I hope this is something that Microsoft sees and considers.  I would certainly be willing to pay money to start playing now even though its in alpha stage.  They could put terms and conditions that would state that there would be limited to no technical support until the final version is released.  I for one would be willing to put up with crashes, bugs, ect for the ability to start using this simulator.

Once the final version is released, I would again pay full asking price.

example: $100 for alpha through beta + $100 for the final version

Anyone else?

I would be willing to pay a discounted price for the beta (early access product). It would be worth it to me to get to play it now, and get to own it at a lower price than retail when it is fully released; just for the fun of being able to play it now instead of waiting next year or so. Even though it's is not complete, finished, and buggy.

 The problem is: some people will get the "early access" product, and then start complaining that it's buggy/not finished, etc, even though they knew that it would be an early access product. And what that means.

I don't think MS would be wanting to deal with that.

We see it with early access games and products now. People buying the early access product, and then complain that "it's not finished".

This might be a way for small, not well funded game companies to raise money while developing their game, but MS is definitely not in that position...

TLDR: I doubt MS will go this route.

 

Edited October 26, 20196 yr by SlowFlyer

Yes I would, but I'd resent having to do so.

If my math is right, 7 people were chosen for the alpha and 7 people weren't.😁

4 hours ago, Brandon0110 said:

Once the final version is released, I would again pay full asking price

There's one born every minute.

4 hours ago, Brandon0110 said:

I hope this is something that Microsoft sees and considers

Hopefully not! 

Absolutely not. Too many beta testers, with too many configurations and too little experience as testers is a sure fire recipe for a disastrous development. They would literally be swamped with bug reports some legitimate, some totally wrong. Let them develop with a core of chosen testers, expand that group when the product goes beta and release the product to the general population when it's ready. I should add that despite NDA's forums would be flooded with illegitimate complaints and render Microsoft's pretty impressive marketing so far, fairly useless. 

Edited October 26, 20196 yr by yidahoo

Already have PC game pass subscription.

I would not be willing to pay anything for a half built simulator when I have a fully working one already installed on my PC.

Edited October 26, 20196 yr by Christopher Low

Lol.. You want to pay for an alpha version? 

Probably for a beta as well, before you pay for the release. 

Seriously, have patience, and pass that money to charity. 

"Early Release" is pretty common for many Steam games. Everyone knows that it's incomplete and understands that many features are not functional.

MS would probably prefer to have more control over the dev/test cycle, so I couldn't see it happening.

Like I have said elsewhere, watch out for Alpha test IDs for sale on ebay 😉

Edited October 26, 20196 yr by smoothchat

1 hour ago, smoothchat said:

Like I have said elsewhere, watch out for Alpha test IDs for sale on ebay 😉

Put me on the list of people that would buy one, making sure I paid with PayPal, and then immediately inform Microsoft and file a claim in Ebay. It is almost certain to be against the rules somewhere and takes away a legitimate opportunity from someone else who wasn't trying to make the quick buck.

I wouldn't pay extra for alpha testing, but I would pre-order for an early access programme.