Wrong, nope. No F2P can be financially viable for the developer to be completely free to play, otherwise there will be no pressure on players to spend their money, which on most games start at zero, and then as the player moves closer and closer to the end game he will face a lot of situations in which if he spends money he will be able to reduce challenges significantly (or make it possible to achieve in some extreme cases) and/or reduce time sinks significantly (leveling in these games will be an extremely long process, with a very high, if actually achievable, level cap).
You will either see extreme time sinks or low drop rates if the paid content or item mall can be acquired without spending one cent, and may also involve someone else spending the money to sell for you.
Unethical, yes. Wrong, nope. No F2P can be financially viable for the developer to be completely free to play, otherwise there will be no pressure on players to spend their money, which on most games start at zero, and then as the player moves closer and closer to the end game he will face a lot of situations in which if he spends money he will be able to reduce challenges significantly (or make it possible to achieve in some extreme cases) and/or reduce time sinks significantly (leveling in these games will be an extremely long process, with a very high, if actually achievable, level cap). You will either see extreme time sinks or low drop rates if the paid content or item mall can be acquired without spending one cent, and may also involve someone else spending the money to sell for you.
How is it unethical? The game is free but some of features you have to pay for.
It is not misleading, and it is in no way unethical. These games are completely "Free to play". Some may choose to pay for enhancements or bonuses, but it is not a requirement. And any gamer who doesn't realize that they have to be making money somewhere is probably just too stupid to even matter.
yep i agre
the f2p route=the long way around but it is free
f2p store=the short way around this cost something
true the long way run around the galaxy is long but it is still f2p
They are free to play. They don't promise you'll be able to play well or be able to keep up with anyone else or be able to play on the same level as people who pay, but you can indeed play for free.
You get what you pay for, what are you complaining about?
To say that it's in any way misleading is ridiculous. Can you play these games for free? Yes you can. Just because you have to pay for certain optional advantag does not mean that you suddenly can't play for free anymore.
They are free to play. They don't promise you'll be able to play well or be able to keep up with anyone else or be able to play on the same level as people who pay, but you can indeed play for free. You get what you pay for, what are you complaining about?
i love this system
some kids hate it but will spend 100 on aion plus in a month they ll have to spend monthly
i love the fact that you can buy 3 month worth of game currency like diamond in rom
true some f2p game are very bad but most are about =to p2p and soon game quality in f2p will surpass p2p whenthat happen p2p will die
It is funny when you think about it is like somebody gave you a lexus or a jaguar car for free but they didn't give power windows,power locks,radio,hub cabs, and air condintioner.You can complain about it but you just got a nice car for free,but if you want to make it the real nice car that it is you will have spend some money.
So the question is will drive car as is or will put some money and fix up the car?
A F2P game is the same thing somebody gave a game you did have to pay the box price,you don't have pay to a monthly fee,and if you choose to never have a spent one penny BUT if you want to play a really good game you have to spend some money and get all the nice features that will make life easier.
It is funny when you think about it is like somebody gave you a lexus or a jaguar car for free but they didn't give power windows,power locks,radio,hub cabs, and air condintioner.You can complain about it but you just got a nice car for free,but if you want to make it the real nice car that it is you will have spend some money. So the question is will drive car as is or will put some money and fix up the car? A F2P game is the same thing somebody gave a game you did have to pay the box price,you don't have pay to a monthly fee,and if you choose to never have a spent one penny BUT if you want to play a really good game you have to spend some money and get all the nice features that will make life easier.
your right ,i canpicture someone without ac at 110 f complaining
but i cant understant someone whine about the option system in f2p
I would say that it is indeed misleading however the MMO comunity continues to call these game Free to play F2P when they are not. So is it the commnity contuing to mislabel the product or are the companines running these game still calling themselves free to play when they are not? I have not played any and have not seen or heard of one I want to play so I'm uncertain who continues to mislabel the product. Is it unethical? slightly at the very least.
So what your says is,
RoM and RS are not F2P?
Like I said I'm not very familiar with F2P games so my thoughts on the matter that if you have to pay for any content within the game, be it, items from an item mall or special access to certain content, then it really isn't free to play. I would say very few if any games are free to play.
I am not judging free to play as good or bad, I personally feel that calling these games F2P is missleading.
Now I suppose you can break down the discriptors and call them what they are. Item mall games, micro transaction games, selective tiered subscription games.
For ease of terminology and identification it seem the MMO community has gone with calling these games F2P. If it is the community doing it and not the companies then no foul.
If it is the companies calling them sleves F2P then it is miss leading and slightly unethical.
In my opinion anyway.
Everyone is entitled to write their own personal moral code of conduct and ethics but you are simply wrong in that again most of these games allow you to access the game world as long as a premium subscriber can and again in lot's of cases you have access to the same places some even access to all the same items albeit at a slower pace
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
Is there any F2P game that offers all their content free of charge? I don't have a problem with the micro transaction model, but out of the F2P games I have tried there isn't a single one that truly offers players a way to obtain all of a games content free of charge.
edit: changed ethical to unethical
i have yet to find this diamond in the ruff as well. ive tried many f2p plays only to find if u want mounts - pay up. if u want good armor to keep up with other paying player - pay up. i'm interested in the responses as well... maybe someone out there knows of one.
Welcome to the real world. This can all be summed up in one acronym: TANSTAAFL. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Or a completely free MMORPG, either. They cost money to make, and the people who make them have make a living--what makes you think you're entitled to completely unrestricted access to one without paying the cost of it?
First of all my hats off to the OP. Great subject for discussion.
My personal opinion is a mixed bag of what's already been posted here. On the one hand in terms of misleading, yes I agree that it is in fact misleading to call any game "Free to Play" if it is only somewhat free to play in that you can access the game and play within it's landscape, BUT you are restricted from things that have a real impact on your gaming experience within the environment. (i.e. people that pay for this and that have an advantage over someone else who does not because they don't want to pay for it)
That above being said, it is true that nothing is truly free and so on some level we have to be realistic about the fact that these are still companies that need to be compensated some way or another. Perhaps it's simply a matter of changing the naming convention of F2P to something that better describes what you're getting vs. actually getting something for free.
Is there any F2P game that offers all their content free of charge? I don't have a problem with the micro transaction model, but out of the F2P games I have tried there isn't a single one that truly offers players a way to obtain all of a games content free of charge.
Ex. Maplestory:: Restricts some items from their MTS system, and restricts access to the MTS system on new servers. Rappelz:: Does not allow players to trade HV passes or tents. ( Although they do give 7 day passes to players that have joined before the event has started. )
edit: changed ethical to unethical and added a few examples
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
All free to play means is that you have the option to play the game for free. It never means you get to play every part of the game or get every item for free.
But if a person has trouble understanding that term, they probably buy every product on TV that offers a free extra item if you're one of the first 100 callers. HURRY CALL NOW!!!!
Let's stop trying to protect stupid and weed it out like nature intended.
Is there any F2P game that offers all their content free of charge? I don't have a problem with the micro transaction model, but out of the F2P games I have tried there isn't a single one that truly offers players a way to obtain all of a games content free of charge.
Ex. Maplestory:: Restricts some items from their MTS system, and restricts access to the MTS system on new servers. Rappelz:: Does not allow players to trade HV passes or tents. ( Although they do give 7 day passes to players that have joined before the event has started. )
edit: changed ethical to unethical and added a few examples
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
Technically he is right, however, the OP isn't speaking technically he is speaking ethically. Ethically the OP is right because anyone giving the customer the surface view that they are able to play in the environment for "free" is the same as giving out prescription drugs that can cure a migraine.
Take Topomax. On the surface it will prevent Migraines...but would you still buy it knowing that it contained the following side effects:
# Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling (paresthesias) -- in up to 51 percent of people
# Dizziness -- up to 32 percent
# Fatigue -- up to 30 percent
# Drowsiness -- up to 29 percent
# Mental and physical slowing or delays -- up to 21 percent
# Nervousness -- up to 19 percent
# Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 18 percent
# Coordination problems -- up to 16 percent
# Weight loss -- up to 16 percent (see Topamax Weight Loss)
# Loss of appetite -- up to 15 percent
# Taste changes -- up to 15 percent
# Confusion -- up to 14 percent
# Difficulty with concentration or attention -- up to 14 percent
# Nausea -- up to 14 percent.
Oh wait..here's a few more:
# Diarrhea
# Memory loss
# Anxiety
# Language or speech problems
# Changes in gait (walking pattern)
# Sinus infection or irritation
# Injury
# Insomnia
# Mood problems
# Decreased sense of touch
# Viral infections
# Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
# Joint pain
# Weakness
# Sore throat
# Dry mouth
# Indigestion
# Mood problems
# Back pain.
Same difference with calling something F2P without explaining what is actually free and what the effects could be if you aren't paying for the stuff that other people in the game are. It's misleading.
I don't think so. At least regarding the ones I've played.
Though there was one browser game I played that was suspect, though, called something like "adventure quest"? You could pay to get "priority" over free players to get access to the server. I remember having no trouble whatsoever getting in that night. After that, it would tell me the server was full with x number of players. If I kept trying, that number would seem completely random. I suspect that their f2p claims were more of a 1 day "demo" than a f2p.
It's a tough line to walk, to create an MMO model in which people can play much of the content, yet have it be worth it to actually pay the money for the extra content("value added" is the marketing term). I think DDO is doing it as well as any, with "weekend special" emails that remind you that the game still exists, and good quality free content available that makes you wonder, "if the free stuff is this well made, what about the paid content?". I'm interested to see how it does.
As others have mentioned, give Runes of Magic a go, it can be played without ever spending any cash, and you can access all content and items. But you will need to devote quite a bit more time than others who chose to pay cash for things.
F2P is only misleading in that there are folks out there who for some reason think the game is really suspposed to be totally free. Think about it, why would any company create a totally free game? That's no way to run a railroad, you have to make money somewhere by enticing the players to spend some cash.
Lots of ways to go about it of course, some less onerous than others, but overall, there are no free games, though you can certainly play many of them for free as long as you are willing to accept limiitations that other players who pay won't run into.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
First of all my hats off to the OP. Great subject for discussion. My personal opinion is a mixed bag of what's already been posted here. On the one hand in terms of misleading, yes I agree that it is in fact misleading to call any game "Free to Play" if it is only somewhat free to play in that you can access the game and play within it's landscape, BUT you are restricted from things that have a real impact on your gaming experience within the environment. (i.e. people that pay for this and that have an advantage over someone else who does not because they don't want to pay for it) That above being said, it is true that nothing is truly free and so on some level we have to be realistic about the fact that these are still companies that need to be compensated some way or another. Perhaps it's simply a matter of changing the naming convention of F2P to something that better describes what you're getting vs. actually getting something for free.
You drive some very valid points. A game that gives you access to play the entire game without limitation for free is technically a "f2p" game regardless if the way they choose to keep their game going (item mall or in game advertisement) is considered a good business model.
If at anytime you are required to pay ANYTHING to advance in certain areas, it becomes false or misleading advertising if they advertise the game "f2p" as that game is a p2p game in obvious disguise.
So far we know of only 2 methods a company can stay in business and offer a game to the public 100% free of charge and that is by selling in game resources like gold, or in game items like weapons and armor, or cosmetic upgrades. Some allow in game advertising and their sponsors help keep the game going but most true f2p games have an optional item mall. You are NEVER obligated to buy anything to progress in a true "f2p" game.
Is there any F2P game that offers all their content free of charge? I don't have a problem with the micro transaction model, but out of the F2P games I have tried there isn't a single one that truly offers players a way to obtain all of a games content free of charge.
Ex. Maplestory:: Restricts some items from their MTS system, and restricts access to the MTS system on new servers. Rappelz:: Does not allow players to trade HV passes or tents. ( Although they do give 7 day passes to players that have joined before the event has started. )
edit: changed ethical to unethical and added a few examples
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
Technically he is right, however, the OP isn't speaking technically he is speaking ethically. Ethically the OP is right because anyone giving the customer the surface view that they are able to play in the environment for "free" is the same as giving out prescription drugs that can cure a migraine.
Take Topomax. On the surface it will prevent Migraines...but would you still buy it knowing that it contained the following side effects:
# Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling (paresthesias) -- in up to 51 percent of people
# Dizziness -- up to 32 percent
# Fatigue -- up to 30 percent
# Drowsiness -- up to 29 percent
# Mental and physical slowing or delays -- up to 21 percent
# Nervousness -- up to 19 percent
# Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 18 percent
# Coordination problems -- up to 16 percent
# Weight loss -- up to 16 percent (see Topamax Weight Loss)
# Loss of appetite -- up to 15 percent
# Taste changes -- up to 15 percent
# Confusion -- up to 14 percent
# Difficulty with concentration or attention -- up to 14 percent
# Nausea -- up to 14 percent.
Oh wait..here's a few more:
# Diarrhea
# Memory loss
# Anxiety
# Language or speech problems
# Changes in gait (walking pattern)
# Sinus infection or irritation
# Injury
# Insomnia
# Mood problems
# Decreased sense of touch
# Viral infections
# Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
# Joint pain
# Weakness
# Sore throat
# Dry mouth
# Indigestion
# Mood problems
# Back pain.
Same difference with calling something F2P without explaining what is actually free and what the effects could be if you aren't paying for the stuff that other people in the game are. It's misleading.
Indeed, that's why I consider it is unethical while not wrong.
It wouldn't be unethical IMO if they provided a list of their design philosophy on this, what kinds of item functions it currently offers for RMT, and how they plan to expand it in the future (talking about functionalities here, like, taking an item mall based on cosmetic items only and adding the crap - buffs and multipliers, equipment upgrading material, etc in one sudden update). But no, that's not part of the new-player experience in their games and may require quite some research on their website.
If you think that hiding from you how they get your money and how they plan to do that in the future, then I don't know what to say, you probably feel fine with the F2P low budget MMO flood in which "quality" and "support" are mostly non-existent terms and average costs for being competitive are way over $15, in fact, some of them will charge you over $15 for ONE thing, while featuring nowhere near a P2P gameplay quality.
think of it this way.... if you won a free car, but then whined that it was just the base stock version without all the upgrades and extras that cost lots more.... does that make the person giving you the car unethical? No, youre still getting it for free, theyre just not giving you everything YOU want added to it unless you spend the money on it yourself.
For a game with PvP and raid centered endgame you gotta add to this metaphor... you'd have to add that you are a professional driver competing against other people that have paid a lot of money for their cars.... Why would you bother racing a stock ford focus against a NOx charged import? (I know nothing about cars but hopefully that works)
That point speaks to the wrong "f2p". It's FREE to play, not FAIR to play. Even paying customers don't necessarily get "fair 2 play".
Just my opinion, but if you like the game enough to make it to endgame, I don't see why you wouldn't want to unlock all the content by paying for it.
Comments
Unethical, yes.
Wrong, nope. No F2P can be financially viable for the developer to be completely free to play, otherwise there will be no pressure on players to spend their money, which on most games start at zero, and then as the player moves closer and closer to the end game he will face a lot of situations in which if he spends money he will be able to reduce challenges significantly (or make it possible to achieve in some extreme cases) and/or reduce time sinks significantly (leveling in these games will be an extremely long process, with a very high, if actually achievable, level cap).
You will either see extreme time sinks or low drop rates if the paid content or item mall can be acquired without spending one cent, and may also involve someone else spending the money to sell for you.
How is it unethical? The game is free but some of features you have to pay for.
yep i agre
the f2p route=the long way around but it is free
f2p store=the short way around this cost something
true the long way run around the galaxy is long but it is still f2p
They are free to play. They don't promise you'll be able to play well or be able to keep up with anyone else or be able to play on the same level as people who pay, but you can indeed play for free.
You get what you pay for, what are you complaining about?
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To say that it's in any way misleading is ridiculous. Can you play these games for free? Yes you can. Just because you have to pay for certain optional advantag does not mean that you suddenly can't play for free anymore.
i love this system
some kids hate it but will spend 100 on aion plus in a month they ll have to spend monthly
i love the fact that you can buy 3 month worth of game currency like diamond in rom
true some f2p game are very bad but most are about =to p2p and soon game quality in f2p will surpass p2p whenthat happen p2p will die
It is funny when you think about it is like somebody gave you a lexus or a jaguar car for free but they didn't give power windows,power locks,radio,hub cabs, and air condintioner.You can complain about it but you just got a nice car for free,but if you want to make it the real nice car that it is you will have spend some money.
So the question is will drive car as is or will put some money and fix up the car?
A F2P game is the same thing somebody gave a game you did have to pay the box price,you don't have pay to a monthly fee,and if you choose to never have a spent one penny BUT if you want to play a really good game you have to spend some money and get all the nice features that will make life easier.
your right ,i canpicture someone without ac at 110 f complaining
but i cant understant someone whine about the option system in f2p
So what your says is,
RoM and RS are not F2P?
Like I said I'm not very familiar with F2P games so my thoughts on the matter that if you have to pay for any content within the game, be it, items from an item mall or special access to certain content, then it really isn't free to play. I would say very few if any games are free to play.
I am not judging free to play as good or bad, I personally feel that calling these games F2P is missleading.
Now I suppose you can break down the discriptors and call them what they are. Item mall games, micro transaction games, selective tiered subscription games.
For ease of terminology and identification it seem the MMO community has gone with calling these games F2P. If it is the community doing it and not the companies then no foul.
If it is the companies calling them sleves F2P then it is miss leading and slightly unethical.
In my opinion anyway.
Everyone is entitled to write their own personal moral code of conduct and ethics but you are simply wrong in that again most of these games allow you to access the game world as long as a premium subscriber can and again in lot's of cases you have access to the same places some even access to all the same items albeit at a slower pace
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
This answer may save you a lot of time and effort both here and later in life as well. It's simple, direct and always true.
Nothing in life is free.
- RPG Quiz - can you get all 25 right?
- FPS Quiz - how well do you know your shooters?
Well, when I play Atlantica online, the few people I know who were top of the server never spend a dime on the game.
So the truth is there are f2p games where you can achieve greatness without spending real money.
But another truth is my friend plays like 10 hours a day, everyday... So you get the picture.
all games that i have played are f2p.. and i don't spend even 1 cent to buy their premium items..
because there are players that will sell it in-game.. you just need to play longer to farm for in game
currency.. it just like IRL if you want something and you don't have money you have to work hard
just to have it.. but at least you have it.. and we have to remember that this games need to make
a profit to continue their operation.. so we still need those buyers to keep the server up.. ^_^
This answer may save you a lot of time and effort both here and later in life as well. It's simple, direct and always true.
Nothing in life is free.
^^^ this
/thread
"There is only one thing of which I am certain, and that's nothing is certain."
Welcome to the real world. This can all be summed up in one acronym: TANSTAAFL. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Or a completely free MMORPG, either. They cost money to make, and the people who make them have make a living--what makes you think you're entitled to completely unrestricted access to one without paying the cost of it?
Diablo 2?
I am entitled to my opinions, misspellings, and grammatical errors.
First of all my hats off to the OP. Great subject for discussion.
My personal opinion is a mixed bag of what's already been posted here. On the one hand in terms of misleading, yes I agree that it is in fact misleading to call any game "Free to Play" if it is only somewhat free to play in that you can access the game and play within it's landscape, BUT you are restricted from things that have a real impact on your gaming experience within the environment. (i.e. people that pay for this and that have an advantage over someone else who does not because they don't want to pay for it)
That above being said, it is true that nothing is truly free and so on some level we have to be realistic about the fact that these are still companies that need to be compensated some way or another. Perhaps it's simply a matter of changing the naming convention of F2P to something that better describes what you're getting vs. actually getting something for free.
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
http://www.themmoquest.com - MMO commentary from an overly angry brit. OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!
All free to play means is that you have the option to play the game for free. It never means you get to play every part of the game or get every item for free.
But if a person has trouble understanding that term, they probably buy every product on TV that offers a free extra item if you're one of the first 100 callers. HURRY CALL NOW!!!!
Let's stop trying to protect stupid and weed it out like nature intended.
With Diablo 2, you paid your money up front, just like you do with Guild Wars.
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
Technically he is right, however, the OP isn't speaking technically he is speaking ethically. Ethically the OP is right because anyone giving the customer the surface view that they are able to play in the environment for "free" is the same as giving out prescription drugs that can cure a migraine.
Take Topomax. On the surface it will prevent Migraines...but would you still buy it knowing that it contained the following side effects:
# Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling (paresthesias) -- in up to 51 percent of people
# Dizziness -- up to 32 percent
# Fatigue -- up to 30 percent
# Drowsiness -- up to 29 percent
# Mental and physical slowing or delays -- up to 21 percent
# Nervousness -- up to 19 percent
# Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 18 percent
# Coordination problems -- up to 16 percent
# Weight loss -- up to 16 percent (see Topamax Weight Loss)
# Loss of appetite -- up to 15 percent
# Taste changes -- up to 15 percent
# Confusion -- up to 14 percent
# Difficulty with concentration or attention -- up to 14 percent
# Nausea -- up to 14 percent.
Oh wait..here's a few more:
# Diarrhea
# Memory loss
# Anxiety
# Language or speech problems
# Changes in gait (walking pattern)
# Sinus infection or irritation
# Injury
# Insomnia
# Mood problems
# Decreased sense of touch
# Viral infections
# Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
# Joint pain
# Weakness
# Sore throat
# Dry mouth
# Indigestion
# Mood problems
# Back pain.
Same difference with calling something F2P without explaining what is actually free and what the effects could be if you aren't paying for the stuff that other people in the game are. It's misleading.
I don't think so. At least regarding the ones I've played.
Though there was one browser game I played that was suspect, though, called something like "adventure quest"? You could pay to get "priority" over free players to get access to the server. I remember having no trouble whatsoever getting in that night. After that, it would tell me the server was full with x number of players. If I kept trying, that number would seem completely random. I suspect that their f2p claims were more of a 1 day "demo" than a f2p.
It's a tough line to walk, to create an MMO model in which people can play much of the content, yet have it be worth it to actually pay the money for the extra content("value added" is the marketing term). I think DDO is doing it as well as any, with "weekend special" emails that remind you that the game still exists, and good quality free content available that makes you wonder, "if the free stuff is this well made, what about the paid content?". I'm interested to see how it does.
As others have mentioned, give Runes of Magic a go, it can be played without ever spending any cash, and you can access all content and items. But you will need to devote quite a bit more time than others who chose to pay cash for things.
F2P is only misleading in that there are folks out there who for some reason think the game is really suspposed to be totally free. Think about it, why would any company create a totally free game? That's no way to run a railroad, you have to make money somewhere by enticing the players to spend some cash.
Lots of ways to go about it of course, some less onerous than others, but overall, there are no free games, though you can certainly play many of them for free as long as you are willing to accept limiitations that other players who pay won't run into.
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Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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You drive some very valid points. A game that gives you access to play the entire game without limitation for free is technically a "f2p" game regardless if the way they choose to keep their game going (item mall or in game advertisement) is considered a good business model.
If at anytime you are required to pay ANYTHING to advance in certain areas, it becomes false or misleading advertising if they advertise the game "f2p" as that game is a p2p game in obvious disguise.
So far we know of only 2 methods a company can stay in business and offer a game to the public 100% free of charge and that is by selling in game resources like gold, or in game items like weapons and armor, or cosmetic upgrades. Some allow in game advertising and their sponsors help keep the game going but most true f2p games have an optional item mall. You are NEVER obligated to buy anything to progress in a true "f2p" game.
Good topic.
I have the right to like what I want!
Free to play - or F2P - does not mislead anyone excluding the terminally idiotic.
F2P games are just that - free to play. You can download and play any F2P game out there and play it without having to pay a single penny. However, you can - at your discretion - pay to have an advantage buy purchasing particular items, rewards and bonuses through a cash store. That does not mitigate the F2P nature of the title. It simply adds another level to the game experience.
Of course, with the current climate of entitlement in the MMO genre - where certain companies have encouraged players to believe that they are entitled to all content without any form of boundaries - has led many to stand atop a straw hill and scream about how micro-transactions fly in the face of the term, "F2P."
In short, facilitating micro-transactions does not alter the fact that you can - freely - play the game for free without having to spend a penny on anything. The choice to spend your money is yours alone. You are not mislead. If you truly believe F2P titles aren't F2P titles, you are an idiot.
Technically he is right, however, the OP isn't speaking technically he is speaking ethically. Ethically the OP is right because anyone giving the customer the surface view that they are able to play in the environment for "free" is the same as giving out prescription drugs that can cure a migraine.
Take Topomax. On the surface it will prevent Migraines...but would you still buy it knowing that it contained the following side effects:
# Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling (paresthesias) -- in up to 51 percent of people
# Dizziness -- up to 32 percent
# Fatigue -- up to 30 percent
# Drowsiness -- up to 29 percent
# Mental and physical slowing or delays -- up to 21 percent
# Nervousness -- up to 19 percent
# Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 18 percent
# Coordination problems -- up to 16 percent
# Weight loss -- up to 16 percent (see Topamax Weight Loss)
# Loss of appetite -- up to 15 percent
# Taste changes -- up to 15 percent
# Confusion -- up to 14 percent
# Difficulty with concentration or attention -- up to 14 percent
# Nausea -- up to 14 percent.
Oh wait..here's a few more:
# Diarrhea
# Memory loss
# Anxiety
# Language or speech problems
# Changes in gait (walking pattern)
# Sinus infection or irritation
# Injury
# Insomnia
# Mood problems
# Decreased sense of touch
# Viral infections
# Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
# Joint pain
# Weakness
# Sore throat
# Dry mouth
# Indigestion
# Mood problems
# Back pain.
Same difference with calling something F2P without explaining what is actually free and what the effects could be if you aren't paying for the stuff that other people in the game are. It's misleading.
Indeed, that's why I consider it is unethical while not wrong.
It wouldn't be unethical IMO if they provided a list of their design philosophy on this, what kinds of item functions it currently offers for RMT, and how they plan to expand it in the future (talking about functionalities here, like, taking an item mall based on cosmetic items only and adding the crap - buffs and multipliers, equipment upgrading material, etc in one sudden update). But no, that's not part of the new-player experience in their games and may require quite some research on their website.
If you think that hiding from you how they get your money and how they plan to do that in the future, then I don't know what to say, you probably feel fine with the F2P low budget MMO flood in which "quality" and "support" are mostly non-existent terms and average costs for being competitive are way over $15, in fact, some of them will charge you over $15 for ONE thing, while featuring nowhere near a P2P gameplay quality.
For a game with PvP and raid centered endgame you gotta add to this metaphor... you'd have to add that you are a professional driver competing against other people that have paid a lot of money for their cars.... Why would you bother racing a stock ford focus against a NOx charged import? (I know nothing about cars but hopefully that works)
That point speaks to the wrong "f2p". It's FREE to play, not FAIR to play. Even paying customers don't necessarily get "fair 2 play".
Just my opinion, but if you like the game enough to make it to endgame, I don't see why you wouldn't want to unlock all the content by paying for it.