+ was to help out with the design of the game, the whole point of even the first responder level was to get early access and thats just been thrown out the window. Just one more lie from this group I guess

 

I dont get why so much drama, there are limited keys for 1 pre alpha release. 250 of.. 30000+ bakers? Does not make any difference to me apart of the promotion of the game to a wider audience. And i guess almost all of us (30000+) got the extra pledge $$ from alienware promotion

 

Why would you think that? I certainly can't afford to buy an overpriced Alienware computer

 

com on guy, it is just to drum up funds for the game.

 

But people that can buy them maybe have a lot of money, so if you invite some of them to see the game and they like what they see and are received by a great community... maybe they will spend money to make our game even more awesome xD. So, it is a win win situation to all. Dont you think?

 

Nevermind, I take that back because you don't have to buy anything to get it

 

Listen. The dates are different. Regular Release dates and the Alienware giveaway dates are different. If you win an access key, you get more 'play' time. There is nothing to buy, and nothing you have to be, or do, but to be registered, and wait, and see if you get an 'Access Key'. If you do, you get more time in the Pre-alpha release. Whee!

 

Alienware giveaway dates are not "play time" dates, but when they're raffling the access keys. Both the SotA update and the Alienware page state that the key is valid only for the 5th Pre-alpha release, April 24-27

 

[22:12] <~oneandonly> The keys are for extra time
[22:12] <+TheWanderingPoet> Extra time?
[22:12] <~oneandonly> Time outside of our planned access
01[22:12] <+Fireangel> Hmm.
[22:12] <+TheWanderingPoet> Like Dev+ type testings?
01[22:12] <+Fireangel> So, we should all register.
06[22:13] * +Fireangel didn't know if she should until now
01[22:14] <+Fireangel> ha
[22:14] <~oneandonly> So the keys are for weekends at the end of the month and in april
[22:15] <~oneandonly> Regular access is only March 27 - 30 and April 24 - 27
[22:16] <+TheWanderingPoet> Ooh okay thanks OAO
[22:16] <+StraightsJacket> Odds are better than the lottery
[22:17] <~oneandonly> No, the weekend during the giveaway periods
[22:17] <~oneandonly> weekends
[22:17] <+Link_of_Hyrule> Ok so the one guy was correct that we will get to play during those periods if we win a key nice.
[22:18] <+Mitch_dinner> Yea exclusiveish access
[22:18] <+Mitch_dinner> I wanna win the gaming laptop
[22:19] <+Mitch_dinner> Then I can participate in R5 while I'm away for Comic Expo
[22:20] <~oneandonly> I believe the goal of the contest is to hopefully bring in NEW backers. And also to grow the community at Alienware.
[22:20] <+Link_of_Hyrule> Man I need some cool contests for the G+ community.
06[22:20] * +Belgeran does a little winning dance
[22:34] <+Link_of_Hyrule> Well they aren't sending out R5 keys yet since we haven't even hit R4 yet
[22:37] <~oneandonly> You register so can be in the pool when the winners are drawn
06[22:37] * +Fireangel is IN THE POOL
[22:39] <+TheWanderingPoet> But wait... March 24 - 30 is the first giveaway?
01[22:39] <+Fireangel> Yes.
[22:40] <+TheWanderingPoet> Ooh so that's step 3?
06[22:40] * +Fireangel gets tickled
[22:40] <+Link_of_Hyrule> yes
01[23:27] <+Fireangel> !r4
[23:27] <&TheScribe> Development Release 4 starts in: 7 1 week, and 5 days 1
[23:27] <&TheScribe> Release 4 is scheduled to be accessible for four days only
[23:27] <&TheScribe> Key additions: Overworld map, Hidden Vale, Basic combat, Quests, Loot, Swimming
[23:27] <&TheScribe> Full information about releases can be found here: http://ow.ly/u4JAJ
01[23:28] <+Fireangel> !alpha
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Development Release Access Schedule:
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Release 4 (!r4) : 27-30 March
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Release 5 (!r5) : 24-27 April
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Release 6 (!r6) : 22-25 May
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Release 7 (!r7) : 26-29 June
[23:28] <&TheScribe> At present, the game is in development, and ONLY accessible during these times.
[23:28] <&TheScribe> Full information about releases can be found here: http://ow.ly/u4JAJ

**EDIT: <~oneandonly> I just wanted to say I believe I was incorrect on my explanation of the weekend access keys
* +Thiago_Bachiega (Thiago_Bac@Codex-D8ADEC42.compute-1.amazonaws.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 600 seconds)
<+Fireangel> Oh, okay. Not more dates?
<~oneandonly> No
<~oneandonly> Just four drawings for the R5 dates
* +Fireangel nods
<~oneandonly> However, I believe they will drawing from the same list for alienware laptop, so still beneficial to sign up

 

But the first giveaway period is at the same time that R4... I find it odd that they offer special "R5 access", as they say in the website, when R4 hasn't even started to be developed

*EDIT: Nevermind, the green edit clarifies it all

 

So yea, we don't need keys to play on the R5. It is just a gimmick to lure in more supporters.

 

Now it is also clear to me.

 

I hope it works!

 

I think there needs to be better clarification about how this works is still a bit confusing.

 

Our apologies for the confusion.

The Alienware Access keys are for people who have not backed the game to get access to the Release 5 weekend. If you are already a backer these keys do nothing for you. However registering with the Shroud group over at Alien arena will add you to other, yet to be defined, promotions.

The purpose of the promotion is for potential backers to get an early taste and hopefully convert to backers and therefore increase our funding. This is part of the partnership with Alienware and goes hand in hand with the $20 coupon.