Free to play with cash shop: The game is provided free of cost but we put so many restrictions that you have to buy stuff to actually enjoy it.
You are obviously wrong. Why? Because there are many players, including me, who plays F2P games without paying a cent.
And we obviously enjoy it. Otherwise, we won't be playing.
So your statement cannot be true for all games, for all players. In particular, it is wrong regarding me.
didnt you admit hopping fairly often between games? more specifically, everytime you hit the cash wall and stopped having fun?
that's basically the f2p playstyle though.
isn't that why it's good to have so many f2ps to choose from?
I get that. I just cant make the connection between that and "having fun"
to me it sounds like getting the boot, regardless of how much one was previously enjoying the game before the proverbial "wall". it doesnt seem like players are in control of when they stops playing the game.
so, if someone was having fun and all of a sudden the game becomes hostile enough towards him that he feels compelled to abandon it, no matter how much he wanted to stay....what motivates someone to repeat that same experience?
I dont understand people like nariusseldon. its like watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and then getting kicked out of the cinema...and then again...and again....and again....seriously, that sounds enervating to me.
but of course, different strokes for different folks, and if that works for him, Im happy for him. but still, I cant understand him.
Free to play with cash shop: The game is provided free of cost but we put so many restrictions that you have to buy stuff to actually enjoy it.
You are obviously wrong. Why? Because there are many players, including me, who plays F2P games without paying a cent.
And we obviously enjoy it. Otherwise, we won't be playing.
So your statement cannot be true for all games, for all players. In particular, it is wrong regarding me.
There are plenty like you. Actually, the majority are like you, playing and enjoying the games while not paying any money. That violates the foundations of a lot of their talking points, though, so it gets largely ignored.
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 anyone here believes that 'F2P' is going to exist from here on in only funded by "whales" then you need to think again. The purpose of the cash shop F2P model is to make money. The way MMO's are funded is changing as we speak, F2P is becoming P2W. Subcriptions are appearing in so called F2P MMO's.
The idea you are going to get a free ride forever more is wishful thinking at best. Just as the the fact most MMO's were subscription held back the F2P model, the lack of P2W is holding back the P2W model. But the line has already been crossed, P2W will go on now to become an every larger part of so called F2P MMO's.
In that MMO environment do you think the guy who rides on the coatails will not be focused on to see what the cash shop can get out of him? He will not end up paying as much as those whales but he is going to end up paying something.
If anyone here believes that 'F2P' is going to exist from here on in only funded by "whales" then you need to think again. The purpose of the cash shop F2P model is to make money. The way MMO's are funded is changing as we speak, F2P is becoming P2W. Subcriptions are appearing in so called F2P MMO's.
The idea you are going to get a free ride forever more is wishful thinking at best. Just as the the fact most MMO's were subscription held back the F2P model, the lack of P2W is holding back the P2W model. But the line has already been crossed, P2W will go on now to become an every larger part of so called F2P MMO's.
In that MMO environment do you think the guy who rides on the coatails will not be focused on to see what the cash shop can get out of him? He will not end up paying as much as those whales but he is going to end up paying something.
The problem with true P2W is that unless you are willing to spend as much as the largest whale you always lose. You might be able to make it so you don't lose as badly or you might even be able to overcome some advantages with good play but at the end of the day the person with the largest wallet will always win. I am thinking of games where you can pay real cash to level up gear to whatever numbers your credit limit can support for instance. You might be able to beat someone who is +2 above you but there is nothing to stop them from going +4, +6, or even more.
So knowing that going into the P2W game unless you are willing to be the biggest wallet the only resonable stratagy is just to not play at all. That's the biggest pitfall P2W games have, there is a point where you drive far more of your players off than you can make up by those that remain.
Free to play with cash shop: The game is provided free of cost but we put so many restrictions that you have to buy stuff to actually enjoy it.
You are obviously wrong. Why? Because there are many players, including me, who plays F2P games without paying a cent.
And we obviously enjoy it. Otherwise, we won't be playing.
So your statement cannot be true for all games, for all players. In particular, it is wrong regarding me.
didnt you admit hopping fairly often between games? more specifically, everytime you hit the cash wall and stopped having fun?
that's basically the f2p playstyle though.
isn't that why it's good to have so many f2ps to choose from?
I get that. I just cant make the connection between that and "having fun"
to me it sounds like getting the boot, regardless of how much one was previously enjoying the game before the proverbial "wall". it doesnt seem like players are in control of when they stops playing the game.
so, if someone was having fun and all of a sudden the game becomes hostile enough towards him that he feels compelled to abandon it, no matter how much he wanted to stay....what motivates someone to repeat that same experience?
I dont understand people like nariusseldon. its like watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and then getting kicked out of the cinema...and then again...and again....and again....seriously, that sounds enervating to me.
but of course, different strokes for different folks, and if that works for him, Im happy for him. but still, I cant understand him.
Well, I'm a lot like you, but I understand the others.
Some people are more obsessive about the games and like to achieve something within the framework.
I like to "complete" something. Some people don't. Narius & Robo are happy with the journey and/or making new characters. I have friends like them as well. They appreciate the journey.
With some games, I'm like this too. However, I usually have my eye on the end-game.
My views on FTP are blogged, so I won't go into them here, but I won't EVER spend money on an FTP game. I'll just quit and go do something else.
However, it also burns my hide when I have to do something 4x (or much much more) as hard as the guy that shelled out $20 or whatever at the cash shop.
I don't even feel anything when I bail because I paid nothing for the "game". That is where the Narius crowd and I see eye to eye.
B2P, on the other hand, worked with GW1. Not so much with GW2, but I knew that. My friends just whined FOR MONTHS until I broke down and bought it. Not horrible, but bleh.
Typically, for the client, the best option is a subscription. I know they're going to want me to stay around. I don't feel their fingers in my pockets constantly. I, also, know they're going to develop more content and systems.
So FTP is much more expensive than a P2P game for less enjoyment (for me). Ergo, I play P2P games.
Now, I've heard the argument where people (almost always) say: "I always spend less than a subscription!" but I've never, ever seen that in numbers or real life.
I have, however, seen people spend over $2k (that'd be thousand) dollars in a month in games like Runes of Magic on leveling up equipment. That, I don't understand.
I know that LoL isn't an mmo but they seem to have gotten it right. Tera also has a great cash shop. Developers need to be doing their cash shop like Tera and LoL imo.
And even if they don't offer much power at the beginning of a F2P game, usually the power of the cash shop increases over time.
I can't believe people play things like Neverwinter MMO, you can literally just buy gear there through the cash shop, I mean why don't they just offer characters all decked out from the get go, so you can skip actually playing the game.
Originally posted by Quizzical I prefer to know a game's business model up front before deciding whether to play it. When a company advertises a game as "free to play", they're trying to hide the business model, as they're never going to truly give away everything for free. Do you think "free to play" will eventually become a derogatory term that marketers avoid for that reason?
+1
I to prefer to know what a game cost before I start playing it. I don't think most people know any more what it was like to play a game where everyone was on the same playing field. And there was nothing anyone could do to change it other then by playing the game.
Mmo subscription prices have not gone up over the years yet I'm sure cost to make them and maintain them has. The free to play model is a successful tactic to raise prices while making people think there paying less.
There are more people in the world that are taken in by these sales tactics then not so I don't see free to play going away anytime soon, because people just don't know any different.
For those of you that can enjoy playing a game for free while being fodder for those that pay, good for you. And to those that can feel acomplishment by buying stuff to get ahead, good for you to.
I get that. I just cant make the connection between that and "having fun"
to me it sounds like getting the boot, regardless of how much one was previously enjoying the game before the proverbial "wall". it doesnt seem like players are in control of when they stops playing the game.
so, if someone was having fun and all of a sudden the game becomes hostile enough towards him that he feels compelled to abandon it, no matter how much he wanted to stay....what motivates someone to repeat that same experience?
I dont understand people like nariusseldon. its like watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and then getting kicked out of the cinema...and then again...and again....and again....seriously, that sounds enervating to me.
but of course, different strokes for different folks, and if that works for him, Im happy for him. but still, I cant understand him.
Similarly, I can't understand people who loathe levelling up and view it as a "grind". There are people who are so enthralled by the promise of a fun endgame that they'll slog through a grind that they claim to hate. For some of these players (not all, but some), if they can get through it faster or easier—either by cheating/botting or by buying currency from an RMT—they will. And some will even go to the extreme of handing their account over to a powerlevelling service, which incurs a real money cost as well as the risk of losing their account. Literally paying someone to play a video game for them. All this because the endgame will be fun.
Play a game that you don't enjoy with the understanding that eventually the gameplay will change into something that you'll enjoy. The complete opposite of that philosophy makes more sense to me: Play a game that you do enjoy with the understanding that eventually the gameplay will change into something that you won't enjoy. When you reach that point, stop playing. Nothing about that seems confusing.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
You're right, I'll change what I said:
In a P2P game, the money spent on the game does not give you an unfair advantage over other players.
Maybe not, but P2P games typically have B2P expansions, meaning that if you don't pay upwards of 40 bucks for each one, you'll not only get less content, but will be destroyed in OWPvP. You're kind of forced to upgrade P2P games, and only real money will do.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
yes, playing the game advances your character.
Well, yes. And practice generally makes people better. I've found that if I play often I stay sharper. In a game like EVE, given the same skill/knowledge level, it can also mean far more isk so you can support better equipment than someone that plays less. The person that plays less will often just buy plex to make up for that discrepancy so that they can spend their time doing other things in game.
Time is probably the most important thing that you can commit to a game (especially an MMORPG) in order to be better than others at it.
So FTP is much more expensive than a P2P game for less enjoyment (for me). Ergo, I play P2P games.
Now, I've heard the argument where people (almost always) say: "I always spend less than a subscription!" but I've never, ever seen that in numbers or real life.
I have, however, seen people spend over $2k (that'd be thousand) dollars in a month in games like Runes of Magic on leveling up equipment. That, I don't understand.
Nice post.
Having tried both AoW and Neverwinter recently... I came to the conclusion that I dislike FTP with a passion. Free will is a beautiful thing. Sometimes I feel like there are too many games, then remember that it all comes down to The Choice.
Usually, in life, that which is most beneficial for the individual customer, turns out beneficial for the whole (and I'm talking purely on universal Truth yet that is always up for debate, yet I'm sure we could agree that some things are True and help people!).
Anyways, as for not understanding how someone could spend that much money in a game. Well, let's just say I made an essay titled "God complex and MMORPGs" and it was explained in said essay.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
You're right, I'll change what I said:
In a P2P game, the money spent on the game does not give you an unfair advantage over other players.
Maybe not, but P2P games typically have B2P expansions, meaning that if you don't pay upwards of 40 bucks for each one, you'll not only get less content, but will be destroyed in OWPvP. You're kind of forced to upgrade P2P games, and only real money will do.
however, P2P games typically dont have OWPVP.
Yeah, but there are other things that you lose out on. For instance, other people to play with. Often times there will be no one available at your level to accomplish the content with if you don't buy an expansion. That's a huge disadvantage to not buying an expansion.
Also, any future content that is made for the game while you pay your sub you will be unable to experience. That seems like a pretty huge problem.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
it is still true. they way they are will be exactly the same way youl'll be when you have clocked the same hours as that people. they jut reached there faster, but nothing is stopping you from reaching there just the same.
f2p games on the other hand....heh...good luck playing catch up with a dude that spends several hundreds per month on power not available thru ingame means...
"Free to play" really just means "I'm going to play until this game tries to charge me then I'll quit and find a game with honest practices who I'll drop $10 on to reward them."
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
it is still true. they way they are will be exactly the same way youl'll be when you have clocked the same hours as that people. they jut reached there faster, but nothing is stopping you from reaching there just the same.
f2p games on the other hand....heh...good luck playing catch up with a dude that spends several hundreds per month on power not available thru ingame means...
Well, you are speaking about very heavily P2W games now which are different than the games I meant to refer to. In games like LotRO, DDO, PS2, GW2 (B2P), TERA, etc, someone could spend a million dollars in the cash shop and the difference would be miniscule and have a definite cap. In GW2, I'm actually exactly even with them in PvP no matter how much they spend.
Besides that, given equal skill and learning capabilities, if someone is able to spend 40-60 hours a week on a game and I am only able to spend 5-10 hours a week on a game, how will I ever catch up to that person? They will continue adding hours to their total and I will never be able to match their pace. If reaching max level was the end of the game, I might be able to see your point. But these games go on forever and continually build onto the endgame.
Originally posted by Quizzical I prefer to know a game's business model up front before deciding whether to play it. When a company advertises a game as "free to play", they're trying to hide the business model, as they're never going to truly give away everything for free. Do you think "free to play" will eventually become a derogatory term that marketers avoid for that reason?
That is exactly how I viewed the F2P for many years now. Recently however I have played a f2p game that suprised the hell out of me. "Path of Exile" is a perfect example. Any one not living under a rock knows there are no free lunches. Sure you'll find an occasional gem, but, on the whole "Free" should be a big red flag. It's not though for many many people and the marketers know this. "Buy one get one free" or "Free blah blah with the purchase of this or that." The words "Free to play" arn't going anywhere ....
P2W is a derogatory term. F2P is not, and will never be. F2P models for MMORPGs are meant to appeal to the short term players that hop from game to game. MMORPG players are kind of notorious for "completing" MMORPGs at a massively faster rate than SRPGs. I can tell you (or someone you know) probably got burned or spent too much money on a single game.
F2P is not targetted at the traditional MMORPG gamers.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
it is still true. they way they are will be exactly the same way youl'll be when you have clocked the same hours as that people. they jut reached there faster, but nothing is stopping you from reaching there just the same.
f2p games on the other hand....heh...good luck playing catch up with a dude that spends several hundreds per month on power not available thru ingame means...
Well, you are speaking about very heavily P2W games now which are different than the games I meant to refer to.
yep,I can see that
the problem here is that any game that can be downloaded and registered for free is being lumped in the same box...F2P
people should really come up with new terminologies to divide F2P games further. its almost illogical that games like LoL or PoE are put in the same group as games like Neverwinter and the rest of PWE games, or Aeria games, and the likes
while all are on the surface F2P, the business antics and way to treat their customers are radically different. night and day, really.
thats why Im so combative to the F2P supporters. Sure, 5, 10 at most games have done things right or half right, but you are validating the dozens if not hundreds other f2p games that are essentially pure evilness incarnated.
the problem here is that any game that can be downloaded and registered for free is being lumped in the same box...F2P
people should really come up with new terminologies to divide F2P games further. its almost illogical that games like LoL or PoE are put in the same group as games like Neverwinter and the rest of PWE games, or Aeria games, and the likes
while all are on the surface F2P, the business antics and way to treat their customers are radically different. night and day, really.
thats why Im so combative to the F2P supporters. Sure, 5, 10 at most games have done things right or half right, but you are validating the dozens if not hundreds other f2p games that are essentially pure evilness incarnated.
If I seem like I'm supporting the P2W games, I never intended to. I remember getting into Atlantica Online a long while back because I found the strategy and tactics interesting. It didn't take long before I realized it was intensly P2W and I stopped playing. If they would have asked for a sub or had a reasonable cash shop, I probably would have stuck around. But those types of games turn me off pretty hard.
My perspective is really just that both models can work and work well. I enjoy both P2P games and F2P games and so when I see people take such irrationally hard lines against either payment model, it has a tendency to get me to respond every couple of months or so. I see some pros and some cons to both models, and the F2P systems do tend to require a lot more attention to hash out whether they are acceptable to me or not, but I think both models have a place in gaming and I like that there are options.
Comments
You are obviously wrong. Why? Because there are many players, including me, who plays F2P games without paying a cent.
And we obviously enjoy it. Otherwise, we won't be playing.
So your statement cannot be true for all games, for all players. In particular, it is wrong regarding me.
didnt you admit hopping fairly often between games? more specifically, everytime you hit the cash wall and stopped having fun?
I get that. I just cant make the connection between that and "having fun"
to me it sounds like getting the boot, regardless of how much one was previously enjoying the game before the proverbial "wall". it doesnt seem like players are in control of when they stops playing the game.
so, if someone was having fun and all of a sudden the game becomes hostile enough towards him that he feels compelled to abandon it, no matter how much he wanted to stay....what motivates someone to repeat that same experience?
I dont understand people like nariusseldon. its like watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and then getting kicked out of the cinema...and then again...and again....and again....seriously, that sounds enervating to me.
but of course, different strokes for different folks, and if that works for him, Im happy for him. but still, I cant understand him.
There are plenty like you. Actually, the majority are like you, playing and enjoying the games while not paying any money. That violates the foundations of a lot of their talking points, though, so it gets largely ignored.
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 anyone here believes that 'F2P' is going to exist from here on in only funded by "whales" then you need to think again. The purpose of the cash shop F2P model is to make money. The way MMO's are funded is changing as we speak, F2P is becoming P2W. Subcriptions are appearing in so called F2P MMO's.
The idea you are going to get a free ride forever more is wishful thinking at best. Just as the the fact most MMO's were subscription held back the F2P model, the lack of P2W is holding back the P2W model. But the line has already been crossed, P2W will go on now to become an every larger part of so called F2P MMO's.
In that MMO environment do you think the guy who rides on the coatails will not be focused on to see what the cash shop can get out of him? He will not end up paying as much as those whales but he is going to end up paying something.
The problem with true P2W is that unless you are willing to spend as much as the largest whale you always lose. You might be able to make it so you don't lose as badly or you might even be able to overcome some advantages with good play but at the end of the day the person with the largest wallet will always win. I am thinking of games where you can pay real cash to level up gear to whatever numbers your credit limit can support for instance. You might be able to beat someone who is +2 above you but there is nothing to stop them from going +4, +6, or even more.
So knowing that going into the P2W game unless you are willing to be the biggest wallet the only resonable stratagy is just to not play at all. That's the biggest pitfall P2W games have, there is a point where you drive far more of your players off than you can make up by those that remain.
Well, I'm a lot like you, but I understand the others.
Some people are more obsessive about the games and like to achieve something within the framework.
I like to "complete" something. Some people don't. Narius & Robo are happy with the journey and/or making new characters. I have friends like them as well. They appreciate the journey.
With some games, I'm like this too. However, I usually have my eye on the end-game.
My views on FTP are blogged, so I won't go into them here, but I won't EVER spend money on an FTP game. I'll just quit and go do something else.
However, it also burns my hide when I have to do something 4x (or much much more) as hard as the guy that shelled out $20 or whatever at the cash shop.
I don't even feel anything when I bail because I paid nothing for the "game". That is where the Narius crowd and I see eye to eye.
B2P, on the other hand, worked with GW1. Not so much with GW2, but I knew that. My friends just whined FOR MONTHS until I broke down and bought it. Not horrible, but bleh.
Typically, for the client, the best option is a subscription. I know they're going to want me to stay around. I don't feel their fingers in my pockets constantly. I, also, know they're going to develop more content and systems.
So FTP is much more expensive than a P2P game for less enjoyment (for me). Ergo, I play P2P games.
Now, I've heard the argument where people (almost always) say: "I always spend less than a subscription!" but I've never, ever seen that in numbers or real life.
I have, however, seen people spend over $2k (that'd be thousand) dollars in a month in games like Runes of Magic on leveling up equipment. That, I don't understand.
And even if they don't offer much power at the beginning of a F2P game, usually the power of the cash shop increases over time.
I can't believe people play things like Neverwinter MMO, you can literally just buy gear there through the cash shop, I mean why don't they just offer characters all decked out from the get go, so you can skip actually playing the game.
+1
I to prefer to know what a game cost before I start playing it. I don't think most people know any more what it was like to play a game where everyone was on the same playing field. And there was nothing anyone could do to change it other then by playing the game.
Mmo subscription prices have not gone up over the years yet I'm sure cost to make them and maintain them has. The free to play model is a successful tactic to raise prices while making people think there paying less.
There are more people in the world that are taken in by these sales tactics then not so I don't see free to play going away anytime soon, because people just don't know any different.
For those of you that can enjoy playing a game for free while being fodder for those that pay, good for you. And to those that can feel acomplishment by buying stuff to get ahead, good for you to.
Similarly, I can't understand people who loathe levelling up and view it as a "grind". There are people who are so enthralled by the promise of a fun endgame that they'll slog through a grind that they claim to hate. For some of these players (not all, but some), if they can get through it faster or easier—either by cheating/botting or by buying currency from an RMT—they will. And some will even go to the extreme of handing their account over to a powerlevelling service, which incurs a real money cost as well as the risk of losing their account. Literally paying someone to play a video game for them. All this because the endgame will be fun.
Play a game that you don't enjoy with the understanding that eventually the gameplay will change into something that you'll enjoy. The complete opposite of that philosophy makes more sense to me: Play a game that you do enjoy with the understanding that eventually the gameplay will change into something that you won't enjoy. When you reach that point, stop playing. Nothing about that seems confusing.
That certainly isn't true. Some people have huge amounts of time to spend over others which leads to huge advantages in game.
You're right, I'll change what I said:
In a P2P game, the money spent on the game does not give you an unfair advantage over other players.
Maybe not, but P2P games typically have B2P expansions, meaning that if you don't pay upwards of 40 bucks for each one, you'll not only get less content, but will be destroyed in OWPvP. You're kind of forced to upgrade P2P games, and only real money will do.
Well, yes. And practice generally makes people better. I've found that if I play often I stay sharper. In a game like EVE, given the same skill/knowledge level, it can also mean far more isk so you can support better equipment than someone that plays less. The person that plays less will often just buy plex to make up for that discrepancy so that they can spend their time doing other things in game.
Time is probably the most important thing that you can commit to a game (especially an MMORPG) in order to be better than others at it.
Nice post.
Having tried both AoW and Neverwinter recently... I came to the conclusion that I dislike FTP with a passion. Free will is a beautiful thing. Sometimes I feel like there are too many games, then remember that it all comes down to The Choice.
Usually, in life, that which is most beneficial for the individual customer, turns out beneficial for the whole (and I'm talking purely on universal Truth yet that is always up for debate, yet I'm sure we could agree that some things are True and help people!).
Anyways, as for not understanding how someone could spend that much money in a game. Well, let's just say I made an essay titled "God complex and MMORPGs" and it was explained in said essay.
Yeah, but there are other things that you lose out on. For instance, other people to play with. Often times there will be no one available at your level to accomplish the content with if you don't buy an expansion. That's a huge disadvantage to not buying an expansion.
Also, any future content that is made for the game while you pay your sub you will be unable to experience. That seems like a pretty huge problem.
it is still true. they way they are will be exactly the same way youl'll be when you have clocked the same hours as that people. they jut reached there faster, but nothing is stopping you from reaching there just the same.
f2p games on the other hand....heh...good luck playing catch up with a dude that spends several hundreds per month on power not available thru ingame means...
"Free to play" really just means "I'm going to play until this game tries to charge me then I'll quit and find a game with honest practices who I'll drop $10 on to reward them."
EDIT: but i can see how people get confused.
Well, you are speaking about very heavily P2W games now which are different than the games I meant to refer to. In games like LotRO, DDO, PS2, GW2 (B2P), TERA, etc, someone could spend a million dollars in the cash shop and the difference would be miniscule and have a definite cap. In GW2, I'm actually exactly even with them in PvP no matter how much they spend.
Besides that, given equal skill and learning capabilities, if someone is able to spend 40-60 hours a week on a game and I am only able to spend 5-10 hours a week on a game, how will I ever catch up to that person? They will continue adding hours to their total and I will never be able to match their pace. If reaching max level was the end of the game, I might be able to see your point. But these games go on forever and continually build onto the endgame.
That is exactly how I viewed the F2P for many years now. Recently however I have played a f2p game that suprised the hell out of me. "Path of Exile" is a perfect example. Any one not living under a rock knows there are no free lunches. Sure you'll find an occasional gem, but, on the whole "Free" should be a big red flag. It's not though for many many people and the marketers know this. "Buy one get one free" or "Free blah blah with the purchase of this or that." The words "Free to play" arn't going anywhere ....
http://www.straightdope.com/
^^
This
yep,I can see that
the problem here is that any game that can be downloaded and registered for free is being lumped in the same box...F2P
people should really come up with new terminologies to divide F2P games further. its almost illogical that games like LoL or PoE are put in the same group as games like Neverwinter and the rest of PWE games, or Aeria games, and the likes
while all are on the surface F2P, the business antics and way to treat their customers are radically different. night and day, really.
thats why Im so combative to the F2P supporters. Sure, 5, 10 at most games have done things right or half right, but you are validating the dozens if not hundreds other f2p games that are essentially pure evilness incarnated.
If I seem like I'm supporting the P2W games, I never intended to. I remember getting into Atlantica Online a long while back because I found the strategy and tactics interesting. It didn't take long before I realized it was intensly P2W and I stopped playing. If they would have asked for a sub or had a reasonable cash shop, I probably would have stuck around. But those types of games turn me off pretty hard.
My perspective is really just that both models can work and work well. I enjoy both P2P games and F2P games and so when I see people take such irrationally hard lines against either payment model, it has a tendency to get me to respond every couple of months or so. I see some pros and some cons to both models, and the F2P systems do tend to require a lot more attention to hash out whether they are acceptable to me or not, but I think both models have a place in gaming and I like that there are options.