FGU is an OPEN BETA?

[Kiltedbear]

First off I want to say that FG has always looked excellent. I have always wanted to use it, but the pricing and initial cost layout is what always kept me away (not that I can't afford it) and I have never quite reached the point of feeling comfortable enough. I have always wanted dynamic lighting for example, which is why I was excited about the opportunity to see FGU.

Now multiple times I have seen FGU referred to as an "open beta" which should mean exactly as it sounds like. OPEN. But as far as I can see, if you want to see what FGU does fully and as a DM (and the same has held true with FGC) you have to subscribe or buy an Ultimate license so you can run a game. Sure, you can find a DM that has Ultimate, but playing a game is not the same as DMing one. If this is incorrect, can someone point me to an actual OPEN BETA that would let me FULLY determine whether FGU is for me? I need to test it with a few players in a real game to know so even a time limited open beta would be welcome but I don't seem to see one.

This is not the definition of an OPEN beta in my mind and this is exactly the reason why I have never felt comfortable paying for FGC. Why as a company do you keep getting in your own way? I am not interested in buying a product unseen and tested. I need to know that this fits my group and play style before laying out the significant amount of money required to buy the additional 5e source material which I already own elsewhere btw. It's not a cost thing. It's a "does this fit and not waste my money" thing and for that I need an actual test drive with players.

[LordEntrails]

Open does not equal free. So your definition of 'open beta' is not the one being used to describe FGU.

FGU was in a Closed Beta previously, only those who had purchased during the Kickstarter could access.

SmiteWorks has a 30 day no questions refund policy on everything in the FG Store, including FGU licenses. So you can try it for no risk for 30 days.

[Kelrugem]

This is not the definition of an OPEN beta in my mind and this is exactly the reason why I have never felt comfortable paying for FGC. Why as a company do you keep getting in your own way? I am not interested in buying a product unseen and tested. I need to know that this fits my group and play style before laying out the significant amount of money required to buy the additional 5e source material which I already own elsewhere btw. It's not a cost thing. It's a "does this fit and not waste my money" thing and for that I need an actual test drive with players.

The advantage for you of buying it now although it is not yet fully released that you get a discount of 10% now :) So, when you do not want to use it now until it is fully released then it can still be useful to buy it now due to that discount :) (as far as I understood the additional 10%-discount will not be there at release) The advantage for SmiteWorks is to have more beta testers :D

Moreover, when a computer game is in open beta then you normally still have to buy it, isn't it? (except MMORPGs maybe which choose the F2P option but that is normally independent of the state the game is in) The distinction to a closed beta was normally then that just a restricted amount of users were able to get a version of the game; it is the first time that I hear that the "open" in "open beta" means free :)

[Kiltedbear]

Open does not equal free. So your definition of 'open beta' is not the one being used to describe FGU.

FGU was in a Closed Beta previously, only those who had purchased during the Kickstarter could access.

SmiteWorks has a 30 day no questions refund policy on everything in the FG Store, including FGU licenses. So you can try it for no risk for 30 days.

Good lord, what makes you think that I want something for free?! I can see now that it's not the way the software is sold that is the crux of what bothers me about the way FG is sold. Although your response on the surface is factual and may be the reality of the way it is approached by the company, your insinuating that I want something for nothing is poor in tone and now things are quite clearer to me. This reply disappointments me, not in content but tone. Poor choice of words, sir.

[LordEntrails]

Good lord, what makes you think that I want something for free?! I can see now that it's not the way the software is sold that is the crux of what bothers me about the way FG is sold. Although your response on the surface is factual and may be the reality of the way it is approached by the company, your insinuating that I want something for nothing is poor in tone and now things are quite clearer to me. This reply disappointments me, not in content but tone. Poor choice of words, sir.
I'm sorry you misinterpreted my tone. I'll let others continue any discussion you would like to have so that I am not misunderstood again.

Happy Gaming.

[Neovirtus]

It's a "does this fit and not waste my money" thing and for that I need an actual test drive with players.

Smiteworks has a 30 day money back guarantee. On top of that you can play most major systems without investing a dime beyond the license. So a refundable $10 ultimate subscription will get you the ability to perform an actual test drive with your players for one month. If you'd like to test drive books and "DLC" type options, feel free to do so, and if your expectations aren't met, request a refund. I think that's a pretty reasonable way to see if the software works for you, even if it isn't a "cost thing."

[seycyrus]

Good lord, what makes you think that I want something for free?! I can see now that it's not the way the software is sold that is the crux of what bothers me about the way FG is sold. Although your response on the surface is factual and may be the reality of the way it is approached by the company, your insinuating that I want something for nothing is poor in tone and now things are quite clearer to me. This reply disappointments me, not in content but tone. Poor choice of words, sir.

Lord Entrails is a highly respected member of this community and is known for bending over backwards (and then some) to be helpful to everyone. But he's not an employee of Smiteworks (to my knowledge).

[punisher5150]

Good lord, what makes you think that I want something for free?! I can see now that it's not the way the software is sold that is the crux of what bothers me about the way FG is sold. Although your response on the surface is factual and may be the reality of the way it is approached by the company, your insinuating that I want something for nothing is poor in tone and now things are quite clearer to me. This reply disappointments me, not in content but tone. Poor choice of words, sir.

Wow. I don't understand why you took Lord Entrails answer as an attack. I've re-read what you asked, and he answered your question. I don't think he insuniated anything in his reply. He basically explained that what you were describing is not what an OPEN beta is.


Now multiple times I have seen FGU referred to as an "open beta" which should mean exactly as it sounds like. OPEN. But as far as I can see, if you want to see what FGU does fully and as a DM (and the same has held true with FGC) you have to subscribe or buy an Ultimate license so you can run a game. Sure, you can find a DM that has Ultimate, but playing a game is not the same as DMing one.

He replied to your statement explaining that OPEN beta does not mean FREE beta.

Open does not equal free. So your definition of 'open beta' is not the one being used to describe FGU.

Anyway don't let any misunderstanding deter you from using Fantasy Grounds. It is a great program once you get passed the learning curve (and there are forum chats and videos that will help with that, plus the user manual). And with a 30 day money back option, if you don't like it simply get a refund. Happy gaming!

[Trenloe]

OK folks. The written word can be easily misconstrued. So please let's try to read things keeping that in perspective. If you don't have anything constructive to add to the discussion then please move on. Thanks.

[LordEntrails]

I am not an employee of SmiteWorks, just another user.

Tone and connotations can be difficult to convey in a written medium. Especially with just a few sentences etc.

Hopefully we can all move onto more productive discussions and assume everyone has the best of intentions. Now is a challenging time, we don't need to have any more challenges with our shared hobby.

[Gaglug]

There's plenty of ways for you to experience the software for absolutely zero cost to yourself.

If loading up the free demo client by yourself isn't enough for you, I would suggest you get the demo client for FGC or FGU and then head on over to Fantasy Grounds College. They have a website and a Discord. There you can find experienced folks who can answer your questions, and you can join classes or join a hosted game just to see how everything works.

[vegaserik]

There's also a lot of folks gm'ing one shots right now. Download the demo and play in one maybe two. Even if your interest is gm'ing, playing a couple of sessions will tech you the software as easy as anything. Most people gm'ing one-shots these days are doing it to teach the software to the deluge of new comers so will probably be fine with answering questions, if not in the game session than in e-mail or afterwards. I'll go out on a limb and say most of the gm's in this community are very helpful and patient with rookies. It's how we grow the community and more gm's are always a good thing!

Then if you want to try gm'ing you can always just subscribe for a month.

[esmdev]

Good lord, what makes you think that I want something for free?! I can see now that it's not the way the software is sold that is the crux of what bothers me about the way FG is sold. Although your response on the surface is factual and may be the reality of the way it is approached by the company, your insinuating that I want something for nothing is poor in tone and now things are quite clearer to me. This reply disappointments me, not in content but tone. Poor choice of words, sir.

I dunno, I think that you should re-read your first post, especially the third paragraph. You basically say that you don't want to pay for it without getting it for free first.

What you are looking for is a trial access not an open beta.

My opinion based on your post is that you should wait until it is in release form or it seems like you will be sorely disappointed. I cannot say for certain but it seems likely that there will be a demo available at that point which will allow you to check out the DM features at no cost to you and the existing bugs should be mostly squashed.