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How Do You Feel About Having To "Buy" Zones In MMOs?

13

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  • AxehiltAxehilt Member RarePosts: 10,504
    Originally posted by spookydom


    Dungeons and Dragons has proved it can work in a F2P model. But subscription fee's and buying  zones ala cryptic? No way, if you are paying the fee's every month all content should be available to you.  I can understand character transfers. name changes or server moves costing extra money but to hold back on game content is unbelivable. I fear this is setting a precident and it should be questioned and spoke out against. Was really enjoying STO at beta but won't be subbing to the game now becouse of this. Guess voting with my wallet is all I can do right now.



     

    So it's okay for devs to charge for moving some bits around (name-change/xfer) but not for Content?  Don't get me wrong, setting up the backend for name-change and server xfers isn't free, but certainly much cheaper than developing new Content.

    I suppose I can see the decision to avoid STO though, since in many MMORPGs I bank on the monthly fee getting me content.  If STO is doing some content for free still (presumably patches, at the very least) then it's really not a big deal if they offer stuff on the side.  It's a simple matter of looking at what you're paying vs. what you're getting, and making a value judgement.

    "What is truly revealing is his implication that believing something to be true is the same as it being true. [continue]" -John Oliver

  • BizkitNLBizkitNL Member RarePosts: 2,546

    Isn't it like buying a new expansion every few months?

    Not sure how I feel on the matter. It seems wrong at first, but I did buy TBC and WotLK without complaining. Weird :).

    10
  • nate1980nate1980 Member UncommonPosts: 2,074
    Originally posted by Axehilt

    Originally posted by spookydom


    Dungeons and Dragons has proved it can work in a F2P model. But subscription fee's and buying  zones ala cryptic? No way, if you are paying the fee's every month all content should be available to you.  I can understand character transfers. name changes or server moves costing extra money but to hold back on game content is unbelivable. I fear this is setting a precident and it should be questioned and spoke out against. Was really enjoying STO at beta but won't be subbing to the game now becouse of this. Guess voting with my wallet is all I can do right now.



     

    So it's okay for devs to charge for moving some bits around (name-change/xfer) but not for Content?  Don't get me wrong, setting up the backend for name-change and server xfers isn't free, but certainly much cheaper than developing new Content.

    I suppose I can see the decision to avoid STO though, since in many MMORPGs I bank on the monthly fee getting me content.  If STO is doing some content for free still (presumably patches, at the very least) then it's really not a big deal if they offer stuff on the side.  It's a simple matter of looking at what you're paying vs. what you're getting, and making a value judgement.



     

    As a fan of STO right now, I agree. If all my $15/mo gets me is access to their servers and customer support, then I think that's too expensive. If it gets me content patches as well, then I'm happy. Paying for zones is a viable option if it takes the place of expansion packs. That way players can pick and choose what they want to pay for, instead of getting a bunch of features they might not want to use that the expansion is charging more for.

  • LoktofeitLoktofeit Member RarePosts: 14,247
    Originally posted by BizkitNL


    Isn't it like buying a new expansion every few months?
    Not sure how I feel on the matter. It seems wrong at first, but I did buy TBC and WotLK without complaining. Weird :).

     

    WOW's business model is the reason I haven't gone back to play WOW. It would cost me 85 dollars just to go adventuring with friends in that game since i haven't played since 60 was the cap. In MMOs where buying zones is part of the business model, I can still level up without paying extra PLUS, I only have to buy the zones i want to take part in.

    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

  • PalebanePalebane Member RarePosts: 4,011

    If a game ships, and then has DLC zones that should have been in the game in ther first place for extra money (Dragon Age), I would be deeply offended. But if a game offers an expansion with new zones, new levels, new items, new ablities, and a new race or class, I'm cool with that.

    Vault-Tec analysts have concluded that the odds of worldwide nuclear armaggeddon this decade are 17,143,762... to 1.

  • 5Luck5Luck Member UncommonPosts: 218

    Really the bottem line is:

    If the new zone incorperates new code that could not be made usinging the original product,weather it be new models or textures,ect, then it become viable to charge for the new "zone"

    There are alot of games out there that come with a "level editor" and most companys create one for designing purposes. IF you can make the new zone with all the original components without writting new code for either the game engien, designing new models, AI tactics, ect, it really falls to the realm of player made content and should then be free ware.

    When it comes down to new models, a lot of us players have a program installed that alows for 3d model creation. Those of us that do have one know it was expensive and therfore worthy of a small fee.

    With new textures, I know as a game design "hobbist" that I can steal texture and incorperate them in my modeling but a corperation isnt so lucky. This also is worthy of a small fee.

    Anything that involved writting n C++ or Direct X or any modifications to the game engien are the real deal and are worth of more then a small fee and to me extend into the realm of a truly new product. Based on a comparitive scale to the original product we can asess a proper fee. Now considering these modifacations can lead to going over every last mine of code especialy if the original auther(s) usualy dont end up doing them selves, alot of the time the corp is paying more for this type of content then for the original but yet distribute it for a lot less.

    That is where I sugest the player community is always more than willing to use the original "level editor" to create new product for free and this is what give a game and corp a great reputation. Long lasting playability. Now I do understand that the corp wants the money but in most cases I find a completly new product pays much better then revised code unless it was actually something any fool could have done had they had the "editor" which in this case should be free ware and hence the delma.

  • BizkitNLBizkitNL Member RarePosts: 2,546
    Originally posted by Loktofeit

    Originally posted by BizkitNL


    Isn't it like buying a new expansion every few months?
    Not sure how I feel on the matter. It seems wrong at first, but I did buy TBC and WotLK without complaining. Weird :).

     

    WOW's business model is the reason I haven't gone back to play WOW. It would cost me 85 dollars just to go adventuring with friends in that game since i haven't played since 60 was the cap. In MMOs where buying zones is part of the business model, I can still level up without paying extra PLUS, I only have to buy the zones i want to take part in.



     

    I definately see your point.

    I guess at the end of the day, EvE's model is king. Free expansions. Period.

    10
  • Squal'ZellSqual'Zell Member Posts: 1,803

    here is an analogy

    its like going to an amusement park and paying 43$ to get in and then when you get to the rides they charge you 5$ every time you want to go on it. So in the end, with your 43$ you can just walk in and spend the day "looking" at what you can do".

    same thing, pay 15$/month to only "look" at what you can do unless you pay x$ to use the "ride" zone.

    image
    image

  • DawnheraldDawnherald Member Posts: 146
    Originally posted by Loktofeit


    When you start to equate a potential and optional business model for an entertainment product/service with telling customers to get raped and enjoy it, then maybe... just maybe... you've got to a bit of an extreme and are getting too personal about the issue to discuss it rationally.



     

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rape

    Hurr.

  • LoktofeitLoktofeit Member RarePosts: 14,247
    Originally posted by Dawnherald

    Originally posted by Loktofeit


    When you start to equate a potential and optional business model for an entertainment product/service with telling customers to get raped and enjoy it, then maybe... just maybe... you've got to a bit of an extreme and are getting too personal about the issue to discuss it rationally.



     

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rape

    Hurr.

     

    Exactly. We're not talking about food and water here. We're talking about a form of entertainment. No matter which definition you choose to spin this as - although it's clear from how you have presented your arguments throughout this thread which one you meant - it's still extreme. There is nothing forced in an optional form of leisure entertainment. To feel there is means either an addiction or some other form of irrational dependency on the part of the consumer. Even then, that 'forced abuse' is still all in the dependent's mind and does not exist for anyone else in reality or otherwise.

     

     

    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

  • IhmoteppIhmotepp Member Posts: 14,495
    Originally posted by Loktofeit

    Originally posted by Dawnherald

    Originally posted by Loktofeit


    When you start to equate a potential and optional business model for an entertainment product/service with telling customers to get raped and enjoy it, then maybe... just maybe... you've got to a bit of an extreme and are getting too personal about the issue to discuss it rationally.



     

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rape

    Hurr.

     

    Exactly. We're not talking about food and water here. We're talking about a form of entertainment. No matter which definition you choose to spin this as - although it's clear from how you have presented your arguments throughout this thread which one you meant - it's still extreme. There is nothing forced in an optional form of leisure entertainment. To feel there is means either an addiction or some other form of irrational dependency on the part of the consumer. Even then, that 'forced abuse' is still all in the dependent's mind and does not exist for anyone else in reality or otherwise.

     

     

     

    Not even "forced" grouping?

    You mean really it's not "forced"?

     

    image

  • DawnheraldDawnherald Member Posts: 146
    Originally posted by Loktofeit


    Exactly. We're not talking about food and water here. We're talking about a form of entertainment. No matter which definition you choose to spin this as - although it's clear from how you have presented your arguments throughout this thread which one you meant - it's still extreme. There is nothing forced in an optional form of leisure entertainment. To feel there is means either an addiction or some other form of irrational dependency on the part of the consumer. Even then, that 'forced abuse' is still all in the dependent's mind and does not exist for anyone else in reality or otherwise. 



     

    rape 1 (rp)

    n.

    1. The crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse.

    2. The act of seizing and carrying off by force; abduction.

    3. Abusive or improper treatment; violation: a rape of justice.

    Which is the context the term is most often used in, nowadays. Abusive and improper traetment of customers via such methods as "Buy your gap filling content today!" cash shops results in shitty quality products that require you to pay and pay and pay some more until you reach a decent quality of game.

    Hence the anti-DLC argument. The only reason NOT for it is because it encourages for stuff to be removed and then sold at a later date. No one has a problem with it, otherwise.

    Durr.

    EDIT: ( You really should've read the dictionary link before you replied, would've made you seem a lot quicker off the bat. )

  • IlvaldyrIlvaldyr Member CommonPosts: 2,142

    If the game offers a complete experience, then I'll pay extra for new stuff.

    I wouldn't pay for filling content gaps.

    image
    Playing: EVE, Final Fantasy 13, Uncharted 2, Need for Speed: Shift
  • VengeSunsoarVengeSunsoar Member EpicPosts: 6,601
    Originally posted by Dawnherald

    Originally posted by Loktofeit


    Exactly. We're not talking about food and water here. We're talking about a form of entertainment. No matter which definition you choose to spin this as - although it's clear from how you have presented your arguments throughout this thread which one you meant - it's still extreme. There is nothing forced in an optional form of leisure entertainment. To feel there is means either an addiction or some other form of irrational dependency on the part of the consumer. Even then, that 'forced abuse' is still all in the dependent's mind and does not exist for anyone else in reality or otherwise. 



     

    rape 1 (rp)

    n.

    1. The crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse.

    2. The act of seizing and carrying off by force; abduction.

    3. Abusive or improper treatment; violation: a rape of justice.

    Which is the context the term is most often used in, nowadays. Abusive and improper traetment of customers via such methods as "Buy your gap filling content today!" cash shops results in shitty quality products that require you to pay and pay and pay some more until you reach a decent quality of game.

    Hence the anti-DLC argument. The only reason NOT for it is because it encourages for stuff to be removed and then sold at a later date. No one has a problem with it, otherwise.

    Durr.

    EDIT: ( You really should've read the dictionary link before you replied, would've made you seem a lot quicker off the bat. )



     

    Dawn,

    You haven't been abused, treated improperly or violated.  They presented you with the choice, you can play the game or not.  If you choose to play it then you are acting according to your own choice.

    Venge Sunsoar

    Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is bad.
  • KyleranKyleran Member LegendaryPosts: 44,063
    Originally posted by Ilvaldyr


    If the game offers a complete experience, then I'll pay extra for new stuff.
    I wouldn't pay for filling content gaps.

    Bam, nailed it, enough said.

     

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    Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm

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  • EricDanieEricDanie Member UncommonPosts: 2,238

    I am fine if it's a F2P game, actually, I would prefer to purchase zones than virtual items (opens room for all I spend more I win, look cooler and achieve way more with 5 hours than you with your 20 hours competition that milks money far more).

    But if there is already a monthly fee, then I will not pay for zones, an expansion is fine though (as they add levels, new features, etc, you can interpret zones as being just a consequence).

    It doesn't matter with zones though, you play through 'em. Your cost will be based on how much time you spend in the game and how you spend it.

  • ThomasN7ThomasN7 87.18.7.148Member CommonPosts: 6,690

    If there is no fee to download the game then sure I am ok with it but if I have to buy the box for $49.95 then have to buy zones then no way.  I would rather be charged an extra amount  for the box or dowload price rather than buying zones.

    30
  • nariusseldonnariusseldon Member EpicPosts: 27,775
    Originally posted by Superman0X

    Originally posted by arcdevil

    Originally posted by Superman0X


    Selling zones is how P2P has always made money. What do you think they were doing when they charged $50 up front? Selling you the zones. What do you think that expansion pack is? Selling you zones.
    P2P has always done this, and since millions (if not billions) are beating there door down for these products... I cant see them stopping.

    name just one P2P that released an expansion that was simply "a zone"

     

    also, the initial product was "some zones" and thats it? for the love of god, tell me what P2P do you play so i can avoid it like the plague. the ones I played had, you know, lore, classes, races, quests, gameplay, sieges, gear, raids... 

     

    There were several expansions for EverQuest that were only zones.

    You could also argue that some of the WoW expansions were only zones, as the rest of the changes were available WITHOUT the expansion.

    The bottom line is that P2P sells content. Be it zones, races, classes, etc. This is what they are selling. Dont like it? Then move to F2P, where some of that stuff is free.

     

    Factually WRONG. WOW has only TWO expansions.

    BC - you don't get blood elves without the expansion.

    WOTLK - you don't get the Death Knight without the expansion. You also cannot level up inscription without the expansion.

  • DawnheraldDawnherald Member Posts: 146
    Originally posted by VengeSunsoar


    Dawn,
    You haven't been abused, treated improperly or violated.  They presented you with the choice, you can play the game or not.  If you choose to play it then you are acting according to your own choice.
    Venge Sunsoar



     

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abuse

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Violation

    I wish people would look up definitions of words before trying to call others out on them, or at least have a clue what they're talking about.

    Hey, Venge, you do know that lifetime subscriptions were bought after Cryptic had promised that the cash shop wouldn't effect gameplay, right? And then they release content that effects gameplay? In the cash shop. ( That would be a violation of a promise, and potentially of the law. Oh, and abuse of your customers.)

    Being treated improperly is something based on opinion, but I'd definitely say players were treated improperly in this case.

  • LoktofeitLoktofeit Member RarePosts: 14,247
    Originally posted by Kyleran

    Originally posted by Ilvaldyr


    If the game offers a complete experience, then I'll pay extra for new stuff.
    I wouldn't pay for filling content gaps.

    Bam, nailed it, enough said.

     

     

    Same here. If it's content that I previously expected or that I feel was missing to begin with, then it's not something i would pay for.

    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

  • MardyMardy Member Posts: 2,213

    If we're talking about pay to play games, then I'm pretty much against them.  I think it's ok if a game has endless content, and that the company has a content release schedule so you always have something to do without purchasing extra zones.  But that'll never happen, because these companies create these paid zones to make extra money, and they know nobody would buy them if there are plenty of content available ingame.

    EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO

  • LoktofeitLoktofeit Member RarePosts: 14,247
    Originally posted by Mardy


    If we're talking about pay to play games, then I'm pretty much against them.  I think it's ok if a game has endless content, and that the company has a content release schedule so you always have something to do without purchasing extra zones. 

     

    Your sig says: "EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR"

    You have never purchased an expansion for any of those?

    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

  • MardyMardy Member Posts: 2,213
    Originally posted by Loktofeit

    Originally posted by Mardy


    If we're talking about pay to play games, then I'm pretty much against them.  I think it's ok if a game has endless content, and that the company has a content release schedule so you always have something to do without purchasing extra zones. 

     

    Your sig says: "EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR"

    You have never purchased an expansion for any of those?

     

    The OP stated he wasn't talking about expansions, but smaller zones, or what EQ2 used to call adventure packs.  Big difference, some companies use these paid zones to pad their lack of content ingame.

    EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO

  • VengeSunsoarVengeSunsoar Member EpicPosts: 6,601
    Originally posted by Dawnherald

    Originally posted by VengeSunsoar


    Dawn,
    You haven't been abused, treated improperly or violated.  They presented you with the choice, you can play the game or not.  If you choose to play it then you are acting according to your own choice.
    Venge Sunsoar



     

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abuse

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Violation

    I wish people would look up definitions of words before trying to call others out on them, or at least have a clue what they're talking about.

    Hey, Venge, you do know that lifetime subscriptions were bought after Cryptic had promised that the cash shop wouldn't effect gameplay, right? And then they release content that effects gameplay? In the cash shop. ( That would be a violation of a promise, and potentially of the law. Oh, and abuse of your customers.)

    Being treated improperly is something based on opinion, but I'd definitely say players were treated improperly in this case.



     

    Hey Dawn,

    You do know that having a klingon or ferengi (sp) doesn't affect gameplay right?  All the characters have some sort of racial stat, klingon and ferengi stats don't give the players an advantage over the others. 

    As far as zones go.  Those zones will have quests.  You can wait and buy three or 4 zones once a year with all the content and call it an expansion if you want, or buy them all individually, there is no difference.

    People on this site are just drama queens.  They have presented their business plan and not forced you to do anything, you don't like it, don't do it.  Simple.

    Venge Sunsoar

    Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is bad.
  • DawnheraldDawnherald Member Posts: 146
    Originally posted by VengeSunsoar


    Hey Dawn,
    You do know that having a klingon or ferengi (sp) doesn't affect gameplay right?  All the characters have some sort of racial stat, klingon and ferengi stats don't give the players an advantage over the others. 
    As far as zones go.  Those zones will have quests.  You can wait and buy three or 4 zones once a year with all the content and call it an expansion if you want, or buy them all individually, there is no difference.
    People on this site are just drama queens.  They have presented their business plan and not forced you to do anything, you don't like it, don't do it.  Simple.
    Venge Sunsoar



     

    "Different stats don't give any sort of advantage in any different situation". Man, have you even had a look at klingon stats? And, no, you can't get them by selecting the "Alien" race.

    This, everyone, is an example of a person who will happily baa along to the company's tune and try and browbeat others into doing it too. These sort of people are why we're getting shitty games, and why the companies think they can charge us extra cash for each individual zone.

    All I'm hearing from Venge's post is, "Please, sir, can I have some more?" despite being ripped off.

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