Owlcat Games has announced that the alpha test for their upcoming game, Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy, will begin on 2023-12-16. Access to the test is, however, restricted to players who have pre-ordered the Developers Digital Pack, priced at $79, or the more costly Collector's Edition at $289.
Access and Pricing
The decision to lock alpha access behind expensive pre-orders has sparked criticism among the gaming community. Interested players must either pre-order one of the special editions or upgrade an existing order to participate in the test. This approach has faced backlash given the general skepticism surrounding pre-orders.
Despite this controversy, Owlcat Games has been acknowledged for addressing issues post-release in their previous games, such as Rogue Trader. Yet, many fans express discontent over having to purchase high-priced editions for early access.
Community Reaction
The community's response to the decision has been mixed. While some praise Owlcat Games for their diligence in fixing post-launch problems, others criticize the exclusionary approach of tying alpha access to costly packages. This move suggests a challenging balance between revenue generation and community satisfaction.
- Owlcat Games announced Dark Heresy alpha test on 2023-12-16.
- Access limited to Developers Digital Pack ($79) or Collector's Edition ($289).
- Alpha access available through upgrades or new pre-orders.
- Community criticism due to skepticism about pre-orders.
- Owlcat Games acknowledged for post-release fixes in past projects.
