FreeRealms launch imminent? Beta site down for "launch"

Stevon

Well, it looks like FreeRealms may be going live tomorrow.    So far it seems to be a well executed game, with a few quirks (no mouse invert wth?) but overall well executed for it's target audience.  But it also seems quite "incomplete" at this stage and I'm surprised that it is about to launch.

 

bmdevine

The beta sure wasn't very long.  I wonder if they're getting overwhelmingly positive feedback, or if they don't care and just want to get it out there and start raking in a little cash on the memberships.  I got into the beta a few days ago, and can't really speak to the volume of bugs, since I haven't played it much, but did encounter a despawned NPC and couldn't do the beginning racetrack quest.

Best of luck to them.  I hope it goes well.  It sounds like there's a decent amount of public support for the game.

ljay1973

the forums/game is currently down because of

 

From 9:00 AM PDT until 1:00 PM PDT on Monday, April 27, 2009, all of the SOE services and games will be undergoing maintenance and will be unavailable.

This might also cause some forum accounts to temporarily lose permissions, due to the inability to verify account status while the maintenance is taking place. This is only temporary and normal permissions will return automatically once the maintenance is complete.

We apologize for this interruption and will resume all affected services as soon as the maintenance is completed.

 

 

not sure if there was already downtime for another reason

Nadia

Originally posted by ljay1973

not sure if there was already downtime for another reason

can see the reason here

www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/233847/Going-live-on-the-28th.html

Starting Monday, April 27th at 8:00am PDT we are going to be pushing a big update to the web and game servers. The servers will be unavailable all day Monday as we do our final tests and checks.

At this time all beta characters will be deleted.

The servers and website will be brought back online Tuesday, April 28th. At this time Free Realms will be live! Just log in, make a character and play. Memberships and Station Cash purchases will be enabled at this time as well.

adamch29

I am very excited.  I had a great time during beta.  I was a bit embarrassed at first to be playing  a "Kid's Game" and having so much fun.  My girlfriend actually commented "I havn't seen you so into a game in a while".  SOE might not be a perfect gaming company, but some of the hooks they create can really keep you involved.  Collections, mini games, TCG games, tons and tons of multi part quests.  You don't level too quickly and you can get excited when you do.  Gear and stuff isn't that important yet, and the whole thing is a bit gimicky, but I definately see it as worth the 4.95 a month for membership.  I'm looking forward to trying Archer and Wizard.  I'd love to hear other peoples experience with the beta.

 

 

Az2002ro

The beta proved fairly successful.  Most all comments on the beta forums were positive, with some minor complaints about charging a monthly fee and Station Cash items.  From what i have seen, the beta vibe is much higher than your average MMO beta.

Personally, I really like the game.  I purposely didnt play much.  I want to enjoy it starting Tuesday, knowing there wont be a wipe.  I look forward to Archer and Wizard jobs also.  For me, I thought the TCG was done very well.  I like that you can play online and in the real world.

This game will be big.  Funny though, not a ton of advertising for going live tomorrow.  Im thinking they want a slow and steady release, and will begin pushing it come the weekend.

MasterPain55

 I don't understand why people were angered because of the 5$ premium membership. I mean this is an mmorpg, and if they do plan on updating it they have to be recieving some sort of profit to justify spending more developer time on the game. I havn't played beta but i would glady hand over 5$ if i enjoy the game. I realize the game is targeted for ages 9-14, so more than likely these kids havn't been introduced to the "no free lunch" concept.

rhinok

Originally posted by MasterPain55


 I don't understand why people were angered because of the 5$ premium membership. I mean this is an mmorpg, and if they do plan on updating it they have to be recieving some sort of profit to justify spending more developer time on the game. I havn't played beta but i would glady hand over 5$ if i enjoy the game. I realize the game is targeted for ages 9-14, so more than likely these kids havn't been introduced to the "no free lunch" concept.

In general, I agree.  It doesn't matter what revenue model it has, but it has to have one.  Irrespective of those individuals who think they shouldn't ever have to pay for any game, I think the major point of contention is that the name "Free Realms" implies that the game is F2P. Furthermore, their own website states "Free Realms is a free 3D virtual world", which further implies the game is F2P.  That's not the case, however.  Free Realms is a "freemium" game with hybrid revenue model that includes:

• A fair chunk of free content, but users can't actually play all content (quests, areas, jobs) without spending money, which is what separates it from a true F2P, in my opinion
• A subscription fee to unlock additiona content.  Please note, I personally consider content to be that which is "playable", which includes quests, dungeons, jobs, classes, etc... I don't necessarily consider items to be content.
• Cash shop items - I think a cash shop is fine as long as the  items are for convenience, vanity or collecting and don't give game play advantages. Unfortunately, there will be items in the Free Reamls cash shop that grant game play advantages, per SOE, which gives me pause, personally. (Source)

I'm completely ok with the model, but I can see where some might be confused, especially kids and their non-gamer parents.  I'm also concerned about the cash shop items that give game play advantages, which I think is unfair in any cash shop game. the actual quote is (emphasis mine):

Will items that are bought with station cash or a membership give that player an advantage over other players playing the game or will these items be just cosmetic?

 

We sell a mix of items at the Station Cash marketplace. Some items are cosmetic, like potions that turn you into a cat for a period of time. Others do affect your gameplay, like weapons that have greater damage. That doesn’t mean you can’t beat the player who buys items in our competitive minigames, though. Player skill also has an effect, especially in the more action-oriented minigames.

~Ripper

 

Bodeus

anyone know what time today it opens? ive been checking every other hour all day and the website is still showing down to me.

rhinok

Originally posted by Bodeus


anyone know what time today it opens? ive been checking every other hour all day and the website is still showing down to me.

http://twitter.com/freerealms

That's about the best source for updates you'll find.

~Ripper