And this is where you and EA fails to form good relations with their customers. why they were voted worst company and why their stock is si low.
But, as you say - they dont care, all they care is 300-500m $ hole in their pocket and nickle and diming existing customers, which will drive even more people away.
Good relations with customers? Why would they want to please people who are complaining about not receiving free stuff? And not even entitled to?
Past customers got what they paid for at the time. Also, they know what the game is all about, so they should know if its worth their money or not.
Is this another case of player entitlement issues?
Well wait a minute, I see some justifications here saying that this was done by EA to favor existing paying customers. If that is the case, what is the point of going F2P?
Isn't F2P supposed to appeal to people who aren't currently playing your game?
And it's foolish to try and equivocate F2P customer satisfaction with entitlement. Those are completely different things.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
I recieved my email, and i have to say not a chance for me to resub just to get the Cartel Coins that have built up on my account.
If there was coins given out for what i have purchased in the past, then when F2P went live there would be a good chance at me using said coins and adding to them, it's that hook of saying here you are you can afford this nice shiny item but look for a few more coins you could have this even bigger shiny item.
Due to the method in which to opbtain the coins is through having to sub before it goes F2P, i will just wait for launch, have a look but not even bother with the shop.
1. sub to get coins= no money from me
2. Given some coins= pretty good chance at me adding to funds.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
Originally posted by Sevenstar61 Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
This.
Could not say it better. You just want all promotion to be for "everyone"(mostly your case).
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
This.
Could not say it better. You just want all promotion to be for "everyone"(mostly your case).
Here I was thinking they might like to get a group of confirmed Star Wars fans back in the game in the hope they would go on to buy more coin or even Sub.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
It's the concept of hooking players back to the game, if the coins had been given out for anyone that has paid any money towards the game ppl are more inclined towards coming back to the game to spend those free coins thay have. While they are there they can see the changes/advancements that have been made to the game so a good chance that this player will spend more money wether through the shop or by subscribing.
Remember it's all perception on the one hand you have a gift a gesture of goodwill this makes the players perceptions good towards the game, if you are seen to be charging for everything including the kitchen sink the players perception can be bad. Out of the 2 groups of players who is going to spend more money? the player who feels happy or the player that feels bad?
Here I was thinking they might like to get a group of confirmed Star Wars fans back in the game in the hope they would go on to buy more coin or even Sub.
Nah, they just want to squeeze as much as they can from currently paying customers and when they reach "acceptable losses" just shut the game down.
Also thers like miniscule chance this F2P will work and SWTOR will have millions of paying customers, but then its better for EA to start playing lottery if they are counting on it ha ha
And players who will come back to game will be rewarded with preferred status.
Giving CC for not subscribers would alienate the loyal base of subscribers. What would they need to get to offset that?
Why would it alienate current subscribers? current subscribers get the bonus for being subscribed when it goes F2P, plus the coins for the length of being sub'd, full access to the game, and i believe i read somewhere a veteran reward bonus for the amount of time being subscribed like STO and Rift use.
Also by getting more players into the game who are happy to hand over cash you then also start generating more income as i said before it's that perception a player has towards the cash shop, unlocking component's of the game, a happy customer is going to open their wallets an unhappy one won't.
We have to remember why F2P as a business model is being used, players for one reason or another were leaving in floods SWTOR could not sustain it's current model, buy making the cartel coins free to all players that have built them up through previous sub's/purchases etc goes along way of getting players to return, to see what has changed to feel that there has been enough of a change to warrant spending money on again, but with the pay a sub to get your coins just starts getting previous players back's up at the start.
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
This.
Could not say it better. You just want all promotion to be for "everyone"(mostly your case).
Here I was thinking they might like to get a group of confirmed Star Wars fans back in the game in the hope they would go on to buy more coin or even Sub.
The main goal is to get their remaing subscribers to spend $15-$20 a month in the cash shop. Everything else is either a facade or a vehicle to coral people into that double-dip sub and Cartel shop buyer model.
It gives you a detailed list of all the Complimentary Cartel Coins you could potentially receive at the launch of the Free-to-Play option!
You’ll only receive your Complimentary Cartel Coins if you’re active and subscribed when we go live with the new Free-to-Play option.
I have to resub to get what I have "earned".
Yeah, it's pretty smarmy.
I remember when they first started this process, they sent me a similiar e-mail. I then saw that I "could" get these coins with an active subscription.
When I received this recent e-mail telling me they gave me coins for all the months I subscribed I then saw it was the exact same deal.
Though I had few problems with the game I don't like being duped into revisiting their site.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
Why they would want you to sub for F2P is beyond me. Getting people to sub makes F2P pointless.
They also do rewards for people who are subbed by giving people 200 CC per month, and people got these from Aug 1st. So if people do not sub then they lose these 200 CC per month, but they should not lose the CC for the months paid before Aug 1st or for the Collectors edition
The 200 CC per month should be enough incentive to get people to sub before F2P, not this cheap trick where you get NOTHING.
Also according to this post the small print has changed witin the last month, as small print #1 originally read (and I saw it read exactly as such):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
now it reads (with the bit underlined added in):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT WITH ACTIVE PAYING SUBSCRIPTION ON DATE OF FREE-TO-PLAY SERVICE LAUNCH. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. NOT VALID FOR COMPLIMENTARY OR PROMOTIONAL TIME GRANTS. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
So they initially intended for people to get coins without being subbed at F2P, but I guess not many people did stay subbed after announcing F2P, so changed their minds and made it mandatory.
Who wants to stick with a company who behaves evily like Darth Vader?
Ex SWTOR players: You said we could get Cartel coins withiout being subbed only about a month ago
Darth EA: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
The way they are doing it just supports existing paying customers
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
Why they would want you to sub for F2P is beyond me. Getting people to sub makes F2P pointless.
They also do rewards for people who are subbed by giving people 200 CC per month, and people got these from Aug 1st. So if people do not sub then they lose these 200 CC per month, but they should not lose the CC for the months paid before Aug 1st or for the Collectors edition
The 200 CC per month should be enough incentive to get people to sub before F2P, not this cheap trick where you get NOTHING.
Also according to this post the small print has changed witin the last month, as small print #1 originally read (and I saw it read exactly as such):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
now it reads (with the bit underlined added in):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT WITH ACTIVE PAYING SUBSCRIPTION ON DATE OF FREE-TO-PLAY SERVICE LAUNCH. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. NOT VALID FOR COMPLIMENTARY OR PROMOTIONAL TIME GRANTS. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
So they initially intended for people to get coins without being subbed at F2P, but I guess not many people did stay subbed after announcing F2P, so changed their minds and made it mandatory.
Who wants to stick with a company who behaves evily like Darth Vader?
Ex SWTOR players: You said we could get Cartel coins withiout being subbed only about a month ago
EA: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
I absolutely agree. I was planning on checking the game out, maybe spending some money ont eh cash shop and even subbing if I had fun on my return. I bougt the Collectors edition and also stayed subbed for a couple of months before the train wreck just started getting worst and worst. However, with this announcement they have shown their true colors and I dont want ANYTHIGN to do with them anymore as a company. You dont backtrack on promises to your customers specially since your game was suck a pile of garbage and left soo many ppl with a bad after taste. Imho this is the last nail in teh coffin for that game and I seriously hope it just shuts down so we can get the IP released to a better developer.
At least with a sub game they know that people won't tolerate bullshit and leave. With anet we have no recourse but to buy our own lube so our assholes don't get too stretched out from getting bent over a table at Anets will. - Hrimnir
And I was thinking I could go back to SWTOR and not pay a cent. I could buy back a few hotbars back with the cartel coins they are offering and maybe, just maybe have some fun or closure to my investment. Oh no, I failed to read the fine print with the F2P announcement and now it is staring at me with a hand extended, expecting more money.
You Can Earn Complimentary Cartel Coins!
All players with an active subscription at the launch of the Free-to-Play option will be granted Complimentary Cartel Coins!
It gives you a detailed list of all the Complimentary Cartel Coins you could potentially receive at the launch of the Free-to-Play option!
You’ll only receive your Complimentary Cartel Coins if you’re active and subscribed when we go live with the new Free-to-Play option.
I have to resub to get what I have "earned".
I have been played. And the sad thing is I'm slightly inclined to pay so I don't have to pay.
help me ._.
Did you really think it was going to be a totally free ride lol, nothing is free.
To be honest, I don't see how you were fooled. Now I don't even play the game, but I'm watching the whole thing unfold since I find it interesting.. Thing is, it's been said since the 'view cartel points' stuff was introduced that you have to have an active sub at the free to play launch to get them.
If you missed that, that's on you. So saying they fooled you is just.. well.. plain wrong.
As for if what they're doing being morally right or not, that's subjective, but I can understand why they're doing it. If it were my game, I wouldn't want to give what essentially is a substitute for RL money to disloyal customers. Free to Play model survives on their cashshop, in case some didn't notice, that means people have to buy stuff from the 'market'. If they give even F2P players cash upon F2P launch, then they'll earn a LOT less money.
Personally, I think players should get Cartel Coins for buying the game - especially the CE and the Digital Deluxe - even if they're F2P; but that doesn't mean I don't understand Why they do it. They, as a company and as game developers, need to earn money. Therefore, giving money away is counterproductive.
That's all there is - and if you didn't read the 'you need to sub part', then it's like with any other contract/deal/whatever: You should have paid more attention earlier. OP can be happy though, it's not like he's locked to an option. You get to chose if those cartel points are worth a month of sub for you (game goes F2P Nov 15th) or not.
To be honest, I don't see how you were fooled. Now I don't even play the game, but I'm watching the whole thing unfold since I find it interesting.. Thing is, it's been said since the 'view cartel points' stuff was introduced that you have to have an active sub at the free to play launch to get them.
If you missed that, that's on you. So saying they fooled you is just.. well.. plain wrong.
As for if what they're doing being morally right or not, that's subjective, but I can understand why they're doing it. If it were my game, I wouldn't want to give what essentially is a substitute for RL money to disloyal customers. Free to Play model survives on their cashshop, in case some didn't notice, that means people have to buy stuff from the 'market'. If they give even F2P players cash upon F2P launch, then they'll earn a LOT less money.
Personally, I think players should get Cartel Coins for buying the game - especially the CE and the Digital Deluxe - even if they're F2P; but that doesn't mean I don't understand Why they do it. They, as a company and as game developers, need to earn money. Therefore, giving money away is counterproductive.
That's all there is - and if you didn't read the 'you need to sub part', then it's like with any other contract/deal/whatever: You should have paid more attention earlier. OP can be happy though, it's not like he's locked to an option. You get to chose if those cartel points are worth a month of sub for you (game goes F2P Nov 15th) or not.
I guess you did not see my last post, they changed the small print only within the last month.
You did not have to be subbed into F2P to get some CC, now you do
I guess you did not see my last post, they changed the small print only within the last month.
You did not have to be subbed into F2P to get some CC, now you do
Nope, missed it but read it now.
That's odd though, because I remember reading for quite some while ago (when I first checked what cartel points I'd earn IF I came back) that you'd have to be subbed. Of course, I might not remember correctly.
Still, even though they did that, and even if there were no information about it earlier, I understand why they switched it. They should have been clearer with the 'you need to sub to get CC', that I agree with, but it's perfectly understandable that they don't give everyone coins. Also, if you're interested in something (like playing SW:TOR) it's good to keep yourself updated regularly in case things change (like this). Companies, not only in the gaming business, often 'change their minds', switch stuff around in the fine print or otherwise makes life uncomfortable for you if you don't keep an eye on them.
Again, in -MY- opinion, they didn't fool anyone; and I don't see how anyone can expect to get cash for free - especially from a game that's having financial issues. Maybe I'm just cynical and jaded though...
I guess you did not see my last post, they changed the small print only within the last month.
You did not have to be subbed into F2P to get some CC, now you do
Nope, missed it but read it now.
That's odd though, because I remember reading for quite some while ago (when I first checked what cartel points I'd earn IF I came back) that you'd have to be subbed. Of course, I might not remember correctly.
Still, even though they did that, and even if there were no information about it earlier, I understand why they switched it. They should have been clearer with the 'you need to sub to get CC', that I agree with, but it's perfectly understandable that they don't give everyone coins. Also, if you're interested in something (like playing SW:TOR) it's good to keep yourself updated regularly in case things change (like this). Companies, not only in the gaming business, often 'change their minds', switch stuff around in the fine print or otherwise makes life uncomfortable for you if you don't keep an eye on them.
Again, in -MY- opinion, they didn't fool anyone; and I don't see how anyone can expect to get cash for free - especially from a game that's having financial issues. Maybe I'm just cynical and jaded though...
Not many people who quit and waiting on F2P would keep a constant eye on things, and I bet some will not even know about the change, see that you can get some CC without subbing, last month, and then just wait for it to go F2P, and return when it is F2P.
Now people will end up getting 0 CC, and then say "screw it"
They may even change it again, and decide that people can get the CC at F2P, except for the stuff after Aug 1st, therefore needing to sub not be necessary, and those returning may usie it as "coin toss" Get CC = give game another go, do not get CC = quit SWTOR permanantly
All companies can do whatever they want, but this way ensures less people return to the game, and the fact they change things at the last minute, when for months they were saying something else, will put other people off, even if not directly affected, like ones currently subbed or even willing to sub anyway, regardless of the offer, as if they do can things like this, then they can do something similar in the future.
Obi-Wan: Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him?
Comments
Yep. You cannot "support" everyone, all the time. It is a promotion focused on specific customer base, nothing wrong there.
Good relations with customers? Why would they want to please people who are complaining about not receiving free stuff? And not even entitled to?
Past customers got what they paid for at the time. Also, they know what the game is all about, so they should know if its worth their money or not.
Is this another case of player entitlement issues?
Well wait a minute, I see some justifications here saying that this was done by EA to favor existing paying customers. If that is the case, what is the point of going F2P?
Isn't F2P supposed to appeal to people who aren't currently playing your game?
And it's foolish to try and equivocate F2P customer satisfaction with entitlement. Those are completely different things.
Survivor of the great MMORPG Famine of 2011
As ignore me said above, F2P is designed for people who have quit, and do not want to pay a sub, ie NOT existing paying customers
They can support both, existing players get more CC by staying subbed. Now people who have quit and probably would have returned for F2P, get nothing if they do not want to resub, so now they are unlikely to return.
It does not bother me, it is just another nail in SWTORs coffin - It does not do anything to attract players back to the game.
Star Trek Online - Best Free MMORPG of 2012
Preferred Status
And we have not forgotten about those of you who once had accounts, but cancelled. We are hoping to get you to come back and play! Any player who has ever paid a monthly subscription fee will be given Preferred Status automatically when Free-to-Play option is launched. Players with Preferred Status do not face the same limitations as a Free-to-Play player and will find that some restrictions are either removed or greatly reduced.
Sith Warrior - Story of Hate and Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKrlwXt7Ao
Imperial Agent - Rise of Cipher Nine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBBj3eJWBvU&feature=youtu.be
Imperial Agent - Hunt for the Eagle Part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQqjYYU128E
So? Still do not get ANY CC if not subbed, even if you bought the collectors edition and subbed many months before Aug 1st
No CC does not attract players back to the game. Making people have to resub (when they know that people quit because they did not want to be tied to monthly sub) to get ALL those CC is just a dirty trick to get EA more money, and people will not return on that principle alone
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I recieved my email, and i have to say not a chance for me to resub just to get the Cartel Coins that have built up on my account.
If there was coins given out for what i have purchased in the past, then when F2P went live there would be a good chance at me using said coins and adding to them, it's that hook of saying here you are you can afford this nice shiny item but look for a few more coins you could have this even bigger shiny item.
Due to the method in which to opbtain the coins is through having to sub before it goes F2P, i will just wait for launch, have a look but not even bother with the shop.
1. sub to get coins= no money from me
2. Given some coins= pretty good chance at me adding to funds.
Why would they want to reward you for not being subbed is beyond me. You guys would like to have everything for free. What's wrong with this society?
PS. No company rewards you with coins for not subbing.
Sith Warrior - Story of Hate and Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKrlwXt7Ao
Imperial Agent - Rise of Cipher Nine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBBj3eJWBvU&feature=youtu.be
Imperial Agent - Hunt for the Eagle Part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQqjYYU128E
This.
Could not say it better. You just want all promotion to be for "everyone"(mostly your case).
Here I was thinking they might like to get a group of confirmed Star Wars fans back in the game in the hope they would go on to buy more coin or even Sub.
It's the concept of hooking players back to the game, if the coins had been given out for anyone that has paid any money towards the game ppl are more inclined towards coming back to the game to spend those free coins thay have. While they are there they can see the changes/advancements that have been made to the game so a good chance that this player will spend more money wether through the shop or by subscribing.
Remember it's all perception on the one hand you have a gift a gesture of goodwill this makes the players perceptions good towards the game, if you are seen to be charging for everything including the kitchen sink the players perception can be bad. Out of the 2 groups of players who is going to spend more money? the player who feels happy or the player that feels bad?
And players who will come back to game will be rewarded with preferred status.
Giving CC for not subscribers would alienate the loyal base of subscribers. What would they need to get to offset that?
Sith Warrior - Story of Hate and Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKrlwXt7Ao
Imperial Agent - Rise of Cipher Nine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBBj3eJWBvU&feature=youtu.be
Imperial Agent - Hunt for the Eagle Part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQqjYYU128E
Nah, they just want to squeeze as much as they can from currently paying customers and when they reach "acceptable losses" just shut the game down.
Also thers like miniscule chance this F2P will work and SWTOR will have millions of paying customers, but then its better for EA to start playing lottery if they are counting on it ha ha
Why would it alienate current subscribers? current subscribers get the bonus for being subscribed when it goes F2P, plus the coins for the length of being sub'd, full access to the game, and i believe i read somewhere a veteran reward bonus for the amount of time being subscribed like STO and Rift use.
Also by getting more players into the game who are happy to hand over cash you then also start generating more income as i said before it's that perception a player has towards the cash shop, unlocking component's of the game, a happy customer is going to open their wallets an unhappy one won't.
We have to remember why F2P as a business model is being used, players for one reason or another were leaving in floods SWTOR could not sustain it's current model, buy making the cartel coins free to all players that have built them up through previous sub's/purchases etc goes along way of getting players to return, to see what has changed to feel that there has been enough of a change to warrant spending money on again, but with the pay a sub to get your coins just starts getting previous players back's up at the start.
The main goal is to get their remaing subscribers to spend $15-$20 a month in the cash shop. Everything else is either a facade or a vehicle to coral people into that double-dip sub and Cartel shop buyer model.
Yeah, it's pretty smarmy.
I remember when they first started this process, they sent me a similiar e-mail. I then saw that I "could" get these coins with an active subscription.
When I received this recent e-mail telling me they gave me coins for all the months I subscribed I then saw it was the exact same deal.
Though I had few problems with the game I don't like being duped into revisiting their site.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
and what exactly does Preferred Status get me?
Why they would want you to sub for F2P is beyond me. Getting people to sub makes F2P pointless.
They also do rewards for people who are subbed by giving people 200 CC per month, and people got these from Aug 1st. So if people do not sub then they lose these 200 CC per month, but they should not lose the CC for the months paid before Aug 1st or for the Collectors edition
The 200 CC per month should be enough incentive to get people to sub before F2P, not this cheap trick where you get NOTHING.
Also according to this post the small print has changed witin the last month, as small print #1 originally read (and I saw it read exactly as such):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
now it reads (with the bit underlined added in):
1 OFFER VALID FOR ACTIVE OR FORMER PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OF Star Wars™: THE OLD REPUBLIC™ (“SWTOR”) AS OF JULY 31, 2012 AT 11:59PM CDT / JULY 31, 2012 AT 4:59AM GMT WITH ACTIVE PAYING SUBSCRIPTION ON DATE OF FREE-TO-PLAY SERVICE LAUNCH. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER ACCOUNT. NOT VALID FOR COMPLIMENTARY OR PROMOTIONAL TIME GRANTS. AWARD OF CARTEL COINS SUBJECT TO DIGITAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND APPLIED IN-GAME TO USER ACCOUNT.
which can be read at http://www.swtor.com/free/
So they initially intended for people to get coins without being subbed at F2P, but I guess not many people did stay subbed after announcing F2P, so changed their minds and made it mandatory.
Who wants to stick with a company who behaves evily like Darth Vader?
Ex SWTOR players: You said we could get Cartel coins withiout being subbed only about a month ago
Darth EA: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
Star Trek Online - Best Free MMORPG of 2012
I absolutely agree. I was planning on checking the game out, maybe spending some money ont eh cash shop and even subbing if I had fun on my return. I bougt the Collectors edition and also stayed subbed for a couple of months before the train wreck just started getting worst and worst. However, with this announcement they have shown their true colors and I dont want ANYTHIGN to do with them anymore as a company. You dont backtrack on promises to your customers specially since your game was suck a pile of garbage and left soo many ppl with a bad after taste. Imho this is the last nail in teh coffin for that game and I seriously hope it just shuts down so we can get the IP released to a better developer.
At least with a sub game they know that people won't tolerate bullshit and leave. With anet we have no recourse but to buy our own lube so our assholes don't get too stretched out from getting bent over a table at Anets will. - Hrimnir
Did you really think it was going to be a totally free ride lol, nothing is free.
To be honest, I don't see how you were fooled. Now I don't even play the game, but I'm watching the whole thing unfold since I find it interesting.. Thing is, it's been said since the 'view cartel points' stuff was introduced that you have to have an active sub at the free to play launch to get them.
If you missed that, that's on you. So saying they fooled you is just.. well.. plain wrong.
As for if what they're doing being morally right or not, that's subjective, but I can understand why they're doing it. If it were my game, I wouldn't want to give what essentially is a substitute for RL money to disloyal customers. Free to Play model survives on their cashshop, in case some didn't notice, that means people have to buy stuff from the 'market'. If they give even F2P players cash upon F2P launch, then they'll earn a LOT less money.
Personally, I think players should get Cartel Coins for buying the game - especially the CE and the Digital Deluxe - even if they're F2P; but that doesn't mean I don't understand Why they do it. They, as a company and as game developers, need to earn money. Therefore, giving money away is counterproductive.
That's all there is - and if you didn't read the 'you need to sub part', then it's like with any other contract/deal/whatever: You should have paid more attention earlier. OP can be happy though, it's not like he's locked to an option. You get to chose if those cartel points are worth a month of sub for you (game goes F2P Nov 15th) or not.
I guess you did not see my last post, they changed the small print only within the last month.
You did not have to be subbed into F2P to get some CC, now you do
Star Trek Online - Best Free MMORPG of 2012
Nope, missed it but read it now.
That's odd though, because I remember reading for quite some while ago (when I first checked what cartel points I'd earn IF I came back) that you'd have to be subbed. Of course, I might not remember correctly.
Still, even though they did that, and even if there were no information about it earlier, I understand why they switched it. They should have been clearer with the 'you need to sub to get CC', that I agree with, but it's perfectly understandable that they don't give everyone coins. Also, if you're interested in something (like playing SW:TOR) it's good to keep yourself updated regularly in case things change (like this). Companies, not only in the gaming business, often 'change their minds', switch stuff around in the fine print or otherwise makes life uncomfortable for you if you don't keep an eye on them.
Again, in -MY- opinion, they didn't fool anyone; and I don't see how anyone can expect to get cash for free - especially from a game that's having financial issues. Maybe I'm just cynical and jaded though...
/same boat
Didn't really want to fork over another 15$, but I might do it now, so I don't feel the need to later...............
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
Not many people who quit and waiting on F2P would keep a constant eye on things, and I bet some will not even know about the change, see that you can get some CC without subbing, last month, and then just wait for it to go F2P, and return when it is F2P.
Now people will end up getting 0 CC, and then say "screw it"
They may even change it again, and decide that people can get the CC at F2P, except for the stuff after Aug 1st, therefore needing to sub not be necessary, and those returning may usie it as "coin toss" Get CC = give game another go, do not get CC = quit SWTOR permanantly
All companies can do whatever they want, but this way ensures less people return to the game, and the fact they change things at the last minute, when for months they were saying something else, will put other people off, even if not directly affected, like ones currently subbed or even willing to sub anyway, regardless of the offer, as if they do can things like this, then they can do something similar in the future.
Obi-Wan: Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him?
Star Trek Online - Best Free MMORPG of 2012