Planetside "Fodder" program

Torak · February 2006

How many of you plan on giving Planetside a try with the new "free" play? (for the first 8 levels or so) I always thought it was a good game but not quite worth the monthly sub. There is also a bunch of new stuff in the works.

http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=psdevdiscussion&message.id=95623&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

scaramoosh · February 2006

Nah if i wanted to play i'd pay the $12.99 a month.

Zeed006 · February 2006

i voted no

BF2 fills this void for me

Lugian101 · February 2006

I might give it a try.

haylen · February 2006

you know, why not? i mean, it's free for 12 months, i'd say, take every opportunity you get, it can only prove to be a experience. so yes, i'll try the 12 month thingy

scaramoosh · February 2006

Truth is BR8 gets you nowhere : Small selection of certs and only 1 implant.

Without Rexo and a personal shield you stand no chance anymore tbh, they unbalanced it soo much.

Broodwich · February 2006

There's a reason it's call "fodder " program it's more to give those that pay someone to shoot at to up thier ranks. They are hoping that you will only play for about a month of constant dying before you decide to pay yourself to survive a battle against a subscriber that isn't crippled.

Lugian101 · February 2006

Is the game any good? You don't hear much about it.

B._TOM_Kidd · February 2006

Originally posted by scaramoosh
Truth is BR8 gets you nowhere : Small selection of certs and only 1 implant.
Without Rexo and a personal shield you stand no chance anymore tbh, they unbalanced it soo much.

Actually, u can have rexo and HA with br8.
also, u can have Unimax with is very good for starters.

Teala · February 2006

BF2 is a great game, there is no denying that, but BF2 can't compete on the same scale as Planetside when it comes to the size of battles you'll encounter in game. Sure they are limiting you to what BR rank you can get to, but they also made it much easier to re-cert. I persoanlly think they should raise the max fodder level to BR12. Anyway...you have nothing to loose, they are going to let you play for free! You'll play on the same servers as the vets and have access to everything we have access to. Experince battles the likes you've never enocunter on an online game before. Battles so intense your palms will sweat and you'll actually be dodging incoming rounds while sitting in your computer chair at home. Trust me on this...the first time I played this game I was like - "holy...look at the intensity of the firepower coming to bare on that base!" One word can best describe Planetside - AWESOME

Maddthwips · February 2006

this is a great game. ive had it since launch, its a game u can always go back to if there isnt anything else. u can play for an hour and actually do something. and if ya have station access ur not paying anything more to play this game. i highly recommend this game. i play and played many MMOs and this one is still fun.

NarkionOG · February 2006

Originally posted by Teala
BF2 is a great game, there is no denying that, but BF2 can't compete on the same scale as Planetside when it comes to the size of battles you'll encounter in game. Sure they are limiting you to what BR rank you can get to, but they also made it much easier to re-cert. I persoanlly think they should raise the max fodder level to BR12. Anyway...you have nothing to loose, they are going to let you play for free! You'll play on the same servers as the vets and have access to everything we have access to. Experince battles the likes you've never enocunter on an online game before. Battles so intense your palms will sweat and you'll actually be dodging incoming rounds while sitting in your computer chair at home. Trust me on this...the first time I played this game I was like - "holy...look at the intensity of the firepower coming to bare on that base!" One word can best describe Planetside - AWESOME

Well Said ::::08:: , Well Said .....when i first got this game(around the time the Lib came out)i was litteraly stuck in my chair all summer, BR8 gives u the just of the game, the hardcore grunt stuff, or if u like u could be an ace, either way if i wasnt already playing i would for sure do this, might get some of my lame CS friends to come play a real war game ::::20:: ::::10::

Tinybina · February 2006

Originally posted by scaramoosh
Truth is BR8 gets you nowhere : Small selection of certs and only 1 implant.
Without Rexo and a personal shield you stand no chance anymore tbh, they unbalanced it soo much.

I will agree with this sadly only the most skilled players will fair well without rexo.. P shield is for noobs though and usually people can do without it. They picked the right name for this system though cause thats what most of the new people playing this game will be, fodder. Which will lead to another F world, fustration for the new players as the skilled vets will feed on them.. often.

Torak · February 2006

Originally posted by Tinybina

Originally posted by scaramoosh
Truth is BR8 gets you nowhere : Small selection of certs and only 1 implant.
Without Rexo and a personal shield you stand no chance anymore tbh, they unbalanced it soo much.

I will agree with this sadly only the most skilled players will fair well without rexo.. P shield is for noobs though and usually people can do without it. They picked the right name for this system though cause thats what most of the new people playing this game will be, fodder. Which will lead to another F world, fustration for the new players as the skilled vets will feed on them.. often.

I don't think this program is suppose to replace the paid subscription plan. Its more of a "free trial" those that like it will continue on and sign up. What it may do is breath some life into the populations. Pop lock on more then 1 or 2 worlds may become more common. Its a FPS, so the vets will always "feed" off of the new guys.

Tinybina · February 2006

Originally posted by Torak
Its a FPS, so the vets will always "feed" off of the new guys.

Former vet here and former top 10 killer daily on the Emerad server and I can tell you as a former FPS Vet I dont get off on killing scrubs aka new guys in any FPS game I played.... They are no challenge, so were is the fun in that? Expecially ones that are not properly equiped..... Plus you only have 1 implant.. Which makes a big difference. Like I said before the "Fodder system" is a good name cause thats whats all the new guys will be.

BR8 can be attained in a few hours of gameplay... Less if your good at FPS games.

Jorev · February 2006

Just say no to SOE games.

Nerf09 · February 2006

The devs at Planetside are seeming to forget the #1 basic rule of gamers.

Rule #1: Gamers will spawn the most uber piece of equipment possible, and spawn it as quickly as they can click their little mouse button.

If the properly named, "Fodderside" program goes through, the gamers will not find it fun to play as fodder if they cant spawn the uber-equipment.

Tinybina · February 2006

I can kind of feel for the Devs as far as setting a lvl cap on the free trial.. Last trial they had didnt have a lvl and was a 7 day trial.. You could almost make a lvl 20 character in 7 days so alot of people just canceled there subs and made 7 day trial characters to play the game for free. So this exploiting of the old Free trial system might why they have this level cap now.. But lvl 8 is just way to low they should increase it to lvl 12, as BR8 can be attained easily in several hours.

baff · February 2006

I was reading about Sony's new marketing model for it's next batch of MMO's.

The basic game will be free and advertising sponsored in the style of Anarchy Online.

If you wish to get access to the better equipment you must pay $5 a month, extra areas, another $5 and so on.

Elnator · February 2006

Originally posted by Nerf09
The devs at Planetside are seeming to forget the #1 basic rule of gamers.
Rule #1: Gamers will spawn the most uber piece of equipment possible, and spawn it as quickly as they can click their little mouse button.
If the properly named, "Fodderside" program goes through, the gamers will not find it fun to play as fodder if they cant spawn the uber-equipment.

Just a point of fact:
By BR8 you can use any equipment in the game. You just have to specialize to do it. A BR20 can do LOTS of different things. A BR8 can do several different things "ok" but none really well. But if they specialize in an area they can use the best gear in that area and be very effective in it.

Matter of fact at BR 8 you can diversify "adequately" and get a very solid feel for the game.

I re-activated PS a while back on the 30 day free return for vets. While I don't intend to pay for the game I plan to open a new account once the fodder program goes live because while I don't feel PS is worth $12.99 a month I do like it as my 2nd game. If they'd lower the fee to $9 a month I'd probably even resub my real account as a 2nd game to DAOC.

Nerf09 · February 2006

Originally posted by Elnator

Originally posted by Nerf09
The devs at Planetside are seeming to forget the #1 basic rule of gamers.
Rule #1: Gamers will spawn the most uber piece of equipment possible, and spawn it as quickly as they can click their little mouse button.
If the properly named, "Fodderside" program goes through, the gamers will not find it fun to play as fodder if they cant spawn the uber-equipment.

Just a point of fact:
By BR8 you can use any equipment in the game. You just have to specialize to do it. A BR20 can do LOTS of different things. A BR8 can do several different things "ok" but none really well. But if they specialize in an area they can use the best gear in that area and be very effective in it.

Matter of fact at BR 8 you can diversify "adequately" and get a very solid feel for the game.

I re-activated PS a while back on the 30 day free return for vets. While I don't intend to pay for the game I plan to open a new account once the fodder program goes live because while I don't feel PS is worth $12.99 a month I do like it as my 2nd game. If they'd lower the fee to $9 a month I'd probably even resub my real account as a 2nd game to DAOC.

Wishful thinking and manipulative rules doesnt change the #1 rule in gaming.

Adreal · February 2006

I personally wouldn't care about the BR8 limitation unless they've made some major changes to gameplay and game mechanics. It's one of my favorite FPSs and I'd still be able to have fun with it if I joined up on the 'fodder' program. If I'm not mistaken, a BR8 TR can still acquire a heavy suit and chaingun with some medkits and maybe one implant to restore their health (taking stamina away) in battle. That combination, itself, would be about an even match for any veteran out there. You still got to have the experience (not just the equipment).

I bet at BR8, if I caught a BFR off-guard, I may be able to take it out one-on-one just on foot. There are a lot of strategies you need to use to be effective in that game. If you don't know them, then you'll get owned - no matter how cool and bad your weaponry is.

http://images.mmorpg.com/images/screenshots/042003/549.jpg

I know for a fact that in the above screenshot that lightning's going to get owned even if that Vanguard's at a quarter health if it's got a competent pilot/gunner behind it. It takes 40 direct hits from a lightning's cannon to take out a vanguard.

http://planetside.station.sony.com/images/screenshots/ps_screenshot_505.jpg

In that screenshot above, those anchored MAX suits would be toast if someone with sufficient command rank called down a beam. They probably wouldn't have enough time to un-anchor and switch to their run-mode before the blast hit them.

Other strategies I've employed in the past:

If your base is about to be over-run but still has a friendly sphere of influence, plant a mine at the vehicle console (if outside and you have engineering I think). Then when it is overtaken and repowered, the enemies will work their way up to the console (the unwary ones), and get their butts blown ten feet into the air, destroying the console as well.
If you see enemy planes doing fly-unders beneath the bridges of your base, plant some mines on the ground beneath the bridges. The next time the plane flies under the bridge, the mine will explode on it and take it out (might need to use more than one).
If you have hacking, a few jammer grenades, and a radiator (unlikely you'll get a radiator unless you have Core Combat), and an enemy tank has its sights on you, then try getting in a jammer gren on it. This will disable its weaponry. If it's stupid and tries to run you over, try your best to dodge it while firing radiation blasts at it. You could kill the pilot/gunner within if successful and hack the tank to make it your own if you have advanced hacking. Relies heavily on your situation, but it's better than shooting your suppressor at it.
Always make sure that the tower you're in has a motion sensor in it. If you have some spare ammo, shoot the corners inside the towers and just shoot around and always at the console to make sure no invis are lurking about.
Lace fallen bodies with mines. If someone walks up to one and tries to see what's in the inventory to get some extra equipment, they'll get a surprise.
Phoenix weapons are best against MAX suits. It usually takes only 2-3 shots from a phoenix rocket launcher to take out one. If you are firing a phoenix weapon with minimal protection, make sure that the area you are firing from is laced with mines or a couple motion sensors with spitfire turrets. Invis really like to take advantage of NC phoenix troops.
I would list something very interesting, but then again the devs would look into it and do away with it likely.
Sniping is also very limiting to your periferal vision. Make sure you have ample defense (not always just other teammates - because you can't rely upon them) when sniping so invis don't sneak up on you. I like sitting on a mine I planted when I snipe. That way if they get me, I get them.
Before a battle gets heated, fly a plane low to a forest and drop out of it into the trees nearby a base. Take your sniper rifle out and sit tight until the battle starts. Here you are safe if safely hidden. You can snipe from a tree, but try not to be detected. Sniper bullets are slow but powerful. Try not to let others trace your rounds back to your position.
When dog-fighting and you've got missiles on your tail and you don't have afterburners available, just keep flying forward but also elevating yourself at the same time so you are flying horizontally but elevating vertically. The missiles, I believe, will shoot right past beneath you (unless they've reached a range limit, their guided missiles, or the like).

Those are just some strategies. There are tons of them to make a 'fodder' player as good or almost as good as a subscription-payer.

Tinybina · February 2006

Good post above just one thing though, a BR8 character (expecially a new guy) will not be close to as complete as say a guy who has been playing for a year and has br25....

While a BR8 might be able to do a few things on that list depending on his load out, a BR25 will be able to do much much more and have more options avaiable to him...

This depate could go on and on forever about the low lvl cap, but I think the real point here is that BR8 can be obtained easily in a day....That to me just speaks volumes about the need to raise it alittle.

But with the name "Fodder" in the trial maybe thats all they want the new guys to be.

Elnator · February 2006

Originally posted by Nerf09

Originally posted by Elnator

Originally posted by Nerf09
The devs at Planetside are seeming to forget the #1 basic rule of gamers.
Rule #1: Gamers will spawn the most uber piece of equipment possible, and spawn it as quickly as they can click their little mouse button.
If the properly named, "Fodderside" program goes through, the gamers will not find it fun to play as fodder if they cant spawn the uber-equipment.

Just a point of fact:
By BR8 you can use any equipment in the game. You just have to specialize to do it. A BR20 can do LOTS of different things. A BR8 can do several different things "ok" but none really well. But if they specialize in an area they can use the best gear in that area and be very effective in it.

Matter of fact at BR 8 you can diversify "adequately" and get a very solid feel for the game.

I re-activated PS a while back on the 30 day free return for vets. While I don't intend to pay for the game I plan to open a new account once the fodder program goes live because while I don't feel PS is worth $12.99 a month I do like it as my 2nd game. If they'd lower the fee to $9 a month I'd probably even resub my real account as a 2nd game to DAOC.

Wishful thinking and manipulative rules doesnt change the #1 rule in gaming.

So what? If they don't find it is fun to play they can choose NOT to play or they can pay the monthly fee to play to get the golden goodies. I could really care less. The point is simple: At BR8 you CAN get to any of the cool items if you specialize. If you want to diversify and still get them you'll need to pay for it.

I see nothing wrong with that. What exactly do you want for free?

phennexion · February 2006

I was bored on sunday, didnt feel like playing WoW... sick of grinding... I tried RF Online beta.. even worse grind... then I was like.. hmm.. i remember planetside being a mmofps/rpg type..

I bought it on D2D and was playin that night.. and wow... best game i've ever played... Im currently BR7 and havign a blast... I first entered the game and started playingin the virtual reality thingy to learn to play.. and i gained exp from using all sorts of diffrent goodies... so it was gettin EXP and having fun ...

Then i decided to go to war and ended up running into a guy with a huge ass mech and i started gunning for him.. i ended up being in a squad with him all night and he invited me to his guild Koomba Klan!! hehe.. so i joined em on teamspeak and I've been havign a blast... When i was too low level to really put a dent in the guys solo, i'd take up engineering and start repairing vehicles on the front lines... AWESOME EXP... So even if your too unskilled to really be a effective combat fighter you can still go and do support and gain killer exp!

Im lovin this game... everything you do has a little impact and thats what mmorpgs like WoW are missing.

Nerf09 · February 2006

Originally posted by Elnator

Originally posted by Nerf09

Originally posted by Elnator

Originally posted by Nerf09
The devs at Planetside are seeming to forget the #1 basic rule of gamers.
Rule #1: Gamers will spawn the most uber piece of equipment possible, and spawn it as quickly as they can click their little mouse button.
If the properly named, "Fodderside" program goes through, the gamers will not find it fun to play as fodder if they cant spawn the uber-equipment.

Just a point of fact:
By BR8 you can use any equipment in the game. You just have to specialize to do it. A BR20 can do LOTS of different things. A BR8 can do several different things "ok" but none really well. But if they specialize in an area they can use the best gear in that area and be very effective in it.

Matter of fact at BR 8 you can diversify "adequately" and get a very solid feel for the game.

I re-activated PS a while back on the 30 day free return for vets. While I don't intend to pay for the game I plan to open a new account once the fodder program goes live because while I don't feel PS is worth $12.99 a month I do like it as my 2nd game. If they'd lower the fee to $9 a month I'd probably even resub my real account as a 2nd game to DAOC.

Wishful thinking and manipulative rules doesnt change the #1 rule in gaming.

So what? If they don't find it is fun to play they can choose NOT to play or they can pay the monthly fee to play to get the golden goodies. I could really care less. The point is simple: At BR8 you CAN get to any of the cool items if you specialize. If you want to diversify and still get them you'll need to pay for it.

I see nothing wrong with that. What exactly do you want for free?

Kicking, screaming, trolling, and flaming doesnt change the #1 rule in gaming.

Howdy, Stranger!

Planetside "Fodder" program

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Planetside "Fodder" program

Comments