[...]did anyone have a go at it or is currently playing?
\o
backer since before the Kickstarter (when it was still site only), org founder (Free Trade League), and former mod amongst other things.
I am interested in the modes it offers coz from what I understand I can also play a marine and take part in FPS element of the verse, right?
you can... it's anyone's guess how much PvE ground play content will be available, but there are several orgs focusing on it, so if nothing else there's strong support for PvP FPS. There's a plethora of professions intended, and multiple scales for most, including grunt security FPS, combat pilots, large ship commands, piracy, bounty hunting, miner, repair, refueler, trader, shipping, smuggling, explorer, information broker, medical, luxury, crafting (think enchanter rather than maker), and more.
So, anyone in the know about how the game plays and what kind of budget/investment it requires from the player?
same thing I tell everyone else. get the base game, on sale, during the mid october or late november anniversary sale (whenever they have better discounts for new people), then forget about it for a couple of years.
[/quote]Whats the experience like?[/QUOTE]
There are no full gameplay loops yet and several professions won't be added until next year. Right now, unless you just like staring at pretty things, goofing off with no point, and reporting on how mechanics work in the hopes that you'll influence refinements to them.... there's no game to be had... it's
just a testing environment for game mechanics. It's also extremely laggy (although the next build drop is supposed to improve that). The only people that should even consider buying in more than that are ones that are doing major organization support, or those that can't stand the idea of both being reliant on a player organization AND want to jump straight into a particular profession. and I say that as someone who has spent an unhealthy amount guaranteeing my org's resources.
Things to Know:
If you get involved at this stage, manage expectations. SC is NOT anything like your standard early access game where all the basics are already built, and they're just backfilling assets and story. They are still literally building out engine functions and base mechanics, and I personally expect a year more before players see anything of the single player campaign, and two for a usable Persistent Universe (MMO side)... at a minimum. Add another year (much to my disappointment) for a more realistic goal.
ETA:
additional details. Feel free to contact me there as Void-Singer