HeroClix Online: PAID BETA [Archive]

WizKidsNECA

06/16/2011, 15:07

<img src="http://wizkidsgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Hcol.png" width="200px" align="left" style="padding-right:5px">As we gear up for the official launch of HeroClix Online (HCO), we’ll be entering Paid Beta next Tuesday, June 21 with expected server downtime on Monday, June 20 from 8 a.m. EDT until Tuesday.

What this means for current heroes:
The Paid Beta program is designed to allow players early entry to HCO with a chance to earn and collect products and rewards prior to release. It is also an opportunity for players to provide the development team feedback before the official launch.

The Paid Beta ($1.95 USD) program includes:
Access to the full features of HeroClix Online
The Fantastic Four Starter set
An exclusive figure (sign up for Paid Beta by Tuesday, July 5) that will be awarded when we officially launch!
Additionally, all products, stats, rewards etc. earned during the Paid Beta period will remain with your account when HCO launches!
For more info on the HCO Paid Beta program, please visit the FAQ (http://hcforums.icarusstudios.com/hcforums/showthread.php?p=3143#post3143).

Grategy

06/16/2011, 15:15

Ooo Interesting! Thats very cheap me thinks. Anyone have any idea what the exclusive figure is? And is there a hopeful release date for the full game?

Pepsirox08

06/16/2011, 15:22

Ooo Interesting! Thats very cheap me thinks. Anyone have any idea what the exclusive figure is? And is there a hopeful release date for the full game?

I hope to god its Stan Lee, the only way anyone will get to play him is online or be Stan Lee...

Grategy

06/16/2011, 15:24

I hope to god its Stan Lee, the only way anyone will get to play him is online or be Stan Lee...

I was really hoping the same thing. Perhaps its a figure made just for the HCO scene that you cant get an actual mini of? That would be kind of cool... Until we realize we want it in the actual game!:p

Thunderclese

06/16/2011, 15:30

I haven't played online in a while, but I may get back into it for the paid beta.

captainamerica1987

06/16/2011, 15:32

Will it actually work? I have tried three times to play and I can't really do anything. I finally got into a game that was full of lag.

NightCastle

06/16/2011, 15:34

The exclusive figure is Statesman. To pay homage to another Online game/Heroclix Venture.

...it could happen.:devious:

spideyguy51

06/16/2011, 15:51

Will this work for MAC?

theclixster

06/16/2011, 15:58

Have they said anything about prices for online boosters? That's my main selling point at the moment.

cassius335

06/16/2011, 16:02

The exclusive figure is Statesman. To pay homage to another Online game/Heroclix Venture.

Actually, the exclusive figure is...

U You
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 4 :bolt::bolt:
m-normala-normald-normalg-normal6715267152571414614136130KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

:star: Fanboy Vs...: You can use Willpower & Super Senses.

:d-normal: Cheat Code: If this power comes up when turning the dial, stop turning the dial. At the beginning of your turn, You can use Regeneration as a free action (minimum result 1). This power can't be countered.

Sriad

06/16/2011, 16:02

Have they introduced/are there plans for an offline option?

moonxine77

06/16/2011, 16:02

Have they said anything about prices for online boosters? That's my main selling point at the moment.

http://hcforums.icarusstudios.com/hcforums/showthread.php?p=3150&posted=1#post3150

It has been asked and not yet answered. The initial price ($1.95) gets you 7 figures only in the form of the Fantastic Four starter.

I'll be honest, while the HCO Open Beta was not horrific, it is certainly not good enough that I would feel good about spending more than a few dollars to play.

Kamakura

06/16/2011, 16:11

My biggest question about HCO is whether we'll be able to win or in some way earn physical gameplay elements and whether or not they'll be exclusive to HCO players or not

Bubbasgizmo

06/16/2011, 16:19

I've really enjoyed the experience of HCOnline, I don't get to play in person so it has been a real treat. I will be a purchaser of the paid Beta, I am assuming that most of the issues will be addressed and fixed. I can't wait for the release of additional figures.

zettle

06/16/2011, 16:31

Someone else asked and I will ask again - is it Mac compatable yet (no I don't want to argue which is better)? If not, does anyone know if it will work through PS3 or not? Thanks.

VictorySaber

06/16/2011, 16:56

WildTurkey

06/16/2011, 17:03

jumping into this paid beta is going to be a mistake and then some- limiting the figures to those 7 from the starter and some dinky exclusive is doing nothing for my faith in it... especially for those of us who are supposed to be on the HELP team.

and up to this point, if memory serves,

No. HCO is NOT yet mac compatible

That's my thought as well. Do those of us already on the HELP team get to keep everything we have, Cuz I'll be PonyPonyPonyPony if I have to get all those figs again.

And on top of that, Now I can't even get into the forums there. Tried the link and manually, Page not found. Hope they didn't switch that to Windows only too...

spider_ham

06/16/2011, 17:19

My biggest question about HCO is whether we'll be able to win or in some way earn physical gameplay elements and whether or not they'll be exclusive to HCO players or not

Real-world incentives are my #1 want from HCO. A rewards program were you can redeem victory points for physical figures seems realistic, imho.

Sets that would be exclusive to online play would also be interesting, as it allows a very quick turnaround to make characters available for play. There would certainly be some slight annoyance at not having all Heroclix product available for real world play, but if this means that properties such as TMNT and Spawn have a shot of being incorporated, I'm all for it.

I'd like to see a tournament at some point in which the winner(s) are able to incorporate an unmade or custom character into HCO, or come up with a new dial for an existing Modern Age character.

Manchine

06/16/2011, 17:34

I will give my $1.95 for this. Its well worth it.

TopDog

06/16/2011, 17:44

$1.95 one time? $1.95 a month?

ArakisLSN

06/16/2011, 17:50

jumping into this paid beta is going to be a mistake and then some

Paying $1.95 is "going to be a big mistake and then some."

Get real - it's less than a coffee or a beer.

I'll give it a go and if I don't like HCO then I'll wait a day and buy a coffee tomorrow.

Surfer13

06/16/2011, 17:59

I am and have been waiting for actual information about the game before I bother.

What is the monthly fee? What is the pricing plan to add to our virtual collections? Will there be any physical product tied in to the virtual game?

If all HCOnline is is me paying for virtual pieces or paying a monthly fee to play with whatever, or some combination of the two, then why should I care? I have spent a lot of money on Heroclix, and plan on continuing, and I actually get to own what I am paying for there.

If there is some crossover, though, some sort of program that rewards players with physical product, then I might consider jumping on board.

There are still questions about pricing and what one might have to do for any hypothetical physical rewards, but consideration is better than "not interested".

But right now, this is all a mystery, and no one is doing much to sell me on the idea.

And that link? Not working for me.

tyroclix

06/16/2011, 18:07

$1.95 one time? $1.95 a month?

One time.

But you only get the F4 Starter Set and eventually an "exclusive" yet to be named figure.

So if you wanted to only pay $1.95 you would have those 8 figures to build a team from.

It seems you will be able to buy virtual boosters to add to your army. No idea what the cost will be.

If you are positive, then one could expect prices to be $3.25 a booster (this is the cost of joining HCOnline if you miss the Paid Beta window).

If you are pessimistic one could assume $11.99.

If you are somewhere in between then it is probable the prices will be in between.

I would also assume there would be singles available - whether it is directly from WK (which would make the most sense) or from other players (likely) is anyone's guess.

The fact the info regarding how much boosters are and how they plan to extract money from me is missing, it makes my gyp senses tingle.

I stopped playing the Beta a few months ago due to clunkiness of play but more importantly character choice was boooooring.

So many questions that it might be worth the $1.30 to wait and find out...

A_Higher_Level

06/16/2011, 18:15

I stopped playing the Beta a few months ago due to clunkiness of play but more importantly character choice was boooooring.

Yeah, I don't know what they were thinking by allowing us to play an unfinished product with the ability to address issues that would allow them to have an outstanding product come release time. Silly WizKids! Clix r 4 kids! :p

ZeroFear1

06/16/2011, 18:33

truth2k6

06/16/2011, 18:41

http://hcforums.icarusstudios.com/hcforums/showthread.php?p=3150&posted=1#post3150

This link isn't working for me. Anyone else having the same problem? Is there any other way to pay online for it??

Contingency Plan

06/16/2011, 19:34

My question is where and when do we sign up. I will gladly drop a $1.95 to try it out.

VictorySaber

06/16/2011, 20:12

Is $1.95 out of your price range?

It is when folks been playing up to this point since semi-open beta, with a still clunky, at best, user interface, minimal additional content to really test and work with, and little else.

So now I get to pay 1.95, potentially (likely) lose the collection I assembled to this point, get to play with the same not all that polished interface, with at best, 8 figures?

sorry. I just do not comprehend that particular logic. If it's still a beta, and not a finished product, why are they now deciding to charge folks to test their system and find glitches? Again, in particular, those folks who are part of the HELP team.

tyroclix

06/16/2011, 20:29

Yeah, I don't know what they were thinking by allowing us to play an unfinished product with the ability to address issues that would allow them to have an outstanding product come release time. Silly WizKids! Clix r 4 kids! :p

One mistake they did make was having the new rules in place before releasing them for the masses. It led to a lot of problems being submitted that weren't problems.

I was approaching any errors I saw as rules errors and any lock-ups, glitches, etc. I wasn't testing for the multiple steps to perform an action. That, I think, is how its planned to go. Unless they streamlined the whole process over the last 2 months. Have they?

One thing I wish they would have done was to focus only on the PAC powers and provide a lot more characters to play with. When we are testing to check how the F4 Starter and HoT Special Powers and Traits work its not doing a darn thing for all the other SP's and Traits for all the other characters.

By using PAC powers the focus could have been narrowed to game play and general rule issues.

Oh well...

Superdudemanguy

06/16/2011, 22:25

Soooo the exclusive figure is not a tangible object...it is just one you get in the game ?

Narrow Salvo

06/16/2011, 23:02

Paying $1.95 is "going to be a big mistake and then some."

Get real - it's less than a coffee or a beer.

I'll give it a go and if I don't like HCO then I'll wait a day and buy a coffee tomorrow.

You overpay for coffee. But, otherwise, you have a good point.

Zatara55

06/16/2011, 23:34

There are still a lot of bugs in the game. Just yesterday it froze on me. And there are still ine of site issues.

moonxine77

06/16/2011, 23:51

You overpay for coffee. But, otherwise, you have a good point.

I have been playing for free in the Beta test. Now, I may pay for a lessened experience, in that I have less figures.

In the absence of ongoing cost information, I think the developers and management have made a bad decision. Do I have $2? Yes. Will I spend $2 to put myself in a position where I'll be prompted to pay undisclosed additional fees to enjoy the game? No.

I'm frankly irritated that the Paid Beta announcement follow-up posts indicate that you will be paying for boosters, but no cost is associated.

Unless the boosters are priced VERY reasonably, I will instead purchase the physical releases of:

Captain America Gravity Feed
Captain Amerca Standard Set
Thor Fast Forces
Streetfighter Gravity Feed

all around the corner.

WestCoastAvengers

06/17/2011, 00:12

Do people usually have to pay a fee to be a beta tester for computer games?

At any price, why would anyone pay to test an unfinished product? Usually, market research companies pay consumers to try their products and give them feedback. I was paid $100 to try granola bars.

The best solution would be all new plastic figures come w/ a unique code that allows you to own the figure virtually as well.

What happens to these virtual inventories of owned figures, if HCO is discontinued or Neca goes out of business? They disappear into thin air because they are not tangible assets.

Slayer_Xtreme

06/17/2011, 02:08

Not real happy about this news. Here are my main issues...

1. I got to buy in on another beta. I figured we would have to buy the game post-beta but not on the second stage of the beta we should of gotten it for free til it was ready for a full release.

2. All my stuff will be lost. Now I got to resupply myself once again on a second stage of beta not a full release. Was it so much to ask to let us keep what we had as a thank you for helping get it to this point?

3. All the game has at start is the starter and HoT again. Looking at the FAQ it sounds like all we get when we buy in is the fantastic four starter and the only set to buy boosters of will be HoT. If your going to move on to the next stage of beta testing throw in another set like Brave and the Bold. By doing that we would of had a DC set for DC fans to use and we could test mechanics that were not released until after HoT like AE figures.

I will spend the couple bucks to get HCO back because I love the game too much to not play an online version when I can't play with the real thing but I just think with all they are taking from us by rebooting the entire thing we should of gotten more then just an exclusive character when the full game releases... whenever that'll be. I'll tell you one thing if the boosters are not real cheap I'm counting the couple bucks to get the buy beta a loss and not playing it because I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on the online game just to try and get a suitable collection

WestCoastAvengers

06/17/2011, 02:16

They should let those who played the game already to keep their Hammer of Thor items.

flatmatt

06/17/2011, 02:25

Have they introduced/are there plans for an offline option?
Yes, in fact, I was able to dig up this preview of early testing (http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/fc/0f/161c024128a0957a27d20110.L.jpg)!

(Sorry, I had to do it!)

ZeroFear1

06/17/2011, 04:03

It is when folks been playing up to this point since semi-open beta, with a still clunky, at best, user interface, minimal additional content to really test and work with, and little else.

So now I get to pay 1.95, potentially (likely) lose the collection I assembled to this point, get to play with the same not all that polished interface, with at best, 8 figures?

sorry. I just do not comprehend that particular logic. If it's still a beta, and not a finished product, why are they now deciding to charge folks to test their system and find glitches? Again, in particular, those folks who are part of the HELP team.

It's a $1.95. I mean unless you're some-type of hobo living out of the box, you should seriously stop complaining.

Stop acting like you're paying an outrageous amount.

ArakisLSN

06/17/2011, 04:09

You overpay for coffee. But, otherwise, you have a good point.

Sad but true :(

2. All my stuff will be lost. Now I got to resupply myself once again on a second stage of beta not a full release. Was it so much to ask to let us keep what we had as a thank you for helping get it to this point?

I'm not worried about losing the figures I'd collected in the free beta run - after all I didn't spend anything to get them.

I will spend the couple bucks to get HCO back because I love the game too much to not play an online version when I can't play with the real thing .. [snip] .. I'll tell you one thing if the boosters are not real cheap I'm counting the couple bucks to get the buy beta a loss and not playing it because I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on the online game just to try and get a suitable collection

Quoted for truth.

Dr. Morbius

06/17/2011, 04:51

I don't know if I'll do it...$1.95 isn't much...but 7 figures aren't a lot either.
I sure won't pay for virtual boosters. The value of their content = 0!Should I one day wake up and think...Heroclix sucks...I can get back a fair amount of money by selling my miniatures collection while I will get zilch when Wizkids decides to cancel the Heroclix online service from one day to another (much like Upperdeck did with their online vs-game)...
All of a sudden the online game is gone and so are the hundreds of dollars you might have invested in virtual stuff. Same reason I never ever paid a dime for anything on Farmville, Mafia Wars or any other Facebook driven addictive games.

Dr. Morbius

06/17/2011, 05:15

It's a $1.95. I mean unless you're some-type of hobo living out of the box, you should seriously stop complaining.

Stop acting like you're paying an outrageous amount.

really? how far are you gonna get with your $1.95? three games at most and you are bored of your "Fantasti Four starter figs" that you get for that money....and then? Virtual boosters for more real cash...not me, sir!
I'd rather spend every dime I save on HCOnline on real boosters and figs!

moonxine77

06/17/2011, 07:50

It's a $1.95. I mean unless you're some-type of hobo living out of the box, you should seriously stop complaining.

Stop acting like you're paying an outrageous amount.

$1.95 is not the cost of the game. It's the cost you pay for the privilege of spending more money. There is virtually no chance that anyone who participates seriously in this game is going to buy in, get only the starter and be happy without giving into the temptation to purchase any more boosters. We know this, because it's based on a physical game that relies on the exact same behavior. How many people on HCRealms bought the Fantastic Four starter and then said "I'm good, I'll never buy more!"

I won't speak for others, but I'm like a high-functioning drug addict when it comes to collectible games. I must continue to grow my collection, so I can play more, so I can grow my collection, so I can play more, etc. Pricing the Beta at $1.95 without providing any solid information on how much the ongoing costs will be is like offering me a free hit of crack and hoping I'm weak willed. Thankfully, I've played the open Beta, and I know that crack isn't all that good yet. (Come back when you've gotten the good stuff.)

red king

06/17/2011, 08:25

I am not impressed. I still dont like the idea of paying for figures I already own to play them virtually.

ChiRocker

06/17/2011, 08:29

I will wait and see. If the exclusive figure is Marvel, then I won't want it anyway. I only collect DC irl, so I would only want to play with what I know well, so I will only play DC figures. $2 is not too steep for me, but if it only gains me access to more HoT figures, then I will be upset (I stopped playing HCO because I got tired of not being able to use characters that I read about). It is only $1.30 more to wait until the real release, so I will be holding off I think.

A_Higher_Level

06/17/2011, 08:44

One mistake they did make was having the new rules in place before releasing them for the masses. It led to a lot of problems being submitted that weren't problems.

I was approaching any errors I saw as rules errors and any lock-ups, glitches, etc. I wasn't testing for the multiple steps to perform an action. That, I think, is how its planned to go. Unless they streamlined the whole process over the last 2 months. Have they?

One thing I wish they would have done was to focus only on the PAC powers and provide a lot more characters to play with. When we are testing to check how the F4 Starter and HoT Special Powers and Traits work its not doing a darn thing for all the other SP's and Traits for all the other characters.

By using PAC powers the focus could have been narrowed to game play and general rule issues.

Oh well...

Well if there is one thing that they have learned, it's that the whole framework of the game can change with a couple rule changes. Sounds like a normal day in Heroclix for me. ;)

sniksder

06/17/2011, 09:46

I am curious ho many of you who are complaing and don't pay the $1.95 (60% off the full price for anew computer game, that does not happen much with any game) are going to complain more when you have to pay the FULL price of the game and still only get the FF starter.

The main problem will be at the live launch is only 1 set will be ready to buy, and that is just not good enough, there should be 1 DC set as well.

Also to get boosters is looks like you have to buy "clixbucks" and then buy boosters with those, so the real question is how much are the bucks going to cost, again not telling your customers what they will be spending is a huge mistake.

All that being said the latest round of updates seem to have really helped game play and esp. with the tournaments now working it's all looking good.

WildTurkey

06/17/2011, 10:23

On top of use losing all the figs we been playing on there, from what the FAQ says we have to make new accounts aswell, so we all have to change our user names now. That's bugs me more then there being no dc sets..

NeckSnappingAdam

06/17/2011, 10:53

Wow. I'm floored. I know people on here will hate - by my opinion is that HCO is in serious danger.

I posted a while back - the interface is too ambitious, blah, blah blah.

Have someone pay $1.95 to be a beta tester is just, backwards. Beta testing isn't a privilege, it's a job. In exchange for using an unfinished application, a beta tester provides feedback. That feedback is worth a LOT more than $1.95.

The downside is that people like me who got fed up with the app while it is in Beta will likely not sign up at a cost - even though we can all agree that $1.95 is virtually nothing, it's principle.

I'm concerned that WizKid's current marketing test is "will people pay" and should we move forward with this as a product. I don't have any proof, but this move reeks of it.

In closing, I defer to Ducktales - even Scrooge agreed that the "Working for Us Tax" was bad business.

Thunderclese

06/17/2011, 11:54

Everyone started with enough credits to get more than enough 'figures' from the set for BETA TESTING purposes. I had tons of credits to spare and still ended up with 2 full sets plus an extra of both chase figures, 2 FF starters, and all of the LE prizes. Why would they let you keep all of those essentially* free figures that you could use to trade to new (non-Beta) players for new pieces without any cost to you?

*Oh wait.. actually free.

Manchine

06/17/2011, 12:32

Thunderclese

06/17/2011, 12:34

Don't you bring actual intelligence into this conversation. :p

Hah, yeah I need to learn to just ignore these threads altogether. :laugh:

moonxine77

06/17/2011, 13:36

Costs have been posted:

1 Booster (a set of 5 Clix) will be 239 Clixbux
1 Brick (10 Boosters) will be 2390 Clixbux
100 Clix Bux can be purchased for $5 USD

So a virtual booster costs $11.95

So a virtual brick costs $120.

I appreciate them posting this information, as I can make an informed decision about whether I will play HCO.

I will not.

I am in a fortunate position in that:
1) There are multiple venues in my area that sell Bricks for $100.
2) There are multiple venues in my area that host games. [Some of them are far enough away that I spend $10 in gas driving, but I would rather spend the money to play in person and support a FLGS than online at this point.]

I wish HCO success, as I am sure that there are players who do not have access to $100 Bricks or multiple venues and who will benefit from HCO.

If HCO announces opportunities to win figures through play, I may be interested and take my chances in tournaments with buy-ins.

irishflogger

06/17/2011, 13:54

What, you can play heroclix online?!?!?

Matthevv

06/17/2011, 13:55

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MCiatYs5NQ/TaVGjLKjuCI/AAAAAAAAANs/p7HSRWYt4yc/s1600/deadpool+cool+story+bro.jpg

TODDRUSSELL

06/17/2011, 14:18

If Moonxines quote is true HCO is gonna sink real quick. That is an unfortunate price to pay for virtual only Heroclix. I'm not put off completely but wish to hell there was more than Hammer of Thor to use. That was a not a good set to kick things off with in my opinion, but I'm sure they had their reasons. I will give it a shot for a bit but they better release a new set on there pretty soon or there's nothing fresh to keep us paying to play.

A_Higher_Level

06/17/2011, 14:58

Costs have been posted:

So a virtual booster costs $11.95

So a virtual brick costs $120.

I have to admit, if those prices are correct - as opposed to $3 for a virtual booster or $25 for a virtual brick, then I won't be playing either.

The other day I went to a local gaming store and dumped the majority of my old clix bins off for $50. I've been burned enough paying for virtual goods to recognize that I need for them to be cheap so I can get into it as a supplement to my physical collection as opposed to being a replacement (which it would have to be) cause I'm not going to be able to afford both.

krusticlese

06/17/2011, 15:11

Costs have been posted:

So a virtual booster costs $11.95

So a virtual brick costs $120.

I appreciate them posting this information, as I can make an informed decision about whether I will play HCO.

I will not.

I am in a fortunate position in that:
1) There are multiple venues in my area that sell Bricks for $100.
2) There are multiple venues in my area that host games. [Some of them are far enough away that I spend $10 in gas driving, but I would rather spend the money to play in person and support a FLGS than online at this point.]

I wish HCO success, as I am sure that there are players who do not have access to $100 Bricks or multiple venues and who will benefit from HCO.

If HCO announces opportunities to win figures through play, I may be interested and take my chances in tournaments with buy-ins.

Aaaaaaannnnnnndddddd....... Good night HCO! It was nice knowing you!

A better approach would be a code in boosters to get you a credit for 1 virtual booster.

That price point strikes me as a purely greed driven move than anything else.

moonxine77

06/17/2011, 15:17

So a virtual booster costs $11.95
So a virtual brick costs $120.

Just an additional comment on the off-hand chance that someone on-high who reads this lengthy thread might take notice.

Before these prices were announced, the community speculated that, like Magic Online, we would be paying for figures. The community seems open to that idea.

Magic Online's pricing is consistent with physical prices with booster packs going for about $3.99.

The posted price for HCO is consistent with the physical price as well. Which is silly.

I'm a gamer, and I'm a nut when it comes to completing sets in a collectible game I love. I also think that the entire 'Clix system is one of the best miniature games in terms of balancing strategy with accessibility. So I can delude myself that a booster of 5 figures made overseas that are often broken or on the wrong dial that are being sent to retailers with an insane markup is worth the $12 cost. Now, I've got a vivid imagination, but I cannot convince myself that 5 random digital representations of these figures are worth the same.

NECA is no longer paying for manufacturing or shipping of bulky, fragile physical product and likely paying only licensing feeds, yet is keeping the product at the same price point.

I gave up smoking to afford physical Heroclix figures, and I'm not giving up physical Heroclix figures to purchase digital ones.

Slayer_Xtreme

06/17/2011, 16:11

I am NOT playing Heroclix online with the news that online boosters and bricks will cost about as much as a real booster. Sorry NECA/Wizkids I'd love to support Heroclix but I cannot support Heroclix online at those costs and still be able to play real clix and there is no way I'm gonna quit real clix to play HCO.

babel fish

06/17/2011, 17:52

Costs have been posted

Could you link your source? I haven't been able to find this on my own.

Edit: Found it. link (http://hcforums.icarusstudios.com/hcforums/showthread.php?t=554)

Post #8 from HCO Team Member Yamah. I'm highly disappointed that online booster price it 1:1 with irl booster price. Also, no discount for buying in bulk? Makes me wonder if anyone has taken a basic economics class at HCO...

VictorySaber

06/17/2011, 18:14

To those who have cited the poitn of still having to play to effectively still beta test- Thank You. That was the point I had been trying to get across. NOT the fact that they were charging an exorbitant 1.95 (oozes sarcasm), but the fact that they charge now for our feedback and time in testing at all.

That was my point. And as others have said, the 1:1 cost point for HCO's boosters being as absurd as it is, I don't see the venture working out. not at that price, not when it may potentially cost to enter tournaments... what will truly enrage me is if NECA gets so delusional that they decide to drop the physical product line in favor of the strictly virtual line- no paying for actual physical sculpts, no need for printing cards, etc... just a whole crapload of coding, etc...

Bubbasgizmo

06/17/2011, 18:50

The price structure is pretty disappointing. I really hope they rethink this, it will cost them players. I dont think I can justify buying figures I don't actually own for the same price as "real world" figures. I was really looking forward to being able to play, Ima a little sad :(

gawain

06/17/2011, 21:51

I really do want the chance to play games on HCO with some good friends I've moved away from. So, assuming there are decent figures I can get on the cheap from the auction screen from other players, I will pick some up that way in order to play some friendly games. Probably not buying any digital boosters at all.

antedoX

06/17/2011, 22:49

I posted a pseudo-rant on another thread about this that I won't replicate here. All I'd like to say is that I am actually angry, saddened, disappointed, and questioning the sanity of the people who came up with this 1:1 scale and thought it was a good idea.

I will never, ever, pay real-life prices for digital pictures of things I own. Thank you NECA for saving me time, money, and effort.

disguy

06/18/2011, 10:34

I know this has been said, but I'm very disappoint in the high costs associated with this. I have no interest in maintaining 2 sets of figures at the same cost.

Ringer

06/18/2011, 13:26

i will add my voice to the list of people who find the price structure for HCO intolerable. it is simply too much money to expect people to lay down. i al saddened because i did enjoy the gameplay of HCO very much.

hopefully, they will come to their senses, and adjust this to a much more reasonable price before launch.

the other thing i find fascinating is that not a single person has said that they find the pricing fair and reasonable. it is very rare to have a consensus like the one so far...

realdarkphoenix

06/18/2011, 13:38

wow if boosters cost the much online... I wont be playing either.

ArakisLSN

06/18/2011, 17:29

wow if boosters cost the much online... I wont be playing either.

Same for me I'm afraid. :( I'll throw in the $1.95 for the paid beta just to see if it's any different but I'm not in a position to be able to pay $11+ for virtual boosters.

As it stands I'm spending somewhere in the region of $200 dollars every three months on little plastic superheroes I'm not spending the same again for virtual ones.

I'd consider buying virtual boosters for 10% of the price but even then I'm not sure I'd spend more then a few dollars before deciding it's not worth it.

If they really want some of my money then a subscription ($10 max!) per month for access to ALL the figures would work. If the basic sub only purchases SOME figures (even if it was 80% of them) that would also force me out of playing on-line.

Phyl.

sniksder

06/18/2011, 20:48

NECA is no longer paying for manufacturing or shipping of bulky, fragile physical product and likely paying only licensing feeds, yet is keeping the product at the same price point.

They are paying for a new type of service for them, game programmers, fig. modelers, servers, comp. techs for servers, so their cost may still be there but in a different form.

But they have killed this before it even gets start with these prices, but then again this is Wizkids and they never learn from past mistakes.

Thunderclese

06/18/2011, 21:13

I'm just curious where this pricing info came from. I don't see it on the front page here or on Wizkids' page.

NeoShazam

06/18/2011, 21:15

Aaaaaaannnnnnndddddd....... Good night HCO! It was nice knowing you!

Yeah I don't think it was a good move either.

That price point strikes me as a purely greed driven move than anything else.

Wouldn't say greedy, but very optimistic. I'd now say its aimed squarely at people that can't play otherwise and hardcore players. I don't think there is enough of those players to drive this game.

They are paying for a new type of service for them, game programmers, fig. modelers, servers, comp. techs for servers, so their cost may still be there but in a different form.

But they have killed this before it even gets start with these prices, but then again this is Wizkids and they never learn from past mistakes.

Agreed.

Zergo78

06/19/2011, 10:49

lancelot

06/19/2011, 11:40

Question...I haven't downloaded the original Alpha-version of the HCO program so come Tuesday, I'll be able to download the Beta program for $1.95?

If so, I'm in. Gotta try and help WK get this off of the floor.

lancelot

06/19/2011, 11:42

So a virtual booster costs $11.95

So a virtual brick costs $120.

I appreciate them posting this information, as I can make an informed decision about whether I will play HCO.

I will not.

Wait a minute, just what does 1.95 get me? HoT and the F4 starter. Nothing else?

I want more, I pay? I've got a COMPLETE COLLECTION of every single Heroclix figure ever (sans purple rings) and I have to pay to play online.

Nice knowing you, HCO, all right...

Horrible decision.

Arzamas

06/19/2011, 11:54

I got hurt not to long ago and it makes getting around hard, so getting out to play some clix is a chore sometimes. Then i heard about HCO and was excited about it that i could play a game i love anytime i wanted. Then i heard about the prices and with being hurt and not able to work funds are tight, so it crushed that hope of playing.

antedoX

06/19/2011, 12:26

Wait a minute, just what does 1.95 get me? HoT and the F4 starter. Nothing else?

I want more, I pay? I've got a COMPLETE COLLECTION of every single Heroclix figure ever (sans purple rings) and I have to pay to play online.

Nice knowing you, HCO, all right...

Horrible decision.

It doesn't even get you HoT. It gets you access to HoT. You still have to buy the boosters. $1.95 gets you the seven F4 starter figures to play with. That's it.

Unreal Wizkids, unreal. If they cut those prices in half, they'd still need a butt-ton of incentives to get players.

sleeping_giant

06/19/2011, 14:31

I don't think that paying for Beta access is too bad, given that it's only $1.95, but the proposed cost of ClixBucks is over the top. Paying $11.95 for a virtual booster is absurd. I'm really disappointed by this, because I am basically never able to play HC in person.

I've seen a lot of people say "no way" to that pricing, but is there anyone out there who is actually saying "yeah, I'll do that" to this? Seriously?

-Zergo
This game was aimed at players who dont play in person much or some who havent played for a while because of other more important things that have came up ala kids and marriage or something.
HCO here is an example of one of those targets and what he/she says about it when it comes to the pricing.
Maybe the pricing was a misprint. maybe it was 1000 clix bux instead of 100.

Very sad about the pricing announcment. I will not be getting into this game. Sorry HCO

Contingency Plan

06/19/2011, 18:55

HCO was a nice thought. Especially for those hardcore players and gamers that can't have readily access to a venue.

But adding my voice to the consensus, the price point is intolerable. I struggle at times to pay for actual heroclix. But I scrimp and save, just so I can go to a venue and enjoy myself once per week. Paying for an online version doesn't make sense. Especially at the price they are asking.

Hate to break it to you Wizkids, you can't squeeze blood from a stone. You will continue to get all the support I can muster for the actual Heroclix line. But the HCO line will not see a dime from me. My apologies, I hope it succeeds, but it won't be because of me.

lancelot

06/19/2011, 23:34

Then i heard about the prices and with being hurt and not able to work funds are tight, so it crushed that hope of playing.

If they cut those prices in half, they'd still need a butt-ton of incentives to get players.

Very sad about the pricing announcment. I will not be getting into this game. Sorry HCO

But the HCO line will not see a dime from me. My apologies, I hope it succeeds, but it won't be because of me.
WK/NECA needs to see this in a nutshell. I echo every last feeling here.

Make it a real low price point game, let us buy a whole bunch of figures for a low price; let us earn online points to purchase more bunches via a store; don't ever release newer sets/exclusive on-line figures and you're good to go.

HCO should be a sorts of training grounds/friendly meet-ups, not ANOTHER aspect of the "booster opening" of Heroclix...the online aspect of that takes the feel away from it, so go away from the concept and simply do it as I described with a few better tweaks, of course.

That's only a few ideas...

insafarline

06/20/2011, 06:41

I thought it was a fun product, that I would have supported at a much lower price point. At the same price as an actually physical product, no way. I can't buy every set twice. I hope someone saves the coding on this and will at least at some point release a version that can be used.

sniksder

06/20/2011, 08:32

Something else to ponder as well, we all that after 5+ years the Orig. Wizkids folded, then re started a year later, in that time, players were still able to play either at home or a venue that still ran events, cause they had actually figs in hand.

Now suppose players shell out the same amount of money to build online sets and then the game folds online, guess what since most everything will be saved on a server you will not have access to those figs that were paid for and I am sure no refund would be coming your way.

absolutvt69

06/20/2011, 18:13

I might have considered playing but not at those prices. I don't want this to fail but I don't see many people paying the same amount for an actual brick (more in some cases) for virtual figures. Not a great move there and I can only hope it doesn't drag the rest of the brand down with it.

jakekickass

06/20/2011, 18:27

If they were smart, they would charge like $9.95 for Heroclix on line and that would give you access to all of the legal starter sets, the game, rules, account etc. And then when every new expansion comes out they could sell the whole "expansion" for something like $14.95 for a CUR set and $5 more for the SR's minus the LE's. (Something that you they could set up that you could win)

If they had a "low" introductory price that gave you a lot of "value" to get started and then sold virtual "sets" instead of boosters I think people would be more inclined to spend the money. MMORPG's are amazing at getting people to continually spend money on their game but a lot of them have gone back to the "free to play" approach. It's when you want to experience the rest of the game, you have to pull out your wallet. If someone picked up the "core" game and 4 sets a year, Wizkids would be getting close to $90 a year in revenue. A very successful game like Starcraft or COD isn't even getting that from their players a year.

I would be way more inclined to pick this up if it was priced like that but I'll be damned if I'm even going to spend $5 on a virtual booster just so I can pull 5 figures that I already had...

sniksder

06/21/2011, 09:26

Monthly fee to give access to all figures (minus LE's and chase), then charge a fee to play in any official tournament to win the LE's and chase figs., that leaves it up to each player if they want to pay to play in official events.

They could even go so far as to have a online store to buy the LE's and chase figs, much like Blizzard has for players to get exclusive mounts and pets.

This is what has made WOW so successful for almost 8 years, you pay a monthly fee and then it's up to each player if they want to do raids, or dungeons to get the gear they want, and they have what over 14 million players or there about.

aqhoffman

06/21/2011, 10:13

Wow, just wow. Was remodeling for a few days and hadn't played online since last week. Now I come back to find the prices were beyond anything I would consider reasonable. HCO forum threads are practically dead when I logged in this morning. I assume that online use is wayyy down, just by reading the posts and seeing the number of folks on the forum, etc.

The clixbux prices for boosters/bricks, has there been any response to people's input on this? Really, for beta with the same, one set we have been using for 6 months, we are in any way expected to fork over that kind of money? I doubt many people I know would pay that much money for a final, smooth product, with 10 releases to choose from. When I've been deployed overseas for a year a couple times, maybe I would've payed for a few boosters just to keep my hand in the game, but not at home, with a tangible collection sittign on my shelves or that can be purchased even cheaper than my digital versions.

Sorry HCO. I've been a pretty good beta tester for you, sent in many bugs, played to test and verify, not to win or use the same cheese each game, etc. But I think we may just have to break up and see other people.

Thunderclese

06/21/2011, 12:01

I'll ask again because I'm curious and nobody responded, but where is the information about the pricing located? I didn't see it on the HCO forum.

NocturnaLRussian

06/21/2011, 12:13

I'll ask again because I'm curious and nobody responded, but where is the information about the pricing located? I didn't see it on the HCO forum.

it was an unofficial post a week ago. its speculating that there will be no other opportunities to gain clixbux. odds are that a GOOD idea WK could use is to allow you to earn clixbux by winning games. then allow people who can't wait for clix bux to spend the money for it.

Thunderclese

06/21/2011, 12:16

it was an unofficial post a week ago. its speculating that there will be no other opportunities to gain clixbux. odds are that a GOOD idea WK could use is to allow you to earn clixbux by winning games. then allow people who can't wait for clix bux to spend the money for it.

Oh, so we're up in arms about something that hasn't been confirmed? I'm not trying to be patronizing, I'm honestly trying to get a handle on this.

I wouldn't doubt that they'd price virtual boosters the same as real ones despite the apparent bad decision it is, I'm just choosing to hold off on the outrage until I hear it confirmed.

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 12:17

I'll ask again because I'm curious and nobody responded, but where is the information about the pricing located? I didn't see it on the HCO forum.

http://hcforums.icarusstudios.com/hcforums/showthread.php?p=3150&posted=1#post3150

Look for Yamah's post.

Thunderclese

06/21/2011, 12:26

coyotejack

06/21/2011, 12:27

I guess it doesn't bother me since I've played Magic Online for so long.

Granted, MtGO allows you to trade in a complete set for a factory set and we don't know if that will be an option down the line (I hope that it would or have some other nifty goodies). I'm sure this is another case of people going overboard before all the facts are in.

We need to wait for:

a) an official statement, and

b) full disclosure about their plans (prizes, exclusives, sets, etc...).

WildTurkey

06/21/2011, 12:29

I see. Well hopefully something about this is changed, 'cause that seems a bit excessive. Surely they don't think that charging less would keep people from buying the physical product. I really don't see the reason of this pricing structure.

Um, Actually I do see a reason. It's so that can scrap the Real Life version and make a ton of money for alot less

If this turns out true, I apologize now to everyone;)

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 12:36

I really don't see the reason of this pricing structure.

I wish that the folks setting the pricing structure looked at HCO as a distinct entity from physical Heroclix.

If Heroclix did not exist, and HCO was built from the ground up, I do not think it likely that the management of the product would say that 5 game tokens are worth $11.95.

If we look at Magic:TG Online, then a case could be made if Magic the physical game did not exist, 15 game tokens may still be worth $3.99.

And I'll even put my money where my mouth is - 15 figures in Heroclix online for $3.99 is a price point that I can and would support.

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 12:41

We need to wait for:

a) an official statement, and

b) full disclosure about their plans (prizes, exclusives, sets, etc...).

As to a), I think a member of the development team posting the pricing structure in regards to a query by a beta tester (me) is pretty solid.

Considering that b) is likely not to be decided upon until after the Paid Beta, and yet you'll be paying the prices already provided, players will be making their decisions with the information we have.

Perhaps they will change everything last minute before the Paid Beta starts tomorrow; you'll be able to tell by checking out http://hco.heroclix.com/ once it goes live.

Additionally, I think it is important that we as a community give some voice to our displeasure about the pricing information. There is a chance, no matter how slim, that the management sees our concerns and makes a decision to change it NOW before they go live and tank.

It would be awesome if the information Yamah provided me in the HCOnline forums is wrong or now out-of-date. I'm not holding my breath.

coyotejack

06/21/2011, 12:48

As to a), I think a member of the development team posting the pricing structure in regards to a query by a beta tester (me) is pretty solid.

Considering that b) is likely not to be decided upon until after the Paid Beta, and yet you'll be paying the prices already provided, players will be making their decisions with the information we have.

Perhaps they will change everything last minute before the Paid Beta starts tomorrow; you'll be able to tell by checking out http://hco.heroclix.com/ once it goes live.

Additionally, I think it is important that we as a community give some voice to our displeasure about the pricing information. There is a chance, no matter how slim, that the management sees our concerns and makes a decision to change it NOW before they go live and tank.

It would be awesome if the information Yamah provided me in the HCOnline forums is wrong or now out-of-date. I'm not holding my breath.

But you see, this is the problem...we don't know for sure. All we know for sure is that we can pay $1.95 to play in the paid beta. We get access to HoT and the FF Starter. And we get an extra figure for that as well. Sure a comment was made about later pricing but I would never, EVER consider that the last word.

Hey, if it IS the actual price point I'll still play. Sure people are allowed to voice their displeasure but I think it should be informed and complete (much like someone voicing their approval).

dweez009

06/21/2011, 13:08

But you see, this is the problem...we don't know for sure. All we know for sure is that we can pay $1.95 to play in the paid beta. We get access to HoT and the FF Starter. And we get an extra figure for that as well. Sure a comment was made about later pricing but I would never, EVER consider that the last word.

Hey, if it IS the actual price point I'll still play. Sure people are allowed to voice their displeasure but I think it should be informed and complete (much like someone voicing their approval).

I agree with this.

absolutvt69

06/21/2011, 13:11

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 13:19

Just to clarify, the $1.95 gets you the FF starter and the opportunity to buy HoT right?

According to the information we have from the HCOnline forums, you are correct. $1.95 gets you the software, access to Paid Beta, and the FF Starter. You may then purchase Clixbux from http://hco.heroclix.com and then use those Clixbux to buy HoT boosters and bricks.

StupidHorse

06/21/2011, 13:21

when i go to the link in the faq to create an account, i get an authentication error asking me for a username & password. wtf?

bugleboy

06/21/2011, 13:35

Just adding my voice to the crowd. I would never pay $11 or $12 for a virtual booster.

It's a basic business model that lower prices and higher volume is preferable.
Would you rather have 50 people pay $100 for a virtual "brick", or have 500 people pay $10 for the same?

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 13:38

when i go to the link in the faq to create an account, i get an authentication error asking me for a username & password. wtf?

It's not live yet.

NeoShazam

06/21/2011, 14:11

It would be awesome if the information Yamah provided me in the HCOnline forums is wrong or now out-of-date. I'm not holding my breath.

The 4 day old information ;)

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 14:13

The 4 day old information ;)

Yup, the 4-day old information which some community members have decried in this thread as not a formal announcement.

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 14:55

http://hco.heroclix.com is now live. Unfortunately, the "Buy Bux" portion of it is locked so that only those who have paid the Paid Beta fee can access it.

If someone registers today, can you post the final prices?

Thanks.

SWTony

06/21/2011, 15:20

As much as it pains me to say it, I am out. The price point is absolutely ridiculous. The whole reason that the real clix are as expensive as they are is because of the cost associated with creating molds and producing the physical models and then shipping them from China. The cost associated with this game, however is vastly smaller. The digital sculpts are provided by WK, and those that don't have digital sculpts are simply scanned in, the legwork is considerably smaller than production of millions of actual pieces. There is also little in the way of development- the stats and powers are all provided by WK, again. The cost of developing this medium is a fraction of the cost of developing the real thing, and yet we are expected to pay the same price? More, actually, since cases of real product can be bought at less than MSRP.

Nope. Sorry, WK. I thought I may have found a way to suppliment my meager playing schedule. Icarus just priced me right out of that. $4 for a virtual booster, I could see myself paying. $12? Not so much.

sniksder

06/21/2011, 15:35

sniksder

06/21/2011, 15:36

Yup, the 4-day old information which some community members have decried in this thread as not a formal announcement.

Oh but it is now........

https://hco.heroclix.com/product/971/purchase

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 15:39

Oh but it is now........

https://hco.heroclix.com/product/971/purchase

Unfortunately, we can't see that unless you've paid the money to get a login.

Thank you for posting the confirmation earlier, tho!

sniksder

06/21/2011, 15:58

Unfortunately, we can't see that unless you've paid the money to get a login.

Thank you for posting the confirmation earlier, tho!

Here is a screen shot then, sorry for the size but you can make out the cost.

http://hcrealms.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1797&pictureid=16604

moonxine77

06/21/2011, 15:59

Here is a screen shot then, sorry for the size but you can make out the cost.

http://hcrealms.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1797&pictureid=16604

Much thanks.

tyroclix

06/21/2011, 16:00

Paid the 1.95 for the paid beta and the FF figs, and yes it is $5 for 100 clix bucks, so those of you who have $$ to burn you most likely will be abel to dominate because most cant justify paying full price for online figs, when the same price you can buy real clixs at a venue.

I was told that if we have an issue with the cost to let customer support know, LOL like that will matter at this point.

Tournaments will cost 20 clix bucks to enter, and winner gets 60, 2nd 40, 3rd and 4th 20, and if you are the only one to enter you will win and get the 60.

Interesting that tournaments are played for money. I guess its to tempt players who think they can win with the F4 Pieces plus bonus figure to get enough ClixBux to buy a booster.

Looking forward to hearing the tournament exploits that exist to reap those ClixBux...

(When I made my prediction of 11.95 a booster, I was using that as the absurd extreme to illustrate a point. I can't believe the pessimists were correct...)

sniksder

06/21/2011, 16:04

Interesting that tournaments are played for money. I guess its to tempt players who think they can win with the F4 Pieces plus bonus figure to get enough ClixBux to buy a booster.

Looking forward to hearing the tournament exploits that exist to reap those ClixBux...

(When I made my prediction of 11.95 a booster, I was using that as the absurd extreme to illustrate a point. I can't believe the pessimists were correct...)

See we have a role in society :P

But there does seem to still be bugs, played a 400 pointer against Normalview, he mentioned that perplex was not working correctly for him, and his Thing got Ko'ed even though he was using willpower.

And after the game ended, i got sent to a black screen had to esc out of program and when signed back in no credit was given for the win.

swampdog

06/21/2011, 18:02

There's not even the smallest chance I would pay for virtual clix, although no offense is meant to anyone who does. But it strikes me as throwing away money that I'll never even get a bit of plastic in return for. :m-dolphin:

44Killa

06/21/2011, 18:12

hcosupport@icarusstudios.com <------customer support wants your e-mails saying how redonkculas the prices are. They WANT them.........

NeoShazam

06/21/2011, 18:44

I was told that if we have an issue with the cost to let customer support know, LOL like that will matter at this point.

I think they'll classify "we" as those who paid for the beta test and "issue with the cost" as the $1.95 for the beta.

But there does seem to still be bugs, played a 400 pointer against Normalview, he mentioned that perplex was not working correctly for him, and his Thing got Ko'ed even though he was using willpower.

And after the game ended, i got sent to a black screen had to esc out of program and when signed back in no credit was given for the win.

Lol, he activated his "game doesn't count" special power.

Matthevv

06/21/2011, 18:53

How about instead of wasting all this money on HCO, use that funding to instead re release some really well missed figs we all know and love. I for one played that beta and went "Damn I wish I could buy HoT booster packs for real". Not "wow I can't wait to buy nonexistant figures for an online game where I don't really get to choose who my opponents are!"