After a public discussion regarding the matter has been initiated by SOE's president on Reddit, H1Z1 gameplay gets an early access on Steam on the 15th of January 2015.
It was noted on its website that H1Z1 is currently being developed for Early Access Alpha release on Steam. Once released for Early Access Alpha, those who choose to purchase should anticipte an evolving feature set, bugs, incomplete content, missing features, and otentially game breaking issues. Early Access is designed for those wishing to support the ongoing development of H1Z1 and be a part of shaping its future.
But this announcement resulted to disappointments of fans:
Paying for game modes doesn't sound very cool...
Paying extra for extra game modes on an unfinished game just seems backwards to me. I don't personally care because I don't have any interest in extra game modes. It would make more sense to me if they released it all at one price to get people hooked on the paid game modes while they're free, then charge for them later on.
translation: there will be no mod support
We'll have 2 SKUS when we launch. The basic early access sku for $19.99 - which will let you into the game and have a great time, and a more expensive one which we'll announce here shortly. The difference between the two will be things like access to some of our different game mode servers (which you can get access to by purchasing tickets or earning them as well) and other specifics we'll be outlining soon.
Am I the only one concerned by this? We are supposed to help test content out, yet you already hide the game behind a paywall? Seriously... The wait is fine by me despite the delays over and over, but a paywall for content to be unlocked that we are supposed to be helping test is stupid.
Especially how it is more expensive!
I think you need to seriously reconsider it.
Hey! How about you come work for me but you will have to pay me instead? huh huh?? sounds like a deal? ITS A DEAL.
For real, this recent trend of early access games screwing over their supporters is getting a bit ridiculous. Being a game tester used to be a job you'd get paid for doing, now its the opposite. Seems like studios are going to try to get away with as much as possible as long as they can...
If there are pay walls behind the content they expect us to test for them I won't be purchasing EA.
I agree. I think this is really stupid....
I was excited for this but I don't think I'll be getting this, sorry.
Paying for game modes ? Really ?! Going against everything you guys said you would do at the start. Moving on.
Bottom of Form
Just by reading the comments if they don't do something about the micro-transactions and paying for game modes this game is gonna be dead on arrival. Personally I hate f2p type games with a passion and would rather pay $25 to get the complete game. Ahhhh reading this makes me angry and sad.
Yes i defenitely perfer a one time payment
Jesus Christ. You delayed the game, made us wait, and now you've decided to fracture the community? I swear, if you are going to try and charge more than $25 for the second package, I will not buy either. I hope a lot of the community is with me. You are charging us for a game that's not even close to done. You are charging us to help you develop it. Are you telling us that you will charge EVEN MORE for a package with extra content that you need help testing? You've made the worst first impression out of any game I've ever waited for. I'm not joking. The golden rule of money hunger, DON'T MAKE IT TOO OBVIOUS. We can see your thirst. The thirst is so real. I proclaim here and now, that if the second package is $30-50, I will not buy either. Lets not pretend that this is a AAA title EA, don't even think about charging us like it is.
Up to now, no further announcements regarding the issue are yet released by H1Z1.
