Well its a very common practice nowadays in mmos. Nothing much to rant on for... Well you can say Trion is not so ethical or whatsoever, but their still a company where marketing strategy to achieve profits is the 1st priority. Been playing mmorpgs around 20 years, from shitty ones to p2p to f2p. Yea i`m a overgrown working class gamer. Anyone who bought the founder pack knew what they were actually paying for, the privillege of early access. Something ahead of others that is all. I am very sure in every mmo cash shop items which are implemented at a later stage are always better as they are put in after feedback and observation. So the items part of the founder pack are always just a psychological effect of reassuring players that bought them that they got a god deal. But how would you know those cash shop items are useful when none has played the game yet?!?! They are just bundled together as a founders pack
And you try to play game pop ups telling you to go to BESeTBUY3.com and buy gold or they will buy it from you, that is a lot of BS.I see people hacking the gold system all ready sad losers that can,t play a normal game with out try to get around the system. Ok you go to one of these sites and get gold, Then you cry your game or account has been hack, GOOD FOR YOU FOOL FOR GOING THERE.
Originally posted by kingjames18 I'm currently waiting in queue been waiting for 30 mins so far started with 2100 now its down to 1700 in line. Wait time has flucuated but seems to be a consistant > 1hr though so far... first time trying to get in since it went live.
Thats pretty quick-goin on 2+ hour queue so far here on ollo.
The download of the game was fairly quick, last evening I did try to enter the game but on both the US and EU all servers had 1hour+ q's which last night I didn't have time for. This morning 15 minutes ago I tried again and US were all full and EU all was open and finaly made it into the game just to secure my name atleast. Can't play as I need to get ready for work.
I posted this in the other news article, consider it a buyer-beware until Trion makes up for their greed.
This has been nothing but a disaster so far, and it keeps getting worse.
They also started to sell packs in Archeum/Gold/Silver pricings with significantly better contents than the pre-purchase packs of the same price, as if they couldn't say "thanks for your money now fuck off" any more clearly.
Many of us had very little playtime so far in the 'early access' because of severe server instability, and many people still didn't receive the stuff they paid for, while others received double (or even 8 times, including 6+ months of subscription time). Now, apparently they also gave F2P accounts 3 free months of Patron status, screwing over the queue's and serving as an additional slap in the face to all those who paid for it.
Currently a big -1 Trion... the very worst? No word on compensations, showing the pure greed this company has right now.
Edit: As someone else asked this; The difference in value of the packs goes up to around 50-60 euro, although the website is down mostly so I can't find a link to a more detailed forum post.
No, the founder packs award most perks to six characters, the starter only to one. Evens out I think (1400 Credits per Char for worth at the Founder is what would be in question for stat-title, stat-cloak, evenstones, hereafter stones, pet healing potions, gliders & costumes).
People seem to completely miss that part.
Played: Pretty much any fantasy MMO, some did not even make it to release ... Favorites: UO, EQ2, Vanguard, Wurm Online, Salem, ESO, Creativerse Playing: ESO, Creativerse, Guild Wars 2 Anticipating: (sigh) ... maybe Ashes of Creation
I'm a bit confused, i thought you could build anywhere in the world? Is it restricted to specific building zones? Cause i saw a youtuber during the alpha building on top of a small mountain somewhere in the sea near a city but it was only big enough for one or two houses at most. DId they change this or what is going on with people so upset and saying they can't build their house now as it seems to conflict with what i heard before and saw on youtube months ago.
Originally posted by sketocafe I want to feel sympathetic to the plight of those who feel let down by Trion, but it's tough. Just please stop voting yes with your wallet for this shit, okay? It's getting fucking tiresome and I'd like to see some developers who try this shit get shot the fuck down instead of encouraged by sales of alphas at lifetime sub prices without an actual lifetime sub.
THIS.
Every. ******. time. It's the same story over and over again. And still founder packs, alpha sales, etc. etc. are being bought. Why? Because of marketing (hype). Vote with your wallet so these money grabs (finally) stop. Until then, HAHA. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."
My understanding was that a slew of DDOS attacks have been plaguing the TRION servers as well as the wider internet, the server infrastructure of the internet itself has hit a "brick wall" recently with many of the backbone servers having filled-up their routing list tables & add on top of that a greater than expected demand for the game.
Not to make excuses for TRION but a "Perfect Storm" has been going on in the run up to the Head-Start & Launch of AA so the Tech guys at TRION have probably been busting their humps to get the game running as badly as it has - it would almost certainly have been far worse.
The situation with the founder-packs & new-starter packs is a different story however, that's a major "shoot yourself in the foot" being too short-sighted move & I hope the founders are compensated in such a way as it restores some perceived value to their purchases instead of leaving them disgruntled at being punished for early adoption. Pissing off your early adopters is bad, most are your biggest fans but they can easily become your biggest detractors.
I decided to wait, will see how the hot-mess cools over the next few weeks before I take a look as a F2P player, my short time in beta made me think it wasn't a game i was willing to invest in up-front as a main-game i play, but it may appeal as a side game later on with a lesser investment involved.
Originally posted by jonp200 This is a first for me. I didn't pre-buy. I didn't wait in line to queue. I just decided this time, I wouldn't fall for it. Yes, I'm jaded. I am very much in the "wait and see camp" going forward. Thank ESO and a number of MMOs before it - I'm DONE!
I'd be in the same boat were it not for the fact my clan was going into this game. As an individual player intending to play the game alone, I would never have bought the pre-launch Archeum pack, for the same reason you mention; The gaming industry has burned me too often.
Unfortunately, I find myself practically scammed by Trion, such is the magnitude of their tactics. They still have time to provide compensations, but I got the feeling they are trying to ignore the matter despite the large volume of complaints. Trion's gamble seems to be unusual, they seem to believe they can continue earning revenue from newly joining players forever, as burning your most dedicated customers generally doesn't make them stick around too long.
I posted this in the other news article, consider it a buyer-beware until Trion makes up for their greed.
This has been nothing but a disaster so far, and it keeps getting worse.
They also started to sell packs in Archeum/Gold/Silver pricings with significantly better contents than the pre-purchase packs of the same price, as if they couldn't say "thanks for your money now fuck off" any more clearly.
Many of us had very little playtime so far in the 'early access' because of severe server instability, and many people still didn't receive the stuff they paid for, while others received double (or even 8 times, including 6+ months of subscription time). Now, apparently they also gave F2P accounts 3 free months of Patron status, screwing over the queue's and serving as an additional slap in the face to all those who paid for it.
Currently a big -1 Trion... the very worst? No word on compensations, showing the pure greed this company has right now.
Edit: As someone else asked this; The difference in value of the packs goes up to around 50-60 euro, although the website is down mostly so I can't find a link to a more detailed forum post.
No, the founder packs award most perks to six characters, the starter only to one. Evens out I think (1400 Credits per Char for worth at the Founder is what would be in question for stat-title, stat-cloak, evenstones, hereafter stones, pet healing potions, gliders & costumes).
People seem to completely miss that part.
Completely irrelevant in a game where you max everything on one character and have to pay cash for additional character slots. I personally don't know anyone that is willingly levelling alts in this game, the levelling process is pure boredom and not what this game is about.
And don't even mention the hereafter and evenstones, they cost entirely nothing in-game and do not begin to compare to the new pack version items.
For the last day or two, Trion cannot complete any purchases with PayPal as a payment method. The transaction simply fails.
The system gave ALL players patron (subscriber) status since the servers came up yesterday. Hence all F2P players are getting a completely different impression of Archeage currently. They will be rudely awakened after today's (6-hour) server maintenance !
Hmm, this reminds me Wildstar. Still Rift had one of most fluid releases ever as I remember them. Guess could try some day Archage, but did not have plans anyway to play now, to many other things to do, busy with Rift, weeks before WOD is released for sure back to Wow for something like 6 months, then guess back to Swtor, Rift, ... Once there was only Wow, now have more options and simply not enough time for all. :-)
Yep this has been the worst early access ever. Period. Trion really had an opportunity to elevate their status as a great company something SOE is busy trying to re-establish. This should have been a moment for Trion to shine.
Well i look at this in two ways... Either they had a targeted DDOS, and that is someting that they should have protection against. Or if it was the general failing of the ISP, perhaps designed the landgrab event in such a way that it was a tiny bit less open to exploit and random shit. Heck they could have made a web interface for people to register a plot with or even a static map and mailing.
But in the end it will not matter. Some people will be pissed and move away and other will take their place. Lands will fall in to disuse and new owners will move in. The cycle will continue. Also any part of the economy that the players actually control will be gamed in to submission and shut 90% out any way. =P
Lots of education going on here. I needed a refresher too, I got burned on Destiny, but I at least was able to play it and sell my account to get some money back, ArcheAge people are really taking it hard here it seems. If it helps, I didn't pay anything, but I also wasn't able to play last night since there were 3k people in the que
I learnt a long time ago this kind of thing happens with releases . Its nothing new and I always expect it . Trion do need to make it upto founders in some way . An extra free month of patron status would be the right thing to do or free credits .
I remember the WoW launch years ago and being in a 5 hour que . So thats nothing new . The problem for companies is if they have too many servers at the start they are faced with mergers when things go wrong . And everyone complains when that happens .
While I think there is a case for compensation lets face it mmo gamers always like to have something to bitch about .You just have to look at this thread .
I'm not sure Trion needs to make things up to founders, what didn't the receive that they were told they would get, have access to, or have the opportunity to aquire for the price they paid?
I see many post people posting money grab or greed, people don't get it, you gave them your money, it's not money grab if your willing to add your credit card they didn't come up and said you most pay us to play are game.
What you think sub mmo are? thats money grab you have to pay us to buy are game, and pay us to even log in.
I find it hysterical, and equally sad, that you're even attempting to argue this. People paying well over $100 for a FREE TO PLAY MMO... and can't get, or aren't getting what they paid for, and you're seriously trying to play the "P2P is worse!" card. Hilarious.
Only someone raised in the "I want everything free because I'm entitled" Torrent generation would consider it a "money grab" when a company wants - gasp - a single monthly payment in return for a product or service (both in the case of a P2P MMO)... especially compared to what people are continuously encouraged, or even compelled, to spend in a Cash Shop, every minute they're logged in.
Only someone ignorant (willfully or otherwise) to what a subscription covers in a P2P MMO would attempt to make the argument that a sub is somehow a money grab.. especially compared to how many/most 'Free To Pay' MMOs design their games around their cash shops.
And again, it's hysterical how people will so blatantly and drastically adjust their views. Pay $150+ on a supposed F2P MMO (equal to buying the game plus 6 additional months of sub service) on a game that locks up added benefit and convenience behind pay-walls in the name of "being optional", and that's just A-OK, peachy keen.. Be asked to pay $13-$15 for a monthly sub to access everything and watch the outrage fly.
When people will rationalize that spending hundreds on virtual items in a Cash Shop is a great deal because "the game is free to play!", while balking at the idea of paying a mere $15 a month for all-you-can eat monthly access... it's absolutely no surprise that F2P MMOs are so popular. So many people really are that thick and gullible.
People spending well over $100 for access (which many aren't getting) to a FREE game... and you're seriously attempting to color Sub-based MMOs as the worse example. Comedy gold.
Now, apparently they also gave F2P accounts 3 free months of Patron status, screwing over the queue's and serving as an additional slap in the face to all those who paid for it.
IMO its a well deserved slap. One does not simply spend $150 on alpha games just to access them early. Founders had it coming. But hey, life is full of lessons to be learned the hard way. Just make sure not to repeat them with upcoming mmos so the companies learn not to rip consumers off.
Only lesson it taught me is that trion will NEVER see another dime from me.
Moving on to a company that treats its paying customers the way they should be treated.
Now, apparently they also gave F2P accounts 3 free months of Patron status, screwing over the queue's and serving as an additional slap in the face to all those who paid for it.
IMO its a well deserved slap. One does not simply spend $150 on alpha games just to access them early. Founders had it coming. But hey, life is full of lessons to be learned the hard way. Just make sure not to repeat them with upcoming mmos so the companies learn not to rip consumers off.
Only lesson it taught me is that trion will NEVER see another dime from me.
Moving on to a company that treats its paying customers the way they should be treated.
I chose to play ArcheAge, i didnt chose to be Trion customer.
Trion is a nice company to my eyes but it really fail this launch for founders.
Alot of ppl gave alot of ideas to make a more fair launch for founders creating some limitations for a few days, Trion/XLGames didnt care.
Those who had lucky to get in and get 10+ plots will claim "its a competitive feature", how can someone be competitive whithout be hable to get in-game?
Alot of ppl bought founders pack to be on head start and they couldnt because of tecnical issues on Trion side, these ppl should be refound imo.
I posted this in the other news article, consider it a buyer-beware until Trion makes up for their greed.
This has been nothing but a disaster so far, and it keeps getting worse.
They also started to sell packs in Archeum/Gold/Silver pricings with significantly better contents than the pre-purchase packs of the same price, as if they couldn't say "thanks for your money now fuck off" any more clearly.
Many of us had very little playtime so far in the 'early access' because of severe server instability, and many people still didn't receive the stuff they paid for, while others received double (or even 8 times, including 6+ months of subscription time). Now, apparently they also gave F2P accounts 3 free months of Patron status, screwing over the queue's and serving as an additional slap in the face to all those who paid for it.
Currently a big -1 Trion... the very worst? No word on compensations, showing the pure greed this company has right now.
Edit: As someone else asked this; The difference in value of the packs goes up to around 50-60 euro, although the website is down mostly so I can't find a link to a more detailed forum post.
I didnt see any thing as horrible as you're explaining..... Out of 4 days I played around 3 days of it and thats including sleeping every night. Sure we weren't able to login a couple times for a little while due to the DDoS attack that was going on throughout a couple days on the authentication server but problems are expected to happen. The launch to live so far has been pretty smooth to be honest and I'm having a blast still.
And no... They did not give F2P accounts 3 months of patron status. They added starter packs in which one is worth $150 and includes 3 months of patron status...... Stop with the misinformation please.
A response worthy of someone who got land, ie got what they paid for.
I can't help but feel that if you spent less time in the forums complaining and more time in game, that you could actually accomplish what you are complaining about.
Complete MMO n00bs - at least thats is what you would think Trion is after this launch. Neverwinter was a crappy free version of D&D - but its free and had exactly 1000% less issues at launch - these are not "standard" launch issues anymore unless it was 12 years ago and this is the 3rd MMO in history to launch. Companies have been conducting smooth launches of their mmos for years now - I feel like the original author is trying to stay on the developers good side by smoothing out the critique with statements like -- "However, these past few days have been a real eye-opener for MMO enthusiasts who think game launches are improving every year. Spoiler: they’re not. MMO launches continue to be huge ordeals for players and publishers." -- Thats bullshit because as I just gave evidence too, MMO's are launching perfectly smooth - Archeage had a complete fail and thats just how it is - call it like it is.
While not being perfect, Neverwinter and Everquest Next Launches were flawless compared to the Archeage head start - and players paid 30% - 100% less money to be involved on day 1 with those smooth launches. Trion dropped the ball big time on this - still don't get the statement on Tuesday how they said upping the server population by 20% was going to help - 20% doesn't make up for the 500% increase in players (the FTP rush when it went live on Tuesday). I'm a patron - and I was given 1200 deep ques yesterday. Our FTP friends never even were able to get in - had 2400 in queue and ended up waiting 2+ hours, never got in and then they moved on with their night, lol.
I have to admit Trion dropped the ball here, has to be one of the worst launches in MMO history not to mention the kick in the teeth the founders are getting with these new Patron packages coming out. Very amateur launch and handling of the game so far, unlike Rift which was pretty much a flawless launch.
While Archeage is the better game, if you want to be able to actually play a game at night rather than sit in queue, you'd be better off spending $15 a month on Elder Scrolls Online - not as good of a game but hey, at least when you pay you get to play. With Trion and Archeage its now Pay to Maybe Play.
I will NEVER understand why it is so many gamers think they have no rights, that so many of you think a TOS or an EULA means a video game company can be liars criminals and crooks.
I do not understand why so many of you think it is ok, think this is the way it is so this is the way it should be.
This is a billion dollar industry, an ENTERTAINMENT industry. These guys aren't in this crap to make the world a better place. They are in it to get rich to make money.
They don't deserve a fucking break, in fact they deserve to be held to a higher standard. These games should come out perfect made of fucking gold.
What the hell is wrong with you people that you think it's ok for these guys to promise a ferrari, sell you a lexus, and only deliver a kia.
This shit is not ok. It is fucking criminal.
There are laws against this shit people. This is the whole basis of consumer protection.
Wake the frick up, and stop coming down on people for being upset that they are not getting what they have paid for.
We are now 6 days into this fiasco and I am not the only one who still does not have the items I paid for.
We were SOLD 4 days of headstart, the game was basically unplayable for three of them.
That is NOT ok.
I just do not understand you people, even being young should not make you this ignorant.
Comments
The download of the game was fairly quick, last evening I did try to enter the game but on both the US and EU all servers had 1hour+ q's which last night I didn't have time for. This morning 15 minutes ago I tried again and US were all full and EU all was open and finaly made it into the game just to secure my name atleast. Can't play as I need to get ready for work.
No, the founder packs award most perks to six characters, the starter only to one. Evens out I think (1400 Credits per Char for worth at the Founder is what would be in question for stat-title, stat-cloak, evenstones, hereafter stones, pet healing potions, gliders & costumes).
People seem to completely miss that part.
Played: Pretty much any fantasy MMO, some did not even make it to release ...
Favorites: UO, EQ2, Vanguard, Wurm Online, Salem, ESO, Creativerse
Playing: ESO, Creativerse, Guild Wars 2
Anticipating: (sigh) ... maybe Ashes of Creation
THIS.
Every. ******. time. It's the same story over and over again. And still founder packs, alpha sales, etc. etc. are being bought. Why? Because of marketing (hype). Vote with your wallet so these money grabs (finally) stop. Until then, HAHA. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."
My understanding was that a slew of DDOS attacks have been plaguing the TRION servers as well as the wider internet, the server infrastructure of the internet itself has hit a "brick wall" recently with many of the backbone servers having filled-up their routing list tables & add on top of that a greater than expected demand for the game.
Not to make excuses for TRION but a "Perfect Storm" has been going on in the run up to the Head-Start & Launch of AA so the Tech guys at TRION have probably been busting their humps to get the game running as badly as it has - it would almost certainly have been far worse.
The situation with the founder-packs & new-starter packs is a different story however, that's a major "shoot yourself in the foot" being too short-sighted move & I hope the founders are compensated in such a way as it restores some perceived value to their purchases instead of leaving them disgruntled at being punished for early adoption. Pissing off your early adopters is bad, most are your biggest fans but they can easily become your biggest detractors.
I decided to wait, will see how the hot-mess cools over the next few weeks before I take a look as a F2P player, my short time in beta made me think it wasn't a game i was willing to invest in up-front as a main-game i play, but it may appeal as a side game later on with a lesser investment involved.
I'd be in the same boat were it not for the fact my clan was going into this game. As an individual player intending to play the game alone, I would never have bought the pre-launch Archeum pack, for the same reason you mention; The gaming industry has burned me too often.
Unfortunately, I find myself practically scammed by Trion, such is the magnitude of their tactics. They still have time to provide compensations, but I got the feeling they are trying to ignore the matter despite the large volume of complaints. Trion's gamble seems to be unusual, they seem to believe they can continue earning revenue from newly joining players forever, as burning your most dedicated customers generally doesn't make them stick around too long.
Completely irrelevant in a game where you max everything on one character and have to pay cash for additional character slots. I personally don't know anyone that is willingly levelling alts in this game, the levelling process is pure boredom and not what this game is about.
And don't even mention the hereafter and evenstones, they cost entirely nothing in-game and do not begin to compare to the new pack version items.
This launch continues to be an epic clusterf*ck !
For the last day or two, Trion cannot complete any purchases with PayPal as a payment method. The transaction simply fails.
The system gave ALL players patron (subscriber) status since the servers came up yesterday. Hence all F2P players are getting a completely different impression of Archeage currently. They will be rudely awakened after today's (6-hour) server maintenance !
Well i look at this in two ways... Either they had a targeted DDOS, and that is someting that they should have protection against. Or if it was the general failing of the ISP, perhaps designed the landgrab event in such a way that it was a tiny bit less open to exploit and random shit. Heck they could have made a web interface for people to register a plot with or even a static map and mailing.
But in the end it will not matter. Some people will be pissed and move away and other will take their place. Lands will fall in to disuse and new owners will move in. The cycle will continue. Also any part of the economy that the players actually control will be gamed in to submission and shut 90% out any way. =P
This have been a good conversation
I learnt a long time ago this kind of thing happens with releases . Its nothing new and I always expect it . Trion do need to make it upto founders in some way . An extra free month of patron status would be the right thing to do or free credits .
I remember the WoW launch years ago and being in a 5 hour que . So thats nothing new . The problem for companies is if they have too many servers at the start they are faced with mergers when things go wrong . And everyone complains when that happens .
While I think there is a case for compensation lets face it mmo gamers always like to have something to bitch about .You just have to look at this thread .
Only lesson it taught me is that trion will NEVER see another dime from me.
Moving on to a company that treats its paying customers the way they should be treated.
I chose to play ArcheAge, i didnt chose to be Trion customer.
Trion is a nice company to my eyes but it really fail this launch for founders.
Alot of ppl gave alot of ideas to make a more fair launch for founders creating some limitations for a few days, Trion/XLGames didnt care.
Those who had lucky to get in and get 10+ plots will claim "its a competitive feature", how can someone be competitive whithout be hable to get in-game?
Alot of ppl bought founders pack to be on head start and they couldnt because of tecnical issues on Trion side, these ppl should be refound imo.
I can't help but feel that if you spent less time in the forums complaining and more time in game, that you could actually accomplish what you are complaining about.
Complete MMO n00bs - at least thats is what you would think Trion is after this launch. Neverwinter was a crappy free version of D&D - but its free and had exactly 1000% less issues at launch - these are not "standard" launch issues anymore unless it was 12 years ago and this is the 3rd MMO in history to launch. Companies have been conducting smooth launches of their mmos for years now - I feel like the original author is trying to stay on the developers good side by smoothing out the critique with statements like -- "However, these past few days have been a real eye-opener for MMO enthusiasts who think game launches are improving every year. Spoiler: they’re not. MMO launches continue to be huge ordeals for players and publishers." -- Thats bullshit because as I just gave evidence too, MMO's are launching perfectly smooth - Archeage had a complete fail and thats just how it is - call it like it is.
While not being perfect, Neverwinter and Everquest Next Launches were flawless compared to the Archeage head start - and players paid 30% - 100% less money to be involved on day 1 with those smooth launches. Trion dropped the ball big time on this - still don't get the statement on Tuesday how they said upping the server population by 20% was going to help - 20% doesn't make up for the 500% increase in players (the FTP rush when it went live on Tuesday). I'm a patron - and I was given 1200 deep ques yesterday. Our FTP friends never even were able to get in - had 2400 in queue and ended up waiting 2+ hours, never got in and then they moved on with their night, lol.
While Archeage is the better game, if you want to be able to actually play a game at night rather than sit in queue, you'd be better off spending $15 a month on Elder Scrolls Online - not as good of a game but hey, at least when you pay you get to play. With Trion and Archeage its now Pay to Maybe Play.
I will NEVER understand why it is so many gamers think they have no rights, that so many of you think a TOS or an EULA means a video game company can be liars criminals and crooks.
I do not understand why so many of you think it is ok, think this is the way it is so this is the way it should be.
This is a billion dollar industry, an ENTERTAINMENT industry. These guys aren't in this crap to make the world a better place. They are in it to get rich to make money.
They don't deserve a fucking break, in fact they deserve to be held to a higher standard. These games should come out perfect made of fucking gold.
What the hell is wrong with you people that you think it's ok for these guys to promise a ferrari, sell you a lexus, and only deliver a kia.
This shit is not ok. It is fucking criminal.
There are laws against this shit people. This is the whole basis of consumer protection.
Wake the frick up, and stop coming down on people for being upset that they are not getting what they have paid for.
We are now 6 days into this fiasco and I am not the only one who still does not have the items I paid for.
We were SOLD 4 days of headstart, the game was basically unplayable for three of them.
That is NOT ok.
I just do not understand you people, even being young should not make you this ignorant.
Frick.