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Rofl.. it gets better: "Pay $30 extra for your 30 free Days awesome ZOS, thanks "
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Not sure how to respond, so I'll do so as if the OP was the one in the quote's situation.
Some companies seem to do this, but it is far from standard practice in the MMO space. In fact, far more MMOs do not do this; it is however a tactic used by business in general, and therefore standard on a more universal approach (I.E. magazines and other subscription services). Therefore it is the choice of an MMO if they want to "follow the dollar" with automated fees when people forget to unsubscribe, and they may even use said data in saying that they are in fact subscribers.
It is sad to hear that ESO had went that route, and if you or anyone has a problem with that, then simply boycott them. There are many MMOs that do not do this -- in fact, I find it hard pressed to remember which ones do (then again I have several cards and may just be immune to the process in terms of thinking). It is anti consumerist, and most people in the world actually do have or don't use credit cards. Therefore having to buy a sixty day card just to register on top of a game box purchase that should've included 30 free days -- no questions asked -- is despicable on many levels (if true), irregardless if there is a precedence. They could've easy gone the route of the majority when it came to the genre, but they opted not to. This stands for any game that does it, and not just one in particular because it's the most recently released.
Aside from that, there are many who couldn't care, so long as they get their game. It's a mentality that makes such things okay in the gaming industry; people will even pay thousands for an unfinished product or to test games. Honestly many are hard working folk who just want their entertainment and not have to add the drama of "fighting the power" in the entertainment industry, where they retreat to for enjoyment. So it's simply a matter of personal morals and if you want to support a company that does not adhere to your ethics.
I'm starting to question some of Blizzard's own ethics, but then I see such things as their usual no-NDA on day one alpha for WoD as well as massive patch info, supporting datamining sites and even making fun of themselves in April Fools jokes. It's often easy to forgot a lot of the things you do appreciate about companies when focusing on the bad, and therefore if you can afford it or find a way to play it and the advertised 30 days you were supposed to get, then it's important to keep that in mind if you actually enjoy it. Though as a whole, I know many that are jumping off the bandwagon as soon as possible and attempted to get refunds. I was one of the ones that called this a potential cash grab way back, and it's starting to become more of a reality every day I participate in game or in a discussion with people who played it and or already quit.
I'm now reminded of how hard it must be to enter this genre in the first place. For the past five or so hours some 5,000 people were in a WoW Twitch channel that was displaying nothing more than a login screen for the alpha. It's cut down to about 3,000 now, but what other game could keep 5k+ people for hours when there's only a login screen and the title says it will only always be a title screen. No speaking or personality at a mic, just the screen and people waiting for the potential of datamined information or being told that it's up on MMO-champion the moment it is. Kind've makes one realize how truly and unfathomably die hard some WoW fans are and that the game will always be the "go to" one of this genre once content locust finish the newest.
As did I. Though I do have a friend who misunderstood what they were asking. Even today they send you to a subscription screen. But you're able to close it and log in immediately without touching it.
To everyone saying that so and so game didn't require a credit card......If it has any kind of free "trail" for example SWtOR, WoW, Tera and so on, then NO you do not use a credit card. How else are you gonna try your free trail??
If how ever it is a standard sub game...with NO FREE TRAIL..then yes you will have to put in a billing option, I had to do that with UO way back when and most recently Star Wars The Old Republic BEFORE it went free to try....I bought a month game time card when I bought the game because it wanted some billing info, that is not the case anymore since it is no longer technically a pay to play game.
And yes it's and old practice......but so is putting gas in your car (we do have other means of fuel you know).
I'm just not certain how this is such a big deal...sign up for sub-plan (in my case with the same credit card info with which I bought the game)...wait to see if it warrants another month...or three...
Card is not charged now anyway...if i can't look at a calendar and cancel at the appropriate time if I change my mind, I probably can't complete most of the quest chains or craft worth a damn anyway.
Managing monthly bills is NOT a difficult task, especially when we've not even been charged yet. How much hand-holding is needed?
To the best of my knowledge FFXIV ARR does not have a free trial. I bought it a week or so ago when it was on sale on Amazon, have not given any payment info and can play my free month just fine.
For that matter, ESO didn't require any payment info to play early access.
The problem for a lot of people is that the card was being charged an "authorization charge" equal to the sub fee you chose -- in the US for most people $14.99 or whatever. In theory that money will be refunded in a few days, depending on your bank, but it was rather unexpected to a lot of people.
..for very, very few people (those complaining here) in which case there is no harm regardless, except for the emotional panic some feel when they don't understand how such charges work (especially in the case of American Express, where most of these misunderstandings took place)...
This fee in not refunded "in theory"..it is common practice for many things, from hotel rooms to other online purchases...welcome to the 21st century
If you read what you wrote it says
"subscribe with a CC/Paypal to activate your account ... Or you have to buy a time card"
Notice the word 'or' ... they could use a CC/Paypal. No where does it say you HAVE to buy a game-time card.
Get your facts straight before you start to complain
There is no justification to even ask for credit card info, if the game comes with a FREE month.
Justify as you may need, but there is NO REASON. The game was already paid for with 1 month.
Bill after the free time expires. No at install, not during the 1st month .. but AFTER.
It just comes off lame. Many other game companies that adopted this practice were considered lame in the past. ZeniMax / Bethesda is no different.
It's just a way to sucker people negligent on their bills to forget cancelling their account. If a game is good with numbers, it will stand on its own, not rely on people who forgot to unsubscribe, to "pad" their numbers.
Want a nice understanding of life? Try Spirit Science: "The Human History"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NNHmV3QPw&feature=plcp
Recognize the voice? Yep sounds like Penny Arcade's Extra Credits.
Yeah because mmorpg.com represents the entire ESO base right? if you want to make and educated guess how many people have been effected by this check customer support forums..they even got a sticky up for the same.
Very very few people...sure whatever makes you feel better bud. I have played and subbed to every MMO release and i have never been charged upfront a monthly, quarterly or an yearly fee. They made an error and used the 'pre authorization' excuse to get off the hook.
Early WoW?
That sounds like later WoW, when Blizzard got hungry for money instead of quality gaming.......
Want a nice understanding of life? Try Spirit Science: "The Human History"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NNHmV3QPw&feature=plcp
Recognize the voice? Yep sounds like Penny Arcade's Extra Credits.
Yes there is...just like every MMO ever that has had a sub. They ALWAYS ask for the info. The charge/chargeback is different per game. Not sure why in the nine hells people are freaking out here. Always been done.
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to. Relax....."
It's not charged until the charge is posted, there's a reason cc statements have a "pending" section. It shows you who is authorizing the cc. Anybody who's familiar with cc should know you don't get worried about these pending charges, there's no harm or foul until it's posted.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
You are mistaken or lying...you choose
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to. Relax....."
It appears to me that the vast majority of people here realize that this is standard practice. Like it or not.
All these new kids on the internet. Making me feel old.
LOL...whew
No it isn't. It's the same.
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to. Relax....."
Yeah if you are not in US you will be charged in EUROS no matter where you live.
Not in my currency it is not. It is considerably more than if I was using USD.
Okay thanks. Not happy about that. Having to pay the extra for the EURO currency. But I will have to deal with it
I'm going to play ignorant and pretend you mean that you are paying more than the conversion rate...right? As in you pay MORE in euros than the equivalent in US dollars? Or are you just ignoring that they are different?
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to. Relax....."
It wasn't always done.
And just because current MMORPG / games want to make instant money doesn't justify any part of the "free" month that comes with games. They earn bonus's often times anways, because people sign up for plans they forget about. Marketers love these people.
But charging for a 30-day subscription, on a game that has a free 30-day key, is LAME!!!
WoW didn't have that. EQ1 didn't have that. But still people gamed and loved what they saw. They got billed after the 30 days that game with their key, assuming they liked what they saw and subscribed. AFTER the 30 DAYS. Not before, not during, but AFTER.
Early games were made by gamers, that's the point of interest. Nowadays it seems new mainstream game companies are run by marketers and accountants, rather than gamers. It's evident. It's a shame.
The writing is on the wall
Want a nice understanding of life? Try Spirit Science: "The Human History"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NNHmV3QPw&feature=plcp
Recognize the voice? Yep sounds like Penny Arcade's Extra Credits.
WoW and EQ1 did so have that. All info was entered...what the hell are you talking about?
Stop even talking about ESO charging for the 30 day thing...it has been fixed.
All MMOs wanted the info included in the sub area. In order to set up your payment schedule.
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to. Relax....."