Being a Founder will net exclusive items and beta access.
Even though free-to-play games are still a relatively new concept, the accepted pricing structure has already changed dramatically. Instead of offering cheap, piecemeal transactions, some developers have decided to sell you everything at once. Those of you looking to go adventuring in the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons MMO Neverwinter can pick up a number of exclusive items and reserve a guaranteed spot in the beta, provided that you are willing to buy a Founder’s Pack for $20, $60, or $200.
The Founder’s Packs come in three flavors: the Neverwinter Starter Kit ($20), the Guardian of Neverwinter Pack ($60), and the Hero of the North Founder’s Pack ($200). While the Starter Kit includes only a few in-game items and experience boosts, the two more expensive ones include everything from exclusive mounts to animal companions to VIP Weekend Beta access. Furthermore, the game’s website insists that these packs offer value well in excess of their asking prices: up to $549 for the Hero of the North Pack.
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in Neverwinter and can’t live with the thought of missing out on the beta test, these packs could very well prove worth the money. On the other hand, while sinking up to $60 into an unproven game is standard consumer behavior at this point, dropping $200 seems like a risky proposition. At times like this, it’s best to make use of a Foresight spell.
