In the MMORPG Star Citizen, there is a change regarding who can be the first to play the latest builds on the test server. Even those who have spent up to $24,999 lose their “1st Wave” privilege. Some players are angry.
What privilege is being talked about?
- Star Citizen has a test server, the PTU, where new builds can be tested.
- Access to this “PTU” is not immediate for everyone; players can gradually access the test server in “waves.” Being part of the first wave, Wave 1, is considered a special privilege. This privilege has been marketed as such over the years.
- These privileges have now been redistributed: Everyone except those who have spent over $25,000 lose their “purchased” privilege.
Only those who have spent $25,000 are safe from being ‘old-timers’
Who is now allowed to be the first on the server? With the change, 3 groups of players are allowed to be the first on the test server:
- Especially active players who have been most active on the PTU in the last two major patch cycles
- Active subscribers – that is, players who “just” invest money in Star Citizen. An active subscription costs €11.07 – in the better version €22.13.
- People with the “Legatus” status, those who have already invested more than $25,000 in the game
Why is this change happening? Star Citizen explained on August 10 (via rsi) that they are changing the conditions for who can access the test server because they are currently dissatisfied with the results: at the beginning of a new build, many log in, but only once. This leads to two problems:
- A large server load occurs in the first hours
- But in the long run, there is a shortage of testers
Veterans are annoyed about “latecomers” who buy in for $10
What annoys people about the new system? Those especially annoyed are the people who have invested a lot of money in Star Citizen but not $25,000. Because they lose their privileges.
A player says (via rsi): He has spent $7,400, or about €6,800, in Star Citizen and is being removed from Wave 1. This feels like a slap in the face for him.
On reddit, a user criticizes that for CIG only money matters. But not the old money that people have invested over time, but only “new money,” such as through active subscriptions. The arguments that CIG brings up are just “hot air” for him.
There are several people who are annoyed that they have invested thousands of US dollars in Star Citizen over the years and now people are passing them by, who they call “latecomers” and only need to pay $10 to be part of Wave 1 while they drop to Wave 3.
More about Star Citizen:
Player demands his money back from the $595 million MMO Star Citizen after 8 years – and he gets it
