Maybe its just me. Maybe. But the options not only in this but in pretty much majority of these elections seems to be biased or not thought out well. RoM? Rly? Wasnt it released in 2009? Why not include Allods wich was actualy released in 2010. And Wiz101 among top 5 f2p games? What "significant impact " did it make? Dunno guys, these awards seems like a load of biased bull dropings. Of course I have no facts to base my opinion, its just my opinion, but nowadays you can't trust anyone, rly (gonna search something in wikileaks about mmorpg.com )
Sorry I have to do this.. Ban me if you want really, but I think that this selection IS pretty biased and not a true representation of what F2P games are actually out there.
i will vote for Vindictus. i'm disappointed with DDO, want to access their dungeon ? sure , buy it from the cash shop. want to access another dungeon? sure, you have to pay it again.
and their cash shop you have the option to buy it for like 7 days, 14 days , 1 month, or permanently.
to access everything? sure , pay $14.99 per month. i rather play WoW or Aion.
DDO= epic failed.
When did DDO have tiered Quest packs? When I bought them it was once for the account and permanent, Only had one price. I know if you own the quest you can buy temp passes so others can play with you without also buying the quest pack. Maybe this is what you saw. Though I could be wrong as I haven't played in a few months. LOTRO is my preference.
LotRO and EQ2 as well as DDO are free to play for a reason lol. They are MMO's that were on there way out.
Some people are so misinformed.
Yeah, but I'm not actually one of them lol. New games on the horizon are some that the 3 just couldn't compete with in the pay to play bracket. DDO was struggling period, EQ2 and LotRO were ok until the new batch of MMO's start to hit the shelves but they and the players know what 2011 held for them if they remained pay to play.
DDO was struggling, yes, because of the niche fanbase it has, but Lotro and EQ2 were not hurting to the extreme you try to portray it. Even if they had not gone F2P, they would of been around for several more years. If you doubt it, look at the numbers for Horizons, now called Istaria, and notice how long a mmo can really survive on so little.
Read before replying. It helps lol. I didn't say EQ2 or LotRO were struggling. They were doing ok as I said. When the new batch of MMO's hit the scene that was going to change. They knew it as well... which is the whole reason for the conversion.
Adapt or die.
UO will still be kicking for awhile longer because nothing out there gives that sandbox experience same for DAoC, it will keep kicking awhile longer without having to flip to a free to play because nothing else offers the experience you can find there.
LotRO is a nice story centric MMO, SW:TOR is offering a more robust story centric MMO with updated graphics (Compaired to LotRO) and mechanics.
EQ2 offers a PvE centric grind game with a colorful world and some unique races. Rift and Tera are bringing the PvE grind experience into the new age with better graphics and improved Mechanics.
Then on top of that both will have to compete with GW2.
Not saying either game is bad, they simply can't compete with whats coming and they responded in way a that indicates they are fully aware of that fact.
So disagree if you want, I don't mind really but at least know what you are disagreeing with lol.
Either something is free, or it is not. This shouldn't be a stretch for anyone.
These games should be advertised as pay as you go with some features having no charge. The industry really needs to take closer look at this payment model and lose the absurd name that is completely false and misleading.
That would be wrong advertising. In what form are these games "pay as you go"? I played DDO for a while and paid nothing. I play EQ2X and while I paid for a couple of things, it was one time and is lasting me for months, and will probably last for many months to come. It's also not that difficult to get some Station Cash to use for the game (I have a second account where I have enough SC for Silver even though I didn't pay any money).
So sure, it may not be the best of names, but neither is "netbook" or "football" (when referring to the US game), but most people know exactly what they're getting into.
If I'd see someone in LOTRO over 50th lvl on full F2P I'd ask him to go treat himself as he can't be mentally healthy. I really wonder how many people here praising F2P actually aren't lifetime members or subscribiers and did say 1-40 content without paying real money.
The game is good and polished, can't argue with that. But F2P? With amount of grind ahead You won't see anything people praise that game for as You'll be busy grinding mobs like in cheap korean games, then remake character and all over again...
Sorry, I kinda like Lotro. But with the total disaster that Turbine dares to call their store in DDO and Lotro, neither of the games deserve a best F2P title.
And I haven't played the other games at all, so no vote from me.
If I'd see someone in LOTRO over 50th lvl on full F2P I'd ask him to go treat himself as he can't be mentally healthy. I really wonder how many people here praising F2P actually aren't lifetime members or subscribiers and did say 1-40 content without paying real money.
The game is good and polished, can't argue with that. But F2P? With amount of grind ahead You won't see anything people praise that game for as You'll be busy grinding mobs like in cheap korean games, then remake character and all over again...
The name of the game is grind till 20 now delete make a new toons and farm tp. I agree most oflks over 50 are lifetimers and or vets who did not have the lifetime on their account.
From what I been seing is most folks get to 20 and start again.
I keep reading all this stuff you dont have to spend money to get to 65, only if you grind your brains out, it could be done by that point you would be sick of the game. Even in the lotro forums one guy who was full of it, said he had sepent 1200 bucks buying stuff in the store.
If you don't want to grind then you have the option to pay. LotrO free content lasts to about 32 and then the epic quest is free all the way to 65 + you get skirmishes and repetable quests to do if you don't want to get quest packs.
So people are expecting a great game with lots of content without paying anything and no grinding. How is the company supposed to make money? Charity?
If WoW = The Beatles and WAR = Led Zeppelin Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
If you don't want to grind then you have the option to pay. LotrO free content lasts to about 32 and then the epic quest is free all the way to 65 + you get skirmishes and repetable quests to do if you don't want to get quest packs.
So people are expecting a great game with lots of content without paying anything and no grinding. How is the company supposed to make money? Charity?
Ask Anet.... they seemed to do well enough with GW that they found it feasible to develop GW2 which they seem to believe will do fine with a similar business model.
I think, that for the vote, you all miss the best F2P ( and is really free ) game of 2010, without question: FFXIV.
Rofl final fantisy free to play what grass are you smoking.
Street grade (LQ) crack, I believe. I can smell it from here, ffs.
Originally posted by dr4ygon
RoM is number 1 for me, it's a real MMO compared to 90% of the crap out there. Bit of a money sink though, lotro is my second choice though both are great games....both are a bit heafty on the cash shop reliance though, but it's 'free' so no complaints.
loling so hard, sending you my med bills later xD
Forums: The best real-time interactive MMORPG you'll ever be in.
"Though easy to dismiss as yet another example of formulaic MMO making, Runes of Magic breaks through the mould with ... familiar and easy to pick up gameplay.."
I can understand how LOTRO can become a grind-fest after lvl 30.
Free Lonelands after November update did help extend f2p's life from lvl 20 to 30ish.
Then after that quest pack purchases is required, no doubt about it. Or you could grind your way to insanity just to survive in higher tier zones.
I do agree with some mentioning that this game is not for those who's expecting a totally free ride to end game. Purchasing quest packs is a must and thats how turbine's LOTRO f2p model works.
Another alternative is to try another quality f2p MMO.
DDO or
Everquest 2
there are 2 types of servers
Everquest2 Live exclusively for subscribers and Everquest2 Extended a free to play servers and Gold member.
Similar model from LOTRO f2p limitations but grind friendly to higher levels.
Like LOTRO, EQ2X freed-up expansion quest restrictions (anything released from launch to now, except for its latest expansion) Everything else before it is free, all quests everything thats included in those expansions get full access...
Unlike Lotro, EQ2 opened up all the zones but also gave quest access. therefore less grinding
What sucks for eq2 is that if example you subscribed to them in Everquest2 Live Division and then decide to downgrade to free account then your character will be locked and will be unable to use until you renewing your subscription. Only option to play free is to sign up again to play in their Everquest Extended division.
While in LOTRO you get to keep everything from VIP character except removal of 2 usable character slots. As if LOTRO is inviting its subscribers to downgrade to Premium just cause you really dont lose that much at all compared to other f2p model out there.
Kudos to Turbine for choosing this route allowing players to step back to premium from VIP without hassle and continue our adventure in Middle Earth or vice versa.
Review.. Lotro better on downgrading rewards but EQ2 offers more+complete expansion content without necessity to purchase a la carte quest pack.
Bottom line
PvE
Lotro + MoM box w/ 1 month free VIP + opens character restrictions + buying TP during blackfriday sale to purchase 4 quest packs for endgame progression content = Best $60 Lifetime membership value in the MMO market.
EQ2 More full access freedom to f2p players. Complete open world access to quests, base game, 5 expansion packs and 3 adventure packs included.
EQ2Extended better value overall for player set not to purchase anything at all.
Both have its good and ..not so good features... but for sure both are great games so why not try each and experience mmo gaming bliss for FREE.
ps this is my view and dont care if you disagree with me. dont bother trolling
If you don't want to grind then you have the option to pay. LotrO free content lasts to about 32 and then the epic quest is free all the way to 65 + you get skirmishes and repetable quests to do if you don't want to get quest packs.
So people are expecting a great game with lots of content without paying anything and no grinding. How is the company supposed to make money? Charity?
Ask Anet.... they seemed to do well enough with GW that they found it feasible to develop GW2 which they seem to believe will do fine with a similar business model.
GW costs money + you have to pay extra for new content and they have microtransactions to make money from. GW is actually simillar to the LotrO/DDO model.
Im guessing GW2 will have even more microtransactions to make up for the loss of a monthly fee.
If WoW = The Beatles and WAR = Led Zeppelin Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
If you don't want to grind then you have the option to pay. LotrO free content lasts to about 32 and then the epic quest is free all the way to 65 + you get skirmishes and repetable quests to do if you don't want to get quest packs.
So people are expecting a great game with lots of content without paying anything and no grinding. How is the company supposed to make money? Charity?
Ask Anet.... they seemed to do well enough with GW that they found it feasible to develop GW2 which they seem to believe will do fine with a similar business model.
ER, GW and GW 2 aren't free, have to purchase the game and all that, you know this right?
I don't consider the P2P's that switched to an alternate payment model as "true" F2P games, but then again, no game can ever really be free for everyone and stay running.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Very bad selection indeed, mainly because most of the games on the list aren't even "F2P".
On a similar note, it seems that MMORPG.COM just follows the current industry trend to call everything "F2P" that doesn't have the classic subscription business model, no matter whether it's "free to play" or not.
What has been a free trial a few years ago gets marketed as "F2P" these days.
I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.
Comments
mourning wood
Sorry I have to do this.. Ban me if you want really, but I think that this selection IS pretty biased and not a true representation of what F2P games are actually out there.
Go here to see and vote on F2P games that you may or may not know about, but they fit the category (Yes, the "dreaded" cash shop"): http://contest.mmosite.com/gameprize/webapps/?action=gamelist&id=17
When did DDO have tiered Quest packs? When I bought them it was once for the account and permanent, Only had one price. I know if you own the quest you can buy temp passes so others can play with you without also buying the quest pack. Maybe this is what you saw. Though I could be wrong as I haven't played in a few months. LOTRO is my preference.
LotRO ftw. Although I don't actually play it anymore now that it's free. I guess I'm too elitist.
Easy win for LOTRO.
Read before replying. It helps lol. I didn't say EQ2 or LotRO were struggling. They were doing ok as I said. When the new batch of MMO's hit the scene that was going to change. They knew it as well... which is the whole reason for the conversion.
Adapt or die.
UO will still be kicking for awhile longer because nothing out there gives that sandbox experience same for DAoC, it will keep kicking awhile longer without having to flip to a free to play because nothing else offers the experience you can find there.
LotRO is a nice story centric MMO, SW:TOR is offering a more robust story centric MMO with updated graphics (Compaired to LotRO) and mechanics.
EQ2 offers a PvE centric grind game with a colorful world and some unique races. Rift and Tera are bringing the PvE grind experience into the new age with better graphics and improved Mechanics.
Then on top of that both will have to compete with GW2.
Not saying either game is bad, they simply can't compete with whats coming and they responded in way a that indicates they are fully aware of that fact.
So disagree if you want, I don't mind really but at least know what you are disagreeing with lol.
I hope this explanation helped
That would be wrong advertising. In what form are these games "pay as you go"? I played DDO for a while and paid nothing. I play EQ2X and while I paid for a couple of things, it was one time and is lasting me for months, and will probably last for many months to come. It's also not that difficult to get some Station Cash to use for the game (I have a second account where I have enough SC for Silver even though I didn't pay any money).
So sure, it may not be the best of names, but neither is "netbook" or "football" (when referring to the US game), but most people know exactly what they're getting into.
If I'd see someone in LOTRO over 50th lvl on full F2P I'd ask him to go treat himself as he can't be mentally healthy. I really wonder how many people here praising F2P actually aren't lifetime members or subscribiers and did say 1-40 content without paying real money.
The game is good and polished, can't argue with that. But F2P? With amount of grind ahead You won't see anything people praise that game for as You'll be busy grinding mobs like in cheap korean games, then remake character and all over again...
Sorry, I kinda like Lotro. But with the total disaster that Turbine dares to call their store in DDO and Lotro, neither of the games deserve a best F2P title.
And I haven't played the other games at all, so no vote from me.
The name of the game is grind till 20 now delete make a new toons and farm tp. I agree most oflks over 50 are lifetimers and or vets who did not have the lifetime on their account.
From what I been seing is most folks get to 20 and start again.
I keep reading all this stuff you dont have to spend money to get to 65, only if you grind your brains out, it could be done by that point you would be sick of the game. Even in the lotro forums one guy who was full of it, said he had sepent 1200 bucks buying stuff in the store.
If you don't want to grind then you have the option to pay. LotrO free content lasts to about 32 and then the epic quest is free all the way to 65 + you get skirmishes and repetable quests to do if you don't want to get quest packs.
So people are expecting a great game with lots of content without paying anything and no grinding. How is the company supposed to make money? Charity?
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
Ask Anet.... they seemed to do well enough with GW that they found it feasible to develop GW2 which they seem to believe will do fine with a similar business model.
Lotro and DDO
Currently playing: Elder Scrolls Online
MMORPG experiences:EQ2, AoC(pre f2p), Lotro,GW1,DDO, Aion,WoW( stop with wotlk),Allods, GW2
Eu,War, Secret World
Waiting On: WoD Sometime Maybe: Elder Scrolls MMO, Might and Magic
Not a very good selection. Just sayin.
Sadly this forum is very american centric, but it is american so no problem there :P
LOTRO! Good before I'm sure its better now (lifetime subber here)
To summaries Turbine are masked crooks and fp2 players will not realize this fact until hitting LvL 25 on. (LOTRO)
Vote EQ2 Lesser of the two evils.
Street grade (LQ) crack, I believe. I can smell it from here, ffs.
loling so hard, sending you my med bills later xD
Forums: The best real-time interactive MMORPG you'll ever be in.
Both LOTRO and DDO deserves to win, but voted for LOTRO, only cus i'm playing it atm.
Runes of money should be excluded from list. It's a trully P2P game.
"Though easy to dismiss as yet another example of formulaic MMO making, Runes of Magic breaks through the mould with ... familiar and easy to pick up gameplay.."
So it 'breaks the mould' by being familiar? Huh.
Anyway, lotro is going to win.
Currently Playing: The Game
GW costs money + you have to pay extra for new content and they have microtransactions to make money from. GW is actually simillar to the LotrO/DDO model.
Im guessing GW2 will have even more microtransactions to make up for the loss of a monthly fee.
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
ER, GW and GW 2 aren't free, have to purchase the game and all that, you know this right?
I don't consider the P2P's that switched to an alternate payment model as "true" F2P games, but then again, no game can ever really be free for everyone and stay running.
So I went for ROM as the best of the 'real' F2P's
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Very bad selection indeed, mainly because most of the games on the list aren't even "F2P".
On a similar note, it seems that MMORPG.COM just follows the current industry trend to call everything "F2P" that doesn't have the classic subscription business model, no matter whether it's "free to play" or not.
What has been a free trial a few years ago gets marketed as "F2P" these days.
I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.
I enjoy Wizard 101, but it is not a free to play game. It offers an unlimited free trial that only lets you play up to level 10.
Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.