LotRO and EQ2 as well as DDO are free to play for a reason lol. They are MMO's that were on there way out.
Some people are so misinformed.
Yeah, but I'm not actually one of them lol. New games on the horizon are some that the 3 just couldn't compete with in the pay to play bracket. DDO was struggling period, EQ2 and LotRO were ok until the new batch of MMO's start to hit the shelves but they and the players know what 2011 held for them if they remained pay to play.
Perhaps a silly reason, but I really like the scenics.
Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security. I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident. When I don't understand, I ask. Such is not intended as criticism.
EQ2X for me, definitely. Only F2P game I ever paid for. $10 for Silver is a good deal. SOE has made changes that addressed many of the problems people had, so it's possible to buy most features now in one form or another. I always wanted to go back to EQ2 but never felt it was worth the $15 a month. In EQ2X for the price of 1 month I got Silver, the latest expansion (which will be free in 2 months, but I also got 800 SC so that was okay) and a race pack.
I also played DnD for a while, and enjoyed it, but I think that EQ2X feels more like a complete and unlimited game. I also tried LOTRO, but didn't really get into it. Currently I'm only playing EQ2X.
In my opinion Lotro is the best fantasy based mmorpg out currently. I'll be voting for Lotro in this category and if it gets into game of the year. Now that I play Lotro I've all but left Eve for good (replaced eve with space trader sims) and have had almost no reason to post on this forum.
I voted Everquest 2 because of all the games listed to me it was the best I played. Granted I have not tried the extended but the game itself is the best of that list.
LotRO and EQ2 as well as DDO are free to play for a reason lol. They are MMO's that were on there way out.
Some people are so misinformed.
Yeah, but I'm not actually one of them lol. New games on the horizon are some that the 3 just couldn't compete with in the pay to play bracket. DDO was struggling period, EQ2 and LotRO were ok until the new batch of MMO's start to hit the shelves but they and the players know what 2011 held for them if they remained pay to play.
DDO was struggling, yes, because of the niche fanbase it has, but Lotro and EQ2 were not hurting to the extreme you try to portray it. Even if they had not gone F2P, they would of been around for several more years. If you doubt it, look at the numbers for Horizons, now called Istaria, and notice how long a mmo can really survive on so little.
It was one of the best MMO (imho) before the F2P launch, and even after it is one of the best. It doesn't change much if you still pay to play, so it's nice.
This is actually a very tough poll for me - I've played all the games except Vindictus. I've spent money in all the games but Vindictus.
I chose EQ2X because it's the one I've spent the most time in with the least money. That said I currently play both EQ2X and LOTRO - our guild gets together in LOTRO on Friday nights and EQ2X on Saturday nights. Should probably let you all know that we aren't end game players - don't think any of us have maxed characters in either game.
ROM is ok but for some reason I just don't like the community. DDO is also ok but doesn't have housing. Wizard 101 is very different, I go back and play it every once in a while.
Yeah, but I'm not actually one of them lol. New games on the horizon are some that the 3 just couldn't compete with in the pay to play bracket. DDO was struggling period, EQ2 and LotRO were ok until the new batch of MMO's start to hit the shelves but they and the players know what 2011 held for them if they remained pay to play.
The game would have been fine (LotRO). As a player pre and post F2P, the player base was fine before, but much better now. It wasn't hurting as you eluded to in your first post. So, yeah, misinformed.
I played EQ2 before F2P as well and the playerbase, at least on Antonia Bayle, was fine.
Your statement that they would have been hurt had they remained in the P2P bracket is just an opinion. Nothing more.
Maybe its just me. Maybe. But the options not only in this but in pretty much majority of these elections seems to be biased or not thought out well. RoM? Rly? Wasnt it released in 2009? Why not include Allods wich was actualy released in 2010. And Wiz101 among top 5 f2p games? What "significant impact " did it make? Dunno guys, these awards seems like a load of biased bull dropings. Of course I have no facts to base my opinion, its just my opinion, but nowadays you can't trust anyone, rly (gonna search something in wikileaks about mmorpg.com )
Maybe its just me. Maybe. But the options not only in this but in pretty much majority of these elections seems to be biased or not thought out well. RoM? Rly? Wasnt it released in 2009? Why not include Allods wich was actualy released in 2010. And Wiz101 among top 5 f2p games? What "significant impact " did it make? Dunno guys, these awards seems like a load of biased bull dropings. Of course I have no facts to base my opinion, its just my opinion, but nowadays you can't trust anyone, rly (gonna search something in wikileaks about mmorpg.com )
The award is not for bes F2P released this year... Allods have a very bad reputation with how they handled their cash shop so it's not a big surprise it's not on the list.
The only strange pick is Wizard 101 since it's not even F2P and not even the devs call it one. For some reason the writers here on mmorpg really like that game and always trying to push for it.
Rest of the list is simply the best of F2Ps out there.
If WoW = The Beatles and WAR = Led Zeppelin Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
RoM is number 1 for me, it's a real MMO compared to 90% of the crap out there. Bit of a money sink though, lotro is my second choice though both are great games....both are a bit heafty on the cash shop reliance though, but it's 'free' so no complaints.
DDO, because I don't have to purchase high level content in order to level past a certain amount (LOTRO).
However I don't think this is a fair poll. Vindictus is no more an MMO than GW 1 was, Wizards 101 is not free it's only a free trial, and LoTRO and DDO both were not originally F2P and their model is more like free...up to a certain extent.
Runes of Magic is a better example of an F2P game. Atlantica should be on there too and - though I hate it with all my being - Perfect World as well.
"Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."
I think Wizard101 is a fantastic game. I've played on-and-off since beta and I've paid for a subscription for my son since the very beginning. That being said, I do not consider Wizard101 a true F2P. While there is free content and you can technically play free, it's a matter of semantics, since you're cut off from most of the Wizard101 world. Free players are essentially stuck on "newbie island" forever. Wizard101 is a "freemium" game, not a "free" game.
On a side note, this is why there needs to be definition of what truly constitutes F2P - there's too much gray area, too many semantic arguments and too much reliance on the game's marketing materials. In my mind, a true F2P is as follows:
The client must be free - if there's a cost barrier to enter the game, then the "game" isn't "free" (Guild Wars, for example).
The "game" must be free. What's the "game"? All basic "content", which includes levels, zones and quests. If one has to pay to unlock content the the entire "game" isn't free (unless there's an alternate method for unlocking content in-game - LoTRO is a good example of a game where you can unlock content through in-game play. Alganon is an example of a game where your ability to progress and access additional content is capped at some point)
No "pay to win" sales - If the game offers PvP, then either the credit shop should not allow the sale of any items that give a paying player any competitive advantage over a non-paying or lesser-paying player or said items should be disabled during competition (this last part mostly applies to primarily PvE games with optional PvP).
Please note, I'm definitely not opposed to buying convenience or vanity items for F2P games. I think there's great potential for revenue from those sales. I just think sites like mmorpg.com need to take a stand on what "F2P" actually means and I think the simple guidelines above are a good start. My 2 cents..
Either something is free, or it is not. This shouldn't be a stretch for anyone.
These games should be advertised as pay as you go with some features having no charge. The industry really needs to take closer look at this payment model and lose the absurd name that is completely false and misleading.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
As if these games' with different business models could be combined under one single "F2P" umbrella only for the sake of throwing all of them them into a Best of the Rest category which didn't make any sense last year and still doesn't make any sense this year.
Looking forward to see the same category 2011 to 2020 because I know for some reason you'll need to have it!
Comments
DDo and LOTRO both benefitted from going F2P, but for me LOTRO wins it hands down.
Thumbs up Turbine!
Yeah, but I'm not actually one of them lol. New games on the horizon are some that the 3 just couldn't compete with in the pay to play bracket. DDO was struggling period, EQ2 and LotRO were ok until the new batch of MMO's start to hit the shelves but they and the players know what 2011 held for them if they remained pay to play.
Voted LOTRO.
Perhaps a silly reason, but I really like the scenics.
EQ2X for me, definitely. Only F2P game I ever paid for. $10 for Silver is a good deal. SOE has made changes that addressed many of the problems people had, so it's possible to buy most features now in one form or another. I always wanted to go back to EQ2 but never felt it was worth the $15 a month. In EQ2X for the price of 1 month I got Silver, the latest expansion (which will be free in 2 months, but I also got 800 SC so that was okay) and a race pack.
I also played DnD for a while, and enjoyed it, but I think that EQ2X feels more like a complete and unlimited game. I also tried LOTRO, but didn't really get into it. Currently I'm only playing EQ2X.
Playing: Rift, LotRO
Waiting on: GW2, BP
I voted Everquest 2 because of all the games listed to me it was the best I played. Granted I have not tried the extended but the game itself is the best of that list.
I choose LotRO.
Runes of Magic here!
DDO was struggling, yes, because of the niche fanbase it has, but Lotro and EQ2 were not hurting to the extreme you try to portray it. Even if they had not gone F2P, they would of been around for several more years. If you doubt it, look at the numbers for Horizons, now called Istaria, and notice how long a mmo can really survive on so little.
LOTRO for me.
It was one of the best MMO (imho) before the F2P launch, and even after it is one of the best. It doesn't change much if you still pay to play, so it's nice.
Of all the stuff I'm hearing about LOTR:O here, I should definitely try it! No harm there, it has my vote here then.
This is actually a very tough poll for me - I've played all the games except Vindictus. I've spent money in all the games but Vindictus.
I chose EQ2X because it's the one I've spent the most time in with the least money. That said I currently play both EQ2X and LOTRO - our guild gets together in LOTRO on Friday nights and EQ2X on Saturday nights. Should probably let you all know that we aren't end game players - don't think any of us have maxed characters in either game.
ROM is ok but for some reason I just don't like the community. DDO is also ok but doesn't have housing. Wizard 101 is very different, I go back and play it every once in a while.
The game would have been fine (LotRO). As a player pre and post F2P, the player base was fine before, but much better now. It wasn't hurting as you eluded to in your first post. So, yeah, misinformed.
I played EQ2 before F2P as well and the playerbase, at least on Antonia Bayle, was fine.
Your statement that they would have been hurt had they remained in the P2P bracket is just an opinion. Nothing more.
Maybe its just me. Maybe. But the options not only in this but in pretty much majority of these elections seems to be biased or not thought out well. RoM? Rly? Wasnt it released in 2009? Why not include Allods wich was actualy released in 2010. And Wiz101 among top 5 f2p games? What "significant impact " did it make? Dunno guys, these awards seems like a load of biased bull dropings. Of course I have no facts to base my opinion, its just my opinion, but nowadays you can't trust anyone, rly (gonna search something in wikileaks about mmorpg.com
)
The award is not for bes F2P released this year... Allods have a very bad reputation with how they handled their cash shop so it's not a big surprise it's not on the list.
The only strange pick is Wizard 101 since it's not even F2P and not even the devs call it one. For some reason the writers here on mmorpg really like that game and always trying to push for it.
Rest of the list is simply the best of F2Ps out there.
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
RoM is number 1 for me, it's a real MMO compared to 90% of the crap out there. Bit of a money sink though, lotro is my second choice though both are great games....both are a bit heafty on the cash shop reliance though, but it's 'free' so no complaints.
DDO, because I don't have to purchase high level content in order to level past a certain amount (LOTRO).
However I don't think this is a fair poll. Vindictus is no more an MMO than GW 1 was, Wizards 101 is not free it's only a free trial, and LoTRO and DDO both were not originally F2P and their model is more like free...up to a certain extent.
Runes of Magic is a better example of an F2P game. Atlantica should be on there too and - though I hate it with all my being - Perfect World as well.
"Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."
I think, that for the vote, you all miss the best F2P ( and is really free ) game of 2010, without question: FFXIV.
Rofl final fantisy free to play what grass are you smoking.
I think Wizard101 is a fantastic game. I've played on-and-off since beta and I've paid for a subscription for my son since the very beginning. That being said, I do not consider Wizard101 a true F2P. While there is free content and you can technically play free, it's a matter of semantics, since you're cut off from most of the Wizard101 world. Free players are essentially stuck on "newbie island" forever. Wizard101 is a "freemium" game, not a "free" game.
~Ripper
If LOTRO was actually free, then I'd vote for it, but as you really can't do anything after the first 20 levels without paying, its not free.
On a side note, this is why there needs to be definition of what truly constitutes F2P - there's too much gray area, too many semantic arguments and too much reliance on the game's marketing materials. In my mind, a true F2P is as follows:
The client must be free - if there's a cost barrier to enter the game, then the "game" isn't "free" (Guild Wars, for example).
The "game" must be free. What's the "game"? All basic "content", which includes levels, zones and quests. If one has to pay to unlock content the the entire "game" isn't free (unless there's an alternate method for unlocking content in-game - LoTRO is a good example of a game where you can unlock content through in-game play. Alganon is an example of a game where your ability to progress and access additional content is capped at some point)
No "pay to win" sales - If the game offers PvP, then either the credit shop should not allow the sale of any items that give a paying player any competitive advantage over a non-paying or lesser-paying player or said items should be disabled during competition (this last part mostly applies to primarily PvE games with optional PvP).
Please note, I'm definitely not opposed to buying convenience or vanity items for F2P games. I think there's great potential for revenue from those sales. I just think sites like mmorpg.com need to take a stand on what "F2P" actually means and I think the simple guidelines above are a good start. My 2 cents..
~Ripper
This is just false.
There is nothing stoping you from leveling to 65 in LotrO without paying anything. Lots of content without paying + all the points you get from deeds.
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
Either something is free, or it is not. This shouldn't be a stretch for anyone.
These games should be advertised as pay as you go with some features having no charge. The industry really needs to take closer look at this payment model and lose the absurd name that is completely false and misleading.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
As if these games' with different business models could be combined under one single "F2P" umbrella only for the sake of throwing all of them them into a Best of the Rest category which didn't make any sense last year and still doesn't make any sense this year.
Looking forward to see the same category 2011 to 2020 because I know for some reason you'll need to have it!