lol....what like "OOOOH!!! Look how much money I wasted on PIXELS!!"
Tell that to all those peoples who wasted cash on pixels. There are a lot. To me it sounds silly and so it does to you but there are a lot of those who think different.
It IS silly.
I mean, the virtual "stuff" in a game is there to achieve, to earn.
That's the major reason that I , and many other MMORPG gamers play these games...the thrill of accomplishment. Of overcoming obstacles, figuring out the formula, and getting the job done.
At the end, we have a nice little trophy to enjoy for our hard work. But it's not the TROPHY that matters...it's the act of getting it.
That IS the game. What value does the trophy have if you didn't have to actually PLAY to get it??
And a great big LOL to those who think theres any "effort" or "accomplisment" in playing a videogame, what exactly makes one persons time more valuable than another persons money? oh ya nothing.
Every game is about effort and accomplishment. From chess to football and till videogames. I don't know if you can call something a game if it doesn't require effort, challenge and a sense of accomplishment.
And I tell them how idiotic it is that they spend over $100 a month on cable TV, so they can sit there and watch other people live their lives instead of bothering to live their own.
That shuts them up pretty fast.
As opposed to sitting in front of a computer with a mouse and keyboard, watching the virtual life of a pixelated character unfold as you play a game? Come on. That's a weak argument.
no it's not. what do you do while watching tv? push a button on the remote every once in a while? at least playing a game takes some brain power.
This.
Big difference between an interactive environment, and a screen that you stare at whilst drooling into your bag of chips.
And a great big LOL to those who think theres any "effort" or "accomplisment" in playing a videogame, what exactly makes one persons time more valuable than another persons money? oh ya nothing.
Every game is about effort and accomplishment. From chess to football and till videogames. I don't know if you can call something a game if it doesn't require effort, challenge and a sense of accomplishment.
On this note, how much fun would a game of checkers be if you could just BUY a couple of kings??
no it's not. what do you do while watching tv? push a button on the remote every once in a while? at least playing a game takes some brain power.
I've been playing these games since EQ1. It doesn't take any more brain power to play an MMO than it does to play a console game. It's all just a matter of figuring out what your powers do and then going through trial and error until you get past an encounter or figure out a strategy for your character.
Also, it depends on what you're watching on TV. If all you're doing is watching Jersey Shore or American Idol, then yeah. I could see it taking more brain power to play a game then, otherwise it's still a weak argument.
no it's not. what do you do while watching tv? push a button on the remote every once in a while? at least playing a game takes some brain power.
I've been playing these games since EQ1. It doesn't take any more brain power to play an MMO than it does to play a console game. It's all just a matter of figuring out what your powers do and then going through trial and error until you get past an encounter or figure out a strategy for your character.
Also, it depends on what you're watching on TV. If all you're doing is watching Jersey Shore or American Idol, then yeah. I could see it taking more brain power to play a game then, otherwise it's still a weak argument.
we're not talking about console games here....that's a completely different topic, and again, it's a game, involving thinking, reflexes, puzzle solving skills, and interaction.
And as for TV...you know as well as I do that those cable-TV junkies aren't watching the Discovery Channel all day.
no it's not. what do you do while watching tv? push a button on the remote every once in a while? at least playing a game takes some brain power.
I've been playing these games since EQ1. It doesn't take any more brain power to play an MMO than it does to play a console game. It's all just a matter of figuring out what your powers do and then going through trial and error until you get past an encounter or figure out a strategy for your character.
Also, it depends on what you're watching on TV. If all you're doing is watching Jersey Shore or American Idol, then yeah. I could see it taking more brain power to play a game then, otherwise it's still a weak argument.
no one was talking about console games (right?) and what TV show takes more brain power to watch then playing a game?
5) No longer with getting that rare horse drop be so presitgious. Everybody will have one. Only 8.99 this week!!! Limited supplies get one now!! Or worse, you can only obtain an item through the shop. Are we grocery shopping here, or playing a game trying to build a legacy? Its a total sham that you can't obtain items through the game you are playing. Instead you have to buy it through an item shop. Is that what we all envisioned this genre to be? Paying for items from outside sources instead of playing the game to get ingame rewards?
Only if the reason you play is dick-waving, which is absolutely pathetic. If all you care about is showing off, sorry, get over yourself.
4) No more economy from things like healing potions, or any other potion these shops deem non-essential to crafters. Would WoW even have an economy if you could just buy enchants and potions from the online store? No, it wouldn't. Buying goods in EC tunnels in EQ was a unique experience that I loved. Why is that devs thinks it OK to leave out the economy? In DDO, the only way to get powerful potions is through the online store.
Not everything in the game is available in the online store. It isn't in DDO, it won't be in LOTRO. Therefore there will always be an economy selling things that aren't available except in-game.
3) Our games will become less about accomplishments. Hard to believe, but yes after all those 100% XP pots, and 100% increased loot potions what will anything mean? It used to be prestigious. Now, its a sellout.
Since when are games about showing off? Again, get over yourself.
2) Our MMORPGs are quickly turning into a quick-serve chain. Need a healer? Buy one for 1 hour for only 2 dollars!! Need a quick heal? Buy it!! Need that extra XP? Buy it!! Need a boost in stats? Buy it!! Need help taking down Da Crusher? Buy your help!!
So what? No one is forcing you to do that, it's just an option if you have more dollars than sense. But again, I get the sense that this is a matter of "I need to show off and now I can't because everyone else can do what I do!"
Cry me a river.
1) Content being adjusted to shop items. This will happen. XP will be reduced to a crawl to entice people to buy. Loot will be rare, unless you buy a potion. That mob will need everyone in the raid to buy that special potion that reduces damage, or increases damage, or gives more HP.
It hasn't happened in DDO. Why would you assume it would happen in LOTRO?
I agree on your answer to #1, #2, and #4. When the OP mentioned achievement, you automatically identified that as meaning bragging. Take a look at Dictionary.com. That's not what it means. I must admit that there are many players across ALL MMOs that flaunt the fact they spent 500 hours more in-game than you did. That's not what the OP is trying to say. Achievement in this case means personal feelings of accomplishment. The tone of the OPs post doesn't imply any sort of elitist attitude.
On to my agreeable points...
The store in DDO was something I told myself I would never use when it first came out, and in fact at the time I thought the idea was epic fail. I was wrong. DDO has made the F2P genre viable IMO. They did nearly everything right. I also agree with the previous comment that the dungeons in DDO are quite fun. In fact the old-style classes in DDO are fun individually, but nothing beats what I feel is almost a PnP-style group dungeon crawl in DDO. I can't say enough about it. And the store I use here and again for a decent bow or some armor, as they've priced these items very reasonably in terms of DDO Points.
F2P is not the evil that many people make it out to be. But every game is different and the implementation will inevitably be different on every game, even those by the same developers. Will LoTRO use some DDO-style store elements? Probably. Will it be DDO? Of course not. I would like to think that Turbine and WB are looking at LoTRO F2P with a fresh set of eyes, and not just copying what has been so successful in DDO.
I think the only thing that scares me about this situation is how many more threads we're going to see about this bringing down the decline of MMO's and the end of gaming as we know it.
Truth is, this trend has been going on for quite some time, the slow steady march towards a hybrid model of F2P and P2P games, with a bit of P2W tossed in for spice.
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
no it's not. what do you do while watching tv? push a button on the remote every once in a while? at least playing a game takes some brain power.
I've been playing these games since EQ1. It doesn't take any more brain power to play an MMO than it does to play a console game. It's all just a matter of figuring out what your powers do and then going through trial and error until you get past an encounter or figure out a strategy for your character.
Also, it depends on what you're watching on TV. If all you're doing is watching Jersey Shore or American Idol, then yeah. I could see it taking more brain power to play a game then, otherwise it's still a weak argument.
no one was talking about console games (right?) and what TV show takes more brain power to watch then playing a game?
Your original point was that you held up gaming as some sort of superiority over having cable TV. And before that, you were laughing at anyone who spent money on in-game items, calling it a waste of cash for pixels.
All I'm doing is pointing out that to a non-gamer, you're wasting your money too. All your supposed accomplishments that you've "earned" in a game are just as meaningless and stupid to a non-gamer as anything an F2P player does is to you. THAT is the point. It's a circular bit of logic that doesn't go anywhere.
At the end of the day, these are all GAMES. They're meant to be fun, not a job, and not something you have to slave over for hours or days or weeks in order to feel any sort of self-worth about it.
Truth is, this trend has been going on for quite some time, the slow steady march towards a hybrid model of F2P and P2P games, with a bit of P2W tossed in for spice.
This is true. Games are headed in this direction now. LOTRO is simply the highest profile game that has made the switch so far.
It's not 2004 anymore. The gaming landscape has changed. There really are only two options here-- accept it, or get out of the way.
I'm just wondering, have any of these people that hate F2P games actually played a F2P? all the haters i've talked to haven't even given them a chance. i used to think a cash shop was stupid as well, but after trying it i see it's not all that bad.
5) No longer with getting that rare horse drop be so presitgious. Everybody will have one. Only 8.99 this week!!! Limited supplies get one now!! Or worse, you can only obtain an item through the shop. Are we grocery shopping here, or playing a game trying to build a legacy? Its a total sham that you can't obtain items through the game you are playing. Instead you have to buy it through an item shop. Is that what we all envisioned this genre to be? Paying for items from outside sources instead of playing the game to get ingame rewards?
Only if the reason you play is dick-waving, which is absolutely pathetic. If all you care about is showing off, sorry, get over yourself.
4) No more economy from things like healing potions, or any other potion these shops deem non-essential to crafters. Would WoW even have an economy if you could just buy enchants and potions from the online store? No, it wouldn't. Buying goods in EC tunnels in EQ was a unique experience that I loved. Why is that devs thinks it OK to leave out the economy? In DDO, the only way to get powerful potions is through the online store.
Not everything in the game is available in the online store. It isn't in DDO, it won't be in LOTRO. Therefore there will always be an economy selling things that aren't available except in-game.
3) Our games will become less about accomplishments. Hard to believe, but yes after all those 100% XP pots, and 100% increased loot potions what will anything mean? It used to be prestigious. Now, its a sellout.
Since when are games about showing off? Again, get over yourself.
2) Our MMORPGs are quickly turning into a quick-serve chain. Need a healer? Buy one for 1 hour for only 2 dollars!! Need a quick heal? Buy it!! Need that extra XP? Buy it!! Need a boost in stats? Buy it!! Need help taking down Da Crusher? Buy your help!!
So what? No one is forcing you to do that, it's just an option if you have more dollars than sense. But again, I get the sense that this is a matter of "I need to show off and now I can't because everyone else can do what I do!"
Cry me a river.
1) Content being adjusted to shop items. This will happen. XP will be reduced to a crawl to entice people to buy. Loot will be rare, unless you buy a potion. That mob will need everyone in the raid to buy that special potion that reduces damage, or increases damage, or gives more HP.
It hasn't happened in DDO. Why would you assume it would happen in LOTRO?
Well said. I agree entirely.
I suggest that the forums are best avoided between now and the Autumn, at least by those who would rather judge things by what has happened elsewhere and what actually happens here, rather than by the ill-conceived rantings of the ignorant and pathetic.
Avoided?! The uneducated amuse me. That's why I like to interview 'recently graduated' degree holders.
I kill other players because they're smarter than AI, sometimes.
I'm just wondering, have any of these people that hate F2P games actually played a F2P? all the haters i've talked to haven't even given them a chance. i used to think a cash shop was stupid as well, but after trying it i see it's not all that bad.
.. because I saw how much fun it is to pawn poor nubz who got no money!
I did try many f2p games and payed in one. I know that's why I comment. There are peoples who like it, I don't and there are games for both of us. We're just stating an opinion here, not waging an war. Some are saying why is so cool and some why it sucks.
5) No longer with getting that rare horse drop be so presitgious. Everybody will have one. Only 8.99 this week!!! Limited supplies get one now!! Or worse, you can only obtain an item through the shop. Are we grocery shopping here, or playing a game trying to build a legacy? Its a total sham that you can't obtain items through the game you are playing. Instead you have to buy it through an item shop. Is that what we all envisioned this genre to be? Paying for items from outside sources instead of playing the game to get ingame rewards?
4) No more economy from things like healing potions, or any other potion these shops deem non-essential to crafters. Would WoW even have an economy if you could just buy enchants and potions from the online store? No, it wouldn't. Buying goods in EC tunnels in EQ was a unique experience that I loved. Why is that devs thinks it OK to leave out the economy? In DDO, the only way to get powerful potions is through the online store.
3) Our games will become less about accomplishments. Hard to believe, but yes after all those 100% XP pots, and 100% increased loot potions what will anything mean? It used to be prestigious. Now, its a sellout.
2) Our MMORPGs are quickly turning into a quick-serve chain. Need a healer? Buy one for 1 hour for only 2 dollars!! Need a quick heal? Buy it!! Need that extra XP? Buy it!! Need a boost in stats? Buy it!! Need help taking down Da Crusher? Buy your help!!
1) Content being adjusted to shop items. This will happen. XP will be reduced to a crawl to entice people to buy. Loot will be rare, unless you buy a potion. That mob will need everyone in the raid to buy that special potion that reduces damage, or increases damage, or gives more HP.
I was once all for online shops. But then I thought about how the items in the shops can't be found ingame. That makes no sense for a MMORPG. That only hurts the spirit of what this genre once was. Can we even call that gaming? Or just shopping?
MMORPGs are quickly becoming less about the adventure and interaction amongst players, and more about giving players an immediate service for a fee.
Your QQing is delicious. I cannot wait till all games have this model and you MMO dinosaurs can dissapear into obscurity. But just to play your game I will prove you wrong.
5. Convinience items, pots and quest unlocks (expansions) will be in the store. No game changing gear (as said by devs)
4. So? The economy blows anyways. Pretty much all high level players have a pot making alt anyways (I have 3 60+ toons and 6 others leveling up). Economy revolves around selling hides, wood, jewelry, etc in the future.
3. LOL, this is pure conjecture and you have no actual proof. So this isnt even a valid complaint (are you 12 years old?)
2. There is no system in lotro to "buy a healer". Guildwars yes but lotro would need A LOT of changes to makes something like this work. Devs said there would be no "I WIN" stuff in the shop.
1. More conjecture based on none existant information. What mobs requires the pots? What game has this system? I am willing to bet there will never be 100% loot potions...the amount of game changing and coding needed to make that work would be retarded.
ps. Im not sure why trolls like you are allowed to post on this forum....Its obvious your weak arguments are only meant to be inflamatory. Mods sure require actual PROOF when claims such as yours are made. Otherwise you are just slandering a game and a company.
I might not agree with his individual points or their particular merits, but the OP and I are on the same side of the fence. You, on the other hand, could vastly increase your credibility by keeping your arguments civil and less an afront for personal attacks. I'm sure you've got something to say, but it's not coming across in the method you chose to use.
On another note, I think people in this thread need to view a particular lecture given by Ernest Adams, a video feed that was presented in another thread of similar nature, and pretty much sums up the entire anti-F2P argument in a well wrapped package. Copy and paste the following link, and then "ctrl + f" to find "Ernest Adams" (there should only be two or three jumps to find the right video, which is titled: "Single-player, Multiplayer, MMOG: Design Psychologies for Different Social Contexts"): http://www.gdcvault.com/showConference.php?category=free&conference=280&expand_conferences=,280#conference280
I'll further note that the most prevelent information can be found later in the video, if you skip to the section about thirty minutes in, titled "The Massively Multiplayer Free-to-Play Game".
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
Before we all go around shouting the sky is falling lets adopt a wait and see approach non of know exactly how well or badly this will work . If the 500 turbine point add upto all the content you want being for free as a VIP its a bloody good deal , Theres not really anything to win in lotro so pay to win arguement in lotro is really pretty much invalid .
F2p will mean different things in different games . It is the way the markets going because its proberbly the only way companys will be able to break WoWs dominance of the market.
F2p will mean different things in different games . It is the way the markets going because its proberbly the only way companys will be able to break WoWs dominance of the market.
It's a crying shame that this is the alternative, though. Rather than trying to make a game that's actually better, that has more reasons for people to login or enough innovation and creativity to drive subs, they'd rather just change the method in which they charge players, as so they can continue pumping out the same content and receive better compensation. Sure, makes great sense for the businesses. Makes terrible sense for the overall quality of the genre.
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
OP, I believe MMORPG.com is doing an article next week that will highlight some of the reasons why we should be concerned. You don't have to do it a few days early.
I think this interview really give a good explanation of why they change to the new buisness model for Lotro:
"There are two truths in our business. The number one reason people play MMOs is because their friends do, and the number one reason they don’t is because of a subscription. Let’s be clear though, we are just expanding into a free-to-play option. There is still a subscription option, and the stores will be optional, you can play the game without ever going to that stuff. That said, the success of DDO clearly validates what we believe the future of online entertainment could be. As soon as we saw that success we made moves to do that to LOTRO. I think you’re going to see this from our competitors. There will be a lot of different flavours, but you will see more of this going forward."
I liked LotRO enough to play it, but not enough to buy the expansions.
.
So I stopped playing it. Why? Because I couldn't get to max level without an expansion.
.
Maybe now I'll play LotRO again.
.
Will it have henchmen healer NPCs you can rent like DDO?
.
Will you have to buy access to Rivendale before you can enter it?
.
I'm waiting to see.
yes, only the starter areas will be free: Bree, Ered Luin, the Shire...you'll be able to travel anywhere in game, but you will have to pay to open quests in any other areas, or pay a monthly subscription.
oh and by the way...it's spelled R-I-V-E-N-D-E-L-L
I think the only thing that scares me about this situation is how many more threads we're going to see about this bringing down the decline of MMO's and the end of gaming as we know it.
Truth is, this trend has been going on for quite some time, the slow steady march towards a hybrid model of F2P and P2P games, with a bit of P2W tossed in for spice.
I expect we have yet to see the end of these type posts for and extended period of time, and as the market moves slowly away from complete P2P and more toward hybrids, as its appears to, people will accept it as norm. The other option is to stop playing MMOs entirely, but anyone saying this is only being dishonest to themselves.
I miss the early days of EQ1 when paying 9.99 a month seemed like a reasonable amount, yet even then people were just beginning to grasp the concept of constantly upkept servers and game worlds. EQ1 back in March, 1999, seemed like you could do anything you wanted however limited it really was. Games now, cash shops included, appear so limted and less enthralling. For me the LOTRO going F2P does not scare me so much as when WoW launched, fun game sure, that changed MMOs and not exactly for the best.
Comments
It IS silly.
I mean, the virtual "stuff" in a game is there to achieve, to earn.
That's the major reason that I , and many other MMORPG gamers play these games...the thrill of accomplishment. Of overcoming obstacles, figuring out the formula, and getting the job done.
At the end, we have a nice little trophy to enjoy for our hard work. But it's not the TROPHY that matters...it's the act of getting it.
That IS the game. What value does the trophy have if you didn't have to actually PLAY to get it??
None.
Every game is about effort and accomplishment. From chess to football and till videogames. I don't know if you can call something a game if it doesn't require effort, challenge and a sense of accomplishment.
This.
Big difference between an interactive environment, and a screen that you stare at whilst drooling into your bag of chips.
On this note, how much fun would a game of checkers be if you could just BUY a couple of kings??
I've been playing these games since EQ1. It doesn't take any more brain power to play an MMO than it does to play a console game. It's all just a matter of figuring out what your powers do and then going through trial and error until you get past an encounter or figure out a strategy for your character.
Also, it depends on what you're watching on TV. If all you're doing is watching Jersey Shore or American Idol, then yeah. I could see it taking more brain power to play a game then, otherwise it's still a weak argument.
1. Pocket rape.
2. Bent over and raping that pocket.
3. Thou pocket, raped, thee sayeth?
4. Hello police? I'd like to report a rape. Who? My pocket.
5. That pocket knows it place, raped, bound, whipped and gagged. and raped again.
we're not talking about console games here....that's a completely different topic, and again, it's a game, involving thinking, reflexes, puzzle solving skills, and interaction.
And as for TV...you know as well as I do that those cable-TV junkies aren't watching the Discovery Channel all day.
YOUR argument is weak.
no one was talking about console games (right?) and what TV show takes more brain power to watch then playing a game?
I agree on your answer to #1, #2, and #4. When the OP mentioned achievement, you automatically identified that as meaning bragging. Take a look at Dictionary.com. That's not what it means. I must admit that there are many players across ALL MMOs that flaunt the fact they spent 500 hours more in-game than you did. That's not what the OP is trying to say. Achievement in this case means personal feelings of accomplishment. The tone of the OPs post doesn't imply any sort of elitist attitude.
On to my agreeable points...
The store in DDO was something I told myself I would never use when it first came out, and in fact at the time I thought the idea was epic fail. I was wrong. DDO has made the F2P genre viable IMO. They did nearly everything right. I also agree with the previous comment that the dungeons in DDO are quite fun. In fact the old-style classes in DDO are fun individually, but nothing beats what I feel is almost a PnP-style group dungeon crawl in DDO. I can't say enough about it. And the store I use here and again for a decent bow or some armor, as they've priced these items very reasonably in terms of DDO Points.
F2P is not the evil that many people make it out to be. But every game is different and the implementation will inevitably be different on every game, even those by the same developers. Will LoTRO use some DDO-style store elements? Probably. Will it be DDO? Of course not. I would like to think that Turbine and WB are looking at LoTRO F2P with a fresh set of eyes, and not just copying what has been so successful in DDO.
insanex
I think the only thing that scares me about this situation is how many more threads we're going to see about this bringing down the decline of MMO's and the end of gaming as we know it.
Truth is, this trend has been going on for quite some time, the slow steady march towards a hybrid model of F2P and P2P games, with a bit of P2W tossed in for spice.
"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
Yeah. Who mentioned consoles?
insanex
Not really.
Your original point was that you held up gaming as some sort of superiority over having cable TV. And before that, you were laughing at anyone who spent money on in-game items, calling it a waste of cash for pixels.
All I'm doing is pointing out that to a non-gamer, you're wasting your money too. All your supposed accomplishments that you've "earned" in a game are just as meaningless and stupid to a non-gamer as anything an F2P player does is to you. THAT is the point. It's a circular bit of logic that doesn't go anywhere.
At the end of the day, these are all GAMES. They're meant to be fun, not a job, and not something you have to slave over for hours or days or weeks in order to feel any sort of self-worth about it.
This is true. Games are headed in this direction now. LOTRO is simply the highest profile game that has made the switch so far.
It's not 2004 anymore. The gaming landscape has changed. There really are only two options here-- accept it, or get out of the way.
I'm quite intrigued, may give it a try when the time comes.
I'm just wondering, have any of these people that hate F2P games actually played a F2P? all the haters i've talked to haven't even given them a chance. i used to think a cash shop was stupid as well, but after trying it i see it's not all that bad.
Avoided?! The uneducated amuse me. That's why I like to interview 'recently graduated' degree holders.
I kill other players because they're smarter than AI, sometimes.
.. because I saw how much fun it is to pawn poor nubz who got no money!
I did try many f2p games and payed in one. I know that's why I comment. There are peoples who like it, I don't and there are games for both of us. We're just stating an opinion here, not waging an war. Some are saying why is so cool and some why it sucks.
I might not agree with his individual points or their particular merits, but the OP and I are on the same side of the fence. You, on the other hand, could vastly increase your credibility by keeping your arguments civil and less an afront for personal attacks. I'm sure you've got something to say, but it's not coming across in the method you chose to use.
On another note, I think people in this thread need to view a particular lecture given by Ernest Adams, a video feed that was presented in another thread of similar nature, and pretty much sums up the entire anti-F2P argument in a well wrapped package. Copy and paste the following link, and then "ctrl + f" to find "Ernest Adams" (there should only be two or three jumps to find the right video, which is titled: "Single-player, Multiplayer, MMOG: Design Psychologies for Different Social Contexts"): http://www.gdcvault.com/showConference.php?category=free&conference=280&expand_conferences=,280#conference280
I'll further note that the most prevelent information can be found later in the video, if you skip to the section about thirty minutes in, titled "The Massively Multiplayer Free-to-Play Game".
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
Before we all go around shouting the sky is falling lets adopt a wait and see approach non of know exactly how well or badly this will work . If the 500 turbine point add upto all the content you want being for free as a VIP its a bloody good deal , Theres not really anything to win in lotro so pay to win arguement in lotro is really pretty much invalid .
F2p will mean different things in different games . It is the way the markets going because its proberbly the only way companys will be able to break WoWs dominance of the market.
It's a crying shame that this is the alternative, though. Rather than trying to make a game that's actually better, that has more reasons for people to login or enough innovation and creativity to drive subs, they'd rather just change the method in which they charge players, as so they can continue pumping out the same content and receive better compensation. Sure, makes great sense for the businesses. Makes terrible sense for the overall quality of the genre.
"This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That's it!" -Bernard Black (Dylan Moran)
OP, I believe MMORPG.com is doing an article next week that will highlight some of the reasons why we should be concerned. You don't have to do it a few days early.
I think this interview really give a good explanation of why they change to the new buisness model for Lotro:
"There are two truths in our business. The number one reason people play MMOs is because their friends do, and the number one reason they don’t is because of a subscription. Let’s be clear though, we are just expanding into a free-to-play option. There is still a subscription option, and the stores will be optional, you can play the game without ever going to that stuff. That said, the success of DDO clearly validates what we believe the future of online entertainment could be. As soon as we saw that success we made moves to do that to LOTRO. I think you’re going to see this from our competitors. There will be a lot of different flavours, but you will see more of this going forward."
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/09/lordy-turbine-talk-free-lotro/
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
yes, only the starter areas will be free: Bree, Ered Luin, the Shire...you'll be able to travel anywhere in game, but you will have to pay to open quests in any other areas, or pay a monthly subscription.
oh and by the way...it's spelled R-I-V-E-N-D-E-L-L
Tearose Underhill, Hobbit Hunter
RaisingtheShire.com
I expect we have yet to see the end of these type posts for and extended period of time, and as the market moves slowly away from complete P2P and more toward hybrids, as its appears to, people will accept it as norm. The other option is to stop playing MMOs entirely, but anyone saying this is only being dishonest to themselves.
I miss the early days of EQ1 when paying 9.99 a month seemed like a reasonable amount, yet even then people were just beginning to grasp the concept of constantly upkept servers and game worlds. EQ1 back in March, 1999, seemed like you could do anything you wanted however limited it really was. Games now, cash shops included, appear so limted and less enthralling. For me the LOTRO going F2P does not scare me so much as when WoW launched, fun game sure, that changed MMOs and not exactly for the best.