DDO wouldn't of been in such a mess in the first place if Turbine hadn't essentially abandoned it to work on the more profitable "lord of the rings" IP.
Popular or not, DDO is a pretty mediocre game at the core. The core being it's combat mechanics and how they balanced it.
Completely disagreed. DDO is a unique, one of a kind MMO which offers probably the best dungeons / quests of all MMO games out there. Also, its mechanics are probably the most versatile, most active / dynamic of all other MMOs, and include many trainable skill you won't find anywhere else --> looking for secret doors, trap noticing / finding / disarming (3 different skills!), jumping, tumbling, swimming (trainable), etc.
Nothing mediocre in this game. To me it's not about combat, but the atmosphere of playing an impressive adventure with other party members, taking, joking or light-roleplaying all the time.
That's how real D&D works, and that's how DDO works too. How can one call such a one-of-a-kind game "mediocre title", is beyond me. That's probably the most original fantasy MMO you can find, and trust me - for me it plays better than WoW during that 3 years that I've played it. And I played WoW in it's best, first 3 years... then left it for DDO.
It seems fitting that a MMO that was designed on a P2P triple ‘A’ wins Best F2P MMO of the year? I think not, it just serves to make people think F2P is far better than it actually is.
It is hardly surprising that a gaming journalist who makes his money from writing about F2P thinks this is all wonderful and shows the way ahead.
It is way too early to call the move a success, but it seems to be going well. As with any companies finance you will only get a vague idea of how much extra revenue going to a hybrid P2P/F2P model has actually made them. You can find out how much profit Turbine is making but you won’t find a section that says ‘Extra Profit from DDO new revenue model’.
For all we know the new revenue system has caused an increase in subscription players and that alone is generating the new revenue. We just can’t be sure.
Industry journalists seem to be falling over themselves to convince us of how wonderful the F2P model or some variation of it is. They get this enthusiasm from corporate types at MMO companies, not from the players who post on these forums. No matter how hard they try a cash shop is only ever going to be an El Dorado for MMO companies, not the players who will get fleeced by them.
DDO may show a way forward in which P2P and F2P work, but hailing it as an outstanding success so soon shows how desperate they are to convince us that F2P options are the way forward.
It seems fitting that a MMO that was designed on a P2P triple ‘A’ wins Best F2P MMO of the year? I think not, it just serves to make people think F2P is far better than it actually is. It is hardly surprising that a gaming journalist who makes his money from writing about F2P thinks this is all wonderful and shows the way ahead. It is way too early to call the move a success, but it seems to be going well. As with any companies finance you will only get a vague idea of how much extra revenue going to a hybrid P2P/F2P model has actually made them. You can find out how much profit Turbine is making but you won’t find a section that says ‘Extra Profit from DDO new revenue model’. For all we know the new revenue system has caused an increase in subscription players and that alone is generating the new revenue. We just can’t be sure. Industry journalists seem to be falling over themselves to convince us of how wonderful the F2P model or some variation of it is. They get this enthusiasm from corporate types at MMO companies, not from the players who post on these forums. No matter how hard they try a cash shop is only ever going to be an El Dorado for MMO companies, not the players who will get fleeced by them. DDO may show a way forward in which P2P and F2P work, but hailing it as an outstanding success so soon shows how desperate they are to convince us that F2P options are the way forward.
Well, I think you just can't accept the obvious. That F2P is a really good model, not worse than subscription. And that F2P games, as shown by DDO, don't need to be worse than subscription-based MMO games.
What I read here very often is some kinds of conspiracy theories, which are absolutely fake. If I loved, for example, horses - I'd like to write about them with passion, and concentrate on good sides of that hobby.
People, why can't you understand that good Journalists AREN'T writing objectively. They are writing their opinions, which are bound to be controversial, as everyone likes different things. It's News that can be "objective" (well, everything is subjective but news often present only the facts, not opinions).
Journalists should write how they like, what they like, why they like it or not, etc. Richard Aihoshi is doing a good job - he writes whatever he wants how he wants, and does it with light pen, it's an interesting read every time.
Though, the F2P is still kind of a weird taboo it seems. Whoever writes about F2P in a positive way will be slacked and criticized. So even more respect Richard Aihoshi here, he has a tough job here. And I completely agree, becuase I've already learned that - F2P games can and most likely will be the future of MMO games. And it started thanks to Turbine and DDO's switch. This game will be a part of MMO history now, vital point of the evolution of this genre. Whether you like it or not, it will stay that way forever. Especially when we all see that DDO is only growing - faster and faster.
Ah, I nearly forgot. Leveling Sigils will be removed in Update 3, which is just few weeks ahead. So, players will be able to level up without any restrictions.
I didn't try DDO till it went to the free model last year and after playing it on and off now for the past few months I have been very pleased with it. I know I would have been somewhat let down if I had purchased the title and was paying a fee for it. However as a free title with a cash purchase system is more then fitting given the look and design of the game.
Sigh.......... DDO isn't free to play ........ It's Free to Trial.
It will never be free to play to me unless i can play through the whole game. Any dungeon, Any place in the whole game unrestricted and not have to pay a cent or stupid in game coins things..
If they remove that crap i'll call it free to play.
Sigh.......... DDO isn't free to play ........ It's Free to Trial. It will never be free to play to me unless i can play through the whole game. Any dungeon, Any place in the whole game unrestricted and not have to pay a cent or stupid in game coins things.. If they remove that crap i'll call it free to play.
Um, those "stupid in game coin things" allow you to play everything without paying a cent. If you don't want to earn them, that's on you. Game is free to play.
Sigh.......... DDO isn't free to play ........ It's Free to Trial. It will never be free to play to me unless i can play through the whole game. Any dungeon, Any place in the whole game unrestricted and not have to pay a cent or stupid in game coins things.. If they remove that crap i'll call it free to play.
Well, and get used to that! That's how Free to Play games work. There's no real 100% free MMO game. Welcome to reality!
Though DDO is the most free of them, I guess. As you're really able to grind Turbine Points and buy everything out yourself just for the time you invested in playing. In our Polish DDO portal we have groups, or rather "events" where people group together only to earn Turbine Points on different servers (as it counts for your account, not only one server). So they can play for free a loong time : ).
Though many people buy content, because it's great & cheap too. Just look there and check it, adventure packs are really cheap.
Guys, please try to understand the term "Free to Play" again. It means:
"You can jump in without paying for anything, and play for free, for how long you want, but with some restrictions". So the term is accurate, as it's not "Free Game" but you're "Free to Play".
It's just the common understanding that the game is 100% free that is wrong. And VERY naive too, but that's not my business why people want to believe in miracles.
It seems fitting that a MMO that was designed on a P2P triple ‘A’ wins Best F2P MMO of the year? I think not, it just serves to make people think F2P is far better than it actually is. It is hardly surprising that a gaming journalist who makes his money from writing about F2P thinks this is all wonderful and shows the way ahead. It is way too early to call the move a success, but it seems to be going well. As with any companies finance you will only get a vague idea of how much extra revenue going to a hybrid P2P/F2P model has actually made them. You can find out how much profit Turbine is making but you won’t find a section that says ‘Extra Profit from DDO new revenue model’. For all we know the new revenue system has caused an increase in subscription players and that alone is generating the new revenue. We just can’t be sure. Industry journalists seem to be falling over themselves to convince us of how wonderful the F2P model or some variation of it is. They get this enthusiasm from corporate types at MMO companies, not from the players who post on these forums. No matter how hard they try a cash shop is only ever going to be an El Dorado for MMO companies, not the players who will get fleeced by them. DDO may show a way forward in which P2P and F2P work, but hailing it as an outstanding success so soon shows how desperate they are to convince us that F2P options are the way forward.
Well, I think you just can't accept the obvious. That F2P is a really good model, not worse than subscription. And that F2P games, as shown by DDO, don't need to be worse than subscription-based MMO games.
... except that DDO was a subscription-based MMO to begin with. That's exactly the point several people have made here. It's a P2P MMO with a F2P wrapper, so to speak. It's rather ironic that a MMO which was originally subscription based won the award for "best F2P MMO", instead of any of a number of them that were designed as F2P from the get-go.
What I read here very often is some kinds of conspiracy theories, which are absolutely fake. If I loved, for example, horses - I'd like to write about them with passion, and concentrate on good sides of that hobby.
Would you also tell people who don't like horses that they're "in denial" as Aioshi has in the past about people who don't agree with his grand visions of F2P? Would you take pot-shots that people who don't like horses as you do, as Aioshi has in previous articles about F2P? Would you spin any even marginally interesting event involving horses as some "meaningful and important event" as Aioshi does with F2P?
I don't think anyone blames the guy for being passionate about anything... it's the way he goes about expressing that passion that puts people off. There's being passionate, then there's being obnoxious. Aioshi tends to lean toward the latter.
People, why can't you understand that good Journalists AREN'T writing objectively. They are writing their opinions, which are bound to be controversial, as everyone likes different things. It's News that can be "objective" (well, everything is subjective but news often present only the facts, not opinions).
Journalists should write how they like, what they like, why they like it or not, etc. Richard Aihoshi is doing a good job - he writes whatever he wants how he wants, and does it with light pen, it's an interesting read every time.
Fine. And we're allowed to disagree with him and point out when he's pulling crap out of thin air, or spin-doctoring a given topic.... as he also does, very freely, in his articles.
Though, the F2P is still kind of a weird taboo it seems. Whoever writes about F2P in a positive way will be slacked and criticized. So even more respect Richard Aihoshi here, he has a tough job here. And I completely agree, becuase I've already learned that - F2P games can and most likely will be the future of MMO games. And it started thanks to Turbine and DDO's switch. This game will be a part of MMO history now, vital point of the evolution of this genre. Whether you like it or not, it will stay that way forever. Especially when we all see that DDO is only growing - faster and faster.
A tough job? Of what? Sharing his opinions as you just finished explaining is all he's really doing as a good journalist? Expressing his "passion" as a F2P lover? Or... do you mean a tough job in trying to convince others that F2P really is as great as he says it is? A tough job in trying to bring more people to "his side"? What is "tough" about his job, exactly?
As for your glorifying of Turbine's switch to F2P for DDO... umm... You sound exactly like Aioshi there, so... no wonder you admire and defend him the way you do.
Let's not forget one important detail... DDO was not doing well as a P2P MMO.. It was considered not worth a subscription to a lot of people. However, let 'em play it for free, and suddenly it's not so bad! Yeah, that's flattering.
"If you just step away for a sec you will clearly see all the pot holes in the road, and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
matter of fact DDO is the less F2P exist right now, I agree with the due who said DDO is more like a unlimited trial then F2P just because of that modules they want you to buy so you can play again, motive I stoped playing after it went F2P(I have to take a look since I'm a old P&P player). not counting the tomes, 32 build, class and race sells only good thing is the game have not pvp (well unless you call that tavern brawl pvp).
and for the dude who mention you have to pay for extras in P&P I LOL'd, dude you only need really just the monster,GM and player books and you can make the rest and even so its ONE TIME buy and you can have 10 friends playing for the rest of of your single time (unless you make your GF play too :P or she don't care you spend time with your friends).
also why you guys bash the Aihoshi dude? I bet he never read any comment you guys do here
Dungeons and Dragons, as well as EVE Online, are the current gods of our F2P market, while Guild Wars is a fallen god that tried and failed. The real demon of F2P is Entropia Universe, trying to sell Pay-To-Advance as Free-To-Play, and crowing about the several billion dollars it makes off a free game. Now, Yes, EVE Online and DDO do have a lot of things similar about each other, and in both cases, that's what makes them work. PLEX systems, where you could earn your way to everything WITHOUT SPENDING ONE DOLLAR, work better than Entropia's system, where you can't buy a loaf of bread without checking your wallet.
When WoW goes F2P, Do you want them to go freemium, where you get told, after you get out of your opening zone, that you can't do anything since your wallet's still full? Or do you want it to be where you spend some of your money on accepting a quest, with a option of in-game or real?
What are you smoking. Eve Online has never been F2P. I thought wow what have I mised in the past 2 years. I went over to my account page. Hello 14.95 a month just like it has always been. I think you got that messed up. Not sure what game your talking about but Eve has never been free, if it was I would be playing it, and it was something I gave up 2 years ago, called lack of vision by the company.
Would you also tell people who don't like horses that they're "in denial" as Aioshi has in the past about people who don't agree with his grand visions of F2P? Would you take pot-shots that people who don't like horses as you do, as Aioshi has in previous articles about F2P? Would you spin any even marginally interesting event involving horses as some "meaningful and important event" as Aioshi does with F2P?
I don't think anyone blames the guy for being passionate about anything... it's the way he goes about expressing that passion that puts people off. There's being passionate, then there's being obnoxious. Aioshi tends to lean toward the latter.
So your posts are more about why you don't like Aisohi, and not so much about DDO and what the OP was about?
I don't understand the anger. He writes a column called "Free Zone", what else would you expect him to do but cheerlead for the genre?
As for being obnoxious, so what, we're all big kids here, our feelings won't get hurt, even if we disagree with him.
Now I actually disagree with the selection of DDO as that F2P game of the year because it was a P2P that "stepped down" if you will, but it did prove that flagging P2P titles can get new life from the model. (but of course, other games have done so before, they just didnt win any awards)
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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"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
It went from P2P to F2P only because it sucked. Bringing more players to FREE game is not a success. Success will be keeping that game alive and improving it while it's free.
This guy again... It went from P2P to F2P only because it sucked. Bringing more players to FREE game is not a success. Success will be keeping that game alive and improving it while it's free.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
This guy again... It went from P2P to F2P only because it sucked. Bringing more players to FREE game is not a success. Success will be keeping that game alive and improving it while it's free.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
Oh I don't believe we will ever know what happenedt, I would bet this thing get settled out of court.
Would you also tell people who don't like horses that they're "in denial" as Aioshi has in the past about people who don't agree with his grand visions of F2P? Would you take pot-shots that people who don't like horses as you do, as Aioshi has in previous articles about F2P? Would you spin any even marginally interesting event involving horses as some "meaningful and important event" as Aioshi does with F2P?
I don't think anyone blames the guy for being passionate about anything... it's the way he goes about expressing that passion that puts people off. There's being passionate, then there's being obnoxious. Aioshi tends to lean toward the latter.
So your posts are more about why you don't like Aisohi, and not so much about DDO and what the OP was about?
I don't understand the anger. He writes a column called "Free Zone", what else would you expect him to do but cheerlead for the genre?
As for being obnoxious, so what, we're all big kids here, our feelings won't get hurt, even if we disagree with him.
Now I actually disagree with the selection of DDO as that F2P game of the year because it was a P2P that "stepped down" if you will, but it did prove that flagging P2P titles can get new life from the model. (but of course, other games have done so before, they just didnt win any awards)
There is a certain tone he uses to dismiss people who might not agree with him and be completely one sided to things that do not support his opinions. He often makes a point and then dismisses anyones ability to disagree with him by preemptively labeling them something or spins certain information.
For example to brand people naysayers or overly emotional for thinking DDO changed as a result of its situation is being completely unobjective. I don't think it is appropriate to call people naysayers for looking at a game that closed 2/3 of its servers, lied about why they hired a manager of RMT and has a partner who is breathing down their next trying to revoke the license as a game in a pretty ugly situation and was in need of some drastic changes as a result. Seeing things like that doesn't fit well with the view that everything is rainbows and unicorns in the Free Zone.
That is why we don't see articles about the collapse of a free to play game turning subscription only as with Free Realms. No unicorns or rainbows there.
Popular or not, DDO is a pretty mediocre game at the core. The core being it's combat mechanics and how they balanced it.
How could you possibly say that with a straight face? Saying DDO is mediocre at the core is like saying that D&D/d20 are mediocre at the core since the former is based on the latter. I've played many MMOs and I've to say that DDO has one of the most active combat systems I've seen. Now for the sake of argument, would you please elaborate (i.e. specifics) as why you think their combat system is mediocre and unbalanced? Thx.
I don't want to play in a world where people can buy their way to the top and buy their way to good gear etc etc.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
This guy again... It went from P2P to F2P only because it sucked. Bringing more players to FREE game is not a success. Success will be keeping that game alive and improving it while it's free.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
Oh I don't believe we will ever know what happenedt, I would bet this thing get settled out of court.
Maybe...
But I don't think so.
Because Hasbro is also after Atari and Hasbro is not just after money - they want to revoke the license.
If that happens Turbine lose the license too (unless they can cut a new deal with Hasbro?)
So, it may be in Turbines interest to keep going no matter what to get an actual judgement?
If Atari lose the Hasbro case - Turbine will then probably go again and finish what is left?
I don't want to play in a world where people can buy their way to the top and buy their way to good gear etc etc.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
I know what you're saying, but the industry is heavily veering that way. BioWare SW:TOR is said to be mulling over a F2P model. Funcom is rumored to be considering this subscription model as well. GW2 will be more true "F2P" than GW is. RoM another example. There are way too many games enjoying GREAT success with the cash-shop model. And from a purely pragmatic point of view, F2P makes a lot of sense for an MMO.
If the game was really Free to Play, then how do they pay their dev staf, how to they pay the folks who keep the servers up and running, and how do they pay thier customer support staff.
Somewhere there has to be some kind of money, nobody works for free and hardware is not fee unless its 20 years old.
Honestly think about it. Somewhere somehow you got to make money, and if you don't your bussines goes belly up.
I don't want to play in a world where people can buy their way to the top and buy their way to good gear etc etc.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
I know what you're saying, but the industry is heavily veering that way. BioWare SW:TOR is said to be mulling over a F2P model. Funcom is rumored to be considering this subscription model as well. GW2 will be more true "F2P" than GW is. RoM another example. There are way too many games enjoying GREAT success with the cash-shop model. And from a purely pragmatic point of view, F2P makes a lot of sense for an MMO.
Peace.
It's obvious that developers will push that way as they are less composed of passionate gamers and more composed of people seeking a profitable job, especially as people show with their pockets that they are all into purchasing their progress through the game. And it's undeniable that they are pushing that way slowly, but it's also undeniable that some games are going to be keeping the current subscription-and-that's-all way as long as they are still profitable enough.
This may lead to some consequences in the future as the way it is expanding the revenue options to generate income (and making the industry bigger and bigger) may change the concept of gaming itself into something way more serious and costly.
The problems with DDO go back to its development, not its revenue model. The D&D name and some of its aspects were incorporated, then bastardized. The bastardization drove away the masses of people that would have played under the subscription model. Repeatable quests, rest shrines versus random encounters, lack of content, zero outdoor adventures, a single city, and more poor development decisions made the game basically un-D&D. Making it F2P doesn't change the core problem - the game still doesn't live up to its name. If anything, making you pay for goodies makes it even more un-D&D.
Actually, making you pay for adventures makes it more D&D. The game has always been about buying new books, new modules, etc. Even more so since WotC, then Hasbro, bought them.
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DDO wouldn't of been in such a mess in the first place if Turbine hadn't essentially abandoned it to work on the more profitable "lord of the rings" IP.
Popular or not, DDO is a pretty mediocre game at the core. The core being it's combat mechanics and how they balanced it.
Completely disagreed. DDO is a unique, one of a kind MMO which offers probably the best dungeons / quests of all MMO games out there. Also, its mechanics are probably the most versatile, most active / dynamic of all other MMOs, and include many trainable skill you won't find anywhere else --> looking for secret doors, trap noticing / finding / disarming (3 different skills!), jumping, tumbling, swimming (trainable), etc.
Nothing mediocre in this game. To me it's not about combat, but the atmosphere of playing an impressive adventure with other party members, taking, joking or light-roleplaying all the time.
That's how real D&D works, and that's how DDO works too. How can one call such a one-of-a-kind game "mediocre title", is beyond me. That's probably the most original fantasy MMO you can find, and trust me - for me it plays better than WoW during that 3 years that I've played it. And I played WoW in it's best, first 3 years... then left it for DDO.
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It seems fitting that a MMO that was designed on a P2P triple ‘A’ wins Best F2P MMO of the year? I think not, it just serves to make people think F2P is far better than it actually is.
It is hardly surprising that a gaming journalist who makes his money from writing about F2P thinks this is all wonderful and shows the way ahead.
It is way too early to call the move a success, but it seems to be going well. As with any companies finance you will only get a vague idea of how much extra revenue going to a hybrid P2P/F2P model has actually made them. You can find out how much profit Turbine is making but you won’t find a section that says ‘Extra Profit from DDO new revenue model’.
For all we know the new revenue system has caused an increase in subscription players and that alone is generating the new revenue. We just can’t be sure.
Industry journalists seem to be falling over themselves to convince us of how wonderful the F2P model or some variation of it is. They get this enthusiasm from corporate types at MMO companies, not from the players who post on these forums. No matter how hard they try a cash shop is only ever going to be an El Dorado for MMO companies, not the players who will get fleeced by them.
DDO may show a way forward in which P2P and F2P work, but hailing it as an outstanding success so soon shows how desperate they are to convince us that F2P options are the way forward.
Well, I think you just can't accept the obvious. That F2P is a really good model, not worse than subscription. And that F2P games, as shown by DDO, don't need to be worse than subscription-based MMO games.
What I read here very often is some kinds of conspiracy theories, which are absolutely fake. If I loved, for example, horses - I'd like to write about them with passion, and concentrate on good sides of that hobby.
People, why can't you understand that good Journalists AREN'T writing objectively. They are writing their opinions, which are bound to be controversial, as everyone likes different things. It's News that can be "objective" (well, everything is subjective but news often present only the facts, not opinions).
Journalists should write how they like, what they like, why they like it or not, etc. Richard Aihoshi is doing a good job - he writes whatever he wants how he wants, and does it with light pen, it's an interesting read every time.
Though, the F2P is still kind of a weird taboo it seems. Whoever writes about F2P in a positive way will be slacked and criticized. So even more respect Richard Aihoshi here, he has a tough job here. And I completely agree, becuase I've already learned that - F2P games can and most likely will be the future of MMO games. And it started thanks to Turbine and DDO's switch. This game will be a part of MMO history now, vital point of the evolution of this genre. Whether you like it or not, it will stay that way forever. Especially when we all see that DDO is only growing - faster and faster.
Ah, I nearly forgot. Leveling Sigils will be removed in Update 3, which is just few weeks ahead. So, players will be able to level up without any restrictions.
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I didn't try DDO till it went to the free model last year and after playing it on and off now for the past few months I have been very pleased with it. I know I would have been somewhat let down if I had purchased the title and was paying a fee for it. However as a free title with a cash purchase system is more then fitting given the look and design of the game.
Momo sucks, I have proof.
Sigh.......... DDO isn't free to play ........ It's Free to Trial.
It will never be free to play to me unless i can play through the whole game. Any dungeon, Any place in the whole game unrestricted and not have to pay a cent or stupid in game coins things..
If they remove that crap i'll call it free to play.
Um, those "stupid in game coin things" allow you to play everything without paying a cent. If you don't want to earn them, that's on you. Game is free to play.
Well, and get used to that! That's how Free to Play games work. There's no real 100% free MMO game. Welcome to reality!
Though DDO is the most free of them, I guess. As you're really able to grind Turbine Points and buy everything out yourself just for the time you invested in playing. In our Polish DDO portal we have groups, or rather "events" where people group together only to earn Turbine Points on different servers (as it counts for your account, not only one server). So they can play for free a loong time : ).
Though many people buy content, because it's great & cheap too. Just look there and check it, adventure packs are really cheap.
Guys, please try to understand the term "Free to Play" again. It means:
"You can jump in without paying for anything, and play for free, for how long you want, but with some restrictions". So the term is accurate, as it's not "Free Game" but you're "Free to Play".
It's just the common understanding that the game is 100% free that is wrong. And VERY naive too, but that's not my business why people want to believe in miracles.
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Well, I think you just can't accept the obvious. That F2P is a really good model, not worse than subscription. And that F2P games, as shown by DDO, don't need to be worse than subscription-based MMO games.
... except that DDO was a subscription-based MMO to begin with. That's exactly the point several people have made here. It's a P2P MMO with a F2P wrapper, so to speak. It's rather ironic that a MMO which was originally subscription based won the award for "best F2P MMO", instead of any of a number of them that were designed as F2P from the get-go.
What I read here very often is some kinds of conspiracy theories, which are absolutely fake. If I loved, for example, horses - I'd like to write about them with passion, and concentrate on good sides of that hobby.
Would you also tell people who don't like horses that they're "in denial" as Aioshi has in the past about people who don't agree with his grand visions of F2P? Would you take pot-shots that people who don't like horses as you do, as Aioshi has in previous articles about F2P? Would you spin any even marginally interesting event involving horses as some "meaningful and important event" as Aioshi does with F2P?
I don't think anyone blames the guy for being passionate about anything... it's the way he goes about expressing that passion that puts people off. There's being passionate, then there's being obnoxious. Aioshi tends to lean toward the latter.
People, why can't you understand that good Journalists AREN'T writing objectively. They are writing their opinions, which are bound to be controversial, as everyone likes different things. It's News that can be "objective" (well, everything is subjective but news often present only the facts, not opinions).
Journalists should write how they like, what they like, why they like it or not, etc. Richard Aihoshi is doing a good job - he writes whatever he wants how he wants, and does it with light pen, it's an interesting read every time.
Fine. And we're allowed to disagree with him and point out when he's pulling crap out of thin air, or spin-doctoring a given topic.... as he also does, very freely, in his articles.
Though, the F2P is still kind of a weird taboo it seems. Whoever writes about F2P in a positive way will be slacked and criticized. So even more respect Richard Aihoshi here, he has a tough job here. And I completely agree, becuase I've already learned that - F2P games can and most likely will be the future of MMO games. And it started thanks to Turbine and DDO's switch. This game will be a part of MMO history now, vital point of the evolution of this genre. Whether you like it or not, it will stay that way forever. Especially when we all see that DDO is only growing - faster and faster.
A tough job? Of what? Sharing his opinions as you just finished explaining is all he's really doing as a good journalist? Expressing his "passion" as a F2P lover? Or... do you mean a tough job in trying to convince others that F2P really is as great as he says it is? A tough job in trying to bring more people to "his side"? What is "tough" about his job, exactly?
As for your glorifying of Turbine's switch to F2P for DDO... umm... You sound exactly like Aioshi there, so... no wonder you admire and defend him the way you do.
Let's not forget one important detail... DDO was not doing well as a P2P MMO.. It was considered not worth a subscription to a lot of people. However, let 'em play it for free, and suddenly it's not so bad! Yeah, that's flattering.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
matter of fact DDO is the less F2P exist right now, I agree with the due who said DDO is more like a unlimited trial then F2P just because of that modules they want you to buy so you can play again, motive I stoped playing after it went F2P(I have to take a look since I'm a old P&P player). not counting the tomes, 32 build, class and race sells only good thing is the game have not pvp (well unless you call that tavern brawl pvp).
and for the dude who mention you have to pay for extras in P&P I LOL'd, dude you only need really just the monster,GM and player books and you can make the rest and even so its ONE TIME buy and you can have 10 friends playing for the rest of of your single time (unless you make your GF play too :P or she don't care you spend time with your friends).
also why you guys bash the Aihoshi dude? I bet he never read any comment you guys do here
What are you smoking. Eve Online has never been F2P. I thought wow what have I mised in the past 2 years. I went over to my account page. Hello 14.95 a month just like it has always been. I think you got that messed up. Not sure what game your talking about but Eve has never been free, if it was I would be playing it, and it was something I gave up 2 years ago, called lack of vision by the company.
So your posts are more about why you don't like Aisohi, and not so much about DDO and what the OP was about?
I don't understand the anger. He writes a column called "Free Zone", what else would you expect him to do but cheerlead for the genre?
As for being obnoxious, so what, we're all big kids here, our feelings won't get hurt, even if we disagree with him.
Now I actually disagree with the selection of DDO as that F2P game of the year because it was a P2P that "stepped down" if you will, but it did prove that flagging P2P titles can get new life from the model. (but of course, other games have done so before, they just didnt win any awards)
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"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
This guy again...
It went from P2P to F2P only because it sucked. Bringing more players to FREE game is not a success. Success will be keeping that game alive and improving it while it's free.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
Oh I don't believe we will ever know what happenedt, I would bet this thing get settled out of court.
So your posts are more about why you don't like Aisohi, and not so much about DDO and what the OP was about?
I don't understand the anger. He writes a column called "Free Zone", what else would you expect him to do but cheerlead for the genre?
As for being obnoxious, so what, we're all big kids here, our feelings won't get hurt, even if we disagree with him.
Now I actually disagree with the selection of DDO as that F2P game of the year because it was a P2P that "stepped down" if you will, but it did prove that flagging P2P titles can get new life from the model. (but of course, other games have done so before, they just didnt win any awards)
There is a certain tone he uses to dismiss people who might not agree with him and be completely one sided to things that do not support his opinions. He often makes a point and then dismisses anyones ability to disagree with him by preemptively labeling them something or spins certain information.
For example to brand people naysayers or overly emotional for thinking DDO changed as a result of its situation is being completely unobjective. I don't think it is appropriate to call people naysayers for looking at a game that closed 2/3 of its servers, lied about why they hired a manager of RMT and has a partner who is breathing down their next trying to revoke the license as a game in a pretty ugly situation and was in need of some drastic changes as a result. Seeing things like that doesn't fit well with the view that everything is rainbows and unicorns in the Free Zone.
That is why we don't see articles about the collapse of a free to play game turning subscription only as with Free Realms. No unicorns or rainbows there.
How could you possibly say that with a straight face? Saying DDO is mediocre at the core is like saying that D&D/d20 are mediocre at the core since the former is based on the latter. I've played many MMOs and I've to say that DDO has one of the most active combat systems I've seen. Now for the sake of argument, would you please elaborate (i.e. specifics) as why you think their combat system is mediocre and unbalanced? Thx.
Peace.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
Actually - IIRC it went F2P for other reasons too?
Because Turbine thought that Atari had not promoted it correctly and Turbine thought that one of the solutions to attract players was the F2P model?
We will soon know all the details anyway... it will all become public in the court case. :-D
Oh I don't believe we will ever know what happenedt, I would bet this thing get settled out of court.
Maybe...
But I don't think so.
Because Hasbro is also after Atari and Hasbro is not just after money - they want to revoke the license.
If that happens Turbine lose the license too (unless they can cut a new deal with Hasbro?)
So, it may be in Turbines interest to keep going no matter what to get an actual judgement?
If Atari lose the Hasbro case - Turbine will then probably go again and finish what is left?
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
I know what you're saying, but the industry is heavily veering that way. BioWare SW:TOR is said to be mulling over a F2P model. Funcom is rumored to be considering this subscription model as well. GW2 will be more true "F2P" than GW is. RoM another example. There are way too many games enjoying GREAT success with the cash-shop model. And from a purely pragmatic point of view, F2P makes a lot of sense for an MMO.
Peace.
All I got to add on this is the following.
If the game was really Free to Play, then how do they pay their dev staf, how to they pay the folks who keep the servers up and running, and how do they pay thier customer support staff.
Somewhere there has to be some kind of money, nobody works for free and hardware is not fee unless its 20 years old.
Honestly think about it. Somewhere somehow you got to make money, and if you don't your bussines goes belly up.
The only gear you can actually buy in DDO is crap. Better off getting it as loot or buying it in the auction house. Of course some things are over-the-top expensive but if you shop the bargains and take a gander from time to time you can usually find a pretty sweet deal. I wonder if those people selling X item for a bazillion platinum ever actually sell anything, lol. They're not getting my fake money at those prices!
I'm buying the game slowly but surely, one module at a time. Then, someday, while the VIP's are still forking out 15 bucks a month I'll just be waiting for a new module to come out.
So what are you going to do when the day comes when all MMO's have flexible pay models? Go back to pen and paper? Hey, that's not a bad idea.
If that day comes I'm just done with MMOs, but by then maybe some new genre of gaming will come out and grab my attention, who knows.
Or I'll win Mega Millions and make my own MMO, but I think that is probably unlikely.
I know what you're saying, but the industry is heavily veering that way. BioWare SW:TOR is said to be mulling over a F2P model. Funcom is rumored to be considering this subscription model as well. GW2 will be more true "F2P" than GW is. RoM another example. There are way too many games enjoying GREAT success with the cash-shop model. And from a purely pragmatic point of view, F2P makes a lot of sense for an MMO.
Peace.
It's obvious that developers will push that way as they are less composed of passionate gamers and more composed of people seeking a profitable job, especially as people show with their pockets that they are all into purchasing their progress through the game. And it's undeniable that they are pushing that way slowly, but it's also undeniable that some games are going to be keeping the current subscription-and-that's-all way as long as they are still profitable enough.
This may lead to some consequences in the future as the way it is expanding the revenue options to generate income (and making the industry bigger and bigger) may change the concept of gaming itself into something way more serious and costly.
I only just started DDO but I'm having fun with all the quests and the really cool dungeon system.
While I haven't spend one red cent I plan to pick up the Race and class unlocks along with a couple adventure packs.
I'm a big fan of the Micro transaction model since i have a very limited play schedule.
For me to pay fifteen dollars a month with a play schedule that lets me play a game for less than 10 hours a month is a waste of money.
With a micro transaction game I get to play on and off, If i want to invest in a game i drop a few bucks into its shop and thats all.
Much better for me.
Playing: Rift, LotRO
Waiting on: GW2, BP
Actually, making you pay for adventures makes it more D&D. The game has always been about buying new books, new modules, etc. Even more so since WotC, then Hasbro, bought them.