Anarchy Online didn't become partially free to play until after 3 major expansions and 2 booster packs. So when AoC reaches at least that much content, then they can maybe think about it. Until then, no.
Not true, AO went free just after Alien Invasion (2 expansions and one booster). However only one of those packs (Shadowlands) really added a lot of content, and the booster (Notum Wars) quickly became part of the F2P offering, and they went F2P because Alien Invasion wasn't a good expansion (well, it was till they nerfed it two weeks in )
...and AoC has more quests in it's first playfield than AO had in its entirity at F2P time (they only added lost of quests later as AO was predominately an ACG game before that)
So strictly speaking they have waaaay more content than AO had when it went F2P
It's also a very different market now, with different factors, and AoC (and WAR) will have to keep up with Turbine. Like I said, I would guess they do it next year to tie in with the movie.
I didn't realize there were so many gamers that are too cheap to spend 15 bucks a month for unlimited access and content. Really, if that's too much for you, try getting a real job rather than wishing everything would go F2P.
If you look at what LotRO is offering as their free play area vs what AoC already is they look remarkablly alike.
AoC: Lvl 1 - 20 (although you can actually go up to 24 or 25) Tortage only
LotRO: Lvl 1 - 20 X/X/X region only (I gave up trying to spell that Elven stuff along time ago). Book quest up to lvl 50
So AoC pretty much has that part already in place. I will say the various AoC zone's only have a fraction of the LotRO zones quests but you could still sell AoC zones, just lower the price accordingly.
After all I always thought it strange that no matter how much fluff, content etc.... a game had or didn't have it still cost $15.00 a month.
Not saying one game is better than the other since they're different but compare all the things LotRO has vs what AoC has and AoC comes up short (mainly in the fluff department) yet both cost the same. It would be nice if a company would fess up, say we don't have the same amount and charge according.
If you look at what LotRO is offering as their free play area vs what AoC already is they look remarkablly alike.
AoC: Lvl 1 - 20 (although you can actually go up to 24 or 25) Tortage only
LotRO: Lvl 1 - 20 X/X/X region only (I gave up trying to spell that Elven stuff along time ago). Book quest up to lvl 50
Kinda funny comparing Tortage area to Erid Luin, the Shire, and Breeland. I think those three regions porbably contain more content and areas for exploration than AoC does. Also Turbine is running a 9.99 a month subscription special again as a anniversery gift.
I dont know if you people realize this. But it costs you 50 cents a day to play an mmo. shut the f!@# up about f2p. u end up spending far more on "free to play" games.
if you want to be a carebear go play your special lord of the rings and be a mega dungeon wizard. this is conan.
Kinda funny comparing Tortage area to Erid Luin, the Shire, and Breeland. I think those three regions porbably contain more content and areas for exploration than AoC does. Also Turbine is running a 9.99 a month subscription special again as a anniversery gift.
There's no question that LotrO contains one of the largest gameworlds of the current MMO's.
You can see it here: large video game worlds, you can see LotrO leaves even WoW easily behind.
But when it comes to content and total area, then EQ will defeat them all and rank on top.
Highly detailed textures and graphics come with a price: AoC has the most detailed and realistic graphics of this generation of MMO games, and the downside has been smaller sized areas than for example a LotrO. But as the tech and the devs catch up with the engine you'll see vaster and vaster areas with high end graphics: the new AoC Khitai areas are at least a couple of times larger than any of the the largest areas in the original AoC content. And that will only grow more as time progresses. Which makes me hopeful for TSW since the same engine is being used.
But when it comes to area size then I'm looking more forward to GW2: ANet people have stated that GW2 at launch will have more areas than the original GW combined with the expansions (see also the game worlds map), and then as a persistent open world and not with cartoony graphics as WoW or LotrO but top-of-the-bill graphics. Yes, 2011 will be a great MMO gaming year, with old MMO's improving in several ways and new interesting MMO's appearing on the horizon.
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
...and AoC has more quests in it's first playfield than AO had in its entirity at F2P time (they only added lost of quests later as AO was predominately an ACG game before that)
So strictly speaking they have waaaay more content than AO had when it went F2P
So you only consider quests to be content? Whatever. Anarchy Online wasn't designed to be a quest treadmill. It wasn't designed to lead you by the nose. AO's Rubi-Ka alone was the biggest world around with plenty to do. Add in SL and the whole world of AO is bigger than ANY game out there and has more content than any game out there. The only ones who can argue differently are the one's I already mentioned, who think quests = game, or the lame asses who think grinding hecklers all day to powerlevel to 220 is the only thing to do.
-Letting Derek Smart work on your game is like letting Osama bin Laden work in the White House. Something will burn.- -And on the 8th day, man created God.-
If you look at what LotRO is offering as their free play area vs what AoC already is they look remarkablly alike.
AoC: Lvl 1 - 20 (although you can actually go up to 24 or 25) Tortage only
LotRO: Lvl 1 - 20 X/X/X region only (I gave up trying to spell that Elven stuff along time ago). Book quest up to lvl 50
Kinda funny comparing Tortage area to Erid Luin, the Shire, and Breeland. I think those three regions porbably contain more content and areas for exploration than AoC does. Also Turbine is running a 9.99 a month subscription special again as a anniversery gift.
Totally agree, I was just talking in broad brush strokes. While LotRO play area is bigger, an extended demo is still an extended demo vice what DDO has which is free dungeons all the way up to level cap (might not be that many, but it still has them).
At some point for both AoC and LotRO, after seeing what they have to offer you have to pay for more content.
Plus as a point against LotRO content, you need all that because leveling isn't as quick as in AoC. I'd say AoC is more of a level cap end game vice LotRO journey to level type game.
I dont know if you people realize this. But it costs you 50 cents a day to play an mmo. shut the f!@# up about f2p. u end up spending far more on "free to play" games.
if you want to be a carebear go play your special lord of the rings and be a mega dungeon wizard. this is conan.
Quoted for truth
The following statement is false The previous statement is true
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
In my opinion, we should look to AO for a potential "what if" future direction.
WTF is with this F2P craze lately?? There are DOZENS of crap F2P games out there already....go play one and stop trying to bring the entire MMORPG industry down into the F2P pit.
And Avery....the fr00b system worked in AO, because the in-game ads actually fit with the timeframe of the game. I mean, what city DOESN'T have billboards with ads on them?? It actually enhanced the "genuine" feeling of the world (especially Omni cities).
But how would this work in AoC?? Would the Tortage town crier shout ads to the people in the streets??
"The Lord Strom has decreed that all citizens of Tortage must purchase Depends Brand Undergarments!!"
WTF is with this F2P craze lately?? There are DOZENS of crap F2P games out there already....go play one and stop trying to bring the entire MMORPG industry down into the F2P pit.
And Avery....the fr00b system worked in AO, because the in-game ads actually fit with the timeframe of the game. I mean, what city DOESN'T have billboards with ads on them?? It actually enhanced the "genuine" feeling of the world (especially Omni cities).
But how would this work in AoC?? Would the Tortage town crier shout ads to the people in the streets??
"The Lord Strom has decreed that all citizens of Tortage must purchase Depends Brand Undergarments!!"
I mean, really now
Feels like a zombie apocalypse, I've seen and experienced that change with Ragnarok Online, RF Online. They're not looking for your meat suit though, they're looking for your money
And it's impressive how some people can't grasp the concept of looking forward playing a game where purely gameplay gauges your progression and your customization, rather than enhancements and exclusivities made possible by spending real money. To top it off, the developers themselves are in charge of the cash shop, they get not only to control how you may spend your time, but how you may spend your money (instead of a standard price that is a $15 monthly fee). Too much power in my opinion.
I fail to see any immersion in it (like seeing I could have made a certain task in half of the time, or with a lot less effort, or that I'll never be able to acquire X item because it is cash shop exclusive, or that I depend on someone reselling it to me to get it), but I can see the possibility in there for those who like that or just don't care because they're having fun and it's still within their budget or still doesn't feel abusive, or want to avoid an "outrageous" price of 50 cents a day to access their game (I understand because multiple MMOs and stacking monthly subscriptions can make up for some rather unexpected costs, which I'd take other pay options like pre-paid subscriptions that run out only when you are logged in the game to pay for secondary MMOs) because their mom won't let him spend the money or because the budget for that month is already gone.
WTF is with this F2P craze lately?? There are DOZENS of crap F2P games out there already....go play one and stop trying to bring the entire MMORPG industry down into the F2P pit.
And Avery....the fr00b system worked in AO, because the in-game ads actually fit with the timeframe of the game. I mean, what city DOESN'T have billboards with ads on them?? It actually enhanced the "genuine" feeling of the world (especially Omni cities).
But how would this work in AoC?? Would the Tortage town crier shout ads to the people in the streets??
"The Lord Strom has decreed that all citizens of Tortage must purchase Depends Brand Undergarments!!"
I mean, really now
More than likely they'd just have the ads on the loading screens for free players, assuming they use ads in the first place. They've actually had very few video ads in AO for quite awhile now and only a few static ads.
As has already been said, though, it will be years, if ever, before AoC has a free-to-play system.
-Letting Derek Smart work on your game is like letting Osama bin Laden work in the White House. Something will burn.- -And on the 8th day, man created God.-
I don't think there should be this mysterious stigma against F2P. The game is really good now, and going F2P would mean more players (and presumably more $$ for Funcom if they do it right). Both WAR and AOC should go free to play and I expect both to be F2P before the end of 2011, probably sooner. If FC have any sense they will go F2P before the new Conan movie comes out as that we almost certainly drive interest in the game too.
I don't think it would hurt, but I honestly don't think it would help either.
The type of gamer thats willing to spend enough money on a PC to play a game like AoC isn't going to be too fickle about spending another $15 a month (or as low as $9 is you buy in bulk). There is already an unlimited trial (Tortuge) to give people who want a taste a chance to try the game for free.
Most of the F2P hounds I've ran into are either
a) too cheap to buy a computer capable of playing a game like AoC
b) unemployed
c) kids who can neither afford the subscription, nor sign up to play AoC w/out parental concent
d) asian, and thus prefer manga and anime to grit and realism
I dont know if you people realize this. But it costs you 50 cents a day to play an mmo. shut the f!@# up about f2p. u end up spending far more on "free to play" games.
Quoted for truth
No, some may but not all. While playing P2p DDO, LotRO or AoC I was paying $9.99 to $14.99 a month. Since going to F2p DDO, I've been playing 10 months and have only spent $19.50 total.
That's .51 cents a month if averaged out.
Regular designed from the ground up F2p games, then yes your statements are probably true. Turbines DDO model (and hopefully LotRO too) with no 'I win' items - then no. Although because of the zones in LoTRO it will cost more than DDO.
But that's the nice thing about Turbines model. If it does start costing more, than you do a sub.
Dude woun't you stop your LotRO marketing even now after LotRO went down to F2P-land.
LotRO = F2P go play with the other kiddies.
ROFL havn't figured out yet that the LoTRO F2P plan is nothing more than a extended trial to lure players into buying a premium subscription have you? On the other hand maybe you have and are just jealous that AoC still does not have enough content to use that as a marketing strategy.
ROFL havn't figured out yet that the LoTRO F2P plan is nothing more than a extended trial to lure players into buying a premium subscription have you? On the other hand maybe you have and are just jealous that AoC still does not have enough content to use that as a marketing strategy.
What is all the baloohoo about AoC not having enough content? AoC has a ton of content.
ROFL havn't figured out yet that the LoTRO F2P plan is nothing more than a extended trial to lure players into buying a premium subscription have you? On the other hand maybe you have and are just jealous that AoC still does not have enough content to use that as a marketing strategy.
What is all the baloohoo about AoC not having enough content? AoC has a ton of content.
I don't get it either. Oh well, anyway they are right about one thing, the LotRO F2P is just a free to try, once you get to around level 20 the only content you'll be able to do is grind boars unless you pay for the content.
I don't see AoC going to this route, after all there is an endless trial in tortage anyway so there is reallly no point in following LotRO's footsteps.
I dont know if you people realize this. But it costs you 50 cents a day to play an mmo. shut the f!@# up about f2p. u end up spending far more on "free to play" games.
if you want to be a carebear go play your special lord of the rings and be a mega dungeon wizard. this is conan.
and this is precisely why the entire industry will be F2P in 10 years. 50 cents a day isn't as profitable as a Cash Shop. I like paying $15 because it's cheaper, but if the company behind the game isn't making money to stay profitable, they'll be forced to close up shop, then you'll have no game at all to play.
As for having ads on the loading screens, I've always wondered why companies haven't used this yet. That's why Battle.net is free. Blizzard gets thier money from the ads they run while you're not playing.
Having a free trial you can play until you pay a monthly fee for the rest of the content of a game sounds extremely familiar. Isn't a F2P game a game you can play for free, unless you want to pay for content of the game? Sorry for the sarcasm, but people fail to see the similarities in F2P and P2P games.
I think just about every person against F2P is that way because of the history of F2P games. The "new-age" of F2P games don't sell you godly, one hit-kill non-payer player items. They sell content, the same content you pay a monthly subscription for in other games. Only difference is that you have access to the game whether you pay or not in F2P.
Comments
Not true, AO went free just after Alien Invasion (2 expansions and one booster). However only one of those packs (Shadowlands) really added a lot of content, and the booster (Notum Wars) quickly became part of the F2P offering, and they went F2P because Alien Invasion wasn't a good expansion (well, it was till they nerfed it two weeks in
)
...and AoC has more quests in it's first playfield than AO had in its entirity at F2P time (they only added lost of quests later as AO was predominately an ACG game before that)
So strictly speaking they have waaaay more content than AO had when it went F2P
It's also a very different market now, with different factors, and AoC (and WAR) will have to keep up with Turbine. Like I said, I would guess they do it next year to tie in with the movie.
I didn't realize there were so many gamers that are too cheap to spend 15 bucks a month for unlimited access and content. Really, if that's too much for you, try getting a real job rather than wishing everything would go F2P.
If you look at what LotRO is offering as their free play area vs what AoC already is they look remarkablly alike.
AoC: Lvl 1 - 20 (although you can actually go up to 24 or 25) Tortage only
LotRO: Lvl 1 - 20 X/X/X region only (I gave up trying to spell that Elven stuff along time ago). Book quest up to lvl 50
So AoC pretty much has that part already in place. I will say the various AoC zone's only have a fraction of the LotRO zones quests but you could still sell AoC zones, just lower the price accordingly.
After all I always thought it strange that no matter how much fluff, content etc.... a game had or didn't have it still cost $15.00 a month.
Not saying one game is better than the other since they're different but compare all the things LotRO has vs what AoC has and AoC comes up short (mainly in the fluff department) yet both cost the same. It would be nice if a company would fess up, say we don't have the same amount and charge according.
SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter
Kinda funny comparing Tortage area to Erid Luin, the Shire, and Breeland. I think those three regions porbably contain more content and areas for exploration than AoC does. Also Turbine is running a 9.99 a month subscription special again as a anniversery gift.
I miss DAoC
I dont know if you people realize this. But it costs you 50 cents a day to play an mmo. shut the f!@# up about f2p. u end up spending far more on "free to play" games.
if you want to be a carebear go play your special lord of the rings and be a mega dungeon wizard. this is conan.
There's no question that LotrO contains one of the largest gameworlds of the current MMO's.
You can see it here: large video game worlds, you can see LotrO leaves even WoW easily behind.
But when it comes to content and total area, then EQ will defeat them all and rank on top.
Highly detailed textures and graphics come with a price: AoC has the most detailed and realistic graphics of this generation of MMO games, and the downside has been smaller sized areas than for example a LotrO. But as the tech and the devs catch up with the engine you'll see vaster and vaster areas with high end graphics: the new AoC Khitai areas are at least a couple of times larger than any of the the largest areas in the original AoC content. And that will only grow more as time progresses. Which makes me hopeful for TSW since the same engine is being used.
But when it comes to area size then I'm looking more forward to GW2: ANet people have stated that GW2 at launch will have more areas than the original GW combined with the expansions (see also the game worlds map), and then as a persistent open world and not with cartoony graphics as WoW or LotrO but top-of-the-bill graphics. Yes, 2011 will be a great MMO gaming year, with old MMO's improving in several ways and new interesting MMO's appearing on the horizon.
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
So you only consider quests to be content? Whatever. Anarchy Online wasn't designed to be a quest treadmill. It wasn't designed to lead you by the nose. AO's Rubi-Ka alone was the biggest world around with plenty to do. Add in SL and the whole world of AO is bigger than ANY game out there and has more content than any game out there. The only ones who can argue differently are the one's I already mentioned, who think quests = game, or the lame asses who think grinding hecklers all day to powerlevel to 220 is the only thing to do.
-Letting Derek Smart work on your game is like letting Osama bin Laden work in the White House. Something will burn.-
-And on the 8th day, man created God.-
Totally agree, I was just talking in broad brush strokes. While LotRO play area is bigger, an extended demo is still an extended demo vice what DDO has which is free dungeons all the way up to level cap (might not be that many, but it still has them).
At some point for both AoC and LotRO, after seeing what they have to offer you have to pay for more content.
Plus as a point against LotRO content, you need all that because leveling isn't as quick as in AoC. I'd say AoC is more of a level cap end game vice LotRO journey to level type game.
SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter
Quoted for truth
The following statement is false
The previous statement is true
In my opinion, we should look to AO for a potential "what if" future direction.
GAH!!! NO!!
WTF is with this F2P craze lately?? There are DOZENS of crap F2P games out there already....go play one and stop trying to bring the entire MMORPG industry down into the F2P pit.
And Avery....the fr00b system worked in AO, because the in-game ads actually fit with the timeframe of the game. I mean, what city DOESN'T have billboards with ads on them?? It actually enhanced the "genuine" feeling of the world (especially Omni cities).
But how would this work in AoC?? Would the Tortage town crier shout ads to the people in the streets??
"The Lord Strom has decreed that all citizens of Tortage must purchase Depends Brand Undergarments!!"
I mean, really now
Whoever created the idea of Free 2 Play is the dumbest person alive.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"Your pride, good sir, far exceeds your worth." -x3r0h
Oldest mmorpg.com member with the least amount of post counts. That counts for something, right?
Feels like a zombie apocalypse, I've seen and experienced that change with Ragnarok Online, RF Online. They're not looking for your meat suit though, they're looking for your money
And it's impressive how some people can't grasp the concept of looking forward playing a game where purely gameplay gauges your progression and your customization, rather than enhancements and exclusivities made possible by spending real money. To top it off, the developers themselves are in charge of the cash shop, they get not only to control how you may spend your time, but how you may spend your money (instead of a standard price that is a $15 monthly fee). Too much power in my opinion.
I fail to see any immersion in it (like seeing I could have made a certain task in half of the time, or with a lot less effort, or that I'll never be able to acquire X item because it is cash shop exclusive, or that I depend on someone reselling it to me to get it), but I can see the possibility in there for those who like that or just don't care because they're having fun and it's still within their budget or still doesn't feel abusive, or want to avoid an "outrageous" price of 50 cents a day to access their game (I understand because multiple MMOs and stacking monthly subscriptions can make up for some rather unexpected costs, which I'd take other pay options like pre-paid subscriptions that run out only when you are logged in the game to pay for secondary MMOs) because their mom won't let him spend the money or because the budget for that month is already gone.
More than likely they'd just have the ads on the loading screens for free players, assuming they use ads in the first place. They've actually had very few video ads in AO for quite awhile now and only a few static ads.
As has already been said, though, it will be years, if ever, before AoC has a free-to-play system.
-Letting Derek Smart work on your game is like letting Osama bin Laden work in the White House. Something will burn.-
-And on the 8th day, man created God.-
I don't think it would hurt, but I honestly don't think it would help either.
The type of gamer thats willing to spend enough money on a PC to play a game like AoC isn't going to be too fickle about spending another $15 a month (or as low as $9 is you buy in bulk). There is already an unlimited trial (Tortuge) to give people who want a taste a chance to try the game for free.
Most of the F2P hounds I've ran into are either
a) too cheap to buy a computer capable of playing a game like AoC
b) unemployed
c) kids who can neither afford the subscription, nor sign up to play AoC w/out parental concent
d) asian, and thus prefer manga and anime to grit and realism
AoC's community isn't exactly top rocks anyway. Maybe we could funnel all of them onto Tyranny and then sell tickets to the show.
No, some may but not all. While playing P2p DDO, LotRO or AoC I was paying $9.99 to $14.99 a month. Since going to F2p DDO, I've been playing 10 months and have only spent $19.50 total.
That's .51 cents a month if averaged out.
Regular designed from the ground up F2p games, then yes your statements are probably true. Turbines DDO model (and hopefully LotRO too) with no 'I win' items - then no. Although because of the zones in LoTRO it will cost more than DDO.
But that's the nice thing about Turbines model. If it does start costing more, than you do a sub.
SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter
ROFL havn't figured out yet that the LoTRO F2P plan is nothing more than a extended trial to lure players into buying a premium subscription have you? On the other hand maybe you have and are just jealous that AoC still does not have enough content to use that as a marketing strategy.
I miss DAoC
What is all the baloohoo about AoC not having enough content? AoC has a ton of content.
I don't get it either. Oh well, anyway they are right about one thing, the LotRO F2P is just a free to try, once you get to around level 20 the only content you'll be able to do is grind boars unless you pay for the content.
I don't see AoC going to this route, after all there is an endless trial in tortage anyway so there is reallly no point in following LotRO's footsteps.
If "it's just an extended trial", then it should be CALLED an "Unlimited trial". It's not though. It's a F2P business model.
Personally I'll never play LOTRO again. And if AoC went F2P, I'd stop playing it as well.
No its not unlimited trial.
1. You are free to go where ever you want. ( at least until gates of Moria - but thats expansion allready ).
2. You can fight any mob you want.
3. You are able to lvl up to 50 ( of 60 lvls )
Only thing that is limited are the quests.Some are free and some are premium.
And you can either buy them individually , or pay normal subscription and unlock them all.
So what in hell is not good about that system ?
and this is precisely why the entire industry will be F2P in 10 years. 50 cents a day isn't as profitable as a Cash Shop. I like paying $15 because it's cheaper, but if the company behind the game isn't making money to stay profitable, they'll be forced to close up shop, then you'll have no game at all to play.
As for having ads on the loading screens, I've always wondered why companies haven't used this yet. That's why Battle.net is free. Blizzard gets thier money from the ads they run while you're not playing.
What the Hell IS good about it?
And let me guess....those "premium" quests have some really nice rewards, eh??
It's the same F2P shit, and Turbine can keep it.
Having a free trial you can play until you pay a monthly fee for the rest of the content of a game sounds extremely familiar. Isn't a F2P game a game you can play for free, unless you want to pay for content of the game? Sorry for the sarcasm, but people fail to see the similarities in F2P and P2P games.
I think just about every person against F2P is that way because of the history of F2P games. The "new-age" of F2P games don't sell you godly, one hit-kill non-payer player items. They sell content, the same content you pay a monthly subscription for in other games. Only difference is that you have access to the game whether you pay or not in F2P.