Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 Pros Cons

At the end of my post covering the recent Narc-induced Ashes of Creation drama I alluded to considering paying to join the Alpha 2 testing for the game. This possibility took by brain to the same place it goes for all decision making: a pros and cons list!

Reasons NOT to pay to join Alpha 2

1. I've been burned by early access purchases before. Previous experiences have left me wary of spending money on games that are incomplete or fail to deliver on promises.
2. If the game never launches, what did I pay for? There’s always a risk the game could be delayed indefinitely or even canceled.
3. Paying to test a game incentivizes the developer to delay the final release. The financial support from testers could reduce the urgency to complete the game.
4. Early access trends are divisive. Many gamers dislike this model, and continuing to support it might perpetuate a trend some feel hurts the industry.
5. It’s a test, not a game. Bugs, performance issues, unfinished content, and limited features are to be expected, making it far from the polished experience of a launch-ready game.
6. Progress is temporary. Wipes, bugs, exploits, or other scenarios could reset any progress made during testing.
7. Toxic behavior is reportedly rampant. Reports of issues like mob training, ganking in towns due to no safe zones, and other toxic behaviors are happening frequently.
   
8. The cost is a significant lump sum. Spending $100+ upfront is a risk, especially if I end up disliking the state of testing due to bugs or performance issues.
9. Pressure to justify the expense. If I pay, I might feel obligated to play regardless of whether I’m enjoying myself, just to “get my money’s worth.”
10. Interest may wane. If there’s a long gap between test phases, I might lose interest.
    
11. There are better uses for the money. As my mother used to say “there are starving kids in Africa.”

Reasons TO pay to join Alpha 2

1. Launch periods are magical for MMORPGs. While this isn’t the full launch, it’s a formative period in the game’s life, offering a unique chance to experience its evolution firsthand.
2. Trusted content creators are enjoying it. Multiple creators I respect have expressed how much fun they’re having in the alpha, even after exhausting its limited content.
3. The cost is comparable to a subscription. If treated as a subscription, the $100+ cost could equate to less than $10 per month of access, assuming ongoing and reliable playability during the testing phase.
4. I’ve spent more on less promising games. Compared to other early access games I’ve supported, Ashes of Creation shows far more potential.
5. Financially, it’s not a concern. The cost is manageable for me and wouldn’t create any financial strain.
6. I want to influence the game design.   I see Ashes as a game that I will play and testing would give me a better avenue to provide feedback to hopefully shape the game to my desired outcome.
7. It would make my opinions more informed. I’ve criticized the game a lot, and playing it would give me firsthand insight to back up or refine my perspectives.

So what comes next?  To answer truthfully: I am not sure.  There is an itch I want to scratch by diving in, but a more rational side saying "you don't need to test the game; be patient".  Come back to the blog to see what side wins out!