this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
Honestly though...Can any of us be surprised if SOE fails at the F2P attempt? As soon as I read that F2P was going to be on separate Servers I said to my self, "Oh boy, there goes those wacky nuts from SOE again..."
Haha, that was what I said to myself as well....wacky nuts
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
Originally posted by mcsaros I expected not to be told my inventory was full whilst having a completely empty bag, but thats just me.
Playing it at the moment, I had the inventory full problem, looked on the EQII forum and discovered it's not a bug, there's an overflow item on your character screen (press c), bottom left of the portrait, move it in to an empty bag slot and problem solved.
Level 20 at the moment and crafting at lvl 20, so far no restrictions on my enjoyment, making my own bags helped. Crafted furniture in my house, have a couple of pets, alls well so far, still having fun and still hasn't cost me anything
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
I think the answer would be yes, but you truely can earn all of the games content for free if you play enough.
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
Unless they changed it a bronze player can play up through TSO. Sentinel's Fate is not included in the "free portion".
Although all things considered I would imagine if you were to compare the prices it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to buy SF than to buy the content in DDO if you were to consider the cost within itself.
Regardless, I still say it is much more worthwhile to play on the regular servers if you're going to sub.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
Sure I could, as I have fun playing ddo without paying a dime....and don't run into stupid little constraints like I do in eq2x
I had a different experience than the OP. That is not to say that the result wasn't the same. Let me explain.
I enjoyed the two characters I made. One is up to level 13 and the other level 12. It took my friend days just to convince me to try the game. I didn't think it would be worth a damn to be honest. I don't play any MMOs right now because I'm burned out - especially on WoW.
So I was suprised when I actually felt immersed and I enjoyed it. Here was a I could start over in and experience all the world had to offer. I began to research the subscription options. I went to the EQ2 forums and look into things. A thread comparing EQ2x to LOTRO FTP. A thread that gave some great information for new players. Some others.
In the end I came up with the conclusion that SOE is overcharging for the game. Here are my beefs, at least from what I could understand of their subscription plans:
1. You don't even get everything if you buy the game and subscribe on the gold plan. You have to pay for more races and other things. You should not have to buy something more expensive than the game itself and a monthly subscription to get everything the game has to offer - both now and when it was released. That is ridiculous, and now matter how much fun I am having in EQ2x they are not getting my money when they nickel and dime and are greedy SOBs.
2. If you do go with the gold subscription, and then you let it run out, all the extra stuffed you paid for becomes disabled. Again, bad form on SOE's part, and extremely greedy. Seriously - why not just play WoW or LOTRO? The LOTRO FTP will keep what you purchased enabled even if you go back to the free model.
3. There should be a way for free folks to earn points, even if it takes forever. Maybe certain things could never be purchased by free players, but SOE is charging too much for a game that has been out for as long as it has.
The really sad thing is - I had a different experience than the original poster. I actually love the classes, the world, and enjoy the game very much. Unfortuntely, I'll be playing LOTRO instead, as it is just as good and less expensive. More fair to the consumer.
EDIT: After looking into this even more, I found that the FTP gold sub is a silly choice all-around. Listen to me on this - if you want to play EQ2, just pay for the live version and forego the FTP after you understand if you like it.
I've been a long time EQ2 player, and have tried EQ2 X, and there are a couple of big problems I see for anyone new to EQ2 X:
1. the lack of broker access - free can't sell that would be fine, but they should be able to buy. It's part of the economy. I can see no sales, as this isn't WoW AH with expiration times, and random F2P players listing tons of stuff that may or may not ever play, would be a drain on resources.
2. no chat channel for questions. The starter zones are pretty linear and straightforward as most MMO's are, but there are alot of things in EQ2 (mender, variety of quest type - collections, books, signature, heritage, diety) that people can't ask about.
the restrictions on spell and gear levels really aren't game breakers unless you are into PvP or max level raiding. If you're taking either of those routes, you'd likely be playing on Live not Extended anyway or paying for a higher membership level.
As for the limited bag space - as someone else mentioned a 44 slot bag with SC cash and you should never run out of space questing unless you are a pack rat.
But as far as a F2P game goes - you do get alot of content without spending a dime. I'm not sure any of the major MMO's that have gone over to F2P or extended trials are perfect, time will tell. F2P saved DDO, and I'm looking forward to seeing LoTRO with more lower level people. That is the biggest benefit with the older games - new players and a healthy population not just at max level.
I don't know if EQ2 X will work or not, I'm honestly afraid it will destroy EQ2 by attrition, but SOE has it's ways.
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
Sure I could, as I have fun playing ddo without paying a dime....and don't run into stupid little constraints like I do in eq2x
i'll just stick to eq1emu
No you cant, there are topics on the ddo forum about how much you can do with out paying.
I've been a long time EQ2 player, and have tried EQ2 X, and there are a couple of big problems I see for anyone new to EQ2 X:
1. the lack of broker access - free can't sell that would be fine, but they should be able to buy. It's part of the economy. I can see no sales, as this isn't WoW AH with expiration times, and random F2P players listing tons of stuff that may or may not ever play, would be a drain on resources.
2. no chat channel for questions. The starter zones are pretty linear and straightforward as most MMO's are, but there are alot of things in EQ2 (mender, variety of quest type - collections, books, signature, heritage, diety) that people can't ask about.
They ought to add a trial channel like FC did in AoC. A trial channel where paid players can join and help out new folks would be awesome.
the restrictions on spell and gear levels really aren't game breakers unless you are into PvP or max level raiding. If you're taking either of those routes, you'd likely be playing on Live not Extended anyway or paying for a higher membership level.
As for the limited bag space - as someone else mentioned a 44 slot bag with SC cash and you should never run out of space questing unless you are a pack rat.
But as far as a F2P game goes - you do get alot of content without spending a dime. I'm not sure any of the major MMO's that have gone over to F2P or extended trials are perfect, time will tell.
I agree with this post.
I'll chuck in my 2 centimes since I am trying out the extended version with a little barbarian zerker I made. So far, I'm fairly neutral about the F2A version of EQ2. I do like some things about it and I don't like others. I should add before I go further that I have played LIVE off and on since release (mainly off to be honest).
The above quote reflects some of what I thought in answer to some of the posts I've seen about Extended. I'd like to emphasize though that you do get more in some ways with Extended than you do with DDO F2A (which I've played as well). From what I've read about LotRO F2A, it also seems like you get more.
The entire gameworld, except for the newest expac, is F2A, which means no quest or zone restrictions. That is pretty, well... huge as EQ2 has one of the largest gameworlds available online.
The feel of immersion in my view was still there, despite every now and then getting a message saying 'upgrade to silver now!'. I found DDO's reminders to upgrade or spend turbine points immersion-breaking to the point that it was annoying for me. I can deal with a popup window every 1,5 hours or so, but constantly seeing red buttons or being reminded ingame that I can't do this or that really bothered me.
In Extended, gold gain rate is nerfed but not how much gold that you can have (from what I can tell at least). This is more flexible than what Turbine is proposing with LotRO and something that I find to be a turnoff in their F2A version of the game. The lack of bagspace and bankspace is annoying, but as someone said, you can buy a cheap bag that has buttloads of space. The inventory problem is only a problem if someone expects to play completely for free. As has been said before, most game companies don't really want players to do this, it's not just SoE that is like this.
The class/race choices are adequate, especially if the goal of a player is to try out the game. It's true that you can't access straight away necros, conjurers, or some of the other more popular class choices, but that's not necessarily a problem.
The problem in my view is that you can't buy the other classes at all with bronze or silver. Everything should be unlockable through station cash, period! This comes to the big problem I have with the current Extended version.: it's not a la carte enough. If I were to stick with Extended as a bronze player, I'd expect to pay for station cash and upgrade as I see fit. I do not expect to play a game for free at all, and my goal as a bronze member would to pick and choose what I want to have. Unfortunately, SoE is not giving us that choice at the moment.
As it stands now, LIVE still seems better. If players try out the Extended experience and enjoy EQ2 enough to sub for it, they'll probably opt for LIVE unless SoE bars them from doing so at some point (will they do this because they can make more money with Extended memberships?).
It would also be a great carrot-on-the-stick to allow Extended people to earn some station cash by sticking around in the game for a long time or at least some sort of point system that can be redeemed for prizes or some such. Rewarding players for loyalty when you have a dubious reputation will always make things smoother
Yep, I know that now They changed it the day before yesterday. Seems like they're listening to their players.
Now all we need is the ability to upgrade bank and bag slots, the ability to upgrade to Master level spells/skills, and to unlock the best items. I think if all of those are added in some form, playing bronze/silver will work out well unless someone *really* wants to play for free. But then, this isn't an issue of playing the game for free, it's more of an issue of playing a la carte, which is what interests me as someone who might not have the time to play EQ2 so constantly that I buy a subscription.
The last thing on my wishlist would be to see the prices reflect their cost in $$ better. As I mentioned in another thread on this forum, British and EU players are paying more for the same things.
People actually think this server is meant to be a FREE server?You need to give your brain a real good shake if you actually think that.
To state the restrictions are stupid,shows the people are stupid,they made those restrictions for VERY good reaon,and i can see the point of everyone of them.They thought this thing out very closely,they know exactly what the total freebies want and will not give it to them,the purpose is just to familiarize people with the game,it is not meant to be a free handout to cheap people.
Yes it could use imo a better setup and i know exactly what to do with it...
They could of instead of total restrictions,since their purpose is to eventually get people full time playing,would have been to make EVERYTHING puchaseable or rentable.Example the bag slots could have been rented on a monthly basis.I cannot see a viable solution to the broker and or gold limitations,they don't want to turn it into a free for all RMT server.If you really think very hard,there is ways to have RMT totally ruin this game if they opened up the restrictions and it would also eliminate SOE's chance at profit,both of which is a definite no no for the server.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
They are adding purchasable broker deals in the next patch. I believe they said it would be something small like 100 coins for 20 broker purchases. But dont quote me on the numbers.
"When people don't know much about something, they tend to fill in the blanks the way they want them to be filled in. They are almost always disappointed." - Will Wright
People actually think this server is meant to be a FREE server?You need to give your brain a real good shake if you actually think that.
To state the restrictions are stupid,shows the people are stupid,they made those restrictions for VERY good reaon,and i can see the point of everyone of them.They thought this thing out very closely,they know exactly what the total freebies want and will not give it to them,the purpose is just to familiarize people with the game,it is not meant to be a free handout to cheap people.
Yes it could use imo a better setup and i know exactly what to do with it...
They could of instead of total restrictions,since their purpose is to eventually get people full time playing,would have been to make EVERYTHING puchaseable or rentable.Example the bag slots could have been rented on a monthly basis.I cannot see a viable solution to the broker and or gold limitations,they don't want to turn it into a free for all RMT server.If you really think very hard,there is ways to have RMT totally ruin this game if they opened up the restrictions and it would also eliminate SOE's chance at profit,both of which is a definite no no for the server.
I'm sure some people can play the game for free and deal with the restrictions. I bet that most people who like the game and play it for a while will pay some money whether it is by subbing or paying for items in the cash shop.
I think SoE is interested in also providing an a la carte experience on top of the subscription model, otherwise they would not have given us the option of playing Extended in the first place. In that sense, your post doesn't reflect at all what SoE seems to intend through their actions. If they wanted to force players to subscribe to the game, they didn't have to make an Extended service and what they've had in place for years works just fine.
SoE obviously believes people want to play the game as a free-to-access and then fork out money if they want to pick and choose elements. SoE hasn't provided ALL elements to unlock via the cash shop just yet, but they might do. For example, spell tiers could become unlockable up to Expert and Masters if someone buys a gem or some such. Or, maybe you need to buy another kind of gem to unlock the best gear in the game. It makes sense and is in vein with Asian cash shops, so why not?
The subscriptions are there for those who don't want an a la carte experience so the subs people are happy. Those who don't want to sub but want to support the game with elements they want are happy. SoE is happy because they can either have their normal subs, more expensive subs, or get more money in the long run out of people who buy a la carte since it's more expensive for hardcore players. It's a win-win situation except for those who want to play 100% for free.
I don't see the eq2 model as an ala carte option to subscription. It feels more like an extended trial and soe has refered to it as such on several occasions.
Just for example, many of the rewards for completing content are not even usable to non-subscribers. That sounds like a deal breaker to me. Either way, much of the game presses users to subscribe and doesn't offer an optional payment option other than subscribing.
I don't see the eq2 model as an ala carte option to subscription. It feels more like an extended trial and soe has refered to it as such on several occasions.
Just for example, many of the rewards for completing content are not even usable to non-subscribers. That sounds like a deal breaker to me. Either way, much of the game presses users to subscribe and doesn't offer an optional payment option other than subscribing.
I fear that, at the moment with how Extended is set up, you are right.
I guess I'll see in higher levels of the game if the issues that you mention will impede my gameplay and make for a bad experience. So far, at level 30, I haven't had an issue with not being able to use quest item loot. I'm taking it that you mean mainly dungeon loot and the harder, group-oriented quests, because so far the quests haven't offered things I can't use.
The only items that I haven't been able to use and that has annoyed me are Expert level scrolls and adornment books. I've been able to use everything else up until now. I haven't been impeded yet by the bagslots and bankslots and the lack of Expert level spells hasn't made me feel that gimped yet.
The thing that puzzles me is about the gold subscription level. Why would anyone get it over having a normal LIVE subscription? If staying on Extended is the attraction, I'd rather just sub to LIVE and transfer a character from there to the new server, or I'd get the platinum subscription.
The attraction of bronze/silver on Extended is what it provides for casual players. If someone only has an hour or so here and there to play EQ2, getting even a $15/month subscription is not really worth it. For players who play much more often, it's better to pay at least 3 months at a time on the LIVE servers.
I've played EQ2 Extended more like someone who would benefit from a subscription rather than as a casual player. Up until the point that I find the restrictions too impeding, I'll stay as a bronze player to see what is possible and what is annoying. To me, this is more of an experiment than anything else. I might make a thread later on to tell people what I've experienced. I reckon that if I can stick with it to level 50ish without having to pay 15 euros/month, then bronze/silver is not such a bad option in comparison to other games that are based on the F2A/cash shop model.
I don't see the eq2 model as an ala carte option to subscription. It feels more like an extended trial and soe has refered to it as such on several occasions.
Just for example, many of the rewards for completing content are not even usable to non-subscribers. That sounds like a deal breaker to me. Either way, much of the game presses users to subscribe and doesn't offer an optional payment option other than subscribing.
I fear that, at the moment with how Extended is set up, you are right.
I guess I'll see in higher levels of the game if the issues that you mention will impede my gameplay and make for a bad experience. So far, at level 30, I haven't had an issue with not being able to use quest item loot. I'm taking it that you mean mainly dungeon loot and the harder, group-oriented quests, because so far the quests haven't offered things I can't use.
The only items that I haven't been able to use and that has annoyed me are Expert level scrolls and adornment books. I've been able to use everything else up until now. I haven't been impeded yet by the bagslots and bankslots and the lack of Expert level spells hasn't made me feel that gimped yet.
The thing that puzzles me is about the gold subscription level. Why would anyone get it over having a normal LIVE subscription? If staying on Extended is the attraction, I'd rather just sub to LIVE and transfer a character from there to the new server, or I'd get the platinum subscription.
The attraction of bronze/silver on Extended is what it provides for casual players. If someone only has an hour or so here and there to play EQ2, getting even a $15/month subscription is not really worth it. For players who play much more often, it's better to pay at least 3 months at a time on the LIVE servers.
I've played EQ2 Extended more like someone who would benefit from a subscription rather than as a casual player. Up until the point that I find the restrictions too impeding, I'll stay as a bronze player to see what is possible and what is annoying. To me, this is more of an experiment than anything else. I might make a thread later on to tell people what I've experienced. I reckon that if I can stick with it to level 50ish without having to pay 15 euros/month, then bronze/silver is not such a bad option in comparison to other games that are based on the F2A/cash shop model.
Just my opinion mind you.
I don't think you will really feel gimped at all with using adepts and quest loot. even at the higher levels 60- 80 I have noticed on Live at least they have changed the stats and abilities of the items to be pretty decent. So I don't think you will have a problem doing most group content. However If you choose to do so, spending a one time payment of $10.00 gives you silver. Which you can use expert spells and mastercrafted Gear. You also get to participate in the chat channels which makes selling and buying gear alot easier, along with finding groups.
As for players going gold membership and staying on the extended server. One reason could be they made friends that are bronze or silver and don't want to leave them. Another reason is you can not transfer your toon from extended to live. You would have to start from scratch and most players would not want to do that. So going Gold would be to unlock the broker and gear restrictions.
I don't think you will really feel gimped at all with using adepts and quest loot. even at the higher levels 60- 80 I have noticed on Live at least they have changed the stats and abilities of the items to be pretty decent. So I don't think you will have a problem doing most group content. However If you choose to do so, spending a one time payment of $10.00 gives you silver. Which you can use expert spells and mastercrafted Gear. You also get to participate in the chat channels which makes selling and buying gear alot easier, along with finding groups.
As for players going gold membership and staying on the extended server. One reason could be they made friends that are bronze or silver and don't want to leave them. Another reason is you can not transfer your toon from extended to live. You would have to start from scratch and most players would not want to do that. So going Gold would be to unlock the broker and gear restrictions.
I've never played a character that didn't have at least a few Expert level skills. This will be a new experience.
Silver is a good option, platinum is a good option, but gold really bothers me. I don't like the idea of paying a subscription with no chance of being able to pay for blocks of time at a cheaper rate like you do on Live and then having to pay extra to unlock races on top of it. The racepacks aren't exactly cheap if you consider that you're already paying equivalent to the highest rate of a Live subscription.
If SoE had made it so that gold was completely like a normal subscription, it would have been much better.
Platinum is good: for $200/year, it comes out to be under $17/month. You'd have access to everything + station cash + new expac that costs about $30 in a bricks-and-mortar or amazon, more if you're buying it with station cash or from SoE. I know it's probably not an option for most people, but that's the best paid membership on offer on the Extended server.
Your point about people making friends is very valid. I was thinking more from the point of view that it's a new server and perhaps not everyone has made so many friends yet.
While there are a few valid issues the OP brings up (and many many more he missed), It seems to me he was unable to figure out the overflow system, ragequit and came here to rest his head on someones shoulder.
I'm enjoying my second day into EQ2X playing with a friend, but I guess thats because I figured out the overflow oh and also how to rase the graphics higher via custom setings.
The main major issues I see is there is no point to any group based content all in all and forget raids. You don't have bag/bank space for crafting, you can't buy/sell items you or others have crafted on the broker, or even the matts to craft with unless you harvest it all yourself(and run into bag issues). Ontop of all this there is no point in needing decent (crafted) gear as group content where you would need this has drops you can't even use (Master books/Leg-fabled gear).
Otherwise it's nice to play a free game with a little bit more soul then the rest while I wait for GW2. After seeing all they are doing, In a non sub game, I don't think I will ever be able to go back to subs.
I don't think you will really feel gimped at all with using adepts and quest loot. even at the higher levels 60- 80 I have noticed on Live at least they have changed the stats and abilities of the items to be pretty decent. So I don't think you will have a problem doing most group content. However If you choose to do so, spending a one time payment of $10.00 gives you silver. Which you can use expert spells and mastercrafted Gear. You also get to participate in the chat channels which makes selling and buying gear alot easier, along with finding groups.
Maybe you can't use expert spells on Bronze, but you can use mastercrafted. I made a character for testing and had not trouble equipping the tier 1 MC gear I made. The biggest difference I saw in going from Bronze to Silver was going from deaf to hearing, with the chat channels appearing! The Auction channel gets a workout with sales pitches, and I've heard that Mara has become a market hub, tho I haven't yet gone to see.
Comments
this is like going to a store and having a sample of freshly brewed coffee but not being given a glass to drink it out of. They should have chose the ddo route imo
Haha, that was what I said to myself as well....wacky nuts
And the review is valid.
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I totally disagree with your statement. A Bronze player can play through all the content that Everquest 2 has and not pay one penny. Can you do the same in DDO?
Playing it at the moment, I had the inventory full problem, looked on the EQII forum and discovered it's not a bug, there's an overflow item on your character screen (press c), bottom left of the portrait, move it in to an empty bag slot and problem solved.
Level 20 at the moment and crafting at lvl 20, so far no restrictions on my enjoyment, making my own bags helped. Crafted furniture in my house, have a couple of pets, alls well so far, still having fun and still hasn't cost me anything
I think the answer would be yes, but you truely can earn all of the games content for free if you play enough.
Unless they changed it a bronze player can play up through TSO. Sentinel's Fate is not included in the "free portion".
Although all things considered I would imagine if you were to compare the prices it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to buy SF than to buy the content in DDO if you were to consider the cost within itself.
Regardless, I still say it is much more worthwhile to play on the regular servers if you're going to sub.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Sure I could, as I have fun playing ddo without paying a dime....and don't run into stupid little constraints like I do in eq2x
i'll just stick to eq1emu
I had a different experience than the OP. That is not to say that the result wasn't the same. Let me explain.
I enjoyed the two characters I made. One is up to level 13 and the other level 12. It took my friend days just to convince me to try the game. I didn't think it would be worth a damn to be honest. I don't play any MMOs right now because I'm burned out - especially on WoW.
So I was suprised when I actually felt immersed and I enjoyed it. Here was a I could start over in and experience all the world had to offer. I began to research the subscription options. I went to the EQ2 forums and look into things. A thread comparing EQ2x to LOTRO FTP. A thread that gave some great information for new players. Some others.
In the end I came up with the conclusion that SOE is overcharging for the game. Here are my beefs, at least from what I could understand of their subscription plans:
1. You don't even get everything if you buy the game and subscribe on the gold plan. You have to pay for more races and other things. You should not have to buy something more expensive than the game itself and a monthly subscription to get everything the game has to offer - both now and when it was released. That is ridiculous, and now matter how much fun I am having in EQ2x they are not getting my money when they nickel and dime and are greedy SOBs.
2. If you do go with the gold subscription, and then you let it run out, all the extra stuffed you paid for becomes disabled. Again, bad form on SOE's part, and extremely greedy. Seriously - why not just play WoW or LOTRO? The LOTRO FTP will keep what you purchased enabled even if you go back to the free model.
3. There should be a way for free folks to earn points, even if it takes forever. Maybe certain things could never be purchased by free players, but SOE is charging too much for a game that has been out for as long as it has.
The really sad thing is - I had a different experience than the original poster. I actually love the classes, the world, and enjoy the game very much. Unfortuntely, I'll be playing LOTRO instead, as it is just as good and less expensive. More fair to the consumer.
EDIT: After looking into this even more, I found that the FTP gold sub is a silly choice all-around. Listen to me on this - if you want to play EQ2, just pay for the live version and forego the FTP after you understand if you like it.
ColdSun
I've been a long time EQ2 player, and have tried EQ2 X, and there are a couple of big problems I see for anyone new to EQ2 X:
1. the lack of broker access - free can't sell that would be fine, but they should be able to buy. It's part of the economy. I can see no sales, as this isn't WoW AH with expiration times, and random F2P players listing tons of stuff that may or may not ever play, would be a drain on resources.
2. no chat channel for questions. The starter zones are pretty linear and straightforward as most MMO's are, but there are alot of things in EQ2 (mender, variety of quest type - collections, books, signature, heritage, diety) that people can't ask about.
the restrictions on spell and gear levels really aren't game breakers unless you are into PvP or max level raiding. If you're taking either of those routes, you'd likely be playing on Live not Extended anyway or paying for a higher membership level.
As for the limited bag space - as someone else mentioned a 44 slot bag with SC cash and you should never run out of space questing unless you are a pack rat.
But as far as a F2P game goes - you do get alot of content without spending a dime. I'm not sure any of the major MMO's that have gone over to F2P or extended trials are perfect, time will tell. F2P saved DDO, and I'm looking forward to seeing LoTRO with more lower level people. That is the biggest benefit with the older games - new players and a healthy population not just at max level.
I don't know if EQ2 X will work or not, I'm honestly afraid it will destroy EQ2 by attrition, but SOE has it's ways.
Proud member of Hammerfist Clan Gaming Community.
Currently playing: RIFT, EQ2, WoW, LoTRO
Retired: Warhammer, AoC, EQ
Waiting: SWToR & GW2
No you cant, there are topics on the ddo forum about how much you can do with out paying.
I agree with this post.
I'll chuck in my 2 centimes since I am trying out the extended version with a little barbarian zerker I made. So far, I'm fairly neutral about the F2A version of EQ2. I do like some things about it and I don't like others. I should add before I go further that I have played LIVE off and on since release (mainly off to be honest).
The above quote reflects some of what I thought in answer to some of the posts I've seen about Extended. I'd like to emphasize though that you do get more in some ways with Extended than you do with DDO F2A (which I've played as well). From what I've read about LotRO F2A, it also seems like you get more.
The entire gameworld, except for the newest expac, is F2A, which means no quest or zone restrictions. That is pretty, well... huge as EQ2 has one of the largest gameworlds available online.
The feel of immersion in my view was still there, despite every now and then getting a message saying 'upgrade to silver now!'. I found DDO's reminders to upgrade or spend turbine points immersion-breaking to the point that it was annoying for me. I can deal with a popup window every 1,5 hours or so, but constantly seeing red buttons or being reminded ingame that I can't do this or that really bothered me.
In Extended, gold gain rate is nerfed but not how much gold that you can have (from what I can tell at least). This is more flexible than what Turbine is proposing with LotRO and something that I find to be a turnoff in their F2A version of the game. The lack of bagspace and bankspace is annoying, but as someone said, you can buy a cheap bag that has buttloads of space. The inventory problem is only a problem if someone expects to play completely for free. As has been said before, most game companies don't really want players to do this, it's not just SoE that is like this.
The class/race choices are adequate, especially if the goal of a player is to try out the game. It's true that you can't access straight away necros, conjurers, or some of the other more popular class choices, but that's not necessarily a problem.
The problem in my view is that you can't buy the other classes at all with bronze or silver. Everything should be unlockable through station cash, period! This comes to the big problem I have with the current Extended version.: it's not a la carte enough. If I were to stick with Extended as a bronze player, I'd expect to pay for station cash and upgrade as I see fit. I do not expect to play a game for free at all, and my goal as a bronze member would to pick and choose what I want to have. Unfortunately, SoE is not giving us that choice at the moment.
As it stands now, LIVE still seems better. If players try out the Extended experience and enjoy EQ2 enough to sub for it, they'll probably opt for LIVE unless SoE bars them from doing so at some point (will they do this because they can make more money with Extended memberships?).
It would also be a great carrot-on-the-stick to allow Extended people to earn some station cash by sticking around in the game for a long time or at least some sort of point system that can be redeemed for prizes or some such. Rewarding players for loyalty when you have a dubious reputation will always make things smoother
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
You can now http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2x/posts/list.m?topic_id=1633
Yep, I know that now
They changed it the day before yesterday. Seems like they're listening to their players.
Now all we need is the ability to upgrade bank and bag slots, the ability to upgrade to Master level spells/skills, and to unlock the best items. I think if all of those are added in some form, playing bronze/silver will work out well unless someone *really* wants to play for free. But then, this isn't an issue of playing the game for free, it's more of an issue of playing a la carte, which is what interests me as someone who might not have the time to play EQ2 so constantly that I buy a subscription.
The last thing on my wishlist would be to see the prices reflect their cost in $$ better. As I mentioned in another thread on this forum, British and EU players are paying more for the same things.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
Grrr.
People actually think this server is meant to be a FREE server?You need to give your brain a real good shake if you actually think that.
To state the restrictions are stupid,shows the people are stupid,they made those restrictions for VERY good reaon,and i can see the point of everyone of them.They thought this thing out very closely,they know exactly what the total freebies want and will not give it to them,the purpose is just to familiarize people with the game,it is not meant to be a free handout to cheap people.
Yes it could use imo a better setup and i know exactly what to do with it...
They could of instead of total restrictions,since their purpose is to eventually get people full time playing,would have been to make EVERYTHING puchaseable or rentable.Example the bag slots could have been rented on a monthly basis.I cannot see a viable solution to the broker and or gold limitations,they don't want to turn it into a free for all RMT server.If you really think very hard,there is ways to have RMT totally ruin this game if they opened up the restrictions and it would also eliminate SOE's chance at profit,both of which is a definite no no for the server.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
They are adding purchasable broker deals in the next patch. I believe they said it would be something small like 100 coins for 20 broker purchases. But dont quote me on the numbers.
"When people don't know much about something, they tend to fill in the blanks the way they want them to be filled in. They are almost always disappointed." - Will Wright
I'm sure some people can play the game for free and deal with the restrictions. I bet that most people who like the game and play it for a while will pay some money whether it is by subbing or paying for items in the cash shop.
I think SoE is interested in also providing an a la carte experience on top of the subscription model, otherwise they would not have given us the option of playing Extended in the first place. In that sense, your post doesn't reflect at all what SoE seems to intend through their actions. If they wanted to force players to subscribe to the game, they didn't have to make an Extended service and what they've had in place for years works just fine.
SoE obviously believes people want to play the game as a free-to-access and then fork out money if they want to pick and choose elements. SoE hasn't provided ALL elements to unlock via the cash shop just yet, but they might do. For example, spell tiers could become unlockable up to Expert and Masters if someone buys a gem or some such. Or, maybe you need to buy another kind of gem to unlock the best gear in the game. It makes sense and is in vein with Asian cash shops, so why not?
The subscriptions are there for those who don't want an a la carte experience so the subs people are happy. Those who don't want to sub but want to support the game with elements they want are happy. SoE is happy because they can either have their normal subs, more expensive subs, or get more money in the long run out of people who buy a la carte since it's more expensive for hardcore players. It's a win-win situation except for those who want to play 100% for free.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
I don't see the eq2 model as an ala carte option to subscription. It feels more like an extended trial and soe has refered to it as such on several occasions.
Just for example, many of the rewards for completing content are not even usable to non-subscribers. That sounds like a deal breaker to me. Either way, much of the game presses users to subscribe and doesn't offer an optional payment option other than subscribing.
I fear that, at the moment with how Extended is set up, you are right.
I guess I'll see in higher levels of the game if the issues that you mention will impede my gameplay and make for a bad experience. So far, at level 30, I haven't had an issue with not being able to use quest item loot. I'm taking it that you mean mainly dungeon loot and the harder, group-oriented quests, because so far the quests haven't offered things I can't use.
The only items that I haven't been able to use and that has annoyed me are Expert level scrolls and adornment books. I've been able to use everything else up until now. I haven't been impeded yet by the bagslots and bankslots and the lack of Expert level spells hasn't made me feel that gimped yet.
The thing that puzzles me is about the gold subscription level. Why would anyone get it over having a normal LIVE subscription? If staying on Extended is the attraction, I'd rather just sub to LIVE and transfer a character from there to the new server, or I'd get the platinum subscription.
The attraction of bronze/silver on Extended is what it provides for casual players. If someone only has an hour or so here and there to play EQ2, getting even a $15/month subscription is not really worth it. For players who play much more often, it's better to pay at least 3 months at a time on the LIVE servers.
I've played EQ2 Extended more like someone who would benefit from a subscription rather than as a casual player. Up until the point that I find the restrictions too impeding, I'll stay as a bronze player to see what is possible and what is annoying. To me, this is more of an experiment than anything else. I might make a thread later on to tell people what I've experienced. I reckon that if I can stick with it to level 50ish without having to pay 15 euros/month, then bronze/silver is not such a bad option in comparison to other games that are based on the F2A/cash shop model.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
Just my opinion mind you.
I don't think you will really feel gimped at all with using adepts and quest loot. even at the higher levels 60- 80 I have noticed on Live at least they have changed the stats and abilities of the items to be pretty decent. So I don't think you will have a problem doing most group content. However If you choose to do so, spending a one time payment of $10.00 gives you silver. Which you can use expert spells and mastercrafted Gear. You also get to participate in the chat channels which makes selling and buying gear alot easier, along with finding groups.
As for players going gold membership and staying on the extended server. One reason could be they made friends that are bronze or silver and don't want to leave them. Another reason is you can not transfer your toon from extended to live. You would have to start from scratch and most players would not want to do that. So going Gold would be to unlock the broker and gear restrictions.
I've never played a character that didn't have at least a few Expert level skills. This will be a new experience.
Silver is a good option, platinum is a good option, but gold really bothers me. I don't like the idea of paying a subscription with no chance of being able to pay for blocks of time at a cheaper rate like you do on Live and then having to pay extra to unlock races on top of it. The racepacks aren't exactly cheap if you consider that you're already paying equivalent to the highest rate of a Live subscription.
If SoE had made it so that gold was completely like a normal subscription, it would have been much better.
Platinum is good: for $200/year, it comes out to be under $17/month. You'd have access to everything + station cash + new expac that costs about $30 in a bricks-and-mortar or amazon, more if you're buying it with station cash or from SoE. I know it's probably not an option for most people, but that's the best paid membership on offer on the Extended server.
Your point about people making friends is very valid. I was thinking more from the point of view that it's a new server and perhaps not everyone has made so many friends yet.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
While there are a few valid issues the OP brings up (and many many more he missed), It seems to me he was unable to figure out the overflow system, ragequit and came here to rest his head on someones shoulder.
I'm enjoying my second day into EQ2X playing with a friend, but I guess thats because I figured out the overflow oh and also how to rase the graphics higher via custom setings.
The main major issues I see is there is no point to any group based content all in all and forget raids. You don't have bag/bank space for crafting, you can't buy/sell items you or others have crafted on the broker, or even the matts to craft with unless you harvest it all yourself(and run into bag issues). Ontop of all this there is no point in needing decent (crafted) gear as group content where you would need this has drops you can't even use (Master books/Leg-fabled gear).
Otherwise it's nice to play a free game with a little bit more soul then the rest while I wait for GW2. After seeing all they are doing, In a non sub game, I don't think I will ever be able to go back to subs.
Maybe you can't use expert spells on Bronze, but you can use mastercrafted. I made a character for testing and had not trouble equipping the tier 1 MC gear I made. The biggest difference I saw in going from Bronze to Silver was going from deaf to hearing, with the chat channels appearing! The Auction channel gets a workout with sales pitches, and I've heard that Mara has become a market hub, tho I haven't yet gone to see.