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Epic Games' Upcoming Sandbox-Survival Game Fortnite Starts Alpha Test Phase

Fans can sign up for Alpha, which kicks off tomorrow.

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Developer Epic Games has announced the launch of the Alpha testing phase for its sandbox survival game, Fortnite. As detailed on the official website, the Alpha will run from December 2 until December 19.

According to the developer the purpose of the testing phase, which is called Online Test 1, is to ensure that various features work properly. This includes sign-ups, patching, and gameplay. Those who are interested in participating in the Alpha testing phase can sign up via the website for the chance to receive an invitation.

Fornite is described as a co-operative sandbox survival game with gameplay divided into day and nite sections. During the day, players will work together to build fortifications using scavenged materials. Once night falls, they can retreat into their forts and fight off waves of monsters in order to survive until morning. The game will be free-to-play when it launches sometime next year.

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hystavito

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hystavito

I'm not a fan of wave attack gameplay but I'm still interested.

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dono14

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dono14

Looks really cool. Love the art-style, especially the cartoony explosions and dust clouds.


EDIT: Just realized it's a FTP, that's a bit disappointing.

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oflow

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oflow

Looks like orcs must die 2

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cboye18

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cboye18

Is there bots in here? I don't play multiplayer (unless splitscreen)

EDIT: Oh wait it's f2p nvm.

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Ravenhoe

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Ravenhoe

Was really into the idea. But I never do F2P. It is always a rip-off. Just make good games. I am happy to pay for them.

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ShinraE5

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ShinraE5

Shame this isn't on consoles! Sounds fun :/

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jack00

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jack00

Had this game in my tracked list for like 5 years or something. Now I learn it's F2P...

Too bad, I really wanted to play it.

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seanwil545

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seanwil545

So what's deal with free-to-play (never tried one)...as long as its not pay-to-win.

If you buy a new AAA game, its gonna run you anywhere from $50 to $60, so why not just give yourself a budget with free-to-play...up to $50 or $60 if you really like it.

Not saying someone has to spend that much, but at least the expense can be controlled. People pre-order games along with Season Passes committing $90+, but then have issues with free-to-play.

Confusing!!!

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jack00

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jack00

<< LINK REMOVED >> Why do you think we see more and more F2P bs games ? It's because the devs/pubs know stupid people will end up spending more money then a traditional 60$ game.

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >> The problem people have is, more than a few games are advertised as "free to play", but they block off so much content which ends up being a hefty price. The usual business strategy for that genre is to advertise it as free so a LOT of people flock to it, but then, let's say only about 25% stick around after finding out most of the game is blocked off. They stick around and end up forking out tons of money for the content which is behind a paywall. Really, it's just a waste of most people's time.

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seanwil545

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seanwil545

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

I can see how that would be a problem then.

It would also seem the model blocking content behind paywalls appears in $60 AAA games as well. DLC announced before launch, only to be released 30 days post launch.

I guess like with anything, common sense and restraint should prevail.

2 • 
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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> In that case, it depends on how much content. Sometimes I'd understand where developers are coming from if they release DLC that soon, say for instance, if the DLC isn't that substantial and they had some time between the end of development and full release, then sure (This has actually caught on as an excuse for some developers these days though, a few are blatantly lying).

Some other DLCs are also clearly things that should have been in the game, but were cut out as to sell to you later as "extra content". I'm almost positive this is the case when it came to Sims 4 and pools, until the backlash happened and they decided to give it out for free.

In the end, people just need to know the worth of the content they're getting, it's as simple as that.

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scorpionZ9

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scorpionZ9

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> and the gullible 1-2% sometimes pay 1000's of dollars on a stupid game..

2 • 
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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> This too. A lot of free-to-play games, especially mobile games, are designed to be addictive so that the few that do latch onto it, just keep paying and paying like a gambler with a problem.

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console_war_vet

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console_war_vet

This game feels like it was announced forever ago. The announcement trailer was pretty cool, but as things got further into development I lost interest.

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deathwish026

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deathwish026

<< LINK REMOVED >> we got a trailer then they went dark for 3 years so unless you have somehow been getting information about the development along the way i don't see how its possible to lose interest.. forget yes but not lose interest.

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console_war_vet

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console_war_vet

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I suppose once I saw gameplay footage I stopped caring. Then the F2P announcement didn't help.

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Sevenizz

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Sevenizz

I thought Epic quit game making and were focused on engines now?

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DaVillain

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DaVillain  Moderator

What? They been working on this game like for years now after they finish Gears of War 3.

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ecurl143

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ecurl143

<< LINK REMOVED >> You'd be forgiven for thinking that but as far as I'm aware, Epic are working on a new Unreal Tournament game + this Fortnight game that I thought had been canned - suddenly appearing.

It's a FTP - FTW, whatever the hell they're calling these games nowadays.


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biggamer194

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biggamer194

The artstyle/direction and mechanics remind me a lot of Sunset Overdrive.

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deathwish026

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deathwish026

<< LINK REMOVED >> yes. sunset overdrive/orcs must die.

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

Signed up for it. Hope I get invited.

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ecurl143

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ecurl143

Thought this project had crashed and burned?

Only interested in the new Unreal Tournament tbh but Epic aren't the company they used to be.

At one point, they owned the fps multiplayer arena shooter.

Times have changed.


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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >> Nope, it just went quiet for a long time when Cliffy B left.

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ecurl143

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ecurl143

<< LINK REMOVED >> That was kinda my point.

Since Cliffy B left - there doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on.

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> It went quiet, but then it came back to the limelight earlier this year, starting by being on the cover of Game Informer magazine.

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SaturatedButter

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SaturatedButter

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Gamespot's Shaun McInnis also wrote a feature about Fortnite back in July after he got a private play session with the game.

<< LINK REMOVED >>

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> The Game Informer cover was in May, I believe.

Edit: Quick Google Search. Yup. May.

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bladexdsl

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bladexdsl

yeah free to play with an item mall.....no thnx

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >> I'm not sure if the game has an item mall or not as you're saying, but all they've been talking about when it comes to F2P up to this point is how they don't want a pay-to-win system and how everything a person pays for is also possible to get without paying. i.e. No paywalls.

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bladexdsl

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bladexdsl

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

if it says free to play than it isn't!

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I agree with you, most free to play games suck.
There are a few that aren't so bad though, like TF2, and I'm sorta in the mindset that I'd rather give it a chance before calling them out. If it ends up having paid content that only paid players can have (more importantly: if the content alters the game and isn't something like a costume), then I'll never play it again and stay clear of their lies.

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SaturatedButter

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SaturatedButter

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Their business model with this game has already been explained. Shaun McInnis wrote an article about it for Gamespot in July.

"When you complete a level, you're rewarded for your efforts with experience points to unlock new abilities and a sort of roulette wheel of post-level prizes. These prizes generally include special weapons that will eventually wear down and break, but if you're lucky you might also get a blueprint that lets you craft that weapon as many times as you like so long as you've got the ingredients.

It's this item progression that serves as the basis of Fortnite's business model. While the game itself is free, you can pay money to purchase card packs that contain a random assortment of weapons and blueprints--all of which you can gift to friends at any point you desire. (There will also be cosmetic options a la Team Fortress 2 hats.) And that, naturally, is the biggest question surrounding Fortnite."

So basically, the more you pay, the more likely you are to get the best stuff. The people who don't pay have to grind for... well, for a lot longer than a fortnite.

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Too-DementeD

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Too-DementeD

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Oh yeah, I remember reading this. Forgot all about it. I don't mind grinding for things as long as it doesn't get too stale during the process. Heck, it might end up being more fun than paying.

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