“Alexa, Play Starfinder”

For those who use the phone app as I do and have issues getting it pulled up. You can go to the apps menu - skills and games - and then you search for Starfinder. Make sure the app can gain access to your phone's microphone and you should be set to go!

Also this week for Starfinder Wednesday we will be doing a livestream talking about Starfinder on Alexa and answering your questions! And for those in the future land reading this, you can always check Paizo's Youtube Channel for the livestream VOD on the youtube channel.

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Where are you? We're finding out just today, I think, that it's US only until mid-January, and then just a few English speaking countries more.

US only? Oh, Amazon...

I highly recommend everyone use a VPN anyway, and they generally give options to choose your publicly available country IP.

Played through this today as an Operative and had a blast. Only part I didn't like was the three questions at the beginning to figure out which character you are, but I also already knew which one I wanted to play. I get that people will play this who haven't played Starfinder, so it makes sense? Could the skill maybe ask something like "Have you ever played Starfinder before?" Then if the answer is yes you can just opt to choose from a list of characters instead? Food for thought.
The experience however was a total blast. Can't wait for more, particularly starship combat. One mechanic that was a little odd was I had no idea which skills I was good at and which I wasn't, but I made educated guesses or made my Technomancer friend do it instead lol. Can't wait for Incident to come out. Particularly excited for Starship Combat!!!

It keeps crashing on me :/ guess I'll try again another day.

Why limit to these countries? Also in e.g. Netherlands Alexa in English is used and I assume the same applies to many other (smaller) countries.

I understand the focus on English, but the country limitations don’t make sense to me........

It keeps crashing on me :/ guess I'll try again another day.

You can always drop us a note at starfinder-alexa@amazon.com

Happy to look into it for you!

At launch, just say "Alexa, play Starfinder!" on any Alexa-enabled device.

You might want to change this to "Alexa, open Starfinder!" The word "play" seems prompt music searches instead, and it took a while to sort out.

(It would also be helpful to have "describe" work like "tell me about" in the app.)

Will this enable Solo Play? As in GM-less, just one person working through a module play? Or is a group and GM still needed? If not, any plans for developing and using Alexa for Solo Play as I describe? Also, are there plans for this on Pathfinder? Seems there is potential here. Thanks.

Played through as mechanic. It was pretty nifty, so I'll continue to get these as they come out.

Will this enable Solo Play? As in GM-less, just one person working through a module play? Or is a group and GM still needed? If not, any plans for developing and using Alexa for Solo Play as I describe? Also, are there plans for this on Pathfinder? Seems there is potential here. Thanks.

The Alexa skill currently only supports a single-player experience, so it's exactly what you're looking for!

Medriev wrote:

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Where are you? We're finding out just today, I think, that it's US only until mid-January, and then just a few English speaking countries more.

US only? Sorry Paizo but that's an epic fail as far as I'm concerned. Was a bit meh on this when I found out what it was but the Know Direction review piqued my interest and now I apparently can't access this in the UK. Very disappointing given all the hype.

Xenocrat wrote:

Medriev wrote:

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Where are you? We're finding out just today, I think, that it's US only until mid-January, and then just a few English speaking countries more.

US only? Sorry Paizo but that's an epic fail as far as I'm concerned. Was a bit meh on this when I found out what it was but the Know Direction review piqued my interest but now I apparently can't access this in the UK. Very disappointing given all the hype.

UK is supposed to get it next month. Anglosphere big four plus India.

Medriev wrote:

Xenocrat wrote:

Medriev wrote:

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Where are you? We're finding out just today, I think, that it's US only until mid-January, and then just a few English speaking countries more.

US only? Sorry Paizo but that's an epic fail as far as I'm concerned. Was a bit meh on this when I found out what it was but the Know Direction review piqued my interest but now I apparently can't access this in the UK. Very disappointing given all the hype.

UK is supposed to get it next month. Anglosphere big four plus India.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Would be good if Paizo had clarified in advance that this was US only on release.

Last paragraph in the blog post:
"The pilot episode is free and is available in English in the United States. It will expand to Canada, Australia, the UK, and India in mid-January."

Xenocrat wrote:

Medriev wrote:

Xenocrat wrote:

Medriev wrote:

Not working for me either as a direct request to my Echo Show or in the skills list. Anyone have it yet?

Where are you? We're finding out just today, I think, that it's US only until mid-January, and then just a few English speaking countries more.

US only? Sorry Paizo but that's an epic fail as far as I'm concerned. Was a bit meh on this when I found out what it was but the Know Direction review piqued my interest but now I apparently can't access this in the UK. Very disappointing given all the hype.

UK is supposed to get it next month. Anglosphere big four plus India.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Would be good if Paizo had clarified in advance that this was US only on release.

My apologies. We learned the roll-out would only be to the USA after our initial announcement. What we know now is that it is scheduled to expand to Canada, Australia, the UK, and India in mid-January.

We have heard demand from Europe and Turkey.

This is a pilot episode. We and Amazon are listening to feedback and developing more features. We will set clear exceptions for the premium episode launches in February!

Last paragraph in the blog post:

"The pilot episode is free and is available in English in the United States. It will expand to Canada, Australia, the UK, and India in mid-January."

Thanks. Literally only saw that today. Have been checking Alexa skills and trying direct commands since yesterday. It has not been well communicated that this is US only on release given the previous blogs and hype on social media. As I said above, this seems like an epic fail from Paizo on this occasion. Ignoring part of the customer base is never wise.

I don’t think Paizo had much say in where all it launched.

I don’t think Paizo had much say in where all it launched.

None.

I know that from the outside, it seems like it should be able to just work everywhere, but Amazon's international operations are manifold and complex; the Alexa skills folks can't just flip a switch and have it running worldwide.

We will set clear exceptions for the premium episode launches in February!

Thanks for the info! Just to clarify, do you mean that more info about the premium episodes will be released in February, or that the episodes will be released in February and will have clear expectations at that time?

I know the software industry is notorious for delays, but if it's at all possible to have the release date before March 15th, I will definitely spend my no-rush credits from all my Christmas shopping on a premium episode!

Thanks :-)

JP Ro wrote:

Will this enable Solo Play? As in GM-less, just one person working through a module play? Or is a group and GM still needed? If not, any plans for developing and using Alexa for Solo Play as I describe? Also, are there plans for this on Pathfinder? Seems there is potential here. Thanks.

The Alexa skill currently only supports a single-player experience, so it's exactly what you're looking for!

Thanks for letting me know! I didn't even know this existed until yesterday. Any plans to do something similar for Pathfinder, too? If not, PLEASE DO, thanks! I've never played Starfinder, but do have the core rulebook and might just have to check this out solo. Thanks for the innovative thinking on this. So many of us have no group near them to 'scratch the tabletop RPG itch', so hopefully this can help do just that.

Interesting, not to bad of a teaser intro, I just played an operative and made it through with only minor damage.

Looking forward to the next full on episode, good job!!

I could most def see a Pathfinder 2nd Ed or even 1st Ed with this please as well!!

Tom

Absolutely amazing! This was so much fun! PLEASE GIVE US MORE lol. I'm hoping some Pathfinder episodes are released, but definitely excited for more Starfinder!

Aaron Shanks wrote:

We will set clear exceptions for the premium episode launches in February!

Thanks for the info! Just to clarify, do you mean that more info about the premium episodes will be released in February, or that the episodes will be released in February and will have clear expectations at that time?

Now that we know staggered geographic releases are a way of life at Amazon, we'll make sure to better communicate those launch dates by region when we make the official announcement.

I know the software industry is notorious for delays, but if it's at all possible to have the release date before March 15th, I will definitely spend my no-rush credits from all my Christmas shopping on a premium episode!

Based on where they are right now, you should definitely see the first premium episode in February. Exact date in February is still TBD.

Good Gaming!

-Jim

Any word on a price point for the premium episodes? And how big they'll be compared to this one.

Tamago wrote:

I know the software industry is notorious for delays, but if it's at all possible to have the release date before March 15th, I will definitely spend my no-rush credits from all my Christmas shopping on a premium episode!

Based on where they are right now, you should definitely see the first premium episode in February. Exact date in February is still TBD.

Huzzah! I'll be sure to pick this up!

For people who signed up for the beta, do you know how that process will work yet?

Jim Butler wrote:

Tamago wrote:

I know the software industry is notorious for delays, but if it's at all possible to have the release date before March 15th, I will definitely spend my no-rush credits from all my Christmas shopping on a premium episode!

Based on where they are right now, you should definitely see the first premium episode in February. Exact date in February is still TBD.

Huzzah! I'll be sure to pick this up!

For people who signed up for the beta, do you know how that process will work yet?

Hey Tamago!

I'm actually working on the beta organization as we speak, I'm hoping to start on-boarding folks over the next two weeks!

Starfinder on Alexa is now live in the UK, Canada, and Australia.

Tamago wrote:

Jim Butler wrote:

Tamago wrote:

I know the software industry is notorious for delays, but if it's at all possible to have the release date before March 15th, I will definitely spend my no-rush credits from all my Christmas shopping on a premium episode!

Based on where they are right now, you should definitely see the first premium episode in February. Exact date in February is still TBD.

Huzzah! I'll be sure to pick this up!

For people who signed up for the beta, do you know how that process will work yet?

Hey Tamago!

I'm actually working on the beta organization as we speak, I'm hoping to start on-boarding folks over the next two weeks!

Woot! Seriously excited for this!

Now I just need to get my wife to finish her playthrough so that I can free up my save slot for the beta ;)

I'm assuming this is a known issue, but I have several times had it get stuck at "Would you like to continue as ___?" Answering yes or asking for options or whatever I say to it, the app says it doesn't understand.

Why only english-speaking countries ? You know, people in non-English-speaking countries actually CAN speak english very often...

Here in Germany people got English at school from class 5 to 12. That's 8 years long.

What hinders you to offer the english Alexa-Starfinder on German Amazon ?

You ARE aware that the world does not only consist of the English-speaking countries ?

I don't think the language has anything to do with it.

Why only english-speaking countries ? You know, people in non-English-speaking countries actually CAN speak english very often...

Here in Germany people got English at school from class 5 to 12. That's 8 years long.

What hinders you to offer the english Alexa-Starfinder on German Amazon ?

You ARE aware that the world does not only consist of the English-speaking countries ?

My guess is that this is an Amazon restriction, not a Paizo one. Especially since there was not a simultaneous rollout even for the English-speaking countries.

There are also things like royalties and licensing to consider, which might differ depending on what country the user is in.

is there any news on when the next one is supposed to come out?

The free Starfinder on Alexa pilot episode update is live now in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada!

Take to the streets of Absalom Station with two new characters! Play as Obozaya, the towering Vesk soldier. She’s former Vesk military turned mercenary, pursuing jobs that align with her personal sense of honor. Obozaya is strong, tough, and devastating in close-quarters combat.
You can also play as Keskodai, the Shirrin mystic. Wielding magic in the name of the death goddess Pharasma, Keskodai goes where the goddess wills. Keskodai is a team player, who revels in new people and experiences. They’re a wise healer, but capable of holding their own on the battlefield.

Select any of the five available characters through a new, streamlined introduction that immerses you in the action.

MagicSN wrote:

Why only english-speaking countries ? You know, people in non-English-speaking countries actually CAN speak english very often...

Here in Germany people got English at school from class 5 to 12. That's 8 years long.

What hinders you to offer the english Alexa-Starfinder on German Amazon ?

You ARE aware that the world does not only consist of the English-speaking countries ?

My guess is that this is an Amazon restriction, not a Paizo one. Especially since there was not a simultaneous rollout even for the English-speaking countries.

There are also things like royalties and licensing to consider, which might differ depending on what country the user is in.

Correct, this is not a Paizo decision.

is there any news on when the next one is supposed to come out?

We have a blog scheduled for late March for more news. Until then, please try out the updated pilot.