I did check 3.2 release notes, and was curious to try mining, although it seems that you need to spend real world money to get a ship, because that is the only way to actually mine. Wait, I can't buy a mining laser for my ship? Now, considering that I did pay once to back the game, and once again to upgrade my ship to play cargo missions; I can say that I am at the point where I see a trend here: new features behind paywalls. "but you can [put an excuse here]"; nope; that is not compatible with the many statements that the majority of this community did establish as foundation: "we are here to test and support this game"; and we paid for the "privilege" to test and help. But how do I test if I do not have a ship that use that mechanic? Simple: you buy it. There is a talk to introduce ships as purchasable item in game; which is great...but do you see this happening any time soon, and most of all, what will be the alpha-credits requirement? Most likely pretty high, so you still prefer to pledge and get a ship instead, with real money. Because let's face it; as I did upgrade my ship to try cargo in 3.0; many will buy a mining ship to try mining; and so on with the other mechanics that will happen during the development process. Source of income guaranteed. "But in the final game you will be forced to buy a ship"; yes, but that is a finished game; I am not there to test, I am there to progress. And beside that; other games allow you to get mining lasers and put them on your ship; so if you want to try different professions, you can do so even if you just started. "But you do not have to play [put a mechanic/profession here]"; yes, but then this means that the people testing are the ones that can afford it. So the statement that "we are here to test", is fundamentally a big pile of organic material :slightly_smiling_face: So I want to know from CIG; how many times you want me to pay, to test YOUR product? Please let me know; so at least I can figure out if I should even spend time with SC at this stage. My simple solution would be "allow [specialized ship that use a mechanic not usable by other ships] to be available on PU, for free, to anyone that did buy a package". I believe in PTU they do open up to all ships; so why not allowing players that already did pledge at least the base package (in my case, more than that, since I have 2 accounts), to get these ships for testing? The answer may lie on the fact that ships sale is the only income for CIG, so they are most likely delaying as humanly possible, the chance to get your flying gloves on other ships, and hope that you get so fired up that you run to the store and pledge to get a different ship. From my perspective, it is all fine; I can avoid mining and anything else I can't do with my current ships; although when someone start playing violins and sad music, saying that we are here to test the game; I really start to wonder if it is not offensive and done on purpose. I am not buying a ship to try something that I should test; after all this is an alpha of a game, not the final game. If things will change, I will gladly take part in testing, like I did for the past 5 years or so; otherwise, life goes on, and the fact that my account collect dust, is not affecting my life in any single way. I hope that CIG will consider that a testing ground should have everything needed for testing, to be unlocked, if you already paid once. At least keep PTU open all the time; if it is a "technical issue" to allow ships you do not "pledge for". There are many solutions, but as they say: "Where there is a will, there is a way". Have fun out there. ================================================== ADDENDUM ============================================================ After all the replies, some did not surprise me, considering that SC fanbase is very wide and cover a lot of different personalities. The good is that someone tried to actually have a discussion based on mutual understanding; and also I did notice that there were even people in agreement, which is a good sign in a community. The bad is the usual guy that post without knowing what the topic is all about; the usual ones that are not even understanding the point (I want free stuff, HAHAHAHAHA), and the ones that say "leave if you don't like it"; which for anyone that did study psychology, is a clear sign of distress and repressed fear. All calculated; this is a forum, this is internet after all. Anyway; thanks for the few hours of fun; please go back to your regular activities, I do understand that there is a sort of motto in general, that most SC backers follow; which involve accepting things for what they are, and think that we are blessed to live in these days. I am happy for you and hope that you really think in this way; because that means that you are truly satisfied of what SC is becoming. Your money, your game. Have it your way. Cheers