Originally posted by Sithos I purchased the expansion ages ago and am now unable to make any use of that expansion because of the F2P limitations. I should not be forced to pay a months sub just to check out content in an expansion that I have already paid for.Some in this thread understand my frustration,others have taken the fanboi route.
It's tough to make a case against free content, but RoTGS is not free, that's way it is.
That's why I wrote earlier that RotG, and how FC handles it is very strange in the f2p world. Nobody said RotG is free, they said they spent money on it, and got nothing.
It's not unusual if an f2p game keeping some elements for the subscribers, without the option of purchase for f2p players (like pvp in LotRO, or money cap in DCUO or AoC). But it's a unique thing to block something that a player owns already through cash and that's the case here. An f2p player buys (or bought earlier) an expansion pack, and still cannot access it. Pretty odd, so to speak
And it's not even a new issue, it was discussed regulary since Unchained launch - every time an old player returns or a new one bought Godslayer it comes up. FC could've already fix it by removing RotG from the Store for f2p players, or at least with added information on the page "don't buy it if you aren't a subscriber". Of course that would cause a drop in Godslayer sales...
Edit: I didn't want to give false info with the last paragraph, since I don't check the Store regulary... So I hopped in with my RotG-less account to see RotG details in the Store. While it says the usual (account-wide unlock which gives access to the given area), there's a line in the middle of the description: "Free players who purchase this receive a permanent discount to all access passes" So I apologize for my previous line, actually there is some sort of info to the f2p peeps about the restriction /sarcasm
And for the dude below, 2 accounts here, playing from the start and I am a huge FC supporter around here (and an altoholic so I won't list toons for it'd be too long and e-peen isn't my style anyways). But it all has nothing to do with the valid issue of RotG. One can be a much better supporter of a game if he can see every aspect clearly.
I laugh when I see ppl complain about f2p restrictions, but then I fell sad when it hits me that maybe these ppl cannot afford to pay the "massive" sub cost of $15.00 per month to play a great game like this. The pain of paying 50 cents a day is just too much to bare for some ppl and that is truely sad.
I laugh when I see ppl complain about f2p restrictions, but then I fell sad when it hits me that maybe these ppl cannot afford to pay the "massive" sub cost of $15.00 per month to play a great game like this. The pain of paying 50 cents a day is just too much to bare for some ppl and that is truely sad.
There are basically two reasons to be subbing to AoC. First, if you are a new or returning player rolling a new character. Second, if you enjoy the end game content like raiding or hard core PvPing. In my case I subed for 2 years before the game went FtP. In that time I have pretty much done it all and seen it all. For me paying monthly to play end game content is just not worth it. Especially since I have already seen and played a lot of it during my 2 year subscription.
The FtP option suits me fine, I am playing through content I have already done at least 2 or 3 times. I enjoy the leveling part of the game. Once I hit max level the rest of the game's raiding and AA stuff doesn't interest me that much. Not enough to tie up my credit card with yet another monthly tab. I would rather start a new FtP alt ( there are lots of classes I haven't played ), or use that money towards something off Steam that I haven't played before.
I can see why people are upset about RoTGS being sub content. They paid for the expansion and now they are denied access as FtP. Well, the expansion was never developed or marketed as FtP content. Everyone who paid for it understood that a sub was required to play it. That hasn't changed. Funcom is under no obligation to open up any of their game for free. So it is hard to bitch about it as far as I can see. It would be a nice gesture to make RoTGS free to play, but I don't see where they are obligated.
If I really wanted to play the expansion I would buy a couple of game passes off Amazon. I could see paying for new content like Dragonspine if it became FtP after purchase. I paid for Turan. But I'm done giving Funcom my credit card just to log on and play the game. At least for the forseeable future.
I laugh when I see ppl complain about f2p restrictions, but then I fell sad when it hits me that maybe these ppl cannot afford to pay the "massive" sub cost of $15.00 per month to play a great game like this. The pain of paying 50 cents a day is just too much to bare for some ppl and that is truely sad.
I read they are working on making the sub even more attractive. Maybe get 3 months for the price of 2 or something,, also 5 year annversary is approaching I think there will be some special deals.
I read they are working on making the sub even more attractive. Maybe get 3 months for the price of 2 or something,, also 5 year annversary is approaching I think there will be some special deals.
Oh wow, has it been five years? They better come out with deals. I'm a year sub and it runs out in April. I'm not doing a year sub again till they come out with something.
I read they are working on making the sub even more attractive. Maybe get 3 months for the price of 2 or something,, also 5 year annversary is approaching I think there will be some special deals.
Oh wow, has it been five years? They better come out with deals. I'm a year sub and it runs out in April. I'm not doing a year sub again till they come out with something.
yeah 5 years, game is now at version 4.0.1
Last year anniversary they had some subscription deals, I guess there will be something this year too (hopefully not just for new accounts.)
I thought I read that FC has laid off most of it's staff and closed offices around the world. I started back to AoC but did not renew my sub after about a month.
Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P
Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P
EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai
got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy
You see, this is a problem with you here. I assume that you play AoC presently and enjoy the game which is good. However what the OP says is true, the F2P matrix to this game is very off-putting to potential customers.
Now, I played AoC on release and that was a bloody shambles, there was so much 'wrong' with it that I cannot be bothered to go with all the faults that game had on release. It effectively put me off playing it for a looooooooooong time. Now, when I did play I really enjoyed the tone, the setting, the story and Tortage and it now being a few years later on and going F2P I thought I would give it another go.
But he restrictions in place make the game very tedious to get 'committed' to. At that time their was a class restriction so I wasn't able to play my original Archer character, I had to make a new toon (one I didn't want to play) just to see if the game was worth it. In honest I don't think I even made it to Tortage on this occasion and uninstalled and washed my hands of it.
Which is a shame really, because I do like the idea of the game, just too many 'bars' in place stopping me from having a good time. The same also goes for SWTOR which I also played on launch and quit and I have no appetite for their F2P model either. Push coming to shove I would rather play AoC over SWTOR anyhow because of the mature setting.
I do however play The Secret World which I thoroughly enjoy. I initially subbed for that game but quit due to the lack of things to do at the end game. There was only so much Nightmare/Signet farming I wanted to partake in if I am honest. However, due to their Buy to play method I still play The Secret World on and off and with their 'paid dlc' content I am literally logging on to buy up what I can and further the great story experience.
The End of Days event I logged on and played to get my pet/clothing rewards, very greatful for the hatchling result too. In addition whilst playing during that event I purchased 2 outfits. I also did the same with Tyler Freeborn dlc content, although I did actually get that one for free but I bought some more vanity items. NOW they have issue 6 out, which come the sunday (that is when it was available for non subbers) I bought that pack and ANOTHER outfit.
TSW is a Buy to play game and they are getting their money out of me, I think in honest for the amount of time I have played it I have spent more on vanity than I would have a subscription.
This is true of a lot of games too, people like to look unique and collect stuff. AoC is made by the same company and I really wish they adopted the same method as TSW with their content. I would quite happily play with no restrictions and buy DLC and vanity stuff to keep me keen into the game.
So, the point is Funcom only hurt themselves with these restrictions, it prevents, or puts off new players which help bolster a waning community. In addition if they do DLC correctly it would also help increase their purse strings with new revenue.
People like you also hurt the game, because you are so defensive about it and peoples critique that its 'Just go away if you dont like the payment model!'. Well, how does that HELP get people involved in the game, to get them invested? The answer is, it doesn't.
So yes, people like OP and myself will steer clear and you can continue playing that game until you are very last man standing if that makes you feel better.
Now, my apologies to anyone subbed and playing the game. I am happy that you are all still enjoying it and have continued to do so. Funcoms success is also in my interest being a fan of TSW, but they do need to review the game a bit and try to help bring new life into it. Perhaps now the J man is in charge things might shine all the better.
Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P
Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P
EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai
got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy
You see, this is a problem with you here. I assume that you play AoC presently and enjoy the game which is good. However what the OP says is true, the F2P matrix to this game is very off-putting to potential customers.
Now, I played AoC on release and that was a bloody shambles, there was so much 'wrong' with it that I cannot be bothered to go with all the faults that game had on release. It effectively put me off playing it for a looooooooooong time. Now, when I did play I really enjoyed the tone, the setting, the story and Tortage and it now being a few years later on and going F2P I thought I would give it another go.
But he restrictions in place make the game very tedious to get 'committed' to. At that time their was a class restriction so I wasn't able to play my original Archer character, I had to make a new toon (one I didn't want to play) just to see if the game was worth it. In honest I don't think I even made it to Tortage on this occasion and uninstalled and washed my hands of it.
Which is a shame really, because I do like the idea of the game, just too many 'bars' in place stopping me from having a good time. The same also goes for SWTOR which I also played on launch and quit and I have no appetite for their F2P model either. Push coming to shove I would rather play AoC over SWTOR anyhow because of the mature setting.
I do however play The Secret World which I thoroughly enjoy. I initially subbed for that game but quit due to the lack of things to do at the end game. There was only so much Nightmare/Signet farming I wanted to partake in if I am honest. However, due to their Buy to play method I still play The Secret World on and off and with their 'paid dlc' content I am literally logging on to buy up what I can and further the great story experience.
The End of Days event I logged on and played to get my pet/clothing rewards, very greatful for the hatchling result too. In addition whilst playing during that event I purchased 2 outfits. I also did the same with Tyler Freeborn dlc content, although I did actually get that one for free but I bought some more vanity items. NOW they have issue 6 out, which come the sunday (that is when it was available for non subbers) I bought that pack and ANOTHER outfit.
TSW is a Buy to play game and they are getting their money out of me, I think in honest for the amount of time I have played it I have spent more on vanity than I would have a subscription.
This is true of a lot of games too, people like to look unique and collect stuff. AoC is made by the same company and I really wish they adopted the same method as TSW with their content. I would quite happily play with no restrictions and buy DLC and vanity stuff to keep me keen into the game.
So, the point is Funcom only hurt themselves with these restrictions, it prevents, or puts off new players which help bolster a waning community. In addition if they do DLC correctly it would also help increase their purse strings with new revenue.
People like you also hurt the game, because you are so defensive about it and peoples critique that its 'Just go away if you dont like the payment model!'. Well, how does that HELP get people involved in the game, to get them invested? The answer is, it doesn't.
So yes, people like OP and myself will steer clear and you can continue playing that game until you are very last man standing if that makes you feel better.
Now, my apologies to anyone subbed and playing the game. I am happy that you are all still enjoying it and have continued to do so. Funcoms success is also in my interest being a fan of TSW, but they do need to review the game a bit and try to help bring new life into it. Perhaps now the J man is in charge things might shine all the better.
If they do, I'll see you in there.
You all got it wrong. AoC keeps getting new content patched in. Such development costs and someone has to pay it (as in Funcom has to sell something). The way it stands now, they are selling and making money of only the last of the last endgame content in Rise of the Godslayer. I think there is nothing wrong with doing it that way. Everything can't be free unless you plan to shut the game down.
Personally I think AoCs F2P is the best and most generous way to do it, because now after the last revamp of the F2P system you can play AoC in a fully free manner for 90% of the content. You are not hampered every minute and every day by all kinds of restrictions like in LotRO or SWTOR. In AoC it's all free, but if you want into some of the endgamecontent you are asked to support the game a bit. I think there is nothing wrong with that. You can get fantastic sub deals for a year these days. I also believe that if you have Funcom points on your account from other games in FUNCOMs shop you also can use those to access the last of the last AoC content. Let's be realistic guys, something must sold to keep the game running and growing contentwise.
Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P
Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P
EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai
got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy
every time i read about swtor f2p model i m laughing to death
Rise of the Gosdslayer was subscription content before it went F2P
Rise of the Godslayer is still subscription (premium) content AFTER going F2P
EVERYONE got the first part of RotGs for free, Gateway to Khitai
got a problem with it? Play a F2P MMO with less restrictions, I suggest SWTOR where they restrict your ability bars, mission item rewards, credits gain, XP gain, warzones per week, hide headslot, what kind of gear you can wear and which races you can play. None of this is restricted in AoC, but sure go complain that AoC does not fulfill your complete freeloader fantasy
every time i read about swtor f2p model i m laughing to death
Image all that time spent in BS if they spent on making the game better... Those guys have no brain!
Personally I think AoCs F2P is the best and most generous way to do it, because now after the last revamp of the F2P system you can play AoC in a fully free manner for 90% of the content. You are not hampered every minute and every day by all kinds of restrictions like in LotRO or SWTOR.
I also wrote after the revamp that the model is much more viable now, and I agree that they need to earn money - but the above is not correct Without even considering the pure, designed-to-f2p models and only checking the former sub games.
To a total newcomer STO has the best model, the whole game is free and you don't see the restrictions until level cap (in AoC the inventory limit bumps you around lvl20 and the 10G limit around mid-game), and every restriction can be lifted through the Store. The only sub-gated stuff is the veteran reward. Oh, and you can get some Zen in-game with a moderate level of grind.
To a former sub the best system is LotRO (but I already wrote it in an another thread). If you don't pvp and don't want to start new alts, you got the game for free. Some say (myself included) it's way too generous... Since the server transfer, when I switched to premium I've paid only for the expansions and I bought once some TP - with the same gameplay experience as I had when I was subscribed... The game earns its profit through the f2p players so yep, for them the model is a bit harsh
In AoC if you stop subscribing, you'll become to the same level as a freshly arrived f2p. That's why I still drop in 1-2 months if I need my Hyboria-fix, I feel the gameplay too gimped without my Trader slots
The revamped model is good, it is finally in a state where it's capable to lure in newcomers, but I wouldn't call it "the best and most generous" model with the others around...
Trying to shoe horn a free to play model into a MMO that was never designed with FtP in mind is tricky business. The game was originally designed with the idea of receiving a steady stream of subscription money from all players. With FtP that is out the window, so Funcom has to look to another means of income.
Right now they have Godslayer and the cash shop pulling in all the money. That and selling any new content like Turan and Dragonspine. If they were to open up Godslayer to FtP I don't see how they could bring in enough money to support continuing development. Go crazy with the cash shop?
I wonder if the new crafting system will have any FtP restrictions worked into it. That is you will only get the full crafting experience as a subscriber while FtP will have a gimped version of crafting, or even be locked out of crafting entirely.
Trying to shoe horn a free to play model into a MMO that was never designed with FtP in mind is tricky business. The game was originally designed with the idea of receiving a steady stream of subscription money from all players. With FtP that is out the window, so Funcom has to look to another means of income.
Right now they have Godslayer and the cash shop pulling in all the money. That and selling any new content like Turan and Dragonspine. If they were to open up Godslayer to FtP I don't see how they could bring in enough money to support continuing development. Go crazy with the cash shop?
I wonder if the new crafting system will have any FtP restrictions worked into it. That is you will only get the full crafting experience as a subscriber while FtP will have a gimped version of crafting, or even be locked out of crafting entirely.
I am absolutely sure of that they will not put a price tag on the new crafting system. The new crafting system and economy for that sake is just something they have wanted to change for a long time in the entire game. Reason is that crafting, gathering and the economy in itself was never particularly well made in this game.... Now it's time to wipe out the old and introduce a new fully fledged crafting based economy. And I think they are doing something now because they realize that crafting and a healthy economy is a very important dynamic to keep people busy in the game. Greed is a very powerfull endgame mechanic, that basically know no limits.
There is one thing I have been thinking of though and thats if they will make the game entirely B2P with that update. People playing it already will get it for free, while others not playing it would have to pay for it (if they went for something like that I guess they also would have to make the godslayer for free )
Actually I should just say its Funcom. No western F2P game has been or will be as successful as the Asian F2P games, the closest two have been Runes of Magic and DDO. The reasons are as you touched on...they are not actual F2P games, they are FREEMIUM games with a ton of locked content.
Freemium was created under the impression that if they allow people to play their failing Subscription based games, they will pick up more SUBSCRIPTIONS by giving what is nothing more than an extended demo of their game. They believe their games are good enough to get more subscribers.
Thats all it is. Its to get more subscribers. They just dont get that their game just plain is not that good and is losing players for a REASON.
Asian F2P games however are actually FREE. Yes, there is a cash shop. THAT is their income. The game though, is free, no locked content. They know, once you create a player class system that places one group of players as second class citizens, you just killed a great deal of income, far more than the small amount you would pick up by gaining a few subscribers with a pay trap game.
And judging from many of the responses here, western players just dont GET IT...guess thats why South Korea is taking over the market year by year, they are making the money, buying out the companies and producing far far more games and their quality is starting to surpass many AAA games. I sure know I cant wait for Black Desert, Bless, Archeage and Ein to come out. Looking forward to those far more than TESO or EQnext since they look like they are going to be nothing more than rehashes of 12+ year old games.
Now it's time to wipe out the old and introduce a new fully fledged crafting based economy.
While I'm looking forward to the craft revamp, I do it only with one eye, the other is crying (whoa, only a non-native can this much abuse a phrase )
All my toons (ok, all who are beyond the mid-game) are grandmaster gatherers and do crafting as well, the only profession I don't have is the architect since I don't care about sieges and stuff, and most guilds have a dedicated architect anyways.
Since FC stated the whole system will be rewritten, I'm sad a bit that all those efforts will be flushed down in the loo... but I'm curious how the new crafting will affect the world and the prices
(on a sidenote to self, maybe it's time to sell the resources now, who knows what will be the highly sought-after stuff in the future...)
I believe they are still working on the free to play model. Here is a quote from an interview with Joel Bylos on pcgamer.com
Joel Bylos in pcgamer interview Age of Conan is free-to-play, which means there obviously is content gating which can only be removed via a subscription. Currently the Age of Conan model causes a division between paying players and free playerstoo much of a division, in my opinion. We are discussing ways to broaden the experience in Age of Conan for free players. Thats a priority for me.
I believe they are still working on the free to play model. Here is a quote from an interview with Joel Bylos on pcgamer.com
Joel Bylos in pcgamer interview Age of Conan is free-to-play, which means there obviously is content gating which can only be removed via a subscription. Currently the Age of Conan model causes a division between paying players and free players—too much of a division, in my opinion. We are discussing ways to broaden the experience in Age of Conan for free players. That’s a priority for me.
There you go.. I see it now that I read it the second time .
So maybe they plan to do something B2Pish then after all... Well that will make the entire game available for everyone then, but then we are back to that someone would have to pay to download the game..
Another thing... Wonder what they plan to do when Arnolds new Conan movie get out Aug 2014. AoC 2... New starter area or just a DLC?? hmmm. I think Arnold coming back to make new Conan movies deserves much more than a DLC. We need more news about that MMORPG. Get an interview on Conan exclusively.
I believe they are still working on the free to play model. Here is a quote from an interview with Joel Bylos on pcgamer.com
Joel Bylos in pcgamer interview Age of Conan is free-to-play, which means there obviously is content gating which can only be removed via a subscription. Currently the Age of Conan model causes a division between paying players and free players—too much of a division, in my opinion. We are discussing ways to broaden the experience in Age of Conan for free players. That’s a priority for me.
There you go.. I see it now that I read it the second time .
So maybe they plan to do something B2Pish then after all... Well that will make the entire game available for everyone then, but then we are back to that someone would have to pay to download the game..
Another thing... Wonder what they plan to do when Arnolds new Conan movie get out Aug 2014. AoC 2... New starter area or just a DLC?? hmmm. I think Arnold coming back to make new Conan movies deserves much more than a DLC. We need more news about that MMORPG. Get an interview on Conan exclusively.
Nah, don´t think it can go B2P after being F2P, they can´t charge anyone for the client afterwards.
Honestly I don´t know what else they could give away for free, if they open up all endgame content, what else is there to get revenue from? The F2P model is already very open and you get tons of content for free. Even the inventory bags you can buy ingame, if you don´t want to spend money on FC points.
They could maybe roll in the expansion and the Savage Coast of Turan, so you don´t need to buy it separate, but that´s about it, getting acess to it at lvl80 should still remain subscription content.
I'd give them money if only they'd be able to cut down on the outrageous amount of hackers currently in the game (Fury). I played this game for years and I have NEVER seen it like this. It is like Mad Max out there. I actually have a few screenshots of people just outright admitting in /global and /group that they use 3rd party programs to muck with things. It's unbelievable- I hope they get that sorted first before doing anything else.
Originally posted by shalissar I'd give them money if only they'd be able to cut down on the outrageous amount of hackers currently in the game (Fury). I played this game for years and I have NEVER seen it like this. It is like Mad Max out there. I actually have a few screenshots of people just outright admitting in /global and /group that they use 3rd party programs to muck with things. It's unbelievable- I hope they get that sorted first before doing anything else.
What can one say.. This is not the way I know AoC. Could you share unedited screenshots of that. AoC is one of the few games that you can't successfully macro. Just curious on this you mention.
I believe they are still working on the free to play model. Here is a quote from an interview with Joel Bylos on pcgamer.com
Joel Bylos in pcgamer interview Age of Conan is free-to-play, which means there obviously is content gating which can only be removed via a subscription. Currently the Age of Conan model causes a division between paying players and free players—too much of a division, in my opinion. We are discussing ways to broaden the experience in Age of Conan for free players. That’s a priority for me.
There you go.. I see it now that I read it the second time .
So maybe they plan to do something B2Pish then after all... Well that will make the entire game available for everyone then, but then we are back to that someone would have to pay to download the game..
Another thing... Wonder what they plan to do when Arnolds new Conan movie get out Aug 2014. AoC 2... New starter area or just a DLC?? hmmm. I think Arnold coming back to make new Conan movies deserves much more than a DLC. We need more news about that MMORPG. Get an interview on Conan exclusively.
Nah, don´t think it can go B2P after being F2P, they can´t charge anyone for the client afterwards.
Honestly I don´t know what else they could give away for free, if they open up all endgame content, what else is there to get revenue from? The F2P model is already very open and you get tons of content for free. Even the inventory bags you can buy ingame, if you don´t want to spend money on FC points.
They could maybe roll in the expansion and the Savage Coast of Turan, so you don´t need to buy it separate, but that´s about it, getting acess to it at lvl80 should still remain subscription content.
Ohh it certainly can... They can keep up the good old F2P offer they have now as a trial version and batch The godslayer, Turan pack and everything else up in a grand new everything pack that basically becomes B2P. Frankly I think that would be a good idea as people prefer to own their game for ever once they have purchased it. Just wait and see, I bet something like this will happen for 5 year aniversary in May.
Originally posted by shalissar I'd give them money if only they'd be able to cut down on the outrageous amount of hackers currently in the game (Fury). I played this game for years and I have NEVER seen it like this. It is like Mad Max out there. I actually have a few screenshots of people just outright admitting in /global and /group that they use 3rd party programs to muck with things. It's unbelievable- I hope they get that sorted first before doing anything else.
What can one say.. This is not the way I know AoC. Could you share unedited screenshots of that. AoC is one of the few games that you can't successfully macro. Just curious on this you mention.
Lol. khm... I mean , since it's a sad thing.
Even I (as an avid non-pvp dude) know that the statement in green is wrong... There were times when you got banned just by mention comboskipping. And while it went under radar in the past few years (on pve servers I mean, I don't know the state of pvp ones), but because it was rooted in the core mechanics I think it wasn't fixed.
So it's not a surprise that the player influx brought the shady things back (especially with pvp and competitive gameplay). I haven't see it yet on Crom luckily.
Originally posted by shalissar I'd give them money if only they'd be able to cut down on the outrageous amount of hackers currently in the game (Fury). I played this game for years and I have NEVER seen it like this. It is like Mad Max out there. I actually have a few screenshots of people just outright admitting in /global and /group that they use 3rd party programs to muck with things. It's unbelievable- I hope they get that sorted first before doing anything else.
What can one say.. This is not the way I know AoC. Could you share unedited screenshots of that. AoC is one of the few games that you can't successfully macro. Just curious on this you mention.
Lol. khm... I mean , since it's a sad thing.
Even I (as an avid non-pvp dude) know that the statement in green is wrong... There were times when you got banned just by mention comboskipping. And while it went under radar in the past few years (on pve servers I mean, I don't know the state of pvp ones), but because it was rooted in the core mechanics I think it wasn't fixed.
So it's not a surprise that the player influx brought the shady things back (especially with pvp and competitive gameplay). I haven't see it yet on Crom luckily.
No green thing is definitely not wrong.. Reason ARE combos!! You can't fire off the entire combo in a macroed syncronic fashion. You will make swings in open air then and get haeavily deducted on final blow Damage. This is the beuty of the AoC combo combat system, you have to dodge and fint in every strike so that the last blow will give full damage. You can't macro off every combo... well you can... But then the result will be that you most of the time will have deducted -25% damage off final blow. I know this game dude. When I meet macroidiots I finish them in notime.
No green thing is definitely not wrong.. ... You can't macro off every combo
While I never agreed with Funcom on the quasi-solution of silencing and banning all who brought up the issue in any form (included helping ideas, or reporting skippers), I do agree with them that discussing it on forums openly is bad for the game.
So I can only say, I really wish if only that'd be true... AoC would be a less barbaric ( lol ) place with only fair and just players, and those who are exploiting the mechanics would answer to Crom himself - in person... (yep, I despise cheaters that much )
Edit: I'm not on Fury, but I hope FC will stop the issue right there and don't allow it to spread. I hope I'd never see again cheating idiots on Crom... when you see a cheater soloing a miniboss faster than 3 of us dps-ing down the adds you know there is something utterly wrong in the world... (no, not we were the lame ones before someone asks it )
Comments
That's why I wrote earlier that RotG, and how FC handles it is very strange in the f2p world. Nobody said RotG is free, they said they spent money on it, and got nothing.
It's not unusual if an f2p game keeping some elements for the subscribers, without the option of purchase for f2p players (like pvp in LotRO, or money cap in DCUO or AoC). But it's a unique thing to block something that a player owns already through cash and that's the case here. An f2p player buys (or bought earlier) an expansion pack, and still cannot access it. Pretty odd, so to speak
And it's not even a new issue, it was discussed regulary since Unchained launch - every time an old player returns or a new one bought Godslayer it comes up. FC could've already fix it by removing RotG from the Store for f2p players, or at least with added information on the page "don't buy it if you aren't a subscriber". Of course that would cause a drop in Godslayer sales...
Edit: I didn't want to give false info with the last paragraph, since I don't check the Store regulary... So I hopped in with my RotG-less account to see RotG details in the Store. While it says the usual (account-wide unlock which gives access to the given area), there's a line in the middle of the description: "Free players who purchase this receive a permanent discount to all access passes" So I apologize for my previous line, actually there is some sort of info to the f2p peeps about the restriction
/sarcasm
And for the dude below, 2 accounts here, playing from the start and I am a huge FC supporter around here (and an altoholic so I won't list toons for it'd be too long and e-peen isn't my style anyways). But it all has nothing to do with the valid issue of RotG. One can be a much better supporter of a game if he can see every aspect clearly.
Empathy is a virtue - at least in LotRO
I laugh when I see ppl complain about f2p restrictions, but then I fell sad when it hits me that maybe these ppl cannot afford to pay the "massive" sub cost of $15.00 per month to play a great game like this. The pain of paying 50 cents a day is just too much to bare for some ppl and that is truely sad.
AOC player with Collector Editon #65,081
80 DT, 80 TOS, 80 DEMO, 80 Ranger, 43 CONQ, 45 SIN
There are basically two reasons to be subbing to AoC. First, if you are a new or returning player rolling a new character. Second, if you enjoy the end game content like raiding or hard core PvPing. In my case I subed for 2 years before the game went FtP. In that time I have pretty much done it all and seen it all. For me paying monthly to play end game content is just not worth it. Especially since I have already seen and played a lot of it during my 2 year subscription.
The FtP option suits me fine, I am playing through content I have already done at least 2 or 3 times. I enjoy the leveling part of the game. Once I hit max level the rest of the game's raiding and AA stuff doesn't interest me that much. Not enough to tie up my credit card with yet another monthly tab. I would rather start a new FtP alt ( there are lots of classes I haven't played ), or use that money towards something off Steam that I haven't played before.
I can see why people are upset about RoTGS being sub content. They paid for the expansion and now they are denied access as FtP. Well, the expansion was never developed or marketed as FtP content. Everyone who paid for it understood that a sub was required to play it. That hasn't changed. Funcom is under no obligation to open up any of their game for free. So it is hard to bitch about it as far as I can see. It would be a nice gesture to make RoTGS free to play, but I don't see where they are obligated.
If I really wanted to play the expansion I would buy a couple of game passes off Amazon. I could see paying for new content like Dragonspine if it became FtP after purchase. I paid for Turan. But I'm done giving Funcom my credit card just to log on and play the game. At least for the forseeable future.
"The Pen Is Mightier Than The Demo"
I read they are working on making the sub even more attractive. Maybe get 3 months for the price of 2 or something,, also 5 year annversary is approaching I think there will be some special deals.
Secrets of Dragon?s Spine Trailer.. !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwT9cFVQCMw
Best MMOs ever played: Ultima, EvE, SW Galaxies, Age of Conan, The Secret World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2X_SbZCHpc&t=21s
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The Return of ELITE !
Oh wow, has it been five years? They better come out with deals. I'm a year sub and it runs out in April. I'm not doing a year sub again till they come out with something.
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Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate.
yeah 5 years, game is now at version 4.0.1
Last year anniversary they had some subscription deals, I guess there will be something this year too (hopefully not just for new accounts.)
Secrets of Dragon?s Spine Trailer.. !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwT9cFVQCMw
Best MMOs ever played: Ultima, EvE, SW Galaxies, Age of Conan, The Secret World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2X_SbZCHpc&t=21s
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The Return of ELITE !
You see, this is a problem with you here. I assume that you play AoC presently and enjoy the game which is good. However what the OP says is true, the F2P matrix to this game is very off-putting to potential customers.
Now, I played AoC on release and that was a bloody shambles, there was so much 'wrong' with it that I cannot be bothered to go with all the faults that game had on release. It effectively put me off playing it for a looooooooooong time. Now, when I did play I really enjoyed the tone, the setting, the story and Tortage and it now being a few years later on and going F2P I thought I would give it another go.
But he restrictions in place make the game very tedious to get 'committed' to. At that time their was a class restriction so I wasn't able to play my original Archer character, I had to make a new toon (one I didn't want to play) just to see if the game was worth it. In honest I don't think I even made it to Tortage on this occasion and uninstalled and washed my hands of it.
Which is a shame really, because I do like the idea of the game, just too many 'bars' in place stopping me from having a good time. The same also goes for SWTOR which I also played on launch and quit and I have no appetite for their F2P model either. Push coming to shove I would rather play AoC over SWTOR anyhow because of the mature setting.
I do however play The Secret World which I thoroughly enjoy. I initially subbed for that game but quit due to the lack of things to do at the end game. There was only so much Nightmare/Signet farming I wanted to partake in if I am honest. However, due to their Buy to play method I still play The Secret World on and off and with their 'paid dlc' content I am literally logging on to buy up what I can and further the great story experience.
The End of Days event I logged on and played to get my pet/clothing rewards, very greatful for the hatchling result too. In addition whilst playing during that event I purchased 2 outfits. I also did the same with Tyler Freeborn dlc content, although I did actually get that one for free but I bought some more vanity items. NOW they have issue 6 out, which come the sunday (that is when it was available for non subbers) I bought that pack and ANOTHER outfit.
TSW is a Buy to play game and they are getting their money out of me, I think in honest for the amount of time I have played it I have spent more on vanity than I would have a subscription.
This is true of a lot of games too, people like to look unique and collect stuff. AoC is made by the same company and I really wish they adopted the same method as TSW with their content. I would quite happily play with no restrictions and buy DLC and vanity stuff to keep me keen into the game.
So, the point is Funcom only hurt themselves with these restrictions, it prevents, or puts off new players which help bolster a waning community. In addition if they do DLC correctly it would also help increase their purse strings with new revenue.
People like you also hurt the game, because you are so defensive about it and peoples critique that its 'Just go away if you dont like the payment model!'. Well, how does that HELP get people involved in the game, to get them invested? The answer is, it doesn't.
So yes, people like OP and myself will steer clear and you can continue playing that game until you are very last man standing if that makes you feel better.
Now, my apologies to anyone subbed and playing the game. I am happy that you are all still enjoying it and have continued to do so. Funcoms success is also in my interest being a fan of TSW, but they do need to review the game a bit and try to help bring new life into it. Perhaps now the J man is in charge things might shine all the better.
If they do, I'll see you in there.
You all got it wrong. AoC keeps getting new content patched in. Such development costs and someone has to pay it (as in Funcom has to sell something). The way it stands now, they are selling and making money of only the last of the last endgame content in Rise of the Godslayer. I think there is nothing wrong with doing it that way. Everything can't be free unless you plan to shut the game down.
Personally I think AoCs F2P is the best and most generous way to do it, because now after the last revamp of the F2P system you can play AoC in a fully free manner for 90% of the content. You are not hampered every minute and every day by all kinds of restrictions like in LotRO or SWTOR. In AoC it's all free, but if you want into some of the endgamecontent you are asked to support the game a bit. I think there is nothing wrong with that. You can get fantastic sub deals for a year these days. I also believe that if you have Funcom points on your account from other games in FUNCOMs shop you also can use those to access the last of the last AoC content. Let's be realistic guys, something must sold to keep the game running and growing contentwise.
The Ultimate Breakdown
every time i read about swtor f2p model i m laughing to death
Image all that time spent in BS if they spent on making the game better... Those guys have no brain!
I also wrote after the revamp that the model is much more viable now, and I agree that they need to earn money - but the above is not correct
Without even considering the pure, designed-to-f2p models and only checking the former sub games.
To a total newcomer STO has the best model, the whole game is free and you don't see the restrictions until level cap (in AoC the inventory limit bumps you around lvl20 and the 10G limit around mid-game), and every restriction can be lifted through the Store. The only sub-gated stuff is the veteran reward. Oh, and you can get some Zen in-game with a moderate level of grind.
To a former sub the best system is LotRO (but I already wrote it in an another thread). If you don't pvp and don't want to start new alts, you got the game for free. Some say (myself included) it's way too generous... Since the server transfer, when I switched to premium I've paid only for the expansions and I bought once some TP - with the same gameplay experience as I had when I was subscribed... The game earns its profit through the f2p players so yep, for them the model is a bit harsh
In AoC if you stop subscribing, you'll become to the same level as a freshly arrived f2p. That's why I still drop in 1-2 months if I need my Hyboria-fix, I feel the gameplay too gimped without my Trader slots
The revamped model is good, it is finally in a state where it's capable to lure in newcomers, but I wouldn't call it "the best and most generous" model with the others around...
Trying to shoe horn a free to play model into a MMO that was never designed with FtP in mind is tricky business. The game was originally designed with the idea of receiving a steady stream of subscription money from all players. With FtP that is out the window, so Funcom has to look to another means of income.
Right now they have Godslayer and the cash shop pulling in all the money. That and selling any new content like Turan and Dragonspine. If they were to open up Godslayer to FtP I don't see how they could bring in enough money to support continuing development. Go crazy with the cash shop?
I wonder if the new crafting system will have any FtP restrictions worked into it. That is you will only get the full crafting experience as a subscriber while FtP will have a gimped version of crafting, or even be locked out of crafting entirely.
"The Pen Is Mightier Than The Demo"
I am absolutely sure of that they will not put a price tag on the new crafting system. The new crafting system and economy for that sake is just something they have wanted to change for a long time in the entire game. Reason is that crafting, gathering and the economy in itself was never particularly well made in this game.... Now it's time to wipe out the old and introduce a new fully fledged crafting based economy. And I think they are doing something now because they realize that crafting and a healthy economy is a very important dynamic to keep people busy in the game. Greed is a very powerfull endgame mechanic, that basically know no limits.
There is one thing I have been thinking of though and thats if they will make the game entirely B2P with that update. People playing it already will get it for free, while others not playing it would have to pay for it (if they went for something like that I guess they also would have to make the godslayer for free
)
The Ultimate Breakdown
OP, Welcome to Funcom.
Actually I should just say its Funcom. No western F2P game has been or will be as successful as the Asian F2P games, the closest two have been Runes of Magic and DDO. The reasons are as you touched on...they are not actual F2P games, they are FREEMIUM games with a ton of locked content.
Freemium was created under the impression that if they allow people to play their failing Subscription based games, they will pick up more SUBSCRIPTIONS by giving what is nothing more than an extended demo of their game. They believe their games are good enough to get more subscribers.
Thats all it is. Its to get more subscribers. They just dont get that their game just plain is not that good and is losing players for a REASON.
Asian F2P games however are actually FREE. Yes, there is a cash shop. THAT is their income. The game though, is free, no locked content. They know, once you create a player class system that places one group of players as second class citizens, you just killed a great deal of income, far more than the small amount you would pick up by gaining a few subscribers with a pay trap game.
And judging from many of the responses here, western players just dont GET IT...guess thats why South Korea is taking over the market year by year, they are making the money, buying out the companies and producing far far more games and their quality is starting to surpass many AAA games. I sure know I cant wait for Black Desert, Bless, Archeage and Ein to come out. Looking forward to those far more than TESO or EQnext since they look like they are going to be nothing more than rehashes of 12+ year old games.
While I'm looking forward to the craft revamp, I do it only with one eye, the other is crying (whoa, only a non-native can this much abuse a phrase
)
All my toons (ok, all who are beyond the mid-game) are grandmaster gatherers and do crafting as well, the only profession I don't have is the architect since I don't care about sieges and stuff, and most guilds have a dedicated architect anyways.
Since FC stated the whole system will be rewritten, I'm sad a bit that all those efforts will be flushed down in the loo... but I'm curious how the new crafting will affect the world and the prices
(on a sidenote to self, maybe it's time to sell the resources now, who knows what will be the highly sought-after stuff in the future...)
I believe they are still working on the free to play model. Here is a quote from an interview with Joel Bylos on pcgamer.com
There you go.. I see it now that I read it the second time
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So maybe they plan to do something B2Pish then after all... Well that will make the entire game available for everyone then, but then we are back to that someone would have to pay to download the game..
Another thing... Wonder what they plan to do when Arnolds new Conan movie get out Aug 2014. AoC 2... New starter area or just a DLC?? hmmm. I think Arnold coming back to make new Conan movies deserves much more than a DLC. We need more news about that MMORPG. Get an interview on Conan exclusively.
The Ultimate Breakdown
Nah, don´t think it can go B2P after being F2P, they can´t charge anyone for the client afterwards.
Honestly I don´t know what else they could give away for free, if they open up all endgame content, what else is there to get revenue from? The F2P model is already very open and you get tons of content for free. Even the inventory bags you can buy ingame, if you don´t want to spend money on FC points.
They could maybe roll in the expansion and the Savage Coast of Turan, so you don´t need to buy it separate, but that´s about it, getting acess to it at lvl80 should still remain subscription content.
Secrets of Dragon?s Spine Trailer.. !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwT9cFVQCMw
Best MMOs ever played: Ultima, EvE, SW Galaxies, Age of Conan, The Secret World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2X_SbZCHpc&t=21s
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The Return of ELITE !
What can one say.. This is not the way I know AoC. Could you share unedited screenshots of that. AoC is one of the few games that you can't successfully macro. Just curious on this you mention.
The Ultimate Breakdown
Ohh it certainly can... They can keep up the good old F2P offer they have now as a trial version and batch The godslayer, Turan pack and everything else up in a grand new everything pack that basically becomes B2P. Frankly I think that would be a good idea as people prefer to own their game for ever once they have purchased it. Just wait and see, I bet something like this will happen for 5 year aniversary in May.
The Ultimate Breakdown
Lol. khm... I mean
, since it's a sad thing.
Even I (as an avid non-pvp dude) know that the statement in green is wrong... There were times when you got banned just by mention comboskipping. And while it went under radar in the past few years (on pve servers I mean, I don't know the state of pvp ones), but because it was rooted in the core mechanics I think it wasn't fixed.
So it's not a surprise that the player influx brought the shady things back (especially with pvp and competitive gameplay). I haven't see it yet on Crom luckily.
No green thing is definitely not wrong.. Reason ARE combos!! You can't fire off the entire combo in a macroed syncronic fashion. You will make swings in open air then and get haeavily deducted on final blow Damage. This is the beuty of the AoC combo combat system, you have to dodge and fint in every strike so that the last blow will give full damage. You can't macro off every combo... well you can... But then the result will be that you most of the time will have deducted -25% damage off final blow. I know this game dude. When I meet macroidiots I finish them in notime.
The Ultimate Breakdown
While I never agreed with Funcom on the quasi-solution of silencing and banning all who brought up the issue in any form (included helping ideas, or reporting skippers), I do agree with them that discussing it on forums openly is bad for the game.
So I can only say, I really wish if only that'd be true... AoC would be a less barbaric ( lol ) place with only fair and just players, and those who are exploiting the mechanics would answer to Crom himself - in person... (yep, I despise cheaters that much
)
Edit: I'm not on Fury, but I hope FC will stop the issue right there and don't allow it to spread. I hope I'd never see again cheating idiots on Crom... when you see a cheater soloing a miniboss faster than 3 of us dps-ing down the adds you know there is something utterly wrong in the world... (no, not we were the lame ones before someone asks it
)