They should change the name. Everyone wants to easily categorize MMOs into P2P ..B2P or F2P..including the game companies. When is it ever black and white. The hybrid models should be classified as something else...Multi-play...Choose and play..idk...something that reflects the nature of the options available..since apparently F2P has to be taken so literally these days. I live in a "free" country...or so that's what I hear. Guess what?....nothing's free in my life as I'm sure is the case for most. There are many ways in which I pay to live here. No one ever owns anything. The various Taxes see to that. Try not paying them and discover what you really own.
For clarity's sake, are we talking about a feature that will be available to only subscribers and never in the item mall, or a feature that is available first to subscribers and will them be available in the item mall for everyone after a certain time period?
The highlighted one.
Can you link to an example?
Before I quit Lotro was like this, also I believe EQ2 & AoC run this way also.
They all have content or features that are locked out to the micro transaction crowd.
Im reading Lotro changed but as of my time leaving the game restricted micro-transaction players.
For clarity's sake, are we talking about a feature that will be available to only subscribers and never in the item mall, or a feature that is available first to subscribers and will them be available in the item mall for everyone after a certain time period?
The highlighted one.
Can you link to an example?
Before I quit Lotro was like this, also I believe EQ2 & AoC run this way also.
They all have content or features that are locked out to the micro transaction crowd.
Im reading Lotro changed but as of my time leaving the game restricted micro-transaction players.
I haven't found any for LOTRO. In the past VIP offered early access for some new content but there haven't been any releases that were solely for VIPs. Never offering it later in the itemmall would be leaving a ton of money on the table, so I can't see them doing that.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
This is why we made a new term for games like LOTRO and it's called Freemium. Don't know why people are forgetting that we have this term. If you don't like Freemium games then don't play them. It's what I do. If all content is not accessable in someway without paying a sub free (CS doesn't count) then it's Freemium, not true F2P.
Subscriptions are becoming outdated and only people set in their ways are stating that Subs are the best way to go about things. Out of all of games coming out, only a very few will be able to make it sucessful and soon investors are not going to put money into that ideal when they can clearly see that F2P is better for both players and the company. This ideal that you spend more money in a CS then in a sub is only true for people who don't understand money management.
In the end for MMOs, more players equals a better gaming experience and F2P attacts more players then P2P.
This is why we made a new term for games like LOTRO and it's called Freemium.
The model has been around for decades under various names. The term Freemium was coined in 2006 as almost 24/7 online connectivity (not just home but mobile, too) led to a newer breed of shareware/freeware where the incentives and offerings for those who subscribed were more than just extra features but readily updatable extra services, as well.
On these boards, though, the proper or universally accepted term will always be ignored in favor of vague, nebulous or balatantly false terms where they can mould the meaning to fit the exact scenario they want to represent. P2W would be the best example of that.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
How about cash shops and micro-transactions shouldn't even exist in MMO's. Subs should be the only way. Especially considering they are "suppose" to be long adventures. Not fast instant gratification RPG console games in an MMO wrapper. And for Christ sakes....they offer the option to buy content and advancement?!!? ...............sad. For the OP....
The only problem with subscriptions from my own perspective is that artificial grind is added to nearly every aspect of gameplay to keep you subbing for longer periods. This includes things like lockouts, rare mob timers, etc.
I don't think subscription = quality content. I'd much rather have free access to a game and purchase content when I'm ready for it. All subscription models do is reward those with the most free time.
No different than cash shops purposely gimping players or making mobs OP'ed, etc to nealry force players to use the CS. And in the beginning ( The UO/EQ era), that is what seperated MMO's from console games as another genre. They were MEANT to take time and for the players to have a lot of free time. Now they are all glorified console RPG's. MMORPG's are almost extinct in the sense they were meant to once be.....sadly.
This is why we made a new term for games like LOTRO and it's called Freemium. Don't know why people are forgetting that we have this term. If you don't like Freemium games then don't play them. It's what I do. If all content is not accessable in someway without paying a sub free (CS doesn't count) then it's Freemium, not true F2P.
Subscriptions are becoming outdated and only people set in their ways are stating that Subs are the best way to go about things. Out of all of games coming out, only a very few will be able to make it sucessful and soon investors are not going to put money into that ideal when they can clearly see that F2P is better for both players and the company. This ideal that you spend more money in a CS then in a sub is only true for people who don't understand money management.
In the end for MMOs, more players equals a better gaming experience and F2P attacts more players then P2P.
Even if you understand money management, the game is rigged that way. It forces you to realize that you are spending more money in the CS in a month, which you will subconciously figure out that subbing or going premium is a better option.
This is why we made a new term for games like LOTRO and it's called Freemium. Don't know why people are forgetting that we have this term. If you don't like Freemium games then don't play them. It's what I do. If all content is not accessable in someway without paying a sub free (CS doesn't count) then it's Freemium, not true F2P.
Subscriptions are becoming outdated and only people set in their ways are stating that Subs are the best way to go about things. Out of all of games coming out, only a very few will be able to make it sucessful and soon investors are not going to put money into that ideal when they can clearly see that F2P is better for both players and the company. This ideal that you spend more money in a CS then in a sub is only true for people who don't understand money management.
In the end for MMOs, more players equals a better gaming experience and F2P attacts more players then P2P.
Even if you understand money management, the game is rigged that way. It forces you to realize that you are spending more money in the CS in a month, which you will subconciously figure out that subbing or going premium is a better option.
Nothing is forcing you to spend money so ... how does it force you to realize that you are spending more money in a CS that doesn't force you to do anything? A sub is forced, that is the difference.
Guild Wars 2’s cash shop will focus on cosmetic items and other bonus accoutrements that people might want to have but don’t affect actual gameplay in any way.
How about cash shops and micro-transactions shouldn't even exist in MMO's. Subs should be the only way. Especially considering they are "suppose" to be long adventures. Not fast instant gratification RPG console games in an MMO wrapper. And for Christ sakes....they offer the option to buy content and advancement?!!? ...............sad. For the OP....
The only problem with subscriptions from my own perspective is that artificial grind is added to nearly every aspect of gameplay to keep you subbing for longer periods. This includes things like lockouts, rare mob timers, etc.
I don't think subscription = quality content. I'd much rather have free access to a game and purchase content when I'm ready for it. All subscription models do is reward those with the most free time.
No different than cash shops purposely gimping players or making mobs OP'ed, etc to nealry force players to use the CS. And in the beginning ( The UO/EQ era), that is what seperated MMO's from console games as another genre. They were MEANT to take time and for the players to have a lot of free time. Now they are all glorified console RPG's. MMORPG's are almost extinct in the sense they were meant to once be.....sadly.
I agree that a MMORPG should have more hours of gameplay than their console counterparts, but if you're saying that MMORPGs are just meant to be grinds and that's the only difference between console and how MMO gameplay should differ well that's just stupid.
There will always be a spectrum regarding what is offered via cash shop & how much grind is added to a game so it's hard to argue them side by side- shady gameplay design is shady gameplay design regardless of how the company takes your money.
What you describe regarding how MMORPGs are meant to be as subscription-based with extended grinds are no different whatsoever than cash shops charging for content, except rather than paying a specific amount for a piece of content you're paying extra months of subscription due to the grind inherent in the content. I find that those players who complain most about legit cash shops (and I see those as offering no advantage that cannot also be achieved through gameplay) are those that have little expendable income for gaming and look to MMOs because they have enormous amounts of free time (i.e. the no-life basement-dweller stereotype) and seek at least one part in life where they excel in comparison to their peers.
As an aside:
I agree with you that a lot of what made late '90s MMOs great has been lost to the "console-ification" of the current crop of MMOs and I enjoyed the exp grind (complete with death penalties of EQ1). However for me, what made a game like EQ1 and it's grind great was that you really weren't competing with anyone (I never played on the Zek servers) and there were a multitude of things to do and spawns to go to, whereas in today's games it's fairly limited at cap. Also, now that PvP is such a big part of games (even on PvE servers) if you don't keep up with the gear curve you're pretty well screwed on engaging in anything but strict leveling content, unless you consider extremely shallow content like achievements and collections.
Never once in EQ1 did I feel like I was behind the curve or missing out on anything regardless of how many raids I attended. I had options and could itemize/progress in order to continue seeing content with just a duo or up to my normal group and there was plenty to do at cap aside from strict raid or die. On top of this there was almost always a raid that my guild could send a few players for because raids allowed so many people. Now that raids get smaller and smaller again players are excluding each other due to not having inflated gear levels.
The people that pay monthly for something get access or features that the people who play for free don't get. This, to you, is wrong or unfair?
No I just want the option to buy those same features through a CS.
If you pay a subscription the CS shouldnt even exist for you since all the content should be given to u.
A micro-transaction model should be just that. I gain access to the game and buy what i want to experience.
Probelm is to hook people into subs they only offer 90% of the features to those players and force you to subscribe to access the other stuff.
Why not add those features to the shop? Even if its expensive atleast its an option, right?
did anyone read this post? let me highlight the important part the OP said... (look up at the red text)
OP i completely agree... if you sub to a fremium game you should get some perks (like a discount on everything)
the OP is not saying that free players should get everything... but should get the choice to buy everything a sub player has... even if it costs more....
example, fast travel mount costs $10 USD (im making up numbers as i dont know the real ones) in the cash shop, but sub players get it for free....
so any free player can choose to drop 10 bucks to fast travel that one time they need...
this is just one example...
P.S. i am totally against having both a sub AND cash shop in any game for any reason.... its rude to double dip
Subscription + free access with cash shop is more accurately described as Freemium because it's a hybrid of Free 2 Play and Subscription models. As far as Free 2 Play players not having access to subscriber features, that's part of the design. In these games, free access seems to be intended as both an unlimited free trial system and a revenue stream via cash shop. However, it's still a subscription game and subscribers get perks for subscribing.
Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security. I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident. When I don't understand, I ask. Such is not intended as criticism.
Personally I agree with the OP. Either have subs or dont. Im not tempted to even try F2P anymore. Not with all the limitations, and Im against sub fees as Im getting older, and paying 15 bucks to play a single game just seems incredibly stupid to me. But if you are going to have a sub fee, the reason you are paying one, is for content. The promise of content that is. When content gets made but put behind a cash wall it entirely defeats the purpose of having a sub fee.
Its like the industry is trying to mix all the different kinds of payment methods into one bundle. Its like buying a glass of lemonade but you gotta pay for the cup, ice, and liquid seperately and at larger cost.
Im looking forward to B2P games like GW2. Its the only model I feel comfortable with anymore. Im not against free to play with a cash shop. But this sub along with free to play crap has gotta go.
yes i agree, and also if you really have an urge of playing that game fully potential, you just end up being have to pay more than 15 dollar %99 of the time.. It is so funny how they always look for a way to make you a coin slave. I just hate beging restricted by that shop, if you want to sell your content, pack it and sell it as a $40 expansion.
It is usually like this: you play the game (free) =>
you want to play it more =>
you get pwned by the players that spend $10 a month =>
you spend $10 as well => you match those players =>
but players that spend 20$ a month start to pwn you now =>
This is because those devs are lazy, instead of creating a new content, they take their crappy unfinished content and scale it.
only true F2P MMO is GW2, shops doesnt give you more than cosmetic and pvp-only unlocks (getting GW1 as base on this one), They actually develop a completely new content that you dont have to buy to play on, but you buy it because it is just like a new game. Not all trolls accept this but that is why that game is at the top of the list, Devs should watch them and clone their strategy. (i love the cloning term in MMOS, haha it is so cheap)
For clarity's sake, are we talking about a feature that will be available to only subscribers and never in the item mall, or a feature that is available first to subscribers and will them be available in the item mall for everyone after a certain time period?
The highlighted one.
Can you link to an example?
Before I quit Lotro was like this, also I believe EQ2 & AoC run this way also.
They all have content or features that are locked out to the micro transaction crowd.
Im reading Lotro changed but as of my time leaving the game restricted micro-transaction players.
I haven't found any for LOTRO. In the past VIP offered early access for some new content but there haven't been any releases that were solely for VIPs. Never offering it later in the itemmall would be leaving a ton of money on the table, so I can't see them doing that.
If fast travel, crafting & pvp unlocks exist in the CS now then it was changed after I left. Which is a good thing imo.
Sadly other games still offer things like complete progression tiers to Subscribers even after a play spends hundreds of doallars in the CS unlocking classes and content.
IN my opinion if your going to offer a CS model, cut up all the content and toss it in the shop, if your going to offer a Subscription option sub players should get everything included in the sub fee.
The people that pay monthly for something get access or features that the people who play for free don't get. This, to you, is wrong or unfair?
Have to agree here. If someone is paying a sub fee they should be treated to more than someone who isnt giving a company money. People that arent paying arent helping keeping the game going.
***Dances with kat Denning***
Player that use a CS pay way more that subscribers up front... Why shouldnt all the content be offered in the shop?
It's ok for a CS user to spend 200 bucks on content and then find out that pvp, fast travel or crafting is only available to a subscriber? why cant i buy a pvp pass in the CS?
Im willing to support the developer just like a subscriber, why exclude me from content im willing to pay for?
Cough up the money for a sub then you cheap skate....
Offering a game as a free experience with the option to use a cash shop is one thing.
Having people spend hundreds on the shop only to screw them with subscriber only features is the worst thing a mmo developer could do.
I don't know how these guys sleep at night...
THankfully I have a game like LoL that offers a free experience with the option to make my gaming less of a grind or buy skins to increase my overall enjoyment. I've spent atleast 60 bucks in LoLs CS because I dont fell forced to use it.
Before I left Lotro everything was great, I was unlocking content by playing the game and occasionally I would sink cash into the CS to unlock classes or zones if i got lazy. It felt completely natural to do this and i was supporting the game. Until I wanted to pvp or fast travel and found out it was subscriber only.
Lotro isnt the only one that does this BS. And people wonder why F2p games get so much hate on community forums.
./end rant
If there wouldnt be any subscirber only services, only idiots would pay subscription. You probably feel like second rate customer, but thats the reality and thats what you are for them untill you pay sub and they need to give you real incentive to do it.
F2P players get treated like 2nd rate customers cause of people that don't want to spend money on anything and expect it to be all free , you get what you give, and when you don't give, expect to be treated like a 2nd customer.
Offering a game as a free experience with the option to use a cash shop is one thing.
Having people spend hundreds on the shop only to screw them with subscriber only features is the worst thing a mmo developer could do.
I don't know how these guys sleep at night...
THankfully I have a game like LoL that offers a free experience with the option to make my gaming less of a grind or buy skins to increase my overall enjoyment. I've spent atleast 60 bucks in LoLs CS because I dont fell forced to use it.
Before I left Lotro everything was great, I was unlocking content by playing the game and occasionally I would sink cash into the CS to unlock classes or zones if i got lazy. It felt completely natural to do this and i was supporting the game. Until I wanted to pvp or fast travel and found out it was subscriber only.
Lotro isnt the only one that does this BS. And people wonder why F2p games get so much hate on community forums.
./end rant
If there wouldnt be any subscirber only services, only idiots would pay subscription. You probably feel like second rate customer, but thats the reality and thats what you are for them untill you pay sub and they need to give you real incentive to do it.
F2P players get treated like 2nd rate customers cause of people that don't want to spend money on anything and expect it to be all free , you get what you give, and when you don't give, expect to be treated like a 2nd customer.
Ok, What or how are " Life-Time " subscribers suppose to feel like. Im not to pleased, and as a recourse i will not play another game by any company that has had them and went F2p. Some times the Game Company's remind me of Lawyers.
" Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Those Who Would Threaten It " MAGA
Ok, What or how are " Life-Time " subscribers suppose to feel like. Im not to pleased, and as a recourse i will not play another game by any company that has had them and went F2p. Some times the Game Company's remind me of Lawyers.
That would cheese me in a big way also.
Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security. I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident. When I don't understand, I ask. Such is not intended as criticism.
The funny thing is that most of the times someone adds a subscription feature to a F2P MMO, the perks of subscribing are usually about something I really don't give a crap about. For example: I play LotRO and I have no problem buying stuff from the cash shop. The only real thing you get for subscribing that I cant get without the cash shop is PvP, and I don't really like PvP.
Offering a game as a free experience with the option to use a cash shop is one thing.
Having people spend hundreds on the shop only to screw them with subscriber only features is the worst thing a mmo developer could do.
I don't know how these guys sleep at night...
THankfully I have a game like LoL that offers a free experience with the option to make my gaming less of a grind or buy skins to increase my overall enjoyment. I've spent atleast 60 bucks in LoLs CS because I dont fell forced to use it.
Before I left Lotro everything was great, I was unlocking content by playing the game and occasionally I would sink cash into the CS to unlock classes or zones if i got lazy. It felt completely natural to do this and i was supporting the game. Until I wanted to pvp or fast travel and found out it was subscriber only.
Lotro isnt the only one that does this BS. And people wonder why F2p games get so much hate on community forums.
./end rant
If there wouldnt be any subscirber only services, only idiots would pay subscription. You probably feel like second rate customer, but thats the reality and thats what you are for them untill you pay sub and they need to give you real incentive to do it.
F2P players get treated like 2nd rate customers cause of people that don't want to spend money on anything and expect it to be all free , you get what you give, and when you don't give, expect to be treated like a 2nd customer.
In my book, customers pay money. If you are playing for free, you are a freeloader and not a customer. f2p players are second class citizens in a mixed game.
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
I think i'd rather see companies just bring in new content that is available to everyone and sell items around it, than release exclusive features for paying players.
As long as I can earn it in game I'll be happy. Clothing and hats are a bit different though, those aren't really necessary to the game so I don't have an issue with them charging for that.
Welcome to "free" to play. If you want a complete gameplay experience you have to pay. That goes for B2P, P2P, and F2P games.
If there is a single justified complaint though, is the fact that the terminology is blurring. Any "free" to play game with a subscription offer is actually freemium, a hybrid between F2P and P2P. But as it stands, if you don't like the revenue model a particular game has adopted, don't play it.
Comments
They should change the name. Everyone wants to easily categorize MMOs into P2P ..B2P or F2P..including the game companies. When is it ever black and white. The hybrid models should be classified as something else...Multi-play...Choose and play..idk...something that reflects the nature of the options available..since apparently F2P has to be taken so literally these days. I live in a "free" country...or so that's what I hear. Guess what?....nothing's free in my life as I'm sure is the case for most. There are many ways in which I pay to live here. No one ever owns anything. The various Taxes see to that. Try not paying them and discover what you really own.
Before I quit Lotro was like this, also I believe EQ2 & AoC run this way also.
They all have content or features that are locked out to the micro transaction crowd.
Im reading Lotro changed but as of my time leaving the game restricted micro-transaction players.
Playing: Nothing
Looking forward to: Nothing
I haven't found any for LOTRO. In the past VIP offered early access for some new content but there haven't been any releases that were solely for VIPs. Never offering it later in the itemmall would be leaving a ton of money on the table, so I can't see them doing that.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
If you're spending more in a month in buying from the CS than to subscribe...why not subscribe? O.o?
Ready for GW2!!!
This is why we made a new term for games like LOTRO and it's called Freemium. Don't know why people are forgetting that we have this term. If you don't like Freemium games then don't play them. It's what I do. If all content is not accessable in someway without paying a sub free (CS doesn't count) then it's Freemium, not true F2P.
Subscriptions are becoming outdated and only people set in their ways are stating that Subs are the best way to go about things. Out of all of games coming out, only a very few will be able to make it sucessful and soon investors are not going to put money into that ideal when they can clearly see that F2P is better for both players and the company. This ideal that you spend more money in a CS then in a sub is only true for people who don't understand money management.
In the end for MMOs, more players equals a better gaming experience and F2P attacts more players then P2P.
The model has been around for decades under various names. The term Freemium was coined in 2006 as almost 24/7 online connectivity (not just home but mobile, too) led to a newer breed of shareware/freeware where the incentives and offerings for those who subscribed were more than just extra features but readily updatable extra services, as well.
On these boards, though, the proper or universally accepted term will always be ignored in favor of vague, nebulous or balatantly false terms where they can mould the meaning to fit the exact scenario they want to represent. P2W would be the best example of that.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
No different than cash shops purposely gimping players or making mobs OP'ed, etc to nealry force players to use the CS. And in the beginning ( The UO/EQ era), that is what seperated MMO's from console games as another genre. They were MEANT to take time and for the players to have a lot of free time. Now they are all glorified console RPG's. MMORPG's are almost extinct in the sense they were meant to once be.....sadly.
Even if you understand money management, the game is rigged that way. It forces you to realize that you are spending more money in the CS in a month, which you will subconciously figure out that subbing or going premium is a better option.
Ready for GW2!!!
Nothing is forcing you to spend money so ... how does it force you to realize that you are spending more money in a CS that doesn't force you to do anything? A sub is forced, that is the difference.
Guild Wars 2’s cash shop will focus on cosmetic items and other bonus accoutrements that people might want to have but don’t affect actual gameplay in any way.
I agree that a MMORPG should have more hours of gameplay than their console counterparts, but if you're saying that MMORPGs are just meant to be grinds and that's the only difference between console and how MMO gameplay should differ well that's just stupid.
There will always be a spectrum regarding what is offered via cash shop & how much grind is added to a game so it's hard to argue them side by side- shady gameplay design is shady gameplay design regardless of how the company takes your money.
What you describe regarding how MMORPGs are meant to be as subscription-based with extended grinds are no different whatsoever than cash shops charging for content, except rather than paying a specific amount for a piece of content you're paying extra months of subscription due to the grind inherent in the content. I find that those players who complain most about legit cash shops (and I see those as offering no advantage that cannot also be achieved through gameplay) are those that have little expendable income for gaming and look to MMOs because they have enormous amounts of free time (i.e. the no-life basement-dweller stereotype) and seek at least one part in life where they excel in comparison to their peers.
As an aside:
I agree with you that a lot of what made late '90s MMOs great has been lost to the "console-ification" of the current crop of MMOs and I enjoyed the exp grind (complete with death penalties of EQ1). However for me, what made a game like EQ1 and it's grind great was that you really weren't competing with anyone (I never played on the Zek servers) and there were a multitude of things to do and spawns to go to, whereas in today's games it's fairly limited at cap. Also, now that PvP is such a big part of games (even on PvE servers) if you don't keep up with the gear curve you're pretty well screwed on engaging in anything but strict leveling content, unless you consider extremely shallow content like achievements and collections.
Never once in EQ1 did I feel like I was behind the curve or missing out on anything regardless of how many raids I attended. I had options and could itemize/progress in order to continue seeing content with just a duo or up to my normal group and there was plenty to do at cap aside from strict raid or die. On top of this there was almost always a raid that my guild could send a few players for because raids allowed so many people. Now that raids get smaller and smaller again players are excluding each other due to not having inflated gear levels.
did anyone read this post? let me highlight the important part the OP said... (look up at the red text)
OP i completely agree... if you sub to a fremium game you should get some perks (like a discount on everything)
the OP is not saying that free players should get everything... but should get the choice to buy everything a sub player has... even if it costs more....
example, fast travel mount costs $10 USD (im making up numbers as i dont know the real ones) in the cash shop, but sub players get it for free....
so any free player can choose to drop 10 bucks to fast travel that one time they need...
this is just one example...
P.S. i am totally against having both a sub AND cash shop in any game for any reason.... its rude to double dip
Subscription + free access with cash shop is more accurately described as Freemium because it's a hybrid of Free 2 Play and Subscription models. As far as Free 2 Play players not having access to subscriber features, that's part of the design. In these games, free access seems to be intended as both an unlimited free trial system and a revenue stream via cash shop. However, it's still a subscription game and subscribers get perks for subscribing.
Personally I agree with the OP. Either have subs or dont. Im not tempted to even try F2P anymore. Not with all the limitations, and Im against sub fees as Im getting older, and paying 15 bucks to play a single game just seems incredibly stupid to me. But if you are going to have a sub fee, the reason you are paying one, is for content. The promise of content that is. When content gets made but put behind a cash wall it entirely defeats the purpose of having a sub fee.
Its like the industry is trying to mix all the different kinds of payment methods into one bundle. Its like buying a glass of lemonade but you gotta pay for the cup, ice, and liquid seperately and at larger cost.
Im looking forward to B2P games like GW2. Its the only model I feel comfortable with anymore. Im not against free to play with a cash shop. But this sub along with free to play crap has gotta go.
yes i agree, and also if you really have an urge of playing that game fully potential, you just end up being have to pay more than 15 dollar %99 of the time.. It is so funny how they always look for a way to make you a coin slave. I just hate beging restricted by that shop, if you want to sell your content, pack it and sell it as a $40 expansion.
It is usually like this: you play the game (free) =>
you want to play it more =>
you get pwned by the players that spend $10 a month =>
you spend $10 as well => you match those players =>
but players that spend 20$ a month start to pwn you now =>
wanna play more? or just quit?
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This is because those devs are lazy, instead of creating a new content, they take their crappy unfinished content and scale it.
only true F2P MMO is GW2, shops doesnt give you more than cosmetic and pvp-only unlocks (getting GW1 as base on this one), They actually develop a completely new content that you dont have to buy to play on, but you buy it because it is just like a new game. Not all trolls accept this but that is why that game is at the top of the list, Devs should watch them and clone their strategy. (i love the cloning term in MMOS, haha it is so cheap)
If fast travel, crafting & pvp unlocks exist in the CS now then it was changed after I left. Which is a good thing imo.
Sadly other games still offer things like complete progression tiers to Subscribers even after a play spends hundreds of doallars in the CS unlocking classes and content.
IN my opinion if your going to offer a CS model, cut up all the content and toss it in the shop, if your going to offer a Subscription option sub players should get everything included in the sub fee.
it seems fair to me.
Playing: Nothing
Looking forward to: Nothing
Cough up the money for a sub then you cheap skate....
F2P players get treated like 2nd rate customers cause of people that don't want to spend money on anything and expect it to be all free , you get what you give, and when you don't give, expect to be treated like a 2nd customer.
Ok, What or how are " Life-Time " subscribers suppose to feel like. Im not to pleased, and as a recourse i will not play another game by any company that has had them and went F2p. Some times the Game Company's remind me of Lawyers.
MAGA
That would cheese me in a big way also.
The funny thing is that most of the times someone adds a subscription feature to a F2P MMO, the perks of subscribing are usually about something I really don't give a crap about. For example: I play LotRO and I have no problem buying stuff from the cash shop. The only real thing you get for subscribing that I cant get without the cash shop is PvP, and I don't really like PvP.
In my book, customers pay money. If you are playing for free, you are a freeloader and not a customer. f2p players are second class citizens in a mixed game.
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
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Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
I think i'd rather see companies just bring in new content that is available to everyone and sell items around it, than release exclusive features for paying players.
As long as I can earn it in game I'll be happy. Clothing and hats are a bit different though, those aren't really necessary to the game so I don't have an issue with them charging for that.
It becomes ridiculous if a non-subscriber is unable to join a group for certain parts of the game with a subscriber.
Welcome to "free" to play. If you want a complete gameplay experience you have to pay. That goes for B2P, P2P, and F2P games.
If there is a single justified complaint though, is the fact that the terminology is blurring. Any "free" to play game with a subscription offer is actually freemium, a hybrid between F2P and P2P. But as it stands, if you don't like the revenue model a particular game has adopted, don't play it.