The MMORPG Astellia has officially launched and now offers new editions for players to start the game. These new packages are currently causing great discussions among players.
Update October 2: Meanwhile, the developers have announced that they will offer compensations for pre-orderers.
What happened? With the release on September 29, Astellia has remodeled the purchasable game versions. Until that point, there were pre-order versions with early access, which have now been replaced by new packages.
However, these new packages are so good in some aspects that some pre-orderers feel cheated out of their money. User Sagittarius writes:
[..]Players who did not purchase a headstart package gain nearly double what buyers got in the headstart and have to pay less.
Some players are already talking about Pay2Win and scamming, although neither the packages nor the shop contain such things. Whether the packages are unfairly designed will be examined more closely.
Lower costs and better rewards at the same time?
What is the problem with the standard edition? The first point of contention with the new purchasable editions is found in the standard package, which only costs 30 euros.
This price was communicated by the developers from the beginning in a FAQ about the beta, but the pre-order package with just one day of early access and an exclusive Astel skin cost 10 euros more.
Some players would have preferred to save 10 euros instead of having the 24 hours.
What are the problems with the other editions? The deluxe package, which costs 80 euros, is said to be overall better than the pre-order package for 100 euros. At least, this is what some players claim in the forum.
Additionally, the package for 50 euros contains some bonuses that were not available in the 70 euro package from the headstart. Below, we will compare the two most expensive packages.
This is how the packages compare
| Legendary Package (100 euros – Pre-order) | Deluxe Package (80 euros – After Release) |
| Game license | Game license |
| Access to all Closed Betas | – |
| 7 Days Headstart | – |
| Special mount skin | – |
| Equipment Skin Box – Limited Edition | – |
| Name reservation in advance | – |
| Ring of Exploration | Ring of Exploration |
| Norden’s Favor x2 | Norden’s Favor x2 |
| Scroll of Discovery x5 | Scroll of Discovery x5 |
| Cobalt Blue Rota x1 | Cobalt Blue Rota x1 |
| Character Slot Expansion x2 | Character Slot Expansion x2 |
| Equipment Costume Box (Armor + Weapon) x1 | Equipment Costume Box (Armor + Weapon) x1 |
| – | Character Adjustment Coupon x2 |
| Warehouse Expansion +100 x1 | Warehouse Expansion +100 x2 |
| Heroic Beeswax x20 | – |
| – | Niara’s Transition (30 Days) x2 |
These are the advantages of the Deluxe package: For 20 euros less, the Deluxe package currently offers additional character adjustment coupons, a warehouse expansion +100, and Niara’s transition for 2 months – a total value of 40 euros in the shop.
These are the advantages of the Pre-order package: For 20 euros more, pre-orderers received beeswax, which can only be obtained through play. Additionally, there was an exclusive armor and an exclusive mount.
They also had 8 days (due to an extension) of early access to Astellia and access to all beta phases of the MMORPG.
Criticism prompts developers to respond
Is the players’ criticism justified? It is clear that the new package for 80 euros is an extremely good deal, especially in direct comparison to the pre-order packages.
Whether the additional 20 euros are worth 7 days of playtime and some exclusive skins is for the players to decide for themselves. Some players in the forum do not believe they were scammed, as user Xovian stated:
No idea what all these complaints are about. You bought a package. Did you get what you paid for? Yes?
This is similar to complaining that you bought something a month earlier, which then was reduced on Black Friday and others got the item cheaper.
I’m sorry, nothing is wrong here. As others have correctly noted, companies always have to bring “the next big thing” to sell a product, there is no difference here. [..]
How do the developers respond? Just last night, Westley Connor, CEO of the publisher Barunson E&A, responded in the forum:
Hello everyone,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the new packages with us. I want to let you know that we are looking at your feedback and will keep an eye on the thread.
Please continue the discussion but keep it civil and constructive.
It is therefore quite possible that pre-orderers may receive an additional bonus afterward. Many would already be happy about the warehouse expansion and the two months of Niara’s transition.
Our author Alexander Leitsch has already spent over 20 hours in the new MMORPG. This is his opinion on Astellia:
