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F2P on Nov 15th?

Saw this on the official forums as was curious what the actual FTP implemtation will be and worth looking at again or not to see the changes since last March-

German gaming site already taken it down , after couple other websites caught onto it also , but the amusing part will be if true they picked the F2P date start to be the same as NGE start (bad coincidence I'd say).

Quote:

Zitat Gamona ( http://swtor.gamona.de/)

SWTOR: Free to Play erscheint am 15.11.2012
von Meiou, Mittwoch, 07.11.2012, 16:18 Uhr in Free 2 Play, Free to Play, SWTOR
6

Wir wurden eigens von Bioware zu einer Telefonkonferenz mit Senior Producer Blaine Christine und Live Producer Cory Butler eingeladen und haben dort erfahren, dass SWTOR Free to Play am nächsten Donnerstag, den 15. November zusammen mit Patch 1.5 veröffentlicht wird.

Das bedeutet also, dass wir ab nächster Woche kostenlos durch die Galaxis von SWTOR düsen können. Somit haben wir dann Zugriff auf den Kartellmarkt, in welchem ihr euch diverse Items und Schübe zulegen könnt. Als Free to Play-Spieler habt ihr hier auch die Gelegenheit, euch bestimmte Spielinhalte freizuschalten.

Zudem werden wir exklusiv den neuen Gefährten HK-51, den tödlichen Assassinen, über eine Questreihe erhalten und das neue Daily-Gebiet auf Belsavis spielen können.

Wir freuen uns sehr auf die Veröffentlichung!

Rough Translation

Quote Gamona (http://swtor.gamona.de/)

SWTOR: Free to Play released on 15.11.2012
by Meiou, Wednesday, 07.11.2012, 16:18 clock in Free 2 Play, Free to Play, SWTOR
6

We were specifically invited by Bioware to a conference call with Senior Producer Blaine Christine and Live Producer Cory Butler and learned there that SWTOR free to play next Thursday, the 15th Will be published in November, along with patch 1.5.

This means that we can start next week free jet to the Galaxy by SWTOR. So we then have access to the antitrust market in which you can you make various items and boosts. As a Free to Play player you have the opportunity here, you unlock certain game content.

We will also be exclusive to the new companions HK-51, the deadly assassin, get through a series of quests and the new Daily territory can play on Belsavis.

We are looking forward to the release!

 

 

«13

Comments

  • Sevenstar61Sevenstar61 Member UncommonPosts: 1,686
    Great. I want my HK-51 so badly!!!!!


    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

  • Sevenstar61Sevenstar61 Member UncommonPosts: 1,686

    Message on SWTOR web from Damion Schubert

    http://www.swtor.com/info/news/blog/20121107

     

    Developer Update: Free-to-Play Option

    Greetings and Salutations!

    Our scheduled launch for the Free-to-Play option for Star Wars™: the Old Republic™ is approaching quickly. The team developing this option has been working hard to hit this date, and as I write this, we have an alpha version of the complete experience up and running, and have been running extensive play tests of the experience. Early feedback has been extremely positive; from both die-hard Star Wars: The Old Republic fans as well as players who have never played the game before. We are now deep into a polish phase, working on bringing the complete experience up to the high quality level that our customers expect from a BioWare game.

    As the Lead Designer of the team that has been working on the new Free-to-Play option, our goal is to bring to you the best possible experience. We started this process several months ago, and since then we have been led by two core philosophies that are crucial to how we view and think about such a large design shift.

    The first core rule is that we want to be sure that players can reach level 50 without paying a cent, if so desired. The final design meets this requirement: Free-to-Play players can play levels 1 through 50 and enjoy the vast majority of the classic storyline and side quests during their journey. A member of our Marketing team once observed that Star Wars: The Old Republic is roughly 24 times the size of the original Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic™ game. Well, now BioWare is letting players have all that story content for free! That’s not to say there won’t be restrictions – Free-to-Play players will earn experience more slowly, for example, and several aspects of the gameplay experience are limited. If you have friends who love Star Wars™ and the BioWare-style storytelling, but were uneasy about the monthly subscription, or paying $60 up front for the box – well, come mid-November, those concerns should be erased.

    The second core rule is that subscribers should not experience any degradation of their gameplay experience. Those of you who are still paying a monthly fee should still get the same gameplay experience and you won’t find anything taken away from you and the gameplay that you currently enjoy. Furthermore, we really wanted to be sure that in no way would subscribers feel they needed to make purchases from the Cartel Market in order to be competitive in the game.

    We not only met these goals, in my opinion, but exceeded expectations – subscribers will enjoy new benefits from the update, including two more quick slot bars, a new purchasable Cargo Hold tab, and a monthly grant of Complimentary Cartel Coins to spend however they like in the Cartel Market. Subscribers can also buy the same experience boosts available in the Cartel Market as Free-to-Play players, which allow characters to advance at a rapid pace.

    We highly value all of our players and it is important for us to ensure that our players recognize the value offered in both the subscription and Free-to-Play option.

    Rewards Program

    We also felt it was very important to thank our subscribers for being members of The Old Republic community. To reward all of you, we will grant Complimentary Cartel Coins to every player who has been a subscriber prior to the launch of the Free-To-Play option. The actual size of the grant will depend on how many months you were a paying subscriber prior to our announcement and after our announcement. There will also be special grants to those who purchased the Star Wars: The Old Republic Collector’s Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition. Want to know how many Complimentary Cartel Coins you have earned? Click here to find out! We are literally granting millions of dollars worth of Complimentary Cartel Coins as part of this program. But you’ll only receive a grant of Complimentary Cartel Coins if you’re an active subscriber when the Free-to-Play option goes live!

    Look for more ideas of what Cartel Coins can purchase in coming weeks! Here’s a hint: fans of vehicles and pets will not be disappointed. Also, there will be a wealth of equipment that will be fully moddable, adaptive in weight and have no class restrictions, giving players wildly new directions in which to customize their appearance.

    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.

    In addition, Preferred Status can be earned by any Free-to-Play player who spends a minimum of $4.99 at our web store.

    A Brave New World

    The team has been hard at work developing the Free-to-Play option. We feel like the Free-to-Play option will be a huge boost for both the game and the community by giving more fans access to the game. Star Wars: The Old Republic is a fantastic game and a top-tier MMO. We are looking forward to welcoming all of the new fans! We appreciate your support!

    May the Force Be With You

    Damion Schubert
    Star Wars: The Old Republic Lead Designer

     

    Edit: It looks like there's a leak ^^ gamona has already removed it from their site ... And one of their community guys confirmed that the article is due to be reposted tomorrow.


    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

  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 158
    Seems it's confirmed now that F2P players will get less XP. Also can't find any info that preferred status players would get any more or normal XP either. This means I will not give it any chance what so ever, I just removed the game from my hard drive. 
  • wireded21wireded21 Member UncommonPosts: 131

    So if I read this correctly. I bought the digital download and played for 3 months so I will receive some cartel coins and a "preferred status" meaning that I have less limitations than a standard F2P account...

    Would be nice to know what exactly, especially as 15th is next week...

  • mikahrmikahr Member Posts: 1,066
    Originally posted by altair4
    Seems it's confirmed now that F2P players will get less XP. Also can't find any info that preferred status players would get any more or normal XP either. This means I will not give it any chance what so ever, I just removed the game from my hard drive. 

    F2P is not an attempt to bring old customers and new customers to the game, its attempt to go from "we need 500k subs" to "we need (insert no. subs they have now, around 200-300k)+cash shop income from those".

    Its made so current playerbase can spend more than monthly sub. So they need less subs.

    Ill just grab a popcorn and see how it goes lol, ive made analysis and have my projections :)

  • SlickShoesSlickShoes Member UncommonPosts: 1,019
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    image
  • Po_ggPo_gg Member EpicPosts: 5,749
    Originally posted by wireded21

    So if I read this correctly. I bought the digital download and played for 3 months so I will receive some cartel coins and a "preferred status" meaning that I have less limitations than a standard F2P account...

    Would be nice to know what exactly, especially as 15th is next week...

    Nope, you'll get only preferres status. AND IF you resubscribe and keep that subscription live when they switch to f2p, then you get some extra cartel coins based on box+previous sub. Tricky EA...

     

    Btw this was awesome:

    Zugriff auf den Kartellmarkt = access to the antitrust market :)

  • TeknoBugTeknoBug Member UncommonPosts: 2,156

    Nov 15?


    There's a smell of IRONY in the air.

    image
    image

  • tiefighter25tiefighter25 Member Posts: 937

    "If you have friends who love Star Wars™ and the BioWare-style storytelling, but were uneasy about the monthly subscription, or paying $60 up front for the box – well," ....

     

    ...tell them not to worry, you can't find the box selling for $60 anywhere.

  • LoverNoFighterLoverNoFighter Member Posts: 294
    Originally posted by TeknoBug

    Nov 15?


    There's a smell of IRONY in the air.

    15.11.2005 and 15.11.2012

    Funny how things unfold.

  • wireded21wireded21 Member UncommonPosts: 131
    Originally posted by Po_gg
    Originally posted by wireded21

    So if I read this correctly. I bought the digital download and played for 3 months so I will receive some cartel coins and a "preferred status" meaning that I have less limitations than a standard F2P account...

    Would be nice to know what exactly, especially as 15th is next week...

    Nope, you'll get only preferres status. AND IF you resubscribe and keep that subscription live when they switch to f2p, then you get some extra cartel coins based on box+previous sub. Tricky EA...

     

    Btw this was awesome:

    Zugriff auf den Kartellmarkt = access to the antitrust market :)

    Pants

  • Ice-QueenIce-Queen Member UncommonPosts: 2,483
    Originally posted by tiefighter25

    "If you have friends who love Star Wars™ and the BioWare-style storytelling, but were uneasy about the monthly subscription, or paying $60 up front for the box – well," ....

     

    ...tell them not to worry, you can't find the box selling for $60 anywhere.

    Yah, you can get it less than $10 anywhere. I saw one and only one at the local Gamestop for $2.99 heh.

    image

    What happens when you log off your characters????.....
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFQhfhnjYMk
    Dark Age of Camelot

  • darkhalf357xdarkhalf357x Member UncommonPosts: 1,237
    Originally posted by wireded21

    So if I read this correctly. I bought the digital download and played for 3 months so I will receive some cartel coins and a "preferred status" meaning that I have less limitations than a standard F2P account...

    Would be nice to know what exactly, especially as 15th is next week...

    I believe this to be correct. I have a physical copy also subbed for 3 months and I got an email stating that I had Cartel Coins and go check to see how many I have.  You get 150 CC for each month you subscribed, so for 3 months I have 450.

    Just heard about the preferred status today and sounds promising.  Reminds me of the EQ2 F2P tiers.   Completely free with limitations, Silver (5 dollars) less limitations, full sub - no limitations.

    That works for me considering I just want to play the 8 stories.  The 'getting less XP' is just an incentive to buy an XP booster from the store.  Honestly, paying 5 dollars to reduce some of the (annoying) limitations really isnt that bad.

    You cant expect to get everything you want out of a game if you plan you to pay absolutely nothing.  You get what you pay for.

     

    image
  • Four0SixFour0Six Member UncommonPosts: 1,175
    Originally posted by altair4
    Seems it's confirmed now that F2P players will get less XP. Also can't find any info that preferred status players would get any more or normal XP either. This means I will not give it any chance what so ever, I just removed the game from my hard drive. 

     If this is true, it is the ULTAMATE money grab in the "Free to Play" defination ever. And to think I almost considered returning after I got the "You have been awarded free cartel coins" email....

  • darkhalf357xdarkhalf357x Member UncommonPosts: 1,237
    Originally posted by Four0Six
    Originally posted by altair4
    Seems it's confirmed now that F2P players will get less XP. Also can't find any info that preferred status players would get any more or normal XP either. This means I will not give it any chance what so ever, I just removed the game from my hard drive. 

     If this is true, it is the ULTAMATE money grab in the "Free to Play" defination ever. And to think I almost considered returning after I got the "You have been awarded free cartel coins" email....

    It's not like they can reach into your pockets and take your money. 

    Trying to understand those who have issues with their F2P implementation.  You are already not playing and probably dont like it.  They have removed the sub. Yet when they restrict certain things from being FREE you complain.  Why?   If you dont like the options... move along, nothing to see here...

    You dont HAVE to play it ;-)

    image
  • Po_ggPo_gg Member EpicPosts: 5,749
    Originally posted by darkhalf357x
    Originally posted by wireded21

    So if I read this correctly. I bought the digital download and played for 3 months so I will receive some cartel coins and a "preferred status" meaning that I have less limitations than a standard F2P account...

    Would be nice to know what exactly, especially as 15th is next week...

    I believe this to be correct. I have a physical copy also subbed for 3 months and I got an email stating that I had Cartel Coins and go check to see how many I have.  You get 150 CC for each month you subscribed, so for 3 months I have 450.

     

    Sorry, but nope... read the fine prints. You can see it on the page too, where you check your Coins, + on the TOR faq, and there were a few threads of it here too.

    You only get those coins if you resubscribe and keep it live until they switch to f2p. Actually EA is even trickier, because if you red that letter and resubscribed for a month, that month will expire in these days... so you should pay one more month, or you won't get your extra coins, since your sub won't be a live one.

     

    TOR faq:

    Why do I have to have active game time to claim my Complimentary Cartel Coins?

    The Complimentary Cartel Coins that are currently visible in your Cartel Coin Ledger are a reward for being an active subscriber with Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. As such, the rewards will only be granted to active subscribers when the Free-to-Play option becomes available. Please note that as long as your account still has active Game Time when the Free-to-Play option becomes available, we will consider you a subscriber and you will be granted Complimentary Cartel Coins accordingly.

     
  • alkarionlogalkarionlog Member EpicPosts: 3,584

    lol they also nerfed xp to F2P people huh? so in one weekend I don't get to lvl 30+ only 15+ from 50 :) and with GW2 out with no limitations and you just have to spend on the box, also lol funny because EA closed the old republic to only part of the world, saying it would to garantee a better service and now they kick all they players in the *** so they can try to milk some more money :)

     

     

    say where are the guys who said all doom sayers of the game was wrong? :)

    FOR HONOR, FOR FREEDOM.... and for some money.
  • MikeBMikeB Community ManagerAdministrator RarePosts: 6,555
    Originally posted by SlickShoes
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    Honestly, depending on how much XP has been nerfed this could end up being a good thing. :P It was WAY too easy to outlevel content in TOR, and this was especially true if you went for a varied experience along the way (quests, warzones, flashpoints, etc.).

  • alkarionlogalkarionlog Member EpicPosts: 3,584
    Originally posted by MikeB
    Originally posted by SlickShoes
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    Honestly, depending on how much XP has been nerfed this could end up being a good thing. :P It was WAY too easy to outlevel content in TOR, and this was especially true if you went for a varied experience along the way (quests, warzones, flashpoints, etc.).

    oh with the limted content you can check being f2p and limited warzone too for most of you guys who hate anything like aion on launch day lvling speed will complain like no tomorrow, I did find aion easy to lvl so for me only I will not notice any diference, its was easy and only reason I would spend a month on this game would be to finish the story on my jedi knight I started on beta ans from what I know from the game I could finish it in a week or 2

    FOR HONOR, FOR FREEDOM.... and for some money.
  • Sevenstar61Sevenstar61 Member UncommonPosts: 1,686
    Originally posted by MikeB
    Originally posted by SlickShoes
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    Honestly, depending on how much XP has been nerfed this could end up being a good thing. :P It was WAY too easy to outlevel content in TOR, and this was especially true if you went for a varied experience along the way (quests, warzones, flashpoints, etc.).

    I agree, I always was overleveled, especially if you do all bonus quests and flashpoints. And FPs are not limited for F2P, full rewards are limited. I had to decide for my alts which bonus series on which planets I am going to do, otherwise I would be 50 on Voss if not earlier.


    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

  • tiefighter25tiefighter25 Member Posts: 937
    Originally posted by MikeB
    Originally posted by SlickShoes
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    Honestly, depending on how much XP has been nerfed this could end up being a good thing. :P It was WAY too easy to outlevel content in TOR, and this was especially true if you went for a varied experience along the way (quests, warzones, flashpoints, etc.).

    Although I agree with you about SWTOR being too easy to get from 1 to 50, I think the main issue on retarding the rate of XP accumalation for FTP accounts is that Bioware is also selling XP boosts in their Cartel Cash Shop. What's next, temporary UI boosts for a third hotbar?

  • Sevenstar61Sevenstar61 Member UncommonPosts: 1,686

    Something I found on PTS forum

    Preferred is indeed a midway status between F2P and Sub. It has more perks than F2P but fewer than Sub. Let's review.
     

    • If you start a brand new account (after F2P is released) and don't Subscribe, you will have F2P status. That is the only way to be F2P. Nobody who has played SWTOR so far will ever be F2P on their existing accounts.
    • If you take your F2P account and spend a dollar on anything - some Cartel Coins, a vanity pet (I think) - you will immediately switch to Preferred status. From Preferred, you can never go back to F2P.
    • If you used to subscribe to SWTOR but your sub is inactive, after F2P releases, you can log in and you'll have Preferred status. You will stay Preferred until/unless you subscribe again. You will never go lower than Preferred.
    • If you are already a sub on F2P release day, or if you subscribe afterward, you'll enjoy Subscriber perks. As this article makes clear, if you subsequently drop your subscription, you'll drop back to Preferred, but you'll keep most of the unlocks you purchased.
    As a Preferred Status Player, you will gain the following benefits compared to Free-to-Play Players:
    • The Sprint ability at Level 1
    • Access to your Cargo Hold (an 80 item Player Bank)
    • Access to Secure Trade (starting at level 10)
    • The ability to send Mail, including one (1) attachment
    • Increased allowance for chat message frequencies in Public chat channels (such as /general)
    • An increased Credits Cap
    • Access to the Who List
    • Three (3) additional Sale Slots on the Galactic Trade Network (for a total of 5)
    • One (1) additional active Crew Skill Slot (for a total of 2)
    • Reduced skill point respecialization costs
    • Increased Server queue priority

    In addition to the above benefits, Subscribers who return as Preferred Status Players will find that they retain any Cargo Hold and Inventory expansions they had unlocked, any Legacy Unlock or Perk they have gained (including Species) and can continue to use any Artifact equipment that was bound to them previously.


    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

  • negativf4kknegativf4kk Member UncommonPosts: 381
    Originally posted by Sevenstar61
    Originally posted by MikeB
    Originally posted by SlickShoes
    I was considering giving this one last go when it went free, but with nerfed XP for free players, no thanks.

    Honestly, depending on how much XP has been nerfed this could end up being a good thing. :P It was WAY too easy to outlevel content in TOR, and this was especially true if you went for a varied experience along the way (quests, warzones, flashpoints, etc.).

    I agree, I always was overleveled, especially if you do all bonus quests and flashpoints. And FPs are not limited for F2P, full rewards are limited. I had to decide for my alts which bonus series on which planets I am going to do, otherwise I would be 50 on Voss if not earlier.

    my fist sage got 50 on half the planet before Voss. I was doing all bonus missions, heroics. On my second lvl 50 i hit it on Voss i was missing most of bonus and heroics. Mainly doing story and running flashpoints. Lvling in swtor is way to easy.

    <a href="http://www.danasoft.com"><img src="http://www.danasoft.com/sig/499105419258.jpg"; border="0"></a><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><p>Sign by Danasoft - <a href="http://www.danasoft.com">For Backgrounds and Layouts</a></p></div>

  • fenistilfenistil Member Posts: 3,005

    Slow levelling and slower game pace is great you want to stick with a game for long time. 

    If you want short-term entertaiment like many of those folks that want to just see some class story-lines won't like it.

    Maybe EA hope that some of them will fork out money for xp boosters in cash shop heh.

  • KarteliKarteli Member CommonPosts: 2,646

    Looks like Nov 15 confirmed.

     

    http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/swtor-launches-free-to-play-on-november-15th-no-rumor/

     

    One question has been on the minds of Star Wars: The Old Republic fans recently: "Has BioWare announced a free-to-play date?" The answer to that question is finally yes. On Thursday, November 15th, SWTOR launches what Senior Producer Blaine Christine calls its "free-to-play option."

     

    How could EA pass up on the 7 year anniversary?  7 is a powerful number ...

    Want a nice understanding of life? Try Spirit Science: "The Human History"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NNHmV3QPw&feature=plcp
    Recognize the voice? Yep sounds like Penny Arcade's Extra Credits.

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