This thread's a bit ridiculous, and I base that solely upon the fact that players never own anything but their personal experience with any MMO. You're "renting" or "borrowing" that content regardless, whether it's a P2P or F2P, so ownership never even comes into question.
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
Actually, P2P is like renting but never owning and F2P is like buying but never owning.
Both you never own. One of them you have to buy a physical box usually, you own that, but it doesn't really mean much, once the game goes under you have a box and what else? Nothing. A character that never existed for all anyone knows. The other you usually spend all of your money getting items. For the same reason. Once it goes down, you never owned anything, the character is gone and never existed to anyone but you.
I only feel ownership if the game is a single/mulitplayer games, as others said everything I have to pay a subfee to I never feel ownership except for the box.
F2P if the game shuts down you have nothing, P2P if the game shuts down you have nothing except perhaps the box.
Why do you feel a sense of ownership over any form of entertainment? You can buy a DVD, and all you own is the plastic it was made from and the paper used to make the packaging, the copyright holder still owns all the content.
I've got a dozen or so of single player games on my shelf, and while I *own* them, do you think that raggedy ass box copy of Warcraft II is worth more to me than my character data in any MMO (F2P or P2P) I'm currently playing?
It's disposable entertainment. If I can't kill it, eat it, or fuck it, who cares if I own it or not?
Playing a f2p game makes me feel like I'm just renting the game. I do not feel any sense of "ownership" over my character or account. I know, I know, the standard arguement(s) supporting the business model...
1. Your account will always be there just like p2p titles (unless you are banned which works on both).
2. You never actually "own" any p2p game title.
3. You can play for free without ever really purchasing anything from the store.
4. Etc.
I know all of the above are true, but I still do not feel the same about the f2p business model -v- the p2p business model.
Am I the only one who feels this added disconnect to f2p?
*Discuss*
I think you obviously aren't the only one who feels this way but it's like I'm always having to tell my wife who is a worry wart that suffers from panic attacks, just because you feel like in your mind you are having a heart attack doesn't mean you are having one. You give all the reasons why that feeling you are getting are wrong anyway, simply put you have no more rights with a game you pay a premium sub fee for than you have with a f2p game.
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
Yeah, I think the term "own" was meant in the idea of you more feel like your character is 'your own unique, maximized character' and not physical ownership. Its in line with "immersion" and nearly impossible to word well, so I feel the OPs pain.
My Opp:
I agree with him though. You pay for almost everything in life to gain its ownership, this concept for some (apprently not most based on responses) follows to virtual content. I enjoy paying a flat rate for content and then power gaming happily online. Having to use cash shops or buy things as I go, creates some disconnect - as more of my character won't reach its potential unless I fork over the cash everytime I need something more (bag space, characters slots, potions, anything cash shop). Also it might have to do with the fact that if anyone can join in, your character (may, this is only for the P2P fans) not feel as valuable, meaning:
It relates to how P2P fans may also feel obligated to play, as they are paying for it (reasons often why I cancel subs, because I'm not playing enough for the value gained). This analogy makes sense to me in the least - compar to renting artwork to show off vs. having everyone putting up all the artwork they want for free. It vastly degrades the value of yours (at least in your mind, if not in reality) having so much free artwork abound, verse the rented space for your own.
End Opp.
Its almost impossible to articulate the feeling, but I commend the OP for making comment of the disconnect - because us P2P fans definitely feel it: why? who knows, you can try (like above) to word it - but god speed on making it sound right.
Comments
This thread's a bit ridiculous, and I base that solely upon the fact that players never own anything but their personal experience with any MMO. You're "renting" or "borrowing" that content regardless, whether it's a P2P or F2P, so ownership never even comes into question.
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
Yeah I agree. F2P is more like gambling. The more money the better. But still have a small chance with less money.
Philosophy of MMO Game Design
Both you never own. One of them you have to buy a physical box usually, you own that, but it doesn't really mean much, once the game goes under you have a box and what else? Nothing. A character that never existed for all anyone knows. The other you usually spend all of your money getting items. For the same reason. Once it goes down, you never owned anything, the character is gone and never existed to anyone but you.
If you aren't paying, you ain't renting. Seriously though, real life is just the same - free to play but you'll never own it forever.
While I despise all things F2P, your analogy makes no sense. However, do carry on as I needed a good laugh anyhow
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box. ~ Italian proverb
Why do you feel a sense of ownership over any form of entertainment? You can buy a DVD, and all you own is the plastic it was made from and the paper used to make the packaging, the copyright holder still owns all the content.
I've got a dozen or so of single player games on my shelf, and while I *own* them, do you think that raggedy ass box copy of Warcraft II is worth more to me than my character data in any MMO (F2P or P2P) I'm currently playing?
It's disposable entertainment. If I can't kill it, eat it, or fuck it, who cares if I own it or not?
I think you obviously aren't the only one who feels this way but it's like I'm always having to tell my wife who is a worry wart that suffers from panic attacks, just because you feel like in your mind you are having a heart attack doesn't mean you are having one. You give all the reasons why that feeling you are getting are wrong anyway, simply put you have no more rights with a game you pay a premium sub fee for than you have with a f2p game.
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
Yeah, I think the term "own" was meant in the idea of you more feel like your character is 'your own unique, maximized character' and not physical ownership. Its in line with "immersion" and nearly impossible to word well, so I feel the OPs pain.
My Opp:
I agree with him though. You pay for almost everything in life to gain its ownership, this concept for some (apprently not most based on responses) follows to virtual content. I enjoy paying a flat rate for content and then power gaming happily online. Having to use cash shops or buy things as I go, creates some disconnect - as more of my character won't reach its potential unless I fork over the cash everytime I need something more (bag space, characters slots, potions, anything cash shop). Also it might have to do with the fact that if anyone can join in, your character (may, this is only for the P2P fans) not feel as valuable, meaning:
It relates to how P2P fans may also feel obligated to play, as they are paying for it (reasons often why I cancel subs, because I'm not playing enough for the value gained). This analogy makes sense to me in the least - compar to renting artwork to show off vs. having everyone putting up all the artwork they want for free. It vastly degrades the value of yours (at least in your mind, if not in reality) having so much free artwork abound, verse the rented space for your own.
End Opp.
Its almost impossible to articulate the feeling, but I commend the OP for making comment of the disconnect - because us P2P fans definitely feel it: why? who knows, you can try (like above) to word it - but god speed on making it sound right.
So do you feel the same way about your free google email account?
or all of the other free services you get online?
or do you just have some stupid prejudice against f2p games?