Because they already saw how much the subscribers liked that with DDO? Because it would be silly to give that to the people paying a monthly fee and not the lifetime people?
Silly? Are they not a business? If they didn't give those points away - some of the lifers would likely pay real money for them, yes?
It is a resistance to change or a lack of understanding of this change that has you so riled against this, Doubter?
Neither.
BTW the answer is - they give those points to lifers so that once they use them, they don't have grounds to sue later on, as using the points will constitute acceptance of the change.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Because they already saw how much the subscribers liked that with DDO? Because it would be silly to give that to the people paying a monthly fee and not the lifetime people?
Silly? Are they not a business? If they didn't give those points away - some of the lifers would likely pay real money for them, yes?
It is a resistance to change or a lack of understanding of this change that has you so riled against this, Doubter?
Neither.
BTW the answer is - they give those points to lifers so that once they use them, they don't have grounds to sue later on, as using the points will constitute acceptance of the change.
26. All services relating to the Game for which you subscribe are offered by Turbine or its subcontractors. Our support website iswww.lotro.com/support. Current applicable rates for using the Game, including online service subscription for access to the Server, may be obtained from www.lotro.com/support, and such rates are subject to change at any time.
Someone pointed out that i might not be as biased as one should be in making arguments concerning the turbine store. Certainly having a big and quite gaudy "I play LOTRO" banner doesn't, on the surface help any argument I may make.
For the record, I am neither for or against the store as it is presented because I see it as being quite innocuous.
I spoke with steefel in detail over the ddo store and it was very clear, at least at the time, that all this did was add a f2p option without buying "win" or without getting anything that a subscriber wouldn't get. I really see it as being a limited a la carte way of getting access to parts of the game.
I make my arguments not to be a proponent of the store but to try to clarify, at least how it is presented for now, what the store allows and doesn't allow.
If for whatever reason I feel that turbine eventually crosses a line and allows players to buy things such as radiance gear or top of the line items (which it does not) then I will consider canceling my account as that is not something I'm interested in. I don't have a life time sub exactly for that reason.
As it stands now, if they can grant me access to cosmetic items that make me look less of a clown then I will use my monthly points on those and with gusto!
And for those who want to look more the clown I'm sure there will be those options as well.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Except that Turbine didn't do that with LOTRO. Lifetime subs have been absent for at least a few months now. The reality is that people are upset that they CAN'T buy lifetime subs now because they like the new deal so much.
26. All services relating to the Game for which you subscribe are offered by Turbine or its subcontractors. Our support website iswww.lotro.com/support. Current applicable rates for using the Game, including online service subscription for access to the Server, may be obtained from www.lotro.com/support, and such rates are subject to change at any time.
Dude, I'm with you here. I was just pointing out that LOTRO/Turbine actually stopped offering Lifetime subs a few months ago. So the posters claim that Turbine 'lacks credibility' for offering LT subs up until the announcement is false.
I pointed out the irony that many people see the new Lifetime sub benefits as a great deal and are upset that they can't NOW access these deals. I think Turbine will offer another lifetime sub opportunity in the future, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
_____________________________ Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Someone pointed out that i might not be as biased as one should be in making arguments concerning the turbine store. Certainly having a big and quite gaudy "I play LOTRO" banner doesn't, on the surface help any argument I may make.
For the record, I am neither for or against the store as it is presented because I see it as being quite innocuous.
I spoke with steefel in detail over the ddo store and it was very clear, at least at the time, that all this did was add a f2p option without buying "win" or without getting anything that a subscriber wouldn't get. I really see it as being a limited a la carte way of getting access to parts of the game.
I make my arguments not to be a proponent of the store but to try to clarify, at least how it is presented for now, what the store allows and doesn't allow.
If for whatever reason I feel that turbine eventually crosses a line and allows players to buy things such as radiance gear or top of the line items (which it does not) then I will consider canceling my account as that is not something I'm interested in. I don't have a life time sub exactly for that reason.
As it stands now, if they can grant me access to cosmetic items that make me look less of a clown then I will use my monthly points on those and with gusto!
And for those who want to look more the clown I'm sure there will be those options as well.
No need to clarify Sovrath, they will resort to whatever it takes to make themselves look right, even claim bias.
Now me, I hate the idea of the shop and what it will bring, and yet I ended up defending the purpose behind it, and that it is not "Pay to Win" as some claim. Suppose that makes me a hypocrit, but whatever. Just keep to your facts Sovrath, and don't let the trolls get to you.
I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a lifetime subscriber to LOTRO, you will keep all of your membership privileges and are automatically upgraded to VIP status. You will receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, but you do not have to pay a monthly fee since you are a lifetime member. All you have to do is keep playing the game and visit the LOTRO Store to spend your free points and enjoy the wealth of new a la carte items and options to enhance your game experience.
Except that Turbine didn't do that with LOTRO. Lifetime subs have been absent for at least a few months now. The reality is that people are upset that they CAN'T buy lifetime subs now because they like the new deal so much.
26. All services relating to the Game for which you subscribe are offered by Turbine or its subcontractors. Our support website iswww.lotro.com/support. Current applicable rates for using the Game, including online service subscription for access to the Server, may be obtained from www.lotro.com/support, and such rates are subject to change at any time.
Dude, I'm with you here. I was just pointing out that LOTRO/Turbine actually stopped offering Lifetime subs a few months ago. So the posters claim that Turbine 'lacks credibility' for offering LT subs up until the announcement is false.
I pointed out the irony that many people see the new Lifetime sub benefits as a great deal and are upset that they can't NOW access these deals. I think Turbine will offer another lifetime sub opportunity in the future, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
I was the poster claiming they offered LT subs up until the announcement. I logged onto my account now, and got an offer to create a lifetime subscription. I assume it was also available yesterday before they announced the changes to the subscription model. That's an EU account, though, I didn't check if it was also available in the US.
Now me, I hate the idea of the shop and what it will bring, and yet I ended up defending the purpose behind it, and that it is not "Pay to Win" as some claim. Suppose that makes me a hypocrit, but whatever. Just keep to your facts Sovrath, and don't let the trolls get to you.
exactly! That's the thing, if people want to hate this simply because this is not something that they can get behind, more power to them I say. No need to change your beliefs as they are your beliefs.
But people should at least be clear on what it is they are hating! Then by all means, hate with abandon if that is your thing.
from the new posted interview:
Turbine learned a lot from DDO’s re-launch as well, and they’ll be carrying their experience over to LOTRO. Like DDO, the LOTRO Store will only offer items of convenience, no one will be “paying to win” when LOTRO re-launches as a F2P game. Generally, the only time you will really see gear available in the LOTRO Store will be as “Starter Packs” which give new players a little bit of a leg up in the very early parts of the game.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
BTW the answer is - they give those points to lifers so that once they use them, they don't have grounds to sue later on, as using the points will constitute acceptance of the change.
Every time you click the "I Accept" button on a EULA, that counts as acceptance of a developer changing the terms at any time, for any reason, and without notifying you in advance.
Turbine hasn't done anything legally wrong here. At all. Any suggestion otherwise on these forums is just internet lawyering.
Except that Turbine didn't do that with LOTRO. Lifetime subs have been absent for at least a few months now. The reality is that people are upset that they CAN'T buy lifetime subs now because they like the new deal so much.
26. All services relating to the Game for which you subscribe are offered by Turbine or its subcontractors. Our support website iswww.lotro.com/support. Current applicable rates for using the Game, including online service subscription for access to the Server, may be obtained from www.lotro.com/support, and such rates are subject to change at any time.
Dude, I'm with you here. I was just pointing out that LOTRO/Turbine actually stopped offering Lifetime subs a few months ago. So the posters claim that Turbine 'lacks credibility' for offering LT subs up until the announcement is false.
I pointed out the irony that many people see the new Lifetime sub benefits as a great deal and are upset that they can't NOW access these deals. I think Turbine will offer another lifetime sub opportunity in the future, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
I was the poster claiming they offered LT subs up until the announcement. I logged onto my account now, and got an offer to create a lifetime subscription. I assume it was also available yesterday before they announced the changes to the subscription model. That's an EU account, though, I didn't check if it was also available in the US.
Well, that's codemasters, isn't it? I'm just reporting what I hear from US players on the official LOTRO thread. Many are excited about the new system, but are bummed about not being able to get in on the Lifetime deal. Others pointed out that it hasn't been available for a few months now.
_____________________________ Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Sounds smart. I didnt realize DDO's new pay system was all that successful that they would do it with LOTRo too.
I hope LOTRo keeps adding expansions and they make it to mordor... They havent even made it to Rohan yet, and its my favorite (from the books at least).
Well I been seing this comming for the past year. The last xpac just about chased off everybody that I knew.
I know how bad the financials were for lotro as well as everybody else. I had been saying for a long time the subs have been droping.
Now we see this radical move to save the game like they did with ddo.
I have 2 lifetime accounts one for me and one for the wife. We both stopped playing lotro after som as it had become cookie cutter stuff.
Oh well chuck another good game on top of the heap pile. Turbine went from being a great company to being another company just like cryptic. Its become about gread!!
I was the poster claiming they offered LT subs up until the announcement. I logged onto my account now, and got an offer to create a lifetime subscription. I assume it was also available yesterday before they announced the changes to the subscription model. That's an EU account, though, I didn't check if it was also available in the US.
Well, that's codemasters, isn't it? I'm just reporting what I hear from US players on the official LOTRO thread. Many are excited about the new system, but are bummed about not being able to get in on the Lifetime deal. Others pointed out that it hasn't been available for a few months now.
Same game, same changes, most of the money goes to Turbine, but yes, if Turbine stopped offering lifetime subscriptions several months ago, I guess Codemasters would be the ones to "blame".
Anyway, I'm glad most lifetime subscribers seem to be pleased with what they were offered. I'm very much opposed to f2p models, and would never buy a lifetime subscription since I want the power to stop paying when I'm no longer happy with a service, so I guess I'm not the right person to speak on lifetime subscribers' behalf. ;p
Personally, I feel sorry for the poor sods who paid out for a lifetime sub. C'est la vie.
But nothing changes for them. They don't have to pay a monthly fee and retain vip status which is essentially the same as a monthly subscriber.
The only thing that changes for monthly subscribers and lifetime sub holders is that they get free points each month to spend in the turbine store and can spend additional money if they want to buy a cosmetic item or whatnot.
The only thing that this changes is that players who were not inclined to pay a subscription have options to either pay a la cart or pay nothing, have somewhat limited options but can get to lvl 50 without spending a dime.
That bothers me tho Sovrath .. "They can spend additonal money if they want to" Those with Lifetime subs should never have to put out 1 dime for anyhting , evrything that is developed should be included int the "Lifetime " (in accordance with the original agreement)sub they paid for IMO...
That bothers me tho Sovrath .. "They can spend additonal money if they want to" Those with Lifetime subs should never have to put out 1 dime for anyhting , evrything that is developed should be included int the "Lifetime " (in accordance with the original agreement)sub they paid for IMO...
Hence why they get 500 points a month free to buy those things.
In my opinion so far Turbine has handled the f2p model very well with DDO and I expect they will do the same with LOTRO. I purchased both DDO and LOTRO in the past and had stopped playing both due to time constraints and not liking the monthly subscription model most mmos use. I have since returned to DDO now that I can purchase content a la carte through the DDO store and not be forced into a subscription based payment model. From what I have seen pricing in the DDO store is fair and f2players can actually earn turbine points just by playing the game for free.
There are so many gamers I know that steer clear of mmos due to the monthly fees. Why buy a full priced game that locks you out after 30 days if you don't want to continue paying for a membership? Once someone purchases a game, the content they purchased should remain open to them for as long as the servers are up and running. Why should a more casual player be forced to pay for content they may never see? At the same time for an mmo to continue churning out content they need continued revenue from the players. It seems like Turbine is doing their best to bridge the gap between the casual and hardcore player and provide more options based on what works for the individual player. So far I like what I'm seeing as it seems to be working with DDO.
I don't see much growth in the mmo industry if it continues with a strictly subscription based model so I hope new payment options like what Turbine is exploring works out so it brings more player in or back to the games. I don't think opening LOTRO up the the f2p model is about being greedy and I would assume that looking down the line Turbine could see a continued decrease in revenue especially with the ever growing competition around the corner and are just looking at ways to keep their properties competitive.
I was the poster claiming they offered LT subs up until the announcement. I logged onto my account now, and got an offer to create a lifetime subscription. I assume it was also available yesterday before they announced the changes to the subscription model. That's an EU account, though, I didn't check if it was also available in the US.
Well, that's codemasters, isn't it? I'm just reporting what I hear from US players on the official LOTRO thread. Many are excited about the new system, but are bummed about not being able to get in on the Lifetime deal. Others pointed out that it hasn't been available for a few months now.
Same game, same changes, most of the money goes to Turbine, but yes, if Turbine stopped offering lifetime subscriptions several months ago, I guess Codemasters would be the ones to "blame".
Anyway, I'm glad most lifetime subscribers seem to be pleased with what they were offered. I'm very much opposed to f2p models, and would never buy a lifetime subscription since I want the power to stop paying when I'm no longer happy with a service, so I guess I'm not the right person to speak on lifetime subscribers' behalf. ;p
Well, to be honest, I regret my Lifetime subscription purchase to LOTRO -- not because I think it is a bad game (I think it's quite good), but for the very reason you state: You've lost your ability to speak with your wallet. It was my first Lifetime sub, and I'll never do that again, regardless of the game.
_____________________________ Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Hmmm. As someone who's subscribed to LOTRO since launch (with the odd break here and there for other games-currently haven't played for about 2 months) I'm definitely feeling uncomfortable about this. I like LOTRO a lot, and it's always been the most populated (bar WOW) and enjoyable game I've played, so anything that even suggests a change to that is scary.
On the other hand, I agree that Turbine has handled F2P in DDO really well and I haven't seen any evidence that my gameplay will be fundamentally affected by this. The one thing I'm curious about is whether they try and import DDO's "adventure pack" model, and limit quests as paid content. LOTRO's much less instanced than DDO, so I don't really know how that'd work if they try something like it.
"This will be awesome IF they don't have certain items in the shop that give an advantage to those with the most cash"
End of story. No wall of text. Easy.
Actually, given that PVP in LOTRO is deemphasised, and that gear has never been of the OMGUBERGAEMBRAEKER variety in PVE, I don't see this as the key point at all. LOTRO just isn't "competitive" enough for concepts like "unfair advantage" to play out.
This may well be the death of PVMP, if it's not handled right, but that's always been a minority passtime anyway.
One VALID issue (feel the need to highlight that based on how much inaccurate and untrue info is being tossed around by the doubters) is that Turbine points from DDO don't transfer over to LOTRO and vice versa.
I personally think that's crap, since there are any number of other f2p companies where the currency is good in every game they own.
There's a good reason for this.
First of all, in those other games you pretty much have to buy those points with real money. In Turbine's games you can earn them from questing. Questing for and earning free TP in LotRO may be a lot different than it is in DDO. It could be detrimental to DDO for LotRO points to transfer over.
As an example, in DDO it takes about an hour (give or take) for a favor-grinding character to earn the 100 favor needed for 25 free TP. Now let's say that it's easier in LotRO and that you can earn 100 free TP in an hour (exaggeration, I'm sure, but an example). If you could earn all your free, easy TP in LotRO and transfer them to DDO, a DDO player can buy for free all the content in 1/4 th the time that it normally would and thus ruin the pricing system of the DDO store, where they purposefully make it hard to grind out enough free points to buy the whole game for free in order to encourage players to spend real money.
Hmmm. As someone who's subscribed to LOTRO since launch (with the odd break here and there for other games-currently haven't played for about 2 months) I'm definitely feeling uncomfortable about this. I like LOTRO a lot, and it's always been the most populated (bar WOW) and enjoyable game I've played, so anything that even suggests a change to that is scary.
On the other hand, I agree that Turbine has handled F2P in DDO really well and I haven't seen any evidence that my gameplay will be fundamentally affected by this. The one thing I'm curious about is whether they try and import DDO's "adventure pack" model, and limit quests as paid content. LOTRO's much less instanced than DDO, so I don't really know how that'd work if they try something like it.
According to the interview you will basically have access to the main story quests (the Books i guess), but all other quests will need to be unlocked/bought starting from LoneLands and beyond (so from basically up to level 20ish youll be able to play everything for free, but beyond that youve got to buy the content packs). So yeah, kind of similar to DDO, only youre paying for quest content within the unlocked zone, rather than paying for actual instances/dungeons.
It is still an average mmo no matter what model they choose but if they think the f2p will be their savior think again. There is no way people are still going to keep playing Lotro when we will be getting superior mmos like Guild Wars 2 and The Old Republic coming soon, also just about everyone who is subscribed to WoW will not jump ship just because Lotro is now f2p. This is ajust a quick cash thing before the servers completely empty when GW2 and TOR hit the shelves.
Personally, I feel sorry for the poor sods who paid out for a lifetime sub. C'est la vie.
But nothing changes for them. They don't have to pay a monthly fee and retain vip status which is essentially the same as a monthly subscriber.
The only thing that changes for monthly subscribers and lifetime sub holders is that they get free points each month to spend in the turbine store and can spend additional money if they want to buy a cosmetic item or whatnot.
The only thing that this changes is that players who were not inclined to pay a subscription have options to either pay a la cart or pay nothing, have somewhat limited options but can get to lvl 50 without spending a dime.
That bothers me tho Sovrath .. "They can spend additonal money if they want to" Those with Lifetime subs should never have to put out 1 dime for anyhting , evrything that is developed should be included int the "Lifetime " (in accordance with the original agreement)sub they paid for IMO...
Well, as heerobya has indicated, they get 500 points per month. Now, I don't know how one will compare with the other, but 400 + 20 bonus points (why bonus? don't know) is 6.50. so it's not like players are "making out like bandits" with free points. Still, they can use the points and get something but they aren't going to be walking away with gobs of stuff.
honestly, I find the ddo store a bit disturbing on a certian level. granted it's a different game with different ideas of what is considered "non essential" items but still this could easily turn into a slippery slope for both turbine or some player who doesn't know when to stop.
Again, I think it's a bit innocuous but not without a small bit of concern. for instance, here is the ddo store:
I just unsubbed this past month and after reading this I will not be going back. I have played DDO and besides not liking the game, VIP sub, still doesn't give you everything in the game like a sub should. You still have to buy things.
I'm almost certain this is WB idea and not Turbine's. WB bought them so they could put their MT service into an already established game. Sure, the number of players will increase, but don't expect the amount of money they make to go up as well.
As already said, the maturity level of the game is going to take a nose dive like every other F2P. At this rate I wil be giving up this genre in the very near future.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
Comments
Neither.
BTW the answer is - they give those points to lifers so that once they use them, they don't have grounds to sue later on, as using the points will constitute acceptance of the change.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
26. All services relating to the Game for which you subscribe are offered by Turbine or its subcontractors. Our support website iswww.lotro.com/support. Current applicable rates for using the Game, including online service subscription for access to the Server, may be obtained from www.lotro.com/support, and such rates are subject to change at any time.
Aparently I need to clarify something.
Someone pointed out that i might not be as biased as one should be in making arguments concerning the turbine store. Certainly having a big and quite gaudy "I play LOTRO" banner doesn't, on the surface help any argument I may make.
For the record, I am neither for or against the store as it is presented because I see it as being quite innocuous.
I spoke with steefel in detail over the ddo store and it was very clear, at least at the time, that all this did was add a f2p option without buying "win" or without getting anything that a subscriber wouldn't get. I really see it as being a limited a la carte way of getting access to parts of the game.
I make my arguments not to be a proponent of the store but to try to clarify, at least how it is presented for now, what the store allows and doesn't allow.
If for whatever reason I feel that turbine eventually crosses a line and allows players to buy things such as radiance gear or top of the line items (which it does not) then I will consider canceling my account as that is not something I'm interested in. I don't have a life time sub exactly for that reason.
As it stands now, if they can grant me access to cosmetic items that make me look less of a clown then I will use my monthly points on those and with gusto!
And for those who want to look more the clown I'm sure there will be those options as well.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Dude, I'm with you here. I was just pointing out that LOTRO/Turbine actually stopped offering Lifetime subs a few months ago. So the posters claim that Turbine 'lacks credibility' for offering LT subs up until the announcement is false.
I pointed out the irony that many people see the new Lifetime sub benefits as a great deal and are upset that they can't NOW access these deals. I think Turbine will offer another lifetime sub opportunity in the future, but that's pure conjecture on my part.
_____________________________
Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO
Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Find the Truth: http://www.factcheck.org/
No need to clarify Sovrath, they will resort to whatever it takes to make themselves look right, even claim bias.
Now me, I hate the idea of the shop and what it will bring, and yet I ended up defending the purpose behind it, and that it is not "Pay to Win" as some claim. Suppose that makes me a hypocrit, but whatever. Just keep to your facts Sovrath, and don't let the trolls get to you.
According to the FAQ on the LOTRO website:
I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a lifetime subscriber to LOTRO, you will keep all of your membership privileges and are automatically upgraded to VIP status. You will receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, but you do not have to pay a monthly fee since you are a lifetime member. All you have to do is keep playing the game and visit the LOTRO Store to spend your free points and enjoy the wealth of new a la carte items and options to enhance your game experience.
I was the poster claiming they offered LT subs up until the announcement. I logged onto my account now, and got an offer to create a lifetime subscription. I assume it was also available yesterday before they announced the changes to the subscription model. That's an EU account, though, I didn't check if it was also available in the US.
exactly! That's the thing, if people want to hate this simply because this is not something that they can get behind, more power to them I say. No need to change your beliefs as they are your beliefs.
But people should at least be clear on what it is they are hating! Then by all means, hate with abandon if that is your thing.
from the new posted interview:
Turbine learned a lot from DDO’s re-launch as well, and they’ll be carrying their experience over to LOTRO. Like DDO, the LOTRO Store will only offer items of convenience, no one will be “paying to win” when LOTRO re-launches as a F2P game. Generally, the only time you will really see gear available in the LOTRO Store will be as “Starter Packs” which give new players a little bit of a leg up in the very early parts of the game.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Every time you click the "I Accept" button on a EULA, that counts as acceptance of a developer changing the terms at any time, for any reason, and without notifying you in advance.
Turbine hasn't done anything legally wrong here. At all. Any suggestion otherwise on these forums is just internet lawyering.
Well, that's codemasters, isn't it?
I'm just reporting what I hear from US players on the official LOTRO thread. Many are excited about the new system, but are bummed about not being able to get in on the Lifetime deal. Others pointed out that it hasn't been available for a few months now.
_____________________________
Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO
Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Find the Truth: http://www.factcheck.org/
Sounds smart. I didnt realize DDO's new pay system was all that successful that they would do it with LOTRo too.
I hope LOTRo keeps adding expansions and they make it to mordor... They havent even made it to Rohan yet, and its my favorite (from the books at least).
Play as your fav retro characters: cnd-online.net. My site: www.lysle.net. Blog: creatingaworld.blogspot.com.
Well I been seing this comming for the past year. The last xpac just about chased off everybody that I knew.
I know how bad the financials were for lotro as well as everybody else. I had been saying for a long time the subs have been droping.
Now we see this radical move to save the game like they did with ddo.
I have 2 lifetime accounts one for me and one for the wife. We both stopped playing lotro after som as it had become cookie cutter stuff.
Oh well chuck another good game on top of the heap pile. Turbine went from being a great company to being another company just like cryptic. Its become about gread!!
Same game, same changes, most of the money goes to Turbine, but yes, if Turbine stopped offering lifetime subscriptions several months ago, I guess Codemasters would be the ones to "blame".
Anyway, I'm glad most lifetime subscribers seem to be pleased with what they were offered. I'm very much opposed to f2p models, and would never buy a lifetime subscription since I want the power to stop paying when I'm no longer happy with a service, so I guess I'm not the right person to speak on lifetime subscribers' behalf. ;p
That bothers me tho Sovrath .. "They can spend additonal money if they want to" Those with Lifetime subs should never have to put out 1 dime for anyhting , evrything that is developed should be included int the "Lifetime " (in accordance with the original agreement)sub they paid for IMO...
Hence why they get 500 points a month free to buy those things.
In my opinion so far Turbine has handled the f2p model very well with DDO and I expect they will do the same with LOTRO. I purchased both DDO and LOTRO in the past and had stopped playing both due to time constraints and not liking the monthly subscription model most mmos use. I have since returned to DDO now that I can purchase content a la carte through the DDO store and not be forced into a subscription based payment model. From what I have seen pricing in the DDO store is fair and f2players can actually earn turbine points just by playing the game for free.
There are so many gamers I know that steer clear of mmos due to the monthly fees. Why buy a full priced game that locks you out after 30 days if you don't want to continue paying for a membership? Once someone purchases a game, the content they purchased should remain open to them for as long as the servers are up and running. Why should a more casual player be forced to pay for content they may never see? At the same time for an mmo to continue churning out content they need continued revenue from the players. It seems like Turbine is doing their best to bridge the gap between the casual and hardcore player and provide more options based on what works for the individual player. So far I like what I'm seeing as it seems to be working with DDO.
I don't see much growth in the mmo industry if it continues with a strictly subscription based model so I hope new payment options like what Turbine is exploring works out so it brings more player in or back to the games. I don't think opening LOTRO up the the f2p model is about being greedy and I would assume that looking down the line Turbine could see a continued decrease in revenue especially with the ever growing competition around the corner and are just looking at ways to keep their properties competitive.
How does a buisness model get fanboys?
Basicially it boils down to..
"This will be awesome IF they don't have certain items in the shop that give an advantage to those with the most cash"
End of story. No wall of text. Easy.
Well, to be honest, I regret my Lifetime subscription purchase to LOTRO -- not because I think it is a bad game (I think it's quite good), but for the very reason you state: You've lost your ability to speak with your wallet. It was my first Lifetime sub, and I'll never do that again, regardless of the game.
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Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO
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Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
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Hmmm. As someone who's subscribed to LOTRO since launch (with the odd break here and there for other games-currently haven't played for about 2 months) I'm definitely feeling uncomfortable about this. I like LOTRO a lot, and it's always been the most populated (bar WOW) and enjoyable game I've played, so anything that even suggests a change to that is scary.
On the other hand, I agree that Turbine has handled F2P in DDO really well and I haven't seen any evidence that my gameplay will be fundamentally affected by this. The one thing I'm curious about is whether they try and import DDO's "adventure pack" model, and limit quests as paid content. LOTRO's much less instanced than DDO, so I don't really know how that'd work if they try something like it.
Actually, given that PVP in LOTRO is deemphasised, and that gear has never been of the OMGUBERGAEMBRAEKER variety in PVE, I don't see this as the key point at all. LOTRO just isn't "competitive" enough for concepts like "unfair advantage" to play out.
This may well be the death of PVMP, if it's not handled right, but that's always been a minority passtime anyway.
There's a good reason for this.
First of all, in those other games you pretty much have to buy those points with real money. In Turbine's games you can earn them from questing. Questing for and earning free TP in LotRO may be a lot different than it is in DDO. It could be detrimental to DDO for LotRO points to transfer over.
As an example, in DDO it takes about an hour (give or take) for a favor-grinding character to earn the 100 favor needed for 25 free TP. Now let's say that it's easier in LotRO and that you can earn 100 free TP in an hour (exaggeration, I'm sure, but an example). If you could earn all your free, easy TP in LotRO and transfer them to DDO, a DDO player can buy for free all the content in 1/4 th the time that it normally would and thus ruin the pricing system of the DDO store, where they purposefully make it hard to grind out enough free points to buy the whole game for free in order to encourage players to spend real money.
This is my thinking on the subject anyway.
According to the interview you will basically have access to the main story quests (the Books i guess), but all other quests will need to be unlocked/bought starting from LoneLands and beyond (so from basically up to level 20ish youll be able to play everything for free, but beyond that youve got to buy the content packs). So yeah, kind of similar to DDO, only youre paying for quest content within the unlocked zone, rather than paying for actual instances/dungeons.
It is still an average mmo no matter what model they choose but if they think the f2p will be their savior think again. There is no way people are still going to keep playing Lotro when we will be getting superior mmos like Guild Wars 2 and The Old Republic coming soon, also just about everyone who is subscribed to WoW will not jump ship just because Lotro is now f2p. This is ajust a quick cash thing before the servers completely empty when GW2 and TOR hit the shelves.
Well, as heerobya has indicated, they get 500 points per month. Now, I don't know how one will compare with the other, but 400 + 20 bonus points (why bonus? don't know) is 6.50. so it's not like players are "making out like bandits" with free points. Still, they can use the points and get something but they aren't going to be walking away with gobs of stuff.
honestly, I find the ddo store a bit disturbing on a certian level. granted it's a different game with different ideas of what is considered "non essential" items but still this could easily turn into a slippery slope for both turbine or some player who doesn't know when to stop.
Again, I think it's a bit innocuous but not without a small bit of concern. for instance, here is the ddo store:
http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/DDO_Store_Guide
some of it seems about right and some of it gives me an itch. We'll see how the lotro offering fares.
edit; also, why does the ddo website have advertisements for non gaming things? I find that skeevy.
edit2: apparently they will also be adding servers:
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?&postid=4692859#post4692859
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Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
I just unsubbed this past month and after reading this I will not be going back. I have played DDO and besides not liking the game, VIP sub, still doesn't give you everything in the game like a sub should. You still have to buy things.
I'm almost certain this is WB idea and not Turbine's. WB bought them so they could put their MT service into an already established game. Sure, the number of players will increase, but don't expect the amount of money they make to go up as well.
As already said, the maturity level of the game is going to take a nose dive like every other F2P. At this rate I wil be giving up this genre in the very near future.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.