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Lifetime subscription questions

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Hi, I was considering getting myself a lifetime subscription. But I had a few questions that need to be answered before I commit myself.

1) I already bought the "1 Billion Energy Credits" upgrade for my account. Seeing that lifetime subscribers are considered "gold" members, that means they already get the above-mentioned upgrade for free. So will I get a refund of the Cryptic points I spent on this upgrade?

2) I am concerned about the viability of STO over the long term. Are there any guarantees that further content will be added to the game?

Also, are there any guarantees that this game will even exist 20 months from now? ($300 divided by $15 = 20 months playtime)

3) When would the best time to buy a subscription be?
I know the regular price is $300 and it is currently $240. But I am planning on holding out until it reverts to $200 (or lower) as it once did.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    1) I already bought the "1 Billion Energy Credits" upgrade for my account. Seeing that lifetime subscribers are considered "gold" members, that means they already get the above-mentioned upgrade for free. So will I get a refund of the Cryptic points I spent on this upgrade?
    No.
    2) I am concerned about the viability of STO over the long term. Are there any guarantees that further content will be added to the game?
    No.
    Also, are there any guarantees that this game will even exist 20 months from now? ($300 divided by $15 = 20 months playtime)
    No.
    3) When would the best time to buy a subscription be?.
    When the answers to your previous questions are 'yes,' then that would be a good time to maybe consider an LTS. And even that is a stretch.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    Hi, I was considering getting myself a lifetime subscription. But I had a few questions that need to be answered before I commit myself.

    1) I already bought the "1 Billion Energy Credits" upgrade for my account. Seeing that lifetime subscribers are considered "gold" members, that means they already get the above-mentioned upgrade for free. So will I get a refund of the Cryptic points I spent on this upgrade?

    No.
    2) I am concerned about the viability of STO over the long term. Are there any guarantees that further content will be added to the game?

    Also, are there any guarantees that this game will even exist 20 months from now? ($300 divided by $15 = 20 months playtime)
    No and no. As the saying goes, there are no guarantees in life.
    3) When would the best time to buy a subscription be?

    That's a question only you can answer. No guarantees it will ever be on sale for less. Honestly, if you only plan on playing 1 or 2 characters, it's better to just stay silver and buy the individual upgrades. Break even seems to be somewhere around 4 or 5 characters. With that many, it is better to pay sub/lifetime than to buy the upgrades individually.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    In all honesty, if you have any doubts about the lifetime, don't. I bought mine at launch, so I'm happy with that purchase, even if the game dies tomorrow. I'd be upset if it died tomorrow, but I'd have t least gotten my money's worth. It might be better for you to stay a gold, or silver member.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I had my worries when I purchased my lifetime, but that was all at the launch of the game. Similar to now, people didn't know where or how long STO was going to last. Personally I think now that STO is under Perfect World I don't think the game is going to sink anytime soon. When I picked up mine I looked at it as an investment. Being a huge Star Trek fan myself I could see myself playing the game for as long as it was possible to do so, and considering what I've dropped on DAoC over the past 5 years I played it it was well worth the investment. Since then I've already paid off my initial investment and am just playing the game. I'll pick up some C-Points here and there if I find something in the C-Store I just can't live without, but otherwise i'm plenty happy with it.

    As with all things, nothing is ever set in stone, so my suggestion would be is to ask yourself one question? Do I see myself playing this game for an extended period of time? (ie Year and a half or so) because that's about how long it would take to pay off the initial investment. If you don't feel comfortable enough with the game, continue to pay the subscription.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Latinumbar wrote:
    That's a question only you can answer. No guarantees it will ever be on sale for less. Honestly, if you only plan on playing 1 or 2 characters, it's better to just stay silver and buy the individual upgrades. Break even seems to be somewhere around 4 or 5 characters. With that many, it is better to pay sub/lifetime than to buy the upgrades individually.

    Well, I am not too fussed about losing my C-Points on the "1 Billion Energy Credit Increase". But it would be nice if I could get them refunded or returned to me.

    I just want to play as a Borg. That is the only reason I even considered the lifetime subscription option.
    In all honesty, if you have any doubts about the lifetime, don't. I bought mine at launch, so I'm happy with that purchase, even if the game dies tomorrow. I'd be upset if it died tomorrow, but I'd have t least gotten my money's worth. It might be better for you to stay a gold, or silver member.

    Yeah, my main worry is that I buy the subscription today for $240 (for example) and the game dies and the servers shut down in say 4 months or something.
    Kahn wrote: »
    As with all things, nothing is ever set in stone, so my suggestion would be is to ask yourself one question? Do I see myself playing this game for an extended period of time? (ie Year and a half or so) because that's about how long it would take to pay off the initial investment. If you don't feel comfortable enough with the game, continue to pay the subscription.

    Well yeah, I would continue playing STO indefinitely. But that is assuming that additional content is made (or expansion packs sold).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    Well, I am not too fussed about losing my C-Points on the "1 Billion Energy Credit Increase". But it would be nice if I could get them refunded or returned to me.

    I just want to play as a Borg. That is the only reason I even considered the lifetime subscription option.



    Yeah, my main worry is that I buy the subscription today for $240 (for example) and the game dies and the servers shut down in say 4 months or something.



    Well yeah, I would continue playing STO indefinitely. But that is assuming that additional content is made (or expansion packs sold).

    The Liberated Borg is pretty cool, but nothing all that special about it. Honestly I only have 1 of them and the rest of my captains are all various other races. To each his own though...

    One thing to also consider is that historically they have put the Lifetime sub on sale, so you may keep your eye out for that. It may not seem like such a money sink at that point.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Kahn wrote: »
    The Liberated Borg is pretty cool, but nothing all that special about it. Honestly I only have 1 of them and the rest of my captains are all various other races. To each his own though...

    One thing to also consider is that historically they have put the Lifetime sub on sale, so you may keep your eye out for that. It may not seem like such a money sink at that point.

    I hear that borg characters are superior due to the "Borg Nanites" and "Efficient Captain" traits. I know that "Efficient Captain" can also be selected with other races, but "Borg Nanites" is exclusive.

    Oh well, I guess I will be waiting until it goes on sale for $200 (or less).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    3) When would the best time to buy a subscription be?

    I'd have to say that this one is a toss-up between

    a) Two years ago before the game launched.

    ..and...

    b) Never.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I play a Borg, on both factions. They're fun, but they're not worth the $300 by themselves. If that's the only thing you want out of the Lifetime, don't do that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    I hear that borg characters are superior due to the "Borg Nanites" and "Efficient Captain" traits. I know that "Efficient Captain" can also be selected with other races, but "Borg Nanites" is exclusive.

    Oh well, I guess I will be waiting until it goes on sale for $200 (or less).

    The Nanites are cool, not a given though, you have to select it as one of your traits when you make one. Also it's very similar to Mind Meld if you roll a Vulcan. I actually have both, a Vulcan/w Mind Meld and the lib/borg w/ Nanites, however I find the Nanites gets resisted a lot. Basically it stuns/slows the target for a little bit of time. Nothing all that great, although it is nifty.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I don't thinkg the game is going to go under any time soon man... there's a whole new life to it since F2P (something I initially was against), and I'm even considering spending extra money now in addition to the life-time I've got.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    ...
    I know the regular price is $300 and it is currently $240. But I am planning on holding out until it reverts to $200 (or lower) as it once did.

    Just so you are aware, if your target price is $200 it will take two years before the value of your LTS will mature. Just be sure you understand what you are purchasing.

    To be perfectly honest with you, there is absolutely no value whatsoever to buying an LTS at this time unless:
    1. You had a subscription in the past and are therefore not starting your vet rewards at 0 days
    2. You like the unique vet rewards offered after 700 days (anything under 700 days is cheaper with a sub)
    3. Feel the urge to pay $200 to play as a Borg.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    Hi, I was considering getting myself a lifetime subscription. But I had a few questions that need to be answered before I commit myself.

    1) I already bought the "1 Billion Energy Credits" upgrade for my account. Seeing that lifetime subscribers are considered "gold" members, that means they already get the above-mentioned upgrade for free. So will I get a refund of the Cryptic points I spent on this upgrade?
    No

    2) I am concerned about the viability of STO over the long term. Are there any guarantees that further content will be added to the game?
    No

    Also, are there any guarantees that this game will even exist 20 months from now? ($300 divided by $15 = 20 months playtime)
    No

    3) When would the best time to buy a subscription be?
    I know the regular price is $300 and it is currently $240. But I am planning on holding out until it reverts to $200 (or lower) as it once did.

    It's never going under $200 again, there might be a sale for anniversary, but LTS isn't worth it unless you want to waste cash. Imo.

    Answers in red.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Well, I just made the commitment of purchasing a lifetime subscription.

    All I can hope for now is that the game continually expands with new content and that the player base increases.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Congrats, getting to be a Borg is totally worth it imo. I've been a Borg freak since I was 11 years old(when they first showed in season 2), there's no other ST character I would personally want to be. People will tell you that this is worth that or that is worth this, or this or that is too much money ect. If you have the income do what you want, not what others tell you.

    I collect 1/6 action figures by a company called Hot Toys, those run between $200 and $300. This to me is like just buying another one of those toys, except it does more than sit on a self haha.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Rules of thumb:

    Once Cryptic has your money, they never give them back. This has been discussed before and its a general policy.

    There are several examples of people requesting refunds for various reasons (Purchase by mistake, too many clicks, item not living up to description and so on) here on the forums, but extremely few of those have actually been accomadated.

    http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Rules_of_Acquisition
    Rule of Acquisition #1:

    Once you have their money, you never give it back.

    #17:

    A deal is a deal

    #102:

    Nature decays, but latinum lasts forever.

    #285

    No good deed ever goes unpunished.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    If Star Wars Galaxies survived NGE for 6 years, then STO will survive until you get your money's worth. Besides millions were spent on PWE purchasing this game last year so they will try to get their money back.

    Although if the game was originally F2P, then I would have seriously consider purchase a lifetime subscription instead of for $240 I can play the game whenever I want seeing how I spent more than that in my first MMO.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    selfctrl wrote:
    Well yeah, I would continue playing STO indefinitely. But that is assuming that additional content is made (or expansion packs sold).

    When the term "content" is mentioned , veteran STO fans will either shudder , or remind you that Cryptic sometimes has funny ideas as to what constitutes as "content" .
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Aelfwin wrote: »
    When the term "content" is mentioned , veteran STO fans will either shudder , or remind you that Cryptic sometimes has funny ideas as to what constitutes as "content" .

    I thought we were told to consider...

    +1 Ships
    Uniforms
    Pets
    Ship costumes

    ... content?!?

    Also missions is NOT content as far as we were told... Thats what the foundry is for.

    I am puzzled...
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