[2024] Alpha 2 is...

A test. Not a finished game, but a test phase. A lot of us are expecting it to be a finished game where you can just jump in and play, but no - it's meant to gather quality feedback on the ambitious features of the game before they Go-to-market.

The high price the A2 is meant to attract serious testers of the game, willing to give quality feedback. When you part with all that money you usually try understand very well what you are buying. If the A2 was $20-60, too many people who are looking to play a polished game would jump on and flood negative reviews (as they are now without even playing the game yet). I believe the studio is purposely trying to avoid this (and to prevent flooding servers when they don't yet know their live capacity).

The high price is on purpose - a deterrent and fore-warning that this product is "buy to test" not to play. That's also partially why the full game isn't included (that, and because it wouldn't be fair on the backers who spend $250+ for the key and game).

Please let's be reasonable. I get the impatience, but people calling this a "scam" are just being ridiculous.

I just hope that after all this they can deliver an extraordinary game.