I found this interesting

Sithos

I played AoC when it first came out for 6-7 months. I returned for a bit when Rise of the Godslayer came out to see if the game had a better/larger playerbase.  Again I played for around 2 months after I bought the expansion. So today I thought I would fireup the old account and see how f2p and it being placed on Steam may have helped. I was in for some changes to say the least,

Old forums have been nuked and they have merged the remaining live servers. The new forums are a conglomoration of EU/US and as a F2P account you cannot post in any area other than a specific F2P area. I don't see how segregating the forum into "paying" and "non paying" sections helps build community.

As for the game itself. I was kind of upset when I logged in that I couldn't access any of the stuff from Rise of the Godslayer. No AA's,no ability to enter any of the zones etc. I had to double check and yes,I did purchase the expansion,yes it was actually installed and updated. So I goto account support thinking I installed wrong or maybe there was some error with my account. Nope,it's working as intended. No matter if you spent $50 back in the day on the expansion,if you as a player have a F2P account they will not allow you access to anything related to Rise of the Godslayer. Infact your options beyond levelling toon after toon are severly limited. Being forced to subscribe so that I can enjoy the benefits of an expansion I bought previous is ridiculous to say the least.

Thus ends my very brief foray into AoC. Many other older games out there with much better F2P matrix. So if you are thinking of heading back to AoC in any F2P capacity beyong levelling up I would advise against it. The game is a gem that needs some polish and TLC,but by segregating and alienating their potential paying customers will serve no end other than hastening the demise of what could have been an amazing game. If they reworked their entire F2P matrix to allow access to previously purchased expansions and have cash shop items that made sense then I could easily see a resurgence.

All in all another case of "Could have been..."

FromHell

News @11

Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P

Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P

EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai

 

got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy

Raventree

AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

FromHell

[mod edit]

 

FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree
AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

 

- not recovered? Game is packed with tons of players, go figure. Too many for my taste, they should reopen more servers imho

- F2P players SHOULD be second class in any F2P game. Unfortunately not the case with AoC, still the cheapskates complain, what a surprise. What do freeloaders expect, a red carpet for taking up server space and causing a higher electricity bill?

- every character class is available since December. Bad move imho, even more free stuff for non paying kids no one likes in the game anyway

snapfusion

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Sithos
[mod edit]

[mod edit]

 

I kind of have to agree with fromhell, Im in the boat of unless your paying to play, and I dont mean in the past have paid, a F2P gamer has no say in anything at all period.  Either play with the restrictions and dont complain, or sub or play something else.

Raventree

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree
AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

 

- not recovered? Game is packed with tons of players, go figure. Too many for my taste, they should reopen more servers imho

- F2P players SHOULD be second class in any F2P game. Unfortunately not the case with AoC, still the cheapskates complain, what a surprise. What do freeloaders expect, a red carpet for taking up server space and causing a higher electricity bill?

- every character class is available since December. Bad move imho, even more free stuff for non paying kids no one likes in the game anyway

Oh?  The population has really improved since the F2P thing?  That is good news.

FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree
AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

 

- not recovered? Game is packed with tons of players, go figure. Too many for my taste, they should reopen more servers imho

- F2P players SHOULD be second class in any F2P game. Unfortunately not the case with AoC, still the cheapskates complain, what a surprise. What do freeloaders expect, a red carpet for taking up server space and causing a higher electricity bill?

- every character class is available since December. Bad move imho, even more free stuff for non paying kids no one likes in the game anyway

Oh?  The population has really improved since the F2P thing?  That is good news.

I have no clue how the population was before F2P, I heard there were ups and downs but it has great population since I started again half a year ago and the recent Steam release brought tons of newbs. And I'm jeleous because they all got an awesome looking fat exclusive cape with a steam logo shaped with bones.

Po_gg

Originally posted by Raventree

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree
AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

 

- not recovered? Game is packed with tons of players, go figure. Too many for my taste, they should reopen more servers imho

- F2P players SHOULD be second class in any F2P game. Unfortunately not the case with AoC, still the cheapskates complain, what a surprise. What do freeloaders expect, a red carpet for taking up server space and causing a higher electricity bill?

- every character class is available since December. Bad move imho, even more free stuff for non paying kids no one likes in the game anyway

Oh?  The population has really improved since the F2P thing?  That is good news.

Actually the population doesn't really changed after f2p, that's why some of us kept spamming FC to improve the model at least in a few areas... The last (moderate) player influx happened before f2p, when FC introduced the unlimited trial option (you could play the whole unrestricted game for free, the only restriction was that you couldn't left Tortage). It brought in lots of new players - and a few mule alts as well

After the Unchained launch almost nothing happened, some newcomers arrived and quickly recognized that the f2p is too restrictive, few of them subscribed, the others left - population was mostly steady during that time. Then a few months ago with TSW b2p, Dragon's Spine, f2p revamp and later steam a new influx of players arrived, so nowadays AoC has a nice bunch of people online most of the times.

LuckyDucky

Originally posted by Po_gg

Originally posted by Raventree

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Raventree
AoC is a good game that had a horrible launch and has never really recovered.  I like it, but I have to agree that the F2P model does sort of make you feel like a filthy second-class citizen.  I decided to go back and give it another try on F2P and after reading up on it and logging in, discovered I couldn't access my main character, only some crappy one I was just testing things out on before I quit.  I logged back out and haven't been back since.  I think they need to make a few tweaks to make it feel more welcoming to returning players.

 

- not recovered? Game is packed with tons of players, go figure. Too many for my taste, they should reopen more servers imho

- F2P players SHOULD be second class in any F2P game. Unfortunately not the case with AoC, still the cheapskates complain, what a surprise. What do freeloaders expect, a red carpet for taking up server space and causing a higher electricity bill?

- every character class is available since December. Bad move imho, even more free stuff for non paying kids no one likes in the game anyway

Oh?  The population has really improved since the F2P thing?  That is good news.

Actually the population doesn't really changed after f2p, that's why some of us kept spamming FC to improve the model at least in a few areas... The last (moderate) player influx happened before f2p, when FC introduced the unlimited trial option (you could play the whole unrestricted game for free, the only restriction was that you couldn't left Tortage). It brought in lots of new players - and a few mule alts as well

After the Unchained launch almost nothing happened, some newcomers arrived and quickly recognized that the f2p is too restrictive, few of them subscribed, the others left - population was mostly steady during that time. Then a few months ago with TSW b2p, Dragon's Spine, f2p revamp and later steam a new influx of players arrived, so nowadays AoC has a nice bunch of people online most of the times.

Yep Po_gg remembers things the way I do. That unlimited free trial up through Tortage is when I came on board. When FtP hit there was a influx of looky loos for about 30 days, but then the pop fell back to pre ftp numbers. Now things are picking up. Set is more busy now than I have ever seen it.

Caldrin

So OP is not happy because he does not get everything for free.... some people..

 

Wizardry

Originally posted by FromHell

News @11

Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P

Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P

EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai

 

got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy

Not quite accurate,he DID pay for that content.

I do realize that ALL games you buy the disc then are expected to pay for online services but this is a tad different.

Xpacs are and always will be NOT worth the purchase price,the game engine is already made,they did nothing but add some very cheap content.When you purchase an expansion,yo uare purchasing a VERY small portion of a game.

I feel SOE did it right,expecially since their AOD xpac was a complete thievery of money.At least the yallow you for purchasing it,to play the content that revolves around it.

I feel the orginal work/content by developers shoudl be what is purchased,NOT xpacs.

I feel xpacs shoudl be content developers make to keep players coming back.The fact the yturn their games into F2p is NOT to enhance your gaming experience,it is THEIR way to try and get more money from players than the P2p format is bringing them.

I also feel,that when developers CHANGE the structure fo a game that players have invewsted money and time into,the developer deserves a bit of criticism.This of course does not carry over to the complete freeloaders,who never paid a dime ever on the game.

Wighty

I am subbed, founder and have the expansion.

 

I play on the Deathwish server the "more extreme ruleset" PvP server...

 

I can only speak from my expereiences here, Tortage is jam packed... Keep in mind on Feb 22nd the game appeared on Steam which I am sure created an influx of fresh meat.

 

One of my observations is that you are either <20 or 80... I talked to a few players who have been playing on the server for a while now and they concur with this. Seems the whole midgame is a ghost town until you hit max lvl which I also understand it's as hard as it used to be becasue they filled in some of the quest areas in the mid game that seemed to be missing at launce.

 

The one gripe I have is that is even on Deathwish the hardcore ruleset PvP server... seems that the only way to get ahead (in PvP rank) is do Battlegrounds (called mini;s in game) which I fukkin HATE!!! If you plan on trying to achieve higher rank just from open world... well that seems like an impossibility.

 

Aside from that it is a fun game... Totrtage is still one of the most brilliant starter areas of any MMO I ever played... Too bad you can only roll 1 character on Deathwish (which is supposedly changing)

sevitoth

I agree that if you bought the expansion back in the day you should have access to it as f2p. Other then that, I think that AoC has one of the best f2p matrix out there. You can play all the way to max level with very few restrictions. Once you hit max level is when you will need to spend some money if you want to continue with the content. I see nothing wrong with that though, they gotta make money somehow....

As for the guy who can't access his main, you should be able to unlock any two characters you want and play them. You must have done something wrong if you can't unlock you main. Did you accidentally unlock two other characters?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Po_gg

I also agree with sevitoth and Wizardry, it's a bit odd how FC handles the RotG expansion post-f2p. F2p usually means an option, a different way how a player is paying for the content and the game elements, and if the player buys something, he mostly gets it.

In FC's other free title TSW if someone will buy an Issue, s/he will receive that content regardless of the member status (I mean presumably, since Issue#6 is still not arrived, so we weren't able to see the method in practice yet )  In LotRO players can even use the expansions without buying those (visit the area, use the mechanics like open tapping or LI system, etc), true only in a very limited way. And if they buy an expansion, then it becomes fully open to them regardless of f2p or vip status.

So FC's Godslayer is strange in the f2p world. If an f2p player reach 80 (maybe even purchasing stuff from the store during the way), and decides to buy RotG he will get nothing for his money. More precisely: Godslayer will be unlocked on his account, he "only" won't be able to use it and based on how expansions usually work in the f2p era, that player is rightfully angry after he got charged for nothing.

 

Since I never liked the Grindbringer, I can only advice to f2p peeps (with a /sarcasm tag ofc, I have to note it before FC shareholders coming after me and I usually like and support FC)  - if you don't plan to subscribe, don't buy Godslayer. You couldn't use it anyways.

And for subscribers, - buy Godslayer for the AA system, but don't go beyond the Wall. As someone with a cigar said once, it has nothing to offer but blood, grind, gears and sweat... You'll have before you an ordeal of the most grievous kind. You'll have before you many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.

(man, how I hate the factions...)

Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Elsabolts

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

You could always try the Bar-Room Brawling ?

Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Doogiehowser

Originally posted by Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Yeah it is interesting because every themepark MMO i have played i have multiple alts but AOC is first game where i can't be even bothered to level one to 80. never felt so bored by leveling and PVE before.

FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Yeah it is interesting because every themepark MMO i have played i have multiple alts but AOC is first game where i can't be even bothered to level one to 80. never felt so bored by leveling and PVE before.

bored by what? four different countries? You know what's boring, SWTOR and the same linear railroad track each time through the same planets. In AoC you could have 3 characters and barely go to the same area twice.

 

if you are bored by questing, stop playing pve in MMOs. The quests are well written and varied in AoC

Doogiehowser

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Yeah it is interesting because every themepark MMO i have played i have multiple alts but AOC is first game where i can't be even bothered to level one to 80. never felt so bored by leveling and PVE before.

bored by what? four different countries? You know what's boring, SWTOR and the same linear railroad track each time through the same planets. In AoC you could have 3 characters and barely go to the same area twice.

 

if you are bored by questing, stop playing pve in MMOs. The quests are wll written and varied in AoC

Why would i stop playing PVE in MMOS only because PVE leveling in AOC bored me to death? i think you missed the part where i said i have multiple alts in every other MMO that i have played. So obviously i love PVE.

And AOC could have 8 different countries and i still don't know what difference it would make when i cant even hit level cap on my first character? it is not about lack of content but lack of interesting PVE content. After i reached Thunder River i just couldn't take it anymore.

FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Yeah it is interesting because every themepark MMO i have played i have multiple alts but AOC is first game where i can't be even bothered to level one to 80. never felt so bored by leveling and PVE before.

bored by what? four different countries? You know what's boring, SWTOR and the same linear railroad track each time through the same planets. In AoC you could have 3 characters and barely go to the same area twice.

 

if you are bored by questing, stop playing pve in MMOs. The quests are wll written and varied in AoC

Why would i stop playing PVE in MMOS only because PVE leveling in AOC bored me to death? i think you missed the part where i said i have multiple alts in every other MMO that i have played. So obviously i love PVE.

And AOC could have 8 different countries and i still don't know what difference it would make when i cant even hit level cap on my first character? it is not about lack of content but lack of interesting PVE content. After i reached Thunder River i just couldn't take it anymore.

then list what makes questing in AoC "boring" and in any other MMO "exciting"

The only better PvE out there would be in TSW, because of the puzzle character. But TSW is less alt friendly

Doogiehowser

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Originally posted by Caldrin

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

Played AOC for three weeks, reached lvl 65 and now i can not be bothered to log in. There is something about progression and questing in AOC... it really really drags and getting another level feels like a chore. Not to mention that it is just impossible to get groups for team quests at low levels. So if you are not 80 don't even bother with ROTGS. Most of the players don't even make that far.

 

Really it was totally the opposite for me.. Leveling up a character was great fun infact i did it 4 rimes from 1-80 and enjoyed it each time..

Yeah it is interesting because every themepark MMO i have played i have multiple alts but AOC is first game where i can't be even bothered to level one to 80. never felt so bored by leveling and PVE before.

bored by what? four different countries? You know what's boring, SWTOR and the same linear railroad track each time through the same planets. In AoC you could have 3 characters and barely go to the same area twice.

 

if you are bored by questing, stop playing pve in MMOs. The quests are wll written and varied in AoC

Why would i stop playing PVE in MMOS only because PVE leveling in AOC bored me to death? i think you missed the part where i said i have multiple alts in every other MMO that i have played. So obviously i love PVE.

And AOC could have 8 different countries and i still don't know what difference it would make when i cant even hit level cap on my first character? it is not about lack of content but lack of interesting PVE content. After i reached Thunder River i just couldn't take it anymore.

then list what makes questing in AoC "boring" and in any other MMO "exciting"

The only better PvE out there would be in TSW, because of the puzzle character. But TSW is less alt friendly

One of the main reasons why i find AOC quests boring is because it is not streamlined at all. There is way too much jumping and running around from one map to another for the most silliest reasons. I notcied i wasn't  the only new player when i asked in chat about it. I find personal storyline to be utterly boring too so no motivation to hit that lvl where you get to continue your personal story. The PVE in AOC didn't excite me at all because i was doing same quests at lvl 65 that iw as doing in tortage. i was hoping for some variety as i get to higher levels but there was none.

LuckyDucky

Originally posted by Doogiehowser

One of the main reasons why i find AOC quests boring is because it is not streamlined at all. There is way too much jumping and running around from one map to another for the most silliest reasons. I notcied i wasn't  the only new player when i asked in chat about it. I find personal storyline to be utterly boring too so no motivation to hit that lvl where you get to continue your personal story. The PVE in AOC didn't excite me at all because i was doing same quests at lvl 65 that iw as doing in tortage. i was hoping for some variety as i get to higher levels but there was none.

I love the PvE. Streamlined is not what I look for in character progression gameplay. Besides there is very little funneling as far as where you have to go or what maps you need to play. Your quest log is jammed packed with options. I think what is needed to really enjoy the PvE in AoC is a appreciation and knowledge of the Conan IP. Being a fan of the stories and aware of the great art  that Conan has inspired brings a lot to the game. If one is a fan of the IP the PvE is great. AoC brings it all to life with engaging combat, great music, and beautiful environments.

Quests are quests for the most part in any rpg, but I think AoC does bring variety and humor to the table. I wouldn't rate the questing as dull at all. There are lots of cool quest lines in the game, some funny, some mysterious, some take a group to complete, there are bosses and elite mobs to mix things up.

 

Sithos

I purchased the expansion ages ago and am now unable to make any use of that expansion because of the F2P limitations. I should not be forced to pay a months sub just to check out content in an expansion that I have already paid for.Some in this thread understand my frustration,others have taken the fanboi route. The game has been in steady decline since 2009 with server merges and the latest round of "restructuring".  It would be better for FC and those thinking of returning to the game to have at least some sort of access to any expansion they have purchased,beyond being forced to sub. But I've put this game in my rearview and moved onto a different game that I was able to check out and play fully for a few days and am now happy to pay a sub.

LuckyDucky

Originally posted by Sithos
I purchased the expansion ages ago and am now unable to make any use of that expansion because of the F2P limitations. I should not be forced to pay a months sub just to check out content in an expansion that I have already paid for.Some in this thread understand my frustration,others have taken the fanboi route. The game has been in steady decline since 2009 with server merges and the latest round of "restructuring".  It would be better for FC and those thinking of returning to the game to have at least some sort of access to any expansion they have purchased,beyond being forced to sub. But I've put this game in my rearview and moved onto a different game that I was able to check out and play fully for a few days and am now happy to pay a sub.

It's tough to make a case against free content, but RoTGS is not free, that's way it is.