Is this the first ever premium solo game on BGA...

[ahyangyi]

Just the title. I find it a bit ridiculous that a solo-only game is made available to only premium users.

Normally the argument is that "if you are non-premium you have to wait for some premium user to create a table for you". But this time, if you are not premium you simply cannot play this...

[ufm]

This works as the same as all solo tables in all other premium games. No exception.

[Jellby]

But you can get free premium months from (free) gift points. So yes, you need to be premium, but you can still play for free.

[ahyangyi]

No, this is not "I don't know what to do or how things work" question. It's a "BGA, are you shooting yourself in the foot?" question.

For "normal" premium games, the business model is (I assume) that to let non-premium users to try out the games, but sell the freedom to create tables and tweak settings packaged in premium subscription as an added-value service.

But if that's the case, then I doubt it would work well for a solo-only game. Non-premium users cannot try it out, so they cannot be "hooked" to buy premium subscription at all. And people who have the game in real life are unlikely to buy premium just for this game (after all, finding a gaming group is a non-issue for a solo game). So, what for?

Note that this question does not affect myself in any way. I have more than enough gift points to try things when I like to. I am not seeking personal advice.

[Jellby]

Premium users (free or not) who try the game, may find this game is a reason to keep their premiumship.

Nonpremium users may be enticed to start a trial premiumship to try this game.

[ufm]

No, this is not "I don't know what to do or how things work" question. It's a "BGA, are you shooting yourself in the foot?" question.

For "normal" premium games, the business model is (I assume) that to let non-premium users to try out the games, but sell the freedom to create tables and tweak settings packaged in premium subscription as an added-value service.

But if that's the case, then I doubt it would work well for a solo-only game. Non-premium users cannot try it out, so they cannot be "hooked" to buy premium subscription at all. And people who have the game in real life are unlikely to buy premium just for this game (after all, finding a gaming group is a non-issue for a solo game). So, what for?

Note that this question does not affect myself in any way. I have more than enough gift points to try things when I like to. I am not seeking personal advice.

Then you should ask the publisher that question, not BGA. BGA does not decide premium status. The publisher does.
In fact, BGA double-checked the premium status for exactly this reason.

[MatheusSantana]

It's ok that this would be a premium only game, but while it is in BETA testing it should be open for all (at least)!

[ufm]

That applies during alpha, because alpha implementations are usually very unstable.
In contrast, most beta implementations are highly stable. So, they don't need such clauses.