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Free to play= Pay to lose?
Herichox
Member Posts: 6
This is a little rant about expectations and disappointments. I know it's my first post and my account was created today, don't kill me for it. Don't read this huge wall of text if you aren't prepared for massive eye bleeding either 
.
It's only been a few years ago when I discovered mmorpgs. My first ventures into the genre were first careful steps in discovering the wonders of mmorpgs. At that time, I stared at everything in wonder and when I met the first people I could talk to and play with, I was enthusiastic. I could meet with like-minded people, party with them to kill an huge boss or try to beat a tricky dungeon, or do some pvp (which I discovered later on as something I like). At that time, I didn't need much to be happy. Mmorpgs were for me what they should be, an entertainment, away from the stressful everyday life, something I looked forward to when coming home.
At that time, I was too young to pay for subscription and had I asked my parents, I'm sure they had taken away my old computer and sent me outside to play. So, my first experiences were in a free to play game. While I can still say that I want to play mmorpgs, over the years, my enthusiasm has changed.
I am a casual gamer, I do not need that much to be happy. At least, I thought so. But somehow, lately, all the new games that have come out won't satisfy me anymore. I find myself hopping from one free to play mmorpg to another and every time my frustration grows. I know opinions and tastes differ, but hear me out now.
Community
What I like most about mmorpgs is the community. I like playing with others, building up a guild or just having a good time and meeting others from all over the world. That is where my first complaint about some free-to play games begins. IP bans. Don't you hate it when another company gets the license for your country, so you can't play with more than a few hundreds of players at the same time? If there are no players (or just those who want to play solo and "pwn" everyone else), I don't feel immersed. A game is largely represented by its players, if I don't want to meet and play with others, I play single-player games.
Roleplaying
Another important part is for me roleplaying. Yeah, I know, not everyone wants to do that or needs it, but I would like to roleplay. It makes things so much more interesting and fun for me. You don't need much to roleplay, just your own imagination. But I really, really would love for a game to have a storyline. Not the sporadic, here and there in some quests resurrecting, background story of a god creating a world and then getting into conflict with another god, creating the races, I'm sure many of you know all that jazz. And quests...let's not talk about them. 98% of them are kill x mobs, bring x items back. The dialogue with your never-moving, ever standing at the same places npc is so boring that most times, you feel glad you can skip them (and trust me, I always at least "try" to read them and try to understand the story, if there is any). Quests in most mmorpgs just replace grinding. You could just as well grind for a few hours and I can attest you that will be just as bored. I also always laugh at the big "?"s looming over the quest giver's head. Way to kill any sense of immersion, or which kind of world has people with question marks over their heads? I'm not totally against trackers, for example marks on the maps, but come on. Where is the fun in finding the quest giver so easily, then opening the convenient little "tracker" in your menu and your character runs to the place where you can find the mobs, you then click on "attack" (or a skill if you play a mage), kill one mob, click attack, kill one mob...
What else to do?
Which brings me to my next point immediately. I want to have something else to do than to fight. Sure, mmorpgs are all about fighting (I will come to that point later on again), but some other activities would be nice. That way, quests could also be changed and made more interesting. Many of you will know crafting as an example. But really, the system needs to be fleshed out a bit. And who wouldn't love some diplomacy in games? Not only senselessly slaughtering mobs, but interacting with the world and the community? You should be able to play as merchant who travels to sell others his goods and become famous at it, or be able to make some of the greatest equipments yourself. You should be able to create towns with your friends and guard them from player or mob attacks...I'm sure everyone can think up something you have always wanted to do in a game.
Fighting
But coming back to the fighting. I do love fighting. Else, I wouldn't play mmorpgs. But I will be brutally honest and say that fighting has become boring. If you fought in one game, you fought in them all. You have your little set of effective skills (three classes, each with a skill set of 10-20 skills to make you no different from anyone else) that you spam until either all the mobs or yourself die (but most of the times, you won't die, because fighting is rarely any challenge). You can't interact with your environment at all, for example hiding in a tree when things get bad, or changing the environment to suit your needs. It's rare that you can actually build your character different from anyone else, as there is a limited number of classes with a limited number of skills. This often makes larger parties not needed, as you can solo most things in most games anyway. I'm not against being able to solo (as waiting for groups can be frustrating), but I do wish for a challenge. I wish to build my unique character and put work into it, I want the fighting to be fast-pasted and player skill dependent. Fighting is a core feature, so if it isn't interesting, all other fancy little details won't be able to keep my attention for too long. And, something else that is important, I wish for intelligent mob AI. Mobs are mostly fixed to a limited place, rooming there like soulless zombies. They either attack you when you attack them or instantly begin to attack. They don't have any strategy, or act intelligently. They won't surround you as group (that is, if you haven't been stupid enough to be caught by a bulk of aggro'ed mobs), nor will they use your weakness as advantage. Basically, every mob is the same, save for a different look and higher attack and HP (some boss mobs "might" have a skill or two, but that is as good as it gets).
PVPE
Now, I'm sure you have heard about that before: Pvp and Pve in one game! Absolutely great! If you are bored from grinding, you can immediately do some Pvp!
Unfortunately, pvp is often implemented in such a way that it basically kills the fun of both groups; those that like pve and those that like pvp. Those that like pve will complain when they can get pk'ed and wish for there to be "no pvp at all". For that, they will be called carebears. Those that are into "hardcore" pvp, sometimes called "gankers" by more pve-centric people, will complain if there is no open world pvp, no chance to level with pvp, too little content for pvp or if there are too few people to fight against (since those that like pve will seldom step into pvp fights, though there are some "casual pvp'ers"). What good is a game where both groups aren't happy? Yes, I know, you can have a Pve server and a Pvp server, but again, that means a rather low amount of people to play with. Games need to be made for a certain amount of people. You can't carter to them all (because honestly, trying to beat the "mainstream" mmorpg, Wow, is hard for a free to play to do, although Allods seems to be succeeding in at least getting a good number of subs, but don't get me there...), so wouldn't it be better to make a great game for pve or pvp and make a certain group of players happy instead of making a mediocre game that players leave after a few months? And, if you really try to take the risk, think about how to mix these two types in a way that it doesn't make the other group unhappy.
Content update
And this is one of the biggest problems for free to play games. I have seen very few free to play ones that had massive content updates. If you get one (sometimes, you get none at all!), it's usually more maps, a higher level to grind to, some more of those mindless mobs I already described and a few more "fashion" items to buy. If you get lucky, maybe a pet system or more pets. You won't get to see any real new content. Mostly because many companies that have free to play games aren't the developers and thus have only limited power to change anything. But let's face it, any game has room to grow. It's just...free to play games seldom grow (or if they do, in the wrong direction, like being totally item shop dependent). Why not make content updates with auction houses, player housings...all those fancy stuff that you won't have to change the core for? (Yes, core systems would be more important, but at least those small things would show us that the game is being worked on for the players).
Communication
I call it communication, but there is most of the time little communication between players and Gms. You have questions or suggestions? Wait, if you are lucky, you might get an answer. Say anything bad about the game, you might get banned, or at least your post might get deleted. Sure, it's their forums. And yeah, most of those "this game sux!" threads deserve no better, but if a player has suggestions, why not take that customer seriously? Yes, I know there are expectations, but there are still too many publisher with poor customer support.
Graphics
While not the most important to me, a game with lush grass (not that pixel'ed, totally flat land I get to see in every mmorpg) would be nice, as would be some interesting landscapes (a deep, dark forest, a foggy swamp...). Also, I would love to have more customization options for my character other than 3 hair- and facestyles, as I do identify myself with my character and I'm not amused about looking exactly like 50% of the other players.
Music
Music is one part of immersion. Can be turned off, but I would love to hear some interesting, atmospheric music instead of the generic music many free to play have.
Instancing
Shortly said, open world preferred but as long as I don't run into a loading screen every five minutes, I'm happy. Some free to play manage to pull that off rather well in my opinion.
Cash Shop
It's that accursed word that drives many players away from free to play: Item mall, cash shop...I know there has to be made money some way, but honestly, most of them are ripoffs. In endgame, you will be completely dependent on them and rich kids who buy from it will in almost all games always have an advantage. I don't know about you, but I'm not really happy about the cash shops. Why not try a concept like guild wars, buying the box and then being able to play, with expansions you will have to pay for too? Or at least don't sell legendary uber gear in the cash shop and make it fair for all those that don't want to spend a large fortune on some items.
In the end, we pay far more than most of those free to play are worth. I know some are smart enough not to pump money into cash shops, but if you want to enjoy the game, in most cases you will have to. But what we get in return (and oftentimes, you can make a lot of money with such shops!) is no more than a mediocre grindfest type of game with standard features you can find in thousands of other mmorpg. Why not dare to take the step away from those games and make something that stands apart from the rest? That way, maybe one day, free to play games will get a better reputation.
End of my rant. I know many of you didn't survive reading all this. I have high hopes for 2010 for the free to play industry, but am also afraid to be disappointed. I really wish for "revolutionary" free to play games to come out. What about you?
Comments
I have gone through many of the same experiences you have covered and I have found that MMORPGs are more or less the same. Essentially a boring and rentless grind which becomes unbarable quite quickly. However, there are some free online games, mostly of the text based variety, that I have found to be quite consuming yet not redundant. What they lack in graphics and any type of extensive user capabilities, they make up for in the sheer enjoyment of hard core strategy. Basically, where many MMORPGs require tons of time and commitment, there are just as many games that rely on the strategic and tactical capabilities of the player.
op i agre with most of what you wrote.but your title is wrong .it all the industry of mmo that is like that
they advertise we are the biggest massive multiplayer online game etc etc
when in fact it should have been we are the biggest multiplayer online game this is a big difference the game dev dont seem
to get
DO NOT SAY MMO WHEN YOU ARE JUST A MO!you wont be worst for it and player will play the exact thing you say instead of
thenm yelling in forum they re lier wich im sorry to say they are right
you want to make a massive do a massive ,you want to do a multiplayer do a multiplayer but for crying out loud
brand it properly.
I don't like shopping. It's just not my thing. I find micro transactions to be like shopping. Very annoying.
When you go to the fair you can get a pass to ride all the rides. Or, you can buy a ticket for each ride you want to ride. I like to just get a pass and ride whatever I want without so many transactions.
While I too have been shifting more towards subscription based games (for obvious reasons), there is currently no mmorpg out that really catches my interest and so, I'm stuck with trying new free to play ones. Money is tight at the moment for me, so if I buy a game and it turns out to be a disappointment, I always feel guilty. That means reading up on information and waiting for a trial.
Still, no matter what, I think free to play games should raise their standards. You sometimes make more money out of a item shop than you would get from subscription, but costumer support, updates, maintenance are all severely lacking. Even if it is free to play, we should be treated like customers and we shouldn't have to suffer through one grindfest Wow clone after another.
some title like perfect world arent lacking at all,the only issue i had with it was graphic but it look like they fixed that in december
i got a 1680x1050 screen and it look as good as any AAA title out there ,even me i was surprised.i still have issue with one graphic tweak i think they call it smooth or something like that it makes my screen all blurry but aside from that game is very goodand the fact its always packed is a big +.
It's true that not all free to play games are bad. Slowly, the quality is increasing and I am hopeful for the future. The writeup/rant was my personal opinion about f2p in general. I do admit Perfect World is visually pleasing, but the utter item shop dependency later on killed it for me.
Thanks also to the first poster, I may consider searching for "other types" of games, if you allow me to call it that, and take a little break while waiting for the mmorpg that I can call "home". The free to play jungle that I ventured into has left me sometimes more pleasantly surprised and sometimes deeply frustrated. I have high hopes for 2010, as games like C9 might bring some fresh air. Thanks to everyone who read.
Its not just MMO's, I find myself getting bored of just about any game at the moment.
So im just gona take a long break, download some TV series ive been meaning to watch and just do nothing for a few weeks...
Hopefully I will start to get the itch to play something again
- Wouldnt mind trying DDO again now that its free, loved the way adventures ran in that.
Some of what you've discussed has been solved to a certain degree in various MMO titles out there. For instance, the combat system in AoC is one of the more inventive ones. There is positioning, combos, and a certain sequence to do moves that will generate the best damage. Therefore, a skilled person will kill more efficiently than a non-skilled person but this can only go so far...
In addition, I've been involved with large organizations in Anarchy Online, that have warred against other organizations on the other side. Every time we were given the opportunity to take out their bases we would try. AO also has side xp bonus based off of the amount of land controlled by each side, so this sort of creates a conflict. We also had an underground fixer organization that I was a part of. It was invite only and you had to be a fixer to be considered. This helped create more fun times...
I don't play F2P MMO's so I can't comment too much. P2P MMO's are getting better in the aspects that you've talked about but we're still waiting to see a more advanced game that isn't a grind. It may be soon, may not. You have to understand that the F2P business model is different from the P2P one though. In F2P you create a game good enough to attract people to it, and then make your money through ads, in game items, etc. In P2P you earn your cash on subscriptions which puts your focus on developing a great game that keeps people entertained NOT to keep them there long enough to spend cash on an item from a store.
If you're looking for entertainment, you may want to spend some cash on a monthly fee game because it makes more sense...at least to me.
It's true that not all free to play games are bad. Slowly, the quality is increasing and I am hopeful for the future. The writeup/rant was my personal opinion about f2p in general. I do admit Perfect World is visually pleasing, but the utter item shop dependency later on killed it for me.
Thanks also to the first poster, I may consider searching for "other types" of games, if you allow me to call it that, and take a little break while waiting for the mmorpg that I can call "home". The free to play jungle that I ventured into has left me sometimes more pleasantly surprised and sometimes deeply frustrated. I have high hopes for 2010, as games like C9 might bring some fresh air. Thanks to everyone who read.
yep your right!its like in the p2p market you got some very bad and some very good same for f2p but since there are so many
its often overwhelming the work involved to find the proper f2p for what x person like!
Its not a free 2 play game and its not 100% what you maybe want but you should try Darkfall on most points you make in this topic, this game have it all you desire and what you realy want in game how it should be well Darkfall come very close to your needs.
Just buy it i think you will love it build town defend or build a boat sail the sea or craft that great item in Darkfall all is posible and one big open world no instance and total freedom no names or big neon lights above head.
Your search is over Darkfall awaits your arrival GO GO GO!!!
Games played:AC1-Darktide'99-2000-AC2-Darktide/dawnsong2003-2005,Lineage2-2005-2006 and now Darkfall-2009.....
In between WoW few months AoC few months and some f2p also all very short few weeks.