Posted September 07, 2013
![avatar](/upload/avatars/2013/03/2e07ab8ee122404d03f6d47c7250ca3ea8526feb_t.jpg)
"NANOCOMPOSITE - Name a planet in the Epsilon Eridani star system! Within reason."
So no win yet :P
![avatar](/upload/avatars/2012/11/c8954eca302fb9e3ef7353f8c4e35dad9c23e9cf_t.jpg)
"Personal suite on Alpha Station with a special mission that allows you to become part-owner of Alpha Station for the duration of your single player story mode campaign."
I've highlighted that bit because designing a special mission would take time away from the main game and, as we all know by now, time = money. While the content DOES smack of exclusivity, I think it's only fair to charge for having to design, test, possibly re-design, and ensure that the special mission doesn't just feel like it's thrown in there for the sake of fulfilling a promise. If you're going to put in a special mission you have to ensure that it blends with the entire narrative somehow. I don't know how the designing of a mission goes but I am sure it does take time to do so and do so properly.
As to the other content:
$50 = Space Monkey - so an in-game pet. Exclusive? Yes, but is it really necessary in order to have a complete game?
$100 = Crew locker AKA loot chest. Exclusive? You bet! Still nothing of actual value as far as getting a complete game.
$250 = Crew quarters AKA a slightly bigger loot chest. Exclusive? Yes but still doesn't take away from the completion of the game. Also, designing a room, or anything else in any game, isn't free and may take some small amounts of time.
$500 = Alpha lounge access that is only available in single-player mode. So another room that doesn't sound like it contains anything other than a cosmetic view of space and NPCs and no hint on whether you can get exclusive missions in there. Again, designing this takes time and money.
$1000 = Special story mode mission. Exclusive content that isn't a glorified storage container or a room with a view. Still no details as to whether this isn't a glorified side quest that again takes time and money away from the original scope of the entire design of the game.
Also, from an earlier post of yours:
$15 gets you a DRM-free digital copy, a high-res digital poster of the cover art
That sounds like exclusive digital content for those who don't pay the extra money :P Granted, it's only a $9 difference but the principle appears to remain the same.
So while you may win on some points, consider what you're fighting against and whether the victory is worth the war :)