I asked the AoC team if they were willing to offer me any incentive to come back and try their expansion. I want to like this game but as I have said before was let down huge and wanted a little motivation to give it another look. So I sent them an email and this is what they said...
-----
Hello,
I am afraid that at this time we are not offering any sort of incentives for returning players. Please keep an eye on the forums and web page for possible future rewards for returning players.
If you have any further questions on this matter please feel free to reply directly to this email.
I asked the AoC team if they were willing to offer me any incentive to come back and try their expansion. I want to like this game but as I have said before was let down huge and wanted a little motivation to give it another look. So I sent them an email and this is what they said...
-----
Hello,
I am afraid that at this time we are not offering any sort of incentives for returning players. Please keep an eye on the forums and web page for possible future rewards for returning players.
If you have any further questions on this matter please feel free to reply directly to this email.
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Here is your incentive - FREE beta access this week!
There's no second chances for this game from me. They were fully aware of problems their game had with certain ATI cards and they didn't fix them in my introductory month. What's worse is they completely ignored the problem even after they had a thread with over a thousand posts on it.
It's the only mmo disc I ever bought that I actually pulled out of my hard drive and threw into the garbage.
Yep- and they fired those jerks who were ignoring us. It is fixed now. The game is in a better state just liek VGSOH.
I just recently quit conan and will not be buying the xpac...
Basicly this game has just turned into another gear / faction grindfest and what used to be different / fun at launch is now just like 90% of the games out there now that I hate. Pretty soon there will probably be a gearscore mod like in wow and people will be turned away from raids because of it.
This xpac is basicly just more grinding for gear and faction... it's a shame they took such a wonderful game and tried to adopt everything from other mmos to increase sales. :P
I just recently quit conan and will not be buying the xpac...
Basicly this game has just turned into another gear / faction grindfest and what used to be different / fun at launch is now just like 90% of the games out there now that I hate. Pretty soon there will probably be a gearscore mod like in wow and people will be turned away from raids because of it.
This xpac is basicly just more grinding for gear and faction... it's a shame they took such a wonderful game and tried to adopt everything from other mmos to increase sales. :P
Well xpac has alternate advancement + new content. I am sure it will provide more hours of fun than most single player games for half the cost without grinding for better gear. I never participate much in end games or gear grinds when I get there, and when I do it's usually time for me to leave. Still I have had a ton of fun with content in AoC even if it's not as long lived as some other MMO's. I just want xpac to take me to FFXIV and I think it will do that nicely.
I'm the first guy to stand up for players rights and voice opinions about companies that are strongarming customers into paying twice for content. This is one instance where I'm going to take a neutral view.
On one hand I wish the content update were targeted towards continuing the conan lore and story. I also wish the massive amount of content was aimed at pushing the level cap higher and making it more of an epic journey. The game already has the content to support the level climb to 80 pretty smoothly. Adding more content to the existing level climb is going to thin out the population and make it less of a multiplayer experience.
On the other hand I am seeing a vast improvement to the game I originally played 2 years ago. There are no more problems leveling up through the game to the original level cap. The missions are engaging and rewarding without being about the next uber weapon or armor. There are times when you get a nice drop or are on a quest for a nice piece of armor but it doesn't feel like a hamster wheel waiting for the next meal to come.
As far as being worth it, the game offers 80 levels and plenty of area to cover to get there as it is. Not to mention this area is utterly gorgeous the entire time you're in it. It feels like Arnold could be right there in the game with you swinging a sword at the next ambush. The details in every model, texture, and scripted engagement are superb. The expansion is going to offer more of this to explore and more choices where to level up so people can level alts and not get tired of the same content aka EQ2.
"I'm not cheap I'm incredibly subconsciously financially optimized" "The worst part of censorship is ------------------"
Originally posted by Malickie Originally posted by Zholz What are they thinking? I played this game when it first came out and wanted to love it so badly but it sucked. I then gave it six months and tried it again because I was told they fixed so many things. Sadly, it still lost my interest quickly because it was nothing new. Now Funcom is saying that they are getting the game to the point they wanted it at launch in the first place with fun and exciting content that should put this game back on the map as a top MMO. They also want old players to give their game another shot because they are happy with where their game is at but once again they are asking people to sub and buy the expansion to see this new content. This makes me so angry, I would love to try out the new expansion maybe even rerole one of the new races and subscribe to this game once more but to ask that I buy another box from them is garbage. If someone has something helpful to add please do because this just pisses me off
I understand why you would be angry as it's kind of a bummer they aren't offering any comeback campaigns. However expecting them to just give us the expansion isn't exactly fair either. They've added plenty of free content to the game, lots actually. Now they're adding (most reports indicate) a ton of new content, that's what an expansions is, it's no surprise they're charging for it. I've been back to AOC for a little over a month, it's improved by leaps and bounds since the last time I played it. In both technical aspect as well as offered content. I know you want something posted that is helpful to your situation, however I really can't say I back your complaint 100% as I've enjoyed what I've experienced since coming back. For me it's the first MMO i've thoroughly enjoyed since I quit SWG in 05'. I'm more than willing to pay for this coming expansion. Also in game you wouldn't believe how many Kappa's I've seen (ROTGS pre-order item), more than half of the people I see (lvls 50-80) have one. Which says the playerbase is more than happy with what they are offering.
Completely agree with everything you said, especially the comment about this being the only game i've enjoyed this much since SWG. Kudos. Kudos indeed.
This makes me so angry, I would love to try out the new expansion maybe even rerole one of the new races and subscribe to this game once more but to ask that I buy another box from them is garbage.
Wait a few months, by end of summer the expansion will be 10 bucks or less and/or they will have a please come back promotion.
People still hating on AOC, lol... its been year and a half now and the game is not even the same what it was at release. I see same people posting here and bad mouthing it who were doing it at release time. i guess its just frustration that game is improving and didn't die a slow and miserable death as they predicted it would? i feel for you guys i really do.
what would make sense is if Funcom would give everyone the expansion that was ever subscribed, in particular the ones who played at release and payed 50 bucks for the box. Sort of a payback for releasing the game in such a pitiful state 2 years ago
what would make sense is if Funcom would give everyone the expansion that was ever subscribed, in particular the ones who played at release and payed 50 bucks for the box. Sort of a payback for releasing the game in such a pitiful state 2 years ago
They have already given 2 new zones, 4 new dungeons and a new tier of raid for free. That didn't tampon your bleeding enough?
And it is onely 30bucks including original game+30days, nice for those of youthat are new, ore have lost it ore just like to throw stuff in the bin.
If you compaire this to other expantion( like Cataclysm) you get 30days play time and the orignal game for free.
And it is onely 30bucks including original game+30days, nice for those of youthat are new, ore have lost it ore just like to throw stuff in the bin.
If you compaire this to other expantion( like Cataclysm) you get 30days play time and the orignal game for free.
I figure if I wait till late August or so I will be able to either get it for $9.99 or they will have a please come back promotion ~shrug~
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
you forgot the immature community and lousy customer service. I figure for free or maybe ten bucks I would get a few hours entertainment by playing tourist and looking at the pretty graphics and enjoying the soundtrack. Last time I subbed I lasted almost 4 hours till I got disgusted with the lack of any sort of death penalty
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
you forgot the immature community and lousy customer service. I figure for free or maybe ten bucks I would get a few hours entertainment by playing tourist and looking at the pretty graphics and enjoying the soundtrack. Last time I subbed I lasted almost 4 hours till I got disgusted with the lack of any sort of death penalty
Time to move on i guess? there must be some other games you like? when i quit a game i move on instead of being so emo about it.
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
you forgot the immature community and lousy customer service. I figure for free or maybe ten bucks I would get a few hours entertainment by playing tourist and looking at the pretty graphics and enjoying the soundtrack. Last time I subbed I lasted almost 4 hours till I got disgusted with the lack of any sort of death penalty
Today those two issue aren't so bad actually as the community has settled (for the most part) and customer service has actually stepped up. At least as far as dealing with gold spam and things like that (thats all I've had to petition about so far, since returning) I've reported about 10 spammers so far, each and every time I've been hailed by a CS rep within minutes and thanked for reporting the user and confirmed they've taken care of them. Not to shabby if you ask me.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
you forgot the immature community and lousy customer service. I figure for free or maybe ten bucks I would get a few hours entertainment by playing tourist and looking at the pretty graphics and enjoying the soundtrack. Last time I subbed I lasted almost 4 hours till I got disgusted with the lack of any sort of death penalty
Time to move on i guess? there must be some other games you like? when i quit a game i move on instead of being so emo about it.
What you fail to realize is that emo's enjoy inflicting themselves suffering
Time to move on i guess? there must be some other games you like? when i quit a game i move on instead of being so emo about it.
LOL I just find it entertaining watching Funcom continually try and convince people that the next patch or in this case expansion is going to be the miracle patch. I would hazard a guess the number of ohmygawd the game is suddenly awesome newbie review threads border in the tens of thousands at least. As far as other games, I really don't have time at the momnet to devote to a MMO, some sporadic forum cruising is about all I can manage. Still have not played more than 3 hours of Mass Effect II.
Anyway back to the topic at least for me AoC's entertainment value ranks significantly below the price of a matinee movie ticket ,so I really hope FC is not counting on me spending 30 bucks.
I am seeing a lot of games now that are able to launch free expansion because they know the player base will grow which will bring in more subscriptions. That is a totally legit way to pay their bills.
I suppose I should just wait until I can at least get a trial or a Veteran player promotion. I don't know, I guess I was just hoping someone could help me see past my possible irrational thought process because I was hoping for something it's not.
I haven't seen a single p2p title that offered a free expansion. Content updates, yeah, but not full fledged expansions.
I think EVE did it, but that's about it.
Champions online did it.
Unless I am mistaken, Cryptic was called out by its players for trying to brand missing content from the games release as an expansion and attempting to charge for it.
I am seeing a lot of games now that are able to launch free expansion because they know the player base will grow which will bring in more subscriptions. That is a totally legit way to pay their bills.
I suppose I should just wait until I can at least get a trial or a Veteran player promotion. I don't know, I guess I was just hoping someone could help me see past my possible irrational thought process because I was hoping for something it's not.
I haven't seen a single p2p title that offered a free expansion. Content updates, yeah, but not full fledged expansions.
I am seeing a lot of games now that are able to launch free expansion because they know the player base will grow which will bring in more subscriptions. That is a totally legit way to pay their bills.
I suppose I should just wait until I can at least get a trial or a Veteran player promotion. I don't know, I guess I was just hoping someone could help me see past my possible irrational thought process because I was hoping for something it's not.
I haven't seen a single p2p title that offered a free expansion. Content updates, yeah, but not full fledged expansions.
I think EVE did it, but that's about it.
Champions online did it.
Unless I am mistaken, Cryptic was called out by its players for trying to brand missing content from the games release as an expansion and attempting to charge for it.
That is true. Cryptic did it recently. It is not really apples to apples though. Funcom has already added about the same amount of content and enhancements at no extra charge equal to that of the expansion for champions.
Personally, I think AOC ranks highly in quality and content now compared to many other games on the market and this expansion is worthy of a charge with all the content already added. Plus, as others have stated, if you are new to AOC it is actually a good deal at $30.00 getting the core game, the expansion, and 30 days of gametime.
Not debating whether or not the game is for you in style and methodology but if you do like this type of game there is a lot of good value here now.
Comments
Wait only NEW accounts get 30 free days for the expansion? so old retturning and current players need to pay a subscription? insult to injury http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=217396
Funcom has reviewed all of its assets relevant for
impairment testing. This process has led to
recognition of an impairment loss of around
3,1 MUSD for Age of Conan due to a decrease in
numbers of subscribers for the game. Funcom Q4 10 report.
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showpost.php?p=2926123&postcount=7 500 mains/alts on Tyranny in past 30 days - instead of merge servers let's open a new PvP server, again! http://forums-eu.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=106427
I asked the AoC team if they were willing to offer me any incentive to come back and try their expansion. I want to like this game but as I have said before was let down huge and wanted a little motivation to give it another look. So I sent them an email and this is what they said...
-----
------
I say the block button might be a better option so I stop wasting my time with them.
Does anyone else know of a fun game that I could jump into?
I'd suggest checking out some F2P's if $30 is too rich for your blood..
You could try Alganon, it's free to play.
I dunno, enough f2p MMO's around to check and try, I think.
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
Here is your incentive - FREE beta access this week!
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/3529862#3529862
Yep- and they fired those jerks who were ignoring us. It is fixed now. The game is in a better state just liek VGSOH.
Hey buddy send me a message and I will send you a 7 day trial if you want it.
I just recently quit conan and will not be buying the xpac...
Basicly this game has just turned into another gear / faction grindfest and what used to be different / fun at launch is now just like 90% of the games out there now that I hate. Pretty soon there will probably be a gearscore mod like in wow and people will be turned away from raids because of it.
This xpac is basicly just more grinding for gear and faction... it's a shame they took such a wonderful game and tried to adopt everything from other mmos to increase sales. :P
Well xpac has alternate advancement + new content. I am sure it will provide more hours of fun than most single player games for half the cost without grinding for better gear. I never participate much in end games or gear grinds when I get there, and when I do it's usually time for me to leave. Still I have had a ton of fun with content in AoC even if it's not as long lived as some other MMO's. I just want xpac to take me to FFXIV and I think it will do that nicely.
I'm the first guy to stand up for players rights and voice opinions about companies that are strongarming customers into paying twice for content. This is one instance where I'm going to take a neutral view.
On one hand I wish the content update were targeted towards continuing the conan lore and story. I also wish the massive amount of content was aimed at pushing the level cap higher and making it more of an epic journey. The game already has the content to support the level climb to 80 pretty smoothly. Adding more content to the existing level climb is going to thin out the population and make it less of a multiplayer experience.
On the other hand I am seeing a vast improvement to the game I originally played 2 years ago. There are no more problems leveling up through the game to the original level cap. The missions are engaging and rewarding without being about the next uber weapon or armor. There are times when you get a nice drop or are on a quest for a nice piece of armor but it doesn't feel like a hamster wheel waiting for the next meal to come.
As far as being worth it, the game offers 80 levels and plenty of area to cover to get there as it is. Not to mention this area is utterly gorgeous the entire time you're in it. It feels like Arnold could be right there in the game with you swinging a sword at the next ambush. The details in every model, texture, and scripted engagement are superb. The expansion is going to offer more of this to explore and more choices where to level up so people can level alts and not get tired of the same content aka EQ2.
"I'm not cheap I'm incredibly subconsciously financially optimized"
"The worst part of censorship is ------------------"
Now they're adding (most reports indicate) a ton of new content, that's what an expansions is, it's no surprise they're charging for it.
I've been back to AOC for a little over a month, it's improved by leaps and bounds since the last time I played it. In both technical aspect as well as offered content.
I know you want something posted that is helpful to your situation, however I really can't say I back your complaint 100% as I've enjoyed what I've experienced since coming back. For me it's the first MMO i've thoroughly enjoyed since I quit SWG in 05'. I'm more than willing to pay for this coming expansion. Also in game you wouldn't believe how many Kappa's I've seen (ROTGS pre-order item), more than half of the people I see (lvls 50-80) have one. Which says the playerbase is more than happy with what they are offering.
Completely agree with everything you said, especially the comment about this being the only game i've enjoyed this much since SWG. Kudos. Kudos indeed.
Wait a few months, by end of summer the expansion will be 10 bucks or less and/or they will have a please come back promotion.
I miss DAoC
People still hating on AOC, lol... its been year and a half now and the game is not even the same what it was at release. I see same people posting here and bad mouthing it who were doing it at release time. i guess its just frustration that game is improving and didn't die a slow and miserable death as they predicted it would? i feel for you guys i really do.
what would make sense is if Funcom would give everyone the expansion that was ever subscribed, in particular the ones who played at release and payed 50 bucks for the box. Sort of a payback for releasing the game in such a pitiful state 2 years ago
I miss DAoC
And it is onely 30bucks including original game+30days, nice for those of youthat are new, ore have lost it ore just like to throw stuff in the bin.
If you compaire this to other expantion( like Cataclysm) you get 30days play time and the orignal game for free.
I figure if I wait till late August or so I will be able to either get it for $9.99 or they will have a please come back promotion ~shrug~
I miss DAoC
Come on Jack, you know you're not going to like it. Just like every other time you've played. Why torture yourself?
The death penalty remains the same, the combat remains the same, the questing style remains the same, for the most part the world design remains the same albeit a little larger this time around.
Aren't these the things you hated about AOC?
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
you forgot the immature community and lousy customer service. I figure for free or maybe ten bucks I would get a few hours entertainment by playing tourist and looking at the pretty graphics and enjoying the soundtrack. Last time I subbed I lasted almost 4 hours till I got disgusted with the lack of any sort of death penalty
I miss DAoC
Time to move on i guess? there must be some other games you like? when i quit a game i move on instead of being so emo about it.
Today those two issue aren't so bad actually as the community has settled (for the most part) and customer service has actually stepped up. At least as far as dealing with gold spam and things like that (thats all I've had to petition about so far, since returning) I've reported about 10 spammers so far, each and every time I've been hailed by a CS rep within minutes and thanked for reporting the user and confirmed they've taken care of them. Not to shabby if you ask me.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
What you fail to realize is that emo's enjoy inflicting themselves suffering
LOL I just find it entertaining watching Funcom continually try and convince people that the next patch or in this case expansion is going to be the miracle patch. I would hazard a guess the number of ohmygawd the game is suddenly awesome newbie review threads border in the tens of thousands at least. As far as other games, I really don't have time at the momnet to devote to a MMO, some sporadic forum cruising is about all I can manage. Still have not played more than 3 hours of Mass Effect II.
Anyway back to the topic at least for me AoC's entertainment value ranks significantly below the price of a matinee movie ticket ,so I really hope FC is not counting on me spending 30 bucks.
I miss DAoC
Unless I am mistaken, Cryptic was called out by its players for trying to brand missing content from the games release as an expansion and attempting to charge for it.
Lineage 1 and 2 have both done it
That is true. Cryptic did it recently. It is not really apples to apples though. Funcom has already added about the same amount of content and enhancements at no extra charge equal to that of the expansion for champions.
Personally, I think AOC ranks highly in quality and content now compared to many other games on the market and this expansion is worthy of a charge with all the content already added. Plus, as others have stated, if you are new to AOC it is actually a good deal at $30.00 getting the core game, the expansion, and 30 days of gametime.
Not debating whether or not the game is for you in style and methodology but if you do like this type of game there is a lot of good value here now.