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Lot Selection Sequence Process

Discussion in 'Announcements' started by DarkStarr, Jun 5, 2014.

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  1. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    Greetings Avatars,

    In a recent Founders questions our backers asked about lot selection sequencing. This is our attempt to come up with a fair system that is easy to communicate and rewards both early backers and the Kickstarter promise that extra pledge dollars would influence lot selection. We are also investigating a web based solution (like concert seat selection) but the implementation of this depends on funding. While this is our current thinking we welcome your feedback before we finalize this policy.
    • What will be the SORT ORDER?
      • Tier
        • Era (Royal Founder, Founder, Benefactor)
          • Pledge Amount
    • What will be the NUMBER OF LOTS?
      • The final number of lots for launch will not be determined until right before launch because that number will be based on actual pledge numbers and add on lot sales.
    • When is START OF LOT SELECTION?
      • We currently plan for Lot selection to start approximately 2 weeks before the general public is allowed in.
    • Where is the LOT SELECTION LOCATION?
      • Lot selection will happen in game
      • Most lots will be available but some will be unavailable until the players get far enough into the plot
    • What will be the LOT SELECTION METHOD?
      • Each pledge tier will get a LOT SELECTION WINDOW of time to select a lot.
        • Inside the tier window the amount of time available to each sub-group will be based on their pledge era (Royal Founder, Founder, Benefactor) and total pledge contribution
    • What is the LOT SELECTION WINDOW DURATION?
      • Our hope would be that each subgroup in a tier to get at least 24 hours to pick their lot before the next tier window would start.
      • Lot selection for a group continues from their start time until launch day.
    • MISC:
      • Add On purchases do not factor into the dollar total that affects lot selection priority.
      • Only 1 pledge allowed per account. If you have multiple pledges on a single account you will need to merge them or move them into separate accounts prior to lot selection.
    • What is the TIER ORDER?
      • Tier order would start at the most expensive tiers and work backwards
      • Dollar amount over minimum pledge amount will grant priority by being sorted into groups (i.e. NOT literally per dollar but rather greater/less than)
      • Total dollar amount will never get you sorted before another tier nor before another era (i.e. it is the last sort variable)
      • TIER ORDER Sequence:
        • What is the TIER ORDER?
          • Tier order would start at the most expensive tiers and work backwards
          • Era order would start with the earliest backers (Royal Founders) and work forward
          • Dollar amount over minimum pledge amount will grant priority by being sorted into groups (i.e. NOT literally per dollar but rather greater/less than)
          • Total dollar amount will never get you sorted before another tier nor before another era (i.e. it is the last sort variable)
          • TIER ORDER Sequence:
            1. Lord of the Manor 1 & 2 (Castle Lots and below)
            2. Duke (Keep Lots and below)
            3. Barons 1, 2 & 3 (City Lots and below)
            4. Lord & Lord Marshal (Town Lots and below)
            5. Knight & Knight Marshal (Town & Village Lots and below)
            6. Edelmann & Edelmann Digital (Village Lots and below)
            7. Citizen (Village Lots and below)
            8. Developer (Row Lots)
            9. Navigator (Row Lots)
            10. Ancestor (Row Lots)
            11. Add On Lots + Secondary Lots (Lord & above): These will not have any sub groups and would all go at once (but still before general public)
    • IN TIER SEQUENCE:
      • LORD & LORD MARSHALS EXAMPLE:
        • NOTE: These are not the actual numbers! These are merely for illustrative purposes.
        • Lord/Lord Marshal Lot Claim Window: 104 hours total (not actual time)
        • ROYAL FOUNDER LORDS & LORD MARSHALS:
          • Group 1 = Full 104 hours (+ time until launch day)
            1. Royal Founders (pre May 20, 2013 Backers)
            2. Total Pledge > $2500 (over minimum pledge amount)
            3. 20 Backers
          • Group 2 = 94 hours (10 hours after Group 1)
            1. Royal Founders
            2. Total Pledge = $1501 - $2499 (over minimum pledge amount)
            3. 60 Backers
          • Group 3 = 84 hours (20 hours after Group 1)
            1. Royal Founders
            2. Total Pledge = $1500 (min pledge for Lord)
            3. 20 Backers
        • FOUNDER LORDS & LORD MARSHALS:
          • Group 4 = 74 hours (30 hours after Group 1)
            1. Founders (Benefactors who received Founder gift pledge)
            2. Total Pledge > $2500
            3. 30 Backers
          • Group 5 = 64 hours
            1. Founders
            2. Total Pledge = $1501 - $2499
            3. 40 Backers
          • Group 6 = 54 hours
            1. Founders
            2. Total Pledge = $1500
            3. 30 Backers
        • BENEFACTOR LORDS & LORD MARSHALS:
          • Group 7 = 44 hours
            1. Benefactors (post May 20, 2013 Backers)
            2. Total Pledge > $2500
            3. 10 Backers
          • Group 8 = 34 hours
            1. Benefactors
            2. Total Pledge = $1601 - $2499
            3. 70 Backers
          • Group 9 = 24 hours
            1. Benefactors
            2. Total Pledge = $1600
            3. 20 Backers
      • BARONS EXAMPLE:
        • NOTE: These are not the actual numbers! These are merely for illustrative purposes.
        • Baron Lot Claim Window: 104 hours total (not actual time)
        • ROYAL FOUNDER BARONS:
          • Group 1 = Full 104 hours (+ time until launch day)
            • Royal Founders (pre May 20, 2013 Backers)
            • Total Pledge > $4000 (over minimum pledge amount)
            • 10 Backers
          • Group 2 = 94 hours (10 hours after Group 1)
            • Royal Founders
            • Total Pledge = $3001 - $4000 (over minimum pledge amount)
            • 15 Backers
          • Group 3 = 84 hours (20 hours after Group 1)
            • Royal Founders
            • Total Pledge = $3000 (min pledge for Baron 1)
            • 5 Backers
        • FOUNDER BARONS:
          • Group 4 = 74 hours (30 hours after Group 1)
            • Founders (Benefactors who received Founder gift pledge)
            • Total Pledge > $4000
            • 10 Backers
          • Group 5 = 64 hours
            • Founders
            • Total Pledge = $3001 - $4000
            • 2 Backers
          • Group 6 = 54 hours
            • Founders
            • Total Pledge = $3000
            • 8 Backers
        • BENEFACTOR BARONS:
          • Group 7 = 44 hours
            • Benefactors (post May 20, 2013 Backers)
            • Total Pledge > $4000
            • 10 Backers
          • Group 8 = 34 hours
            • Benefactors
            • Total Pledge = $3701 - $4000
            • 8 Backers
          • Group 9 = 24 hours
            • Benefactors
            • Total Pledge = $3700
            • 2 Backers
    Huge thanks to our Dev+ folks for helping us come up with this plan. They gave great feedback on all the details.
     
  2. Violation Clauth

    Violation Clauth Avatar

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    Really glad to see this in here. Excellent!
     
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  3. Biblik

    Biblik Avatar

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    Awesome explanation. @Darkstarr do you see the ability to change lots within your time limit or are lots frozen once chosen? If I am first to choose a lot and the next tier becomes available would I be able to transfer (sell) my lot to a someone from a lower tier and rechoose?

    Thanks in advance!
     
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  4. jiirc

    jiirc Avatar

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    Interesting question kadumel. Plenty of discussion on the dev+ boards while the two announcements were being thoroughly discussed. The current thinking is that lot placement can be bargained for, or sold if you prefer. your placement isn't frozen, and you can change your mind and place again. there may be a time delay between when you choose your first lot, when you abandoned your lot, and when you can choose your next lot.
     
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  5. Net

    Net Avatar

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    That is really good question. What if I start in Owl's Head because I wanted that awesome lot in the centre, but someone was there first. I may claim another lot that I do not like so much, but it is still quite good one, but then I visit another city and I will see perfect unclaimed lot there? Will I be able to move? Will there be 5 minute limit or something like that?

    What does factor then?
     
  6. jiirc

    jiirc Avatar

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    Your pledge amount is what determines lot priority. Add on store purchases aren't reflected in the pledge amount. and I believe it was steed thatpurchases from the stretch goal store won't be reflected in the pledge amount either.
     
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  7. Lord Lonn

    Lord Lonn Avatar

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    Thank You Starr
    Respectfully
     
  8. Net

    Net Avatar

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    So I have to pledge for a tier I like and then add something like $500 for nothing other than a lot selection priority? (if I want to be in the first group in my era and tier?)
     
  9. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    We are providing this functionality to honor a promise made during kickstarter where we stated publicly that any amount added to your pledge would have an effect on lot placement priority.
     
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  10. Net

    Net Avatar

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    I see. Thank you. I was not paying attention during kickstarter campaign, I was waiting for your website, and I was busy following Star Citizen anyway:)
     
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  11. Koldar

    Koldar Avatar

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    I have worked up a spreadsheet that shows a HYPOTHETICAL timeline and claiming sequence. I believe it is correct.

    Settings in the spreadsheet:
    • Start Date: Well, that is a simple one. A hypothetical start date.
    • Tier separation: The amount of time the last tier group will have to choose a plot before the next tier begins selection. In hours.
    • Group separation: The amount of time between groups in the same tier. In hours.
    To play with dates and group times, just adjust the settings on the right-hand side. :)

    Lot Claiming Sequence (SAMPLE)
     
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  12. Vyrin

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    I am a fan of the way this is working out. However, it seems in the Lord/LM example that to get into Group 2 all you have to do is add $1 to your pledge. To get into Group 3 requires a huge jump. What is the thinking behind this? It seem everyone can and should afford to put in the extra $1... Why is it not the 1/3 top pledges in the tier, the next third, and the bottom third? Not saying it's better, but I'm just wondering why there is such an obvious attainable benefit that's being sold for $1?
     
  13. Lord Lonn

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    Excellent Koldar, really nice layout makes it really simple :)

    Thank You
     
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  14. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    The dollar amounts are complete placeholder. The +$1 was just to indicate that that particular group would represent those who only made a minor increase
     
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  15. Vyrin

    Vyrin Avatar

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    So then is the division determination going to be made at a later date? It's three groups for sure?
     
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  16. Net

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    Will we be allowed to pledge more once you decide what the actual value will be to buy early access to lot placement?
     
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  17. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    There will be 3 groups, exact dollar amount will be determined closer to launch
     
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  18. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    Possibly
     
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  19. Net

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    Mysterious answer:) I just do not know how to feel about adding e.g. $500 to get priority, to learn that the 1st group will be extra $501+, second will be extra $21-$500 and third will be $0-20... I am not really comfortable to pay $500 for $21 reward...
     
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  20. Rufus D`Asperdi

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    He doesn't wish to supply an off the cuff answer which would then be used at a later date to... uh... Lawyer him, Bro.
     
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