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F2P - Why?

SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937

Well, I can of course imagine some of the reasons “why”.

However, I’ve been thinking a lot about the new f2p trend and what it means to different players.

I’ve read comments on how X company does it better than Y company and that certain games are not deserving of a sub but might be played f2p.

Normally I would say that I am not for f2p as I believe in “paying the piper” so to speak. Essentially I don’t believe in free rides and I’m usually happy to contribute to a business if it gives me a good product. And not partake if it’s a bad product.

Lately, I’ve been dipping into Aion and even a small bit into LOTRO but not as a subscriber. I’ve found it very easy to log in and have a bit of fun without having to think about whether I’ve maintained a subscription or need to make one for a small bit of fun. Of course, I’m also the type who would drop a bit of money here and there for fluff items.  Heck, Turbine could be making a LOT more money off me if they would give me “good” armor skins and not the standard fare that is found in the current game.  And though I don’t like the cosmetic items in Aion some xp medals to help in leveling to be competitive in pvp (as I’m trying a new server) could help.

Yet I also wonder if the f2p model has too low of a barrier? Gold Seller and banned? No problem, just make another sdkljadfsdf account. Bored Troll who wants to inflict himself/herself on a gaming world for a time? No problem just hop right in and let the game world know of your Alienware fixation or how you’ve discovered your “pee pee“ and the world will never seem the same again.

One great thing about f2p is that it does lower the barrier (talk about the knife cutting both ways) and that someone who might not be able to or want to pay a monthly sub can join a game and pay for the things or the time that they use.

Still, I can’t help thinking that the real reason that some want f2p is (cue horns) that they don’t want to spend any money.

Essentially, “Free Games” whoo hoo!.

Companies do need to make money and making games is not cheap. Will companies find that the initial investment just for the hopes of making cash shop money worth it? Will companies find the need to nickel and dime every aspect of their game just to earn back costs and make a profit? Is “Buy to Play” the answer? With obvious cash shop of course. Not sure. But we are evidently in a new era where companies are experimenting with pricing models. In the long run will there be winners or just another paradigm shift when it comes to commoditizing games?

Oh and a poll!

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Comments

  • arctarusarctarus Member UncommonPosts: 2,581

    I dont play f2p game, ever!

    I rather the game goes b2p, earn back , hopefully, most of the developments cost, and earn others back and more by cash shop that sells fluff items like mounts.

    Didnt play ddo, lotr, and aion, f2p version, as i personally believe that paying $15 is for better patches, contents etc.. Make the team more delicated/ focus on making the game better instead of trying to come out with new ways to milk the players...

    The reason mmo post-wow is going f2p is very simple, they fail. Thats all, nothing else.

    Just stop with all the stupid excuses that f2p is the future etc...  accept the fact, move on and make sure the next mmo they develops dont make the same mistake again.

    But somehow devs just fail to see what gamers really want...

     

    Sad.....

     

    edit: im drunk..... XD

    RIP Orc Choppa

  • clumsytoes44clumsytoes44 Member UncommonPosts: 463
    I've played a few F2P game's while bored of other game's, or to try something new. It really depend's on the game, if I think the game is done rather well i'll spend a few dollar's in the CS for a thank's for providing a bit of fun. On the other hand if the game is utter crap, it is swiftly uninstalled and forgotten about.
  • AlBQuirkyAlBQuirky Member EpicPosts: 7,432

    When I do play a F2P game, I have no trouble spending a nickel here, a dime there. The SOE model gets on my nerves, though, where only pieces of the basic game are free (race/class choices at character creation).

    My biggest problem is that I have not found very many F2P games that keep my interest for very long. Only CoH and EQ (I got my bard when I subbed so didn't have to pay extra for him) have kept me busy for any length of time.

    - Al

    Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.
    - FARGIN_WAR


  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937
    Originally posted by AlBQuirky

    When I do play a F2P game, I have no trouble spending a nickel here, a dime there. The SOE model gets on my nerves, though, where only pieces of the basic game are free (race/class choices at character creation).

    My biggest problem is that I have not found very many F2P games that keep my interest for very long. Only CoH and EQ (I got my bard when I subbed so didn't have to pay extra for him) have kept me busy for any length of time.

    So here are two questions:

    Since the idea for f2p games is to make "some" money, are you adverse to spending any money to unlock the basic parts of the game in order to then continue without having to spend any additional money?

    Do you find that the reason f2p games don't hold your interest is because they are the traditional Asian "f2p" games where the entire thing is created  just to be a source of "income" and do you find that the reason the f2p games such as CoH and EQ hold yoru interest is because they were initially conceived to be sub games?

    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

    Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w


    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • LarsaLarsa Member Posts: 990

    I don't play the usual cash-shop or item-mall games.

    There are a bunch of so-called "F2P" games however that aren't "F2P" at all, they're mainly "F2T" - free to try - an unlimited free trial until you have to subscribe to experience the whole game. I'm fine with that sort of "F2P".

    I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.

  • Rider071Rider071 Member Posts: 318

    I like B2P games like GW, and GW2 both of which I own now.

    though you have to have seriously good game for a B2P model to work.

     

    Freemiums where you can unlock everything in the game, I enjoy as well, and spend like a drunken sailor in a .....nvm.

    if I enjoy the game that is.

    F2P games where they try and force you into a sub, I shun as soon as I find out about it, P2W games same deal, those are pretty easy to see, and in essence they both mean the same to me.

    Games where you can alter UIs or use mods I also tend to steer away from, since hacks seem to be much more prevalant in those games, which sadly occur more in P2P games than in B2P or F2P.

  • UOvetUOvet Member Posts: 514

    F2P  is great when done correctly. 

     

    Planetside 2 seems to be on the right track along with Guild Wars 2. Most people have bad taste in their mouth from F2P just because most F2P games we are used to are junk.

  • TheLizardbonesTheLizardbones Member CommonPosts: 10,910

    I've never payed into a F2P game! Mwahahahahahaha!

    However, that doesn't mean I wouldn't. I do like the fact that with a F2P game, I can try the game out to see if I like it without having to pay anything at all. I also like not having to work in a certain number of hours of game play to feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

    In my experience being F2P, B2P or P2P has little effect on the overall fun I have in a game. I can tell pretty quickly whether or not I like a game, but with a B2P or P2P game, I'm likely to play longer to try and get my money's worth out of what I've spent.

    There has been a difference in overall production quality, but I can't put that down to the payment model until I see a game from a major publisher get released as a F2P game instead of the game going F2P after it doesn't make enough money with the B2P or P2P payment model. Most games that release as F2P are from smaller publishers anyway, so their games are going to be smaller, regardless of the payment model.

    I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.

  • nariusseldonnariusseldon Member EpicPosts: 27,775

    why?

    because it is free.

    I found enough f2p fun MMOs that after my WOW annual pass is up, i probably will only play F2P MMOs.

  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937
    Originally posted by nariusseldon

    why?

    because it is free.

    I found enough f2p fun MMOs that after my WOW annual pass is up, i probably will only play F2P MMOs.

    Will you drop a few bucks here and there or will you fully take advantage of the "free" aspect?

    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

    Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w


    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • nariusseldonnariusseldon Member EpicPosts: 27,775
    Originally posted by Sovrath
    Originally posted by nariusseldon

    why?

    because it is free.

    I found enough f2p fun MMOs that after my WOW annual pass is up, i probably will only play F2P MMOs.

    Will you drop a few bucks here and there or will you fully take advantage of the "free" aspect?

    I have yet to spend a dime. I usually just play the free parts.

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