PlanetSide 2 beta access included with $40 Alpha Squad Package

You really want to get into the PlanetSide 2 beta--but somehow, access hasn't managed to land in your lap. What's a gamer to do? Shell out money, of course.

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You really want to get into the PlanetSide 2 beta--but somehow, access hasn't managed to land in your lap. What's a gamer to do? Shell out money, of course.

Sony Online Entertainment is now selling the "Alpha Squad package." The $40 bundle includes 4000 Station Cash, redeemable for in-game items in any SOE game. In addition, it includes an exclusive decal, "Founder" title, exclusive camo set, three weapon unlocks for each of the three empires, and a 10% experience and resource boost for 6 months.

Given 4000 Station Cash is normally worth $40, it's not a bad "value" if you were already planning on spending money in PlanetSide 2's free-to-play economy.

You'll get instant access to the beta upon purchase. "We will flag your account for Beta, which means you can get right in – no key required! Your purchase confirmation email will include instructions on how to get the installer and log-in," a FAQ details. The in-game items will be available once PlanetSide 2 officially launches, "on or before December 31, 2012."

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 7, 2012 12:00 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, PlanetSide 2 beta access included with $40 Alpha Squad Package.

    You really want to get into the PlanetSide 2 beta--but somehow, access hasn't managed to land in your lap. What's a gamer to do? Shell out money, of course.

    • reply
      September 7, 2012 12:07 PM

      Sold! Weekend is now destroyed.

    • reply
      September 7, 2012 12:40 PM

      Are people really going to spend $40 to beta test a free-to-play game?

      Seems like a lot of in-game money which you may never end up spending on anything.

      • reply
        September 7, 2012 12:55 PM

        you will use it. this is a true F4P game. there are a butt ton of items to buy or claim via "xp". not to mention daily use implants and vehicle upgrades and.. trust me, there's a lot of stuff you're going to want right away.

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      September 7, 2012 12:45 PM

      They really seem to be opening it up now, they must be getting closer to release. I got my invite a couple days ago and they dropped the NDA.

      I've only had a few minutes to play so far but my first impressions:

      -I thought it was hilarious that the VERY FIRST thing you see when you enter the game is the exact same room you drop into in Planetside 1. I literally came out of the tube and thought "HOLY SHIT, it's a prettier version of the same room I've seen 100's of time (but haven't seen for several years)."
      -Holy crap the game is gorgeous! There is stuff they are doing with the landscapes and lighting... it makes for these amazing vistas and when you throw intense air and ground battles on top of that... it's really a site to behold. I can just sit on top of a mountain or installation and just watch stuff go on around me... it's awesome. (I have everything cranked up as high as it will go because I have a decent PC - not sure how it looks on lesser PC's)
      -I die a lot. I guess it comes from being low rank and a newb with basic equipment. I pretty much feel like I'm made of glass and just keel over dead on a regular basis before getting more than a shot or two off, often not even knowing what hit me. But again... I've only played for 30 minutes so that is to be expected I guess.

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      September 7, 2012 1:09 PM

      [deleted]

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      September 7, 2012 2:39 PM

      I got a beta key from PC Gamer months ago, played it for about 2 hours. Not great IMO. Shoddy as hell in fact. I'd sooner stick with CS:GO, TF2 and the next Battlefield release.

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        September 7, 2012 2:57 PM

        Harumph. This beta is not as good as games that have been out for years.

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          September 7, 2012 4:38 PM

          The game is still very much a beta at the moment. That said the game is lot of fun just needs some balance and optimization fixes.

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            September 7, 2012 11:50 PM

            Beta or not, for me, it just isn't fun. At all. It's like Battlefield but with absolutely zero player direction.

            Also, it's a BETA, not an ALPHA, so the final game will be basically the same. The graphics are terrible as well and the gameplay is very unresponsive.

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              September 9, 2012 8:16 AM

              The game has improved quite a bit since the early stage of the beta in terms of features and performance. This isn't a promotional beta this is actually one to solve problems with the game. Secondly the reason you aren't seeing organized play is because people haven't started to make platoons yet.

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        September 7, 2012 4:38 PM

        I see it having some of the same problems the original had, but overall they did a great job updating it.
        I could see it becoming one of my fallback games.

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          September 7, 2012 9:03 PM

          Funny thing is that the Dust 514 beta has already done something similar.They call theirs "The Mercenary Pack",and it's $20 cheaper.

          I guess all of these F2P games have to find some sort of gimmick to get people to pay,even before the game is officially released.Come to think of it,it's almost like a Kickstarter of sorts.

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      September 9, 2012 10:09 AM

      its free to play so give us 40 bucks k?

    • reply
      September 9, 2012 9:28 PM

      As soon as they start charging for it they can't use the "it's a beta" excuse for issues. People are going to demand that it work properly.

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