I do not like to pay real $ for F2P games, but that's just me. I can honestly say I have spent, since playing, $25.00 - simply because I did not like the final Romulan ship I had (looked like a cargo tanker) and was enamored by the Scimitar
What I *DO* like about STO is the in-game ability to earn zen. Yes, exchanging dilithium for zen is slow and tedious, and I don't get the latest gadgets when they come out ot the most customizable ship or uniforms, but when I do get what I want I know I've earned it, not paid for it, so that's something at least.
I played STO when it first came out, as a P2P game. When there were only Feds and Klinks, and the Klinks were very PvP heavy. Back when the only real cameo was Zachary Q playing an EMH on the training mission, Fed side. A lot has chane since then - some for the better, some not so much... but as far as F2P games go, STO is doing it right. It lacks the true limitations other games put on players who opt for F2P (Star Wars, TOR for one), so I keep playing. Tha,t and I've made friends here and there...
But I can not foresee myself paying a considerble amount of real $ for virtual content. Content that, once I get bored of the game and move on (which we ALL will) I have nothing to show for those dollars spent. Not that I blame those who do - to each their own. I just think it's crazy.
well i stopped counting after 350.00 lol its jsut a criing shame that to get all the gear i need i got to buy this ship then that ship lock box after lock box, and still donot have full iteam sets,
if i,m going to put out cash then why not refit packages, for example a refit for my carrier that adds 1 of each concil, or a package to enable my BO comander skills, i mean there is alot more then can do and offer its our start ship let us work em , of coarse they will say balance , balance is only in pvp and i dont pvp, last time i triied in my atrox carrier 1 on 1 vs a fracking fighter i got wooped in less then 30 secs and he let me spawn all 6 of my top fighters and i,m using full anti proton weapons now do not talk to me about dam balance lol
1. Not really sure. Often enough I bought Zen when I needed and I had a sub going for quite a while because I wanted to support the development of the game. This ceased as of the fiasco that was S8.
2. Yes I still do obviously, otherwise I wouldn't still be here - although I do find the overall quality on the decline after LoR was released. Guess Ex.2 will show us where we stand really.
3. N/A
4. No, not at all. STO has one of the most generous F2P models in that regard.
5. No, it's not. I'm talking about games in general.
What's the value of a Lifetime, the Big Rommy package and things in the Cstore that isn't Kdf? Add in a few hundred more for keys over the years... Granted STO IS my entertainment. I don't play any other online game and thus don't spend money on that. Or things like movies (really $10 to see a 3d flick in the States? It's $2 in Myanmar... For the same movie. In English. In a theater just as plush if not nicer then one Stateside.)
But yeah, Cryptic has gotten a lot of money from me over the years. Am I happy with everything they have done? No, but on the whole I'm happy with the product they are providing. Plus they have the only Trek sandbox right now and I'll sit and play quietly in the corner so they don't kick me out.
Cheers from Antonio Valerio Cortez III, Half-Celestial Archduke of the Free Marches Confederacy.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. 50 euro's at christmas time and when I get my holiday pay. Let's say 100,- a year. This year though... My holiday pay is in, but I doubt I'll put something in this year. Probably put a total of 250,- in.
2. Still enjoying, but after S9 it went downhill in playtime. Also caused by various RL-matters though.
3. Same as 2.
4. Nope.
5. Same as Reyan in this one.
That's quite the paradox, how could you nerf nerf when the nerf is nerfed. But how would the nerf be nerfed when the nerf is nerfed? This allows the nerf not to be nerfed since the nerf is nerfed? But if the nerf isn't nerfed, it could still nerf nerfs. But as soon as the nerf is nerfed, the nerf power is lost. So paradoxally it the nerf nerf lost its nerf, while it's still nerfed, which cannot be because the nerf was unable to nerf.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. I figure it's something worth around 600 or so by now? Maybe more. Before I was a lifer ,I had a 12 month subscription (and I did become a lifer before it expired), I occassionally bought additional Zen (or C-Points), I own the Legacy of Romolus Pack.
2. I am enjoying it again, I was not playing for 2 years or so. I expect a phase of non-enjoyment could happen again, but I am now more optimstic that the game will still be around and interesting again when I come back after how ever long I need to take a break from it.
3. N/A
4. I don#t know if it is absolutely neccessary, but for someone that has more mony than time, it sure is very convenient to get to the "fun parts" - like the ship you wanted, or getting some Dilithium to finance gear.
5. It's a bit complicated. I think that people that spend money on F2P games will often spend much more money then they would if the game was a subscription title. But if the game was a subscription title, it might not have the number of players and possibly actually be smaller or gone entirely already.
Are fans just milked for their money, or are they given something they want that might not be possible with conventional subscription models? I suppose it's a bit of both, but overall, I see it as not too bad. I definitely think people can be milked more than they are given something of worth, but I am not really looking at STO here - I am looking at something like M:WO. Anyone still giving PGI money for their failures to deliver any content of note and failing any attempts at balancing their game. If the game was different, I might not be bothered by the idea of PGI asking 500 $ for a Gold clan mechs - it wouldn't seem like a scam, more like allowing the fans to repay them for good work.
Star Trek Online Advancement: You start with lowbie gear, you end with Lobi gear.
1. $20 so far. Considering to pay more, I like the game and it's inexpensive compared to other games.
5. There are almost no subscription-based games on market, discussion about "sub vs f2p" is useless because F2P is clearly a winner. Arguing about subscription is the same as asking if horses are better than cars? And no, I don't like subscription system because like 100% of sub-based games have cash shops and somewhat expensive paid services: how about 15$ for each character re-customization procedure - after you've paid $15 for a month?
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. Since LoR, spending has tended towards 0. I've saved up a lot of Zen, so spending has been on the back of that and the 500 each month.
2. I'd say I've spent a lot (Lifetime, LoR, bank slots, most ships) and yes, generally, I am enjoying the game. I think the grinding is a bit over the top, and I miss the more regular FEs from times passed. But, I like the game, and I want it to keep going. I'm really into my KDF character for the first time in a long while.
3. -
4. I like collecting stuff. Ship collecting. The loadouts (which need a bit of bug fixing) have made me want to all the more.
5. Can't really say being a lifetimer. I never opposed the f2p transition, recognising the numbers it would bring in. F2P is demonstrably better for a small number of characters, if you want a lot of alts, sub savings add up big time. (Assuming you want the inv and bank slots on them all)
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. It depends on whether or not I'm actively playing. I can drop $50 to $100 a week at times, other times I might not play for months on end. Over $1000 total. I don't have an exact amount.
2. It's a bit of a love-hate relationship. There are lots of things I like about STO, but there are also things I don't. I don't like all the bugs. Grinding is another thing I don't like to do. It's still the best Sci-Fi MMO out there, though.
4. Yes. Otherwise I will have to do a lot more grinding. I get the vast majority of my dilithium from the exchange. Most of my credits come from selling keys. I like to have my stuff now, not next month or next week.
5. I don't know, actually. I like the idea of spending just $10 or $15 a month on a sub game, but sub games also have grinding. I don't like jumping through hoops to get good gear and stuff, so I like being able to buy the stuff I want from the C-Store. Of course I spend way too much this way, and it will probably turn me off and I will stop playing for months on end again.
A sub game with no grinding. What a dream...
Funny, EVE players like to say that EVE has no grinding in it. In fact, EVE's real-time skill learning system is the most brutal grind of any game I've ever played. I put over two years into that game and still didn't have all the skills I wanted. Hundreds of dollars in subscription fees down the drain, and I never got to really enjoy the game.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
ok here it goes
1. I have been with the game since before launch. I own all copies of the game (including digital releases) I have spent around a thousand, maybe more. (I ran a fleet and would buy keys to give away as event prizes and what not, but I also own pretty much everything that was released for the first 2 or 3 years, and am a lifetimer)
2. this is a tough one. its hard not to be confused with the game and the people I play with. I have built a family here in sto, and a lot of times, I feel if it were not for them, I would not be playing the game. however, there are aspects I do enjoy still.
3 n/a
4. depends on your play style.. if you pvp definatly yes, you relaly cant compete without spending something. pve no, it is far more forgiving to having inferior equipment.. however, I believe that the c store and lobi store feed on peoples need to be the best, or to be better than others they play with.
5. yes and no. lol.. the quick explanation. f2p also introduced p2w (well more drastically). it also shifted the attention of the devs from making quality content that keeps us subbing, to making gimmicks and quick sells.
on the other side, I am close with some people in game that would not have played if it was a sub game. so the idea that everyone can at least try the game is nice.
I just want to point out, that I have not spent a dime since season 6, not because I have the resources and stipened to not, but because the game is not up to par for me to spend money on. I don't mind supporting the game here and there, but it has to be content that wows me..
just to put it into perspective. I spent more in two years on sto, than I did on wow in the 7 or 8 years I played it. and to be honest, I have fonder memories of wow, and I spent less on it. I know its apples to oranges, but, at the same time, its the quality here. even though they are not the same genre, wow and sto are two mmo's. one gave me a better experience (and what makes that sad is I am a star trek nut, and less of a fantasy nut). this is what I mean when I say cryptic needs to start bringing their standards up. im not saying they have to become blizzard or wow, but I play a dozen other games right now that all leave sto in the dust. sure sto is pretty, and scratches my star trek itch, but most of the other games I play as of now (wow not one of them lol) I do not take long breaks from like I do sto. that to me, is a problem.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
I realized that I didn't actually answer the questions.
1. Probably a bit over $1000 total. Maybe more. Who knows?
Maybe that's a lot, but it's spread over multiple years and this is basically the only game I play, along with some classic old strategy games. The only "new" game I like is KSP.
2. Yes.
3. N/A
4. Nope. I do turn in 250-500 contraband a week to support my inability to spend real money.
5. I guess yes.
In the case of STO it's complicated by the fact that the game was run by a different company before F2P, and Atari did a terrible job generally. And I'm technically a "subscriber" even under F2P thanks to the lifetime sub.
I would be very unlikely to pay for a subscription MMO again, though. STO's F2P model had ruined me in that regard.
I'm a free to play player. I'm not a lifetime member. Within my first 6 months of playing STO I spent $30 for a Fed Zen ship and another $30 for a KDF Zen ship. Not too impressed with either of them and since then I've stopped using both of those ships.
Been playing for nearly 2 years now and I'm still a Free to play player. But I now have 5 toons. All of which are now in either a Lobi, Lockbox, Fleet or Zen ship. Have not spent a single cent of real money to get the ships I now have. Some of my toons have more than one "expensive" ships.
Do I enjoy the game even though I'm a free to play player? YES! Probably more than I would if I were spending real money to get a disappointing ship.
Another thing I've learned is this, the balance of ship DPS capabilities is WAY OFF! When I have 2 cruisers that each have 8 weapon slots and I use the exact same weapons, console and boff station setup (or at least very close), and yet one ship does twice as much dps as the other....something is not right.
So be careful....just because it has a huge price tag doesn't mean that it has huge DPS....perfect example would be the Voth Bastion Flightdeck Cruiser. Overpriced POS!
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
About 40 Euro a month if I can support this MMO I will, even I do not agree with things or think they work not very fast, I still support them
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
I spend I think all by all couple of Thousand, there is not much to do right now but I enjoy the game !!
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
No but without it STO wouldn't survive very long if we kept our money to our self...
5. Do you, IYO believe F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself.
If in the beginning they left out the lifetime and only did the monthly fee I do believe they would have done great, Thats one mistake they made back then, Second mistake going F2P it left the game quality very poor with all these bugs...
But thats my thought about it someone else may have an other opinion ...
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised. It's got me through the worst of the last three years. I beat the Borg with it."
One small tip for Cryptic and PWE remove the Dill & Zen Exchange, Put stuff from lobi store into the ZEN Store and people start buying much more then they allready do.
Stores begone !!! :P
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised. It's got me through the worst of the last three years. I beat the Borg with it."
F2p is better, I almost became a lifer at the beginning, but then I open around 100 lockboxes and recovered no even 1/2~1/3 of what I spent (some I stockpiled to sell when price is upl)
For years everyday I open a couple lockboxes. I still havent found anything worth half the virtual money I used.
So why would I spend real money to get tons worthless junks?
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
1. Would not like to add up really. I have an LTS and almost every ship in the cstore for all 2.5 factions..
2.Yes I still have fun playing STO, though Cryptic do try my patience..
3. N/A
4. No, not really. You can have fun in STO without spending any money.
5. Yes and no. On the one hand PWE has the best f2p method of any game I have yet to see, and on the other they have obscene costs for items that only the very weak will buy.
I can largely ignore the scam boxes, nothing good has been in them for over a year anyways.
I used to spend quite a bit. Lifetime subscription, most of the zen ships (up to the Regent). I've given up on the 'give Cryptic money' thing. They don't support their products and we get one new mission every 3 months. Kind of petty of me, but... /shrug. I can be petty.
I used to spend quite a bit. Lifetime subscription, most of the zen ships (up to the Regent). I've given up on the 'give Cryptic money' thing. They don't support their products and we get one new mission every 3 months. Kind of petty of me, but... /shrug. I can be petty.
Well it is. They didn't support their product after all with the Romulans, Nimbus, low-level KDF content, or the series revamps. They don't support PVE content (usually at a pace of three per season with miscellaneous additions here and there). They haven't added new types of max-level character development mechanics. They haven't added any new gear (which even through the lock boxes is easily accessible through the exchange.) They haven't updated their old systems (customization, kits, traits, you name it they haven't supported it.) They don't hold special events (even tropical themed ones). New ships? Heh, I wish. The last time Cryptic didn't support their game with one of those was weeks ago. Balance tweaks are right out as well. Hell, they haven't even added laser-firing dinosaurs and a great big place to shoot them in.
They haven't done a damn thing for us, except for maybe just steering clear of the classic 5 episode FE as the sole item of a season release. Maybe they should settle for not supporting STO less. After all if you exceed expectations you'll still fail to meet them in somebody's book.
Anyway, as an avid F2P'er I've spent somewhere about $20. It's a nice arrangement, I play cryptics game and populate it for the whales among you and I pay them for it. :P
Bipedal mammal and senior Foundry author.
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
Well it is. They didn't support their product after all with the Romulans, Nimbus, low-level KDF content, or the series revamps. They don't support PVE content (usually at a pace of three per season with miscellaneous additions here and there). They haven't added new types of max-level character development mechanics. They haven't added any new gear (which even through the lock boxes is easily accessible through the exchange.) They haven't updated their old systems (customization, kits, traits, you name it they haven't supported it.) They don't hold special events (even tropical themed ones). New ships? Heh, I wish. The last time Cryptic didn't support their game with one of those was weeks ago. Balance tweaks are right out as well. Hell, they haven't even added laser-firing dinosaurs and a great big place to shoot them in.
They haven't done a damn thing for us, except for maybe just steering clear of the classic 5 episode FE as the sole item of a season release. Maybe they should settle for not supporting STO less. After all if you exceed expectations you'll still fail to meet them in somebody's book.
Anyway, as an avid F2P'er I've spent somewhere about $20. It's a nice arrangement, I play cryptics game and populate it for the whales among you and I pay them for it. :P
The reputation events are a marketing scheme to get people logged in. The whole point of daily events is to get people logged in daily so they can keep their 'player base' high - even if a player only logs in to do one daily, they can tally it as a player and revenue.
As for supporting their products - look through the bug forums. Look at bugs that have existed for YEARS. Look at shoddy costume and model errors. If something isn't making them money RIGHT NOW they don't care. I've given Cryptic my share of money. Between the lifetime subscription and the ships I have bought - I've probably given them a thousand or so total.
Until they go back and support older products, and until they go back and fix bugs that have existed for ages - It's my right to not give them money.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
3. People who haven't spent any money on STO , do you enjoy the game.
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
5. Do you, IYO beleive F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself. Just for this thread a simple yes or no will suffice.
In ship purchases, services, dilithium conversion and other various little shinies, since I've started playing maybe around £300, probably more, the wife could probably tell you as she raises an eyebrow from time to time lol!
I loved playing the game before I started paying anything for it (probably about 3-4months before I made the decision to rest my gaming head in sto.
Spending money has indeed enhanced my gaming experience, as it negated the grind factor somewhat and allowed me to enjoy other aspects of the game not dedicated to grinding dilithium all day long. I dread to think what grinding out the ammount of dilithium I have spent ingame on fleet projects and gear would have done to my brain. Let alone grinding out all those zen ships.
Does my investment keep me playing the game? To some degree, though its also friends and fleetmembers as well as new content that keeps me invested more than anything.
Is ftp better than a sub or lifer? I don't know. Personally I am ftp, but I would love to have a lifer or sub for the little perks and free zen. Being just a family guy with a 0hour contract means my income fluctuates significantly so ftp works for me as I can spend out when I have the cash and step into the grind more in sparser times.
"If this will be our end, then I will have them make SUCH an end as to be worthy of rememberance! Out of torpedos you say?! Find me the ferengi!".
Lol, You couldnt pay me to donate, subscribe ect to this game. I mean its a decent game but its dead. The devs dont fix any bugs, The just keep the game going to generate their cash flow. If i were to subscibe right now it would be more to a game like Eve. Why? The fix bugs, The attempt to balance stuff, They are constantly adding in new content. Sto hasnt fixed a bug in years, And what they have done i cant consider balanceing nor added content. I mean this game has potiential but... devs dont care. They made what sto is gonna be and thats it till the game becomes a ghost town. Which is why i only play pve when i feel like playing a game loosely based on star trek. When i want a challenge i go else where.
Comments
What I *DO* like about STO is the in-game ability to earn zen. Yes, exchanging dilithium for zen is slow and tedious, and I don't get the latest gadgets when they come out ot the most customizable ship or uniforms, but when I do get what I want I know I've earned it, not paid for it, so that's something at least.
I played STO when it first came out, as a P2P game. When there were only Feds and Klinks, and the Klinks were very PvP heavy. Back when the only real cameo was Zachary Q playing an EMH on the training mission, Fed side. A lot has chane since then - some for the better, some not so much... but as far as F2P games go, STO is doing it right. It lacks the true limitations other games put on players who opt for F2P (Star Wars, TOR for one), so I keep playing. Tha,t and I've made friends here and there...
But I can not foresee myself paying a considerble amount of real $ for virtual content. Content that, once I get bored of the game and move on (which we ALL will) I have nothing to show for those dollars spent. Not that I blame those who do - to each their own. I just think it's crazy.
if i,m going to put out cash then why not refit packages, for example a refit for my carrier that adds 1 of each concil, or a package to enable my BO comander skills, i mean there is alot more then can do and offer its our start ship let us work em , of coarse they will say balance , balance is only in pvp and i dont pvp, last time i triied in my atrox carrier 1 on 1 vs a fracking fighter i got wooped in less then 30 secs and he let me spawn all 6 of my top fighters and i,m using full anti proton weapons now do not talk to me about dam balance lol
2. Yes I still do obviously, otherwise I wouldn't still be here - although I do find the overall quality on the decline after LoR was released. Guess Ex.2 will show us where we stand really.
3. N/A
4. No, not at all. STO has one of the most generous F2P models in that regard.
5. No, it's not. I'm talking about games in general.
But yeah, Cryptic has gotten a lot of money from me over the years. Am I happy with everything they have done? No, but on the whole I'm happy with the product they are providing. Plus they have the only Trek sandbox right now and I'll sit and play quietly in the corner so they don't kick me out.
1. 50 euro's at christmas time and when I get my holiday pay. Let's say 100,- a year. This year though... My holiday pay is in, but I doubt I'll put something in this year. Probably put a total of 250,- in.
2. Still enjoying, but after S9 it went downhill in playtime. Also caused by various RL-matters though.
3. Same as 2.
4. Nope.
5. Same as Reyan in this one.
I call it, the Stoutes paradox.
1. I figure it's something worth around 600 or so by now? Maybe more. Before I was a lifer ,I had a 12 month subscription (and I did become a lifer before it expired), I occassionally bought additional Zen (or C-Points), I own the Legacy of Romolus Pack.
2. I am enjoying it again, I was not playing for 2 years or so. I expect a phase of non-enjoyment could happen again, but I am now more optimstic that the game will still be around and interesting again when I come back after how ever long I need to take a break from it.
3. N/A
4. I don#t know if it is absolutely neccessary, but for someone that has more mony than time, it sure is very convenient to get to the "fun parts" - like the ship you wanted, or getting some Dilithium to finance gear.
5. It's a bit complicated. I think that people that spend money on F2P games will often spend much more money then they would if the game was a subscription title. But if the game was a subscription title, it might not have the number of players and possibly actually be smaller or gone entirely already.
Are fans just milked for their money, or are they given something they want that might not be possible with conventional subscription models? I suppose it's a bit of both, but overall, I see it as not too bad. I definitely think people can be milked more than they are given something of worth, but I am not really looking at STO here - I am looking at something like M:WO. Anyone still giving PGI money for their failures to deliver any content of note and failing any attempts at balancing their game. If the game was different, I might not be bothered by the idea of PGI asking 500 $ for a Gold clan mechs - it wouldn't seem like a scam, more like allowing the fans to repay them for good work.
5. There are almost no subscription-based games on market, discussion about "sub vs f2p" is useless because F2P is clearly a winner. Arguing about subscription is the same as asking if horses are better than cars? And no, I don't like subscription system because like 100% of sub-based games have cash shops and somewhat expensive paid services: how about 15$ for each character re-customization procedure - after you've paid $15 for a month?
1. Since LoR, spending has tended towards 0. I've saved up a lot of Zen, so spending has been on the back of that and the 500 each month.
2. I'd say I've spent a lot (Lifetime, LoR, bank slots, most ships) and yes, generally, I am enjoying the game. I think the grinding is a bit over the top, and I miss the more regular FEs from times passed. But, I like the game, and I want it to keep going. I'm really into my KDF character for the first time in a long while.
3. -
4. I like collecting stuff. Ship collecting. The loadouts (which need a bit of bug fixing) have made me want to all the more.
5. Can't really say being a lifetimer. I never opposed the f2p transition, recognising the numbers it would bring in. F2P is demonstrably better for a small number of characters, if you want a lot of alts, sub savings add up big time. (Assuming you want the inv and bank slots on them all)
1. It depends on whether or not I'm actively playing. I can drop $50 to $100 a week at times, other times I might not play for months on end. Over $1000 total. I don't have an exact amount.
2. It's a bit of a love-hate relationship. There are lots of things I like about STO, but there are also things I don't. I don't like all the bugs. Grinding is another thing I don't like to do. It's still the best Sci-Fi MMO out there, though.
4. Yes. Otherwise I will have to do a lot more grinding. I get the vast majority of my dilithium from the exchange. Most of my credits come from selling keys. I like to have my stuff now, not next month or next week.
5. I don't know, actually. I like the idea of spending just $10 or $15 a month on a sub game, but sub games also have grinding. I don't like jumping through hoops to get good gear and stuff, so I like being able to buy the stuff I want from the C-Store. Of course I spend way too much this way, and it will probably turn me off and I will stop playing for months on end again.
A sub game with no grinding. What a dream...
Funny, EVE players like to say that EVE has no grinding in it. In fact, EVE's real-time skill learning system is the most brutal grind of any game I've ever played. I put over two years into that game and still didn't have all the skills I wanted. Hundreds of dollars in subscription fees down the drain, and I never got to really enjoy the game.
ok here it goes
1. I have been with the game since before launch. I own all copies of the game (including digital releases) I have spent around a thousand, maybe more. (I ran a fleet and would buy keys to give away as event prizes and what not, but I also own pretty much everything that was released for the first 2 or 3 years, and am a lifetimer)
2. this is a tough one. its hard not to be confused with the game and the people I play with. I have built a family here in sto, and a lot of times, I feel if it were not for them, I would not be playing the game. however, there are aspects I do enjoy still.
3 n/a
4. depends on your play style.. if you pvp definatly yes, you relaly cant compete without spending something. pve no, it is far more forgiving to having inferior equipment.. however, I believe that the c store and lobi store feed on peoples need to be the best, or to be better than others they play with.
5. yes and no. lol.. the quick explanation. f2p also introduced p2w (well more drastically). it also shifted the attention of the devs from making quality content that keeps us subbing, to making gimmicks and quick sells.
on the other side, I am close with some people in game that would not have played if it was a sub game. so the idea that everyone can at least try the game is nice.
I just want to point out, that I have not spent a dime since season 6, not because I have the resources and stipened to not, but because the game is not up to par for me to spend money on. I don't mind supporting the game here and there, but it has to be content that wows me..
just to put it into perspective. I spent more in two years on sto, than I did on wow in the 7 or 8 years I played it. and to be honest, I have fonder memories of wow, and I spent less on it. I know its apples to oranges, but, at the same time, its the quality here. even though they are not the same genre, wow and sto are two mmo's. one gave me a better experience (and what makes that sad is I am a star trek nut, and less of a fantasy nut). this is what I mean when I say cryptic needs to start bringing their standards up. im not saying they have to become blizzard or wow, but I play a dozen other games right now that all leave sto in the dust. sure sto is pretty, and scratches my star trek itch, but most of the other games I play as of now (wow not one of them lol) I do not take long breaks from like I do sto. that to me, is a problem.
I realized that I didn't actually answer the questions.
1. Probably a bit over $1000 total. Maybe more. Who knows?
Maybe that's a lot, but it's spread over multiple years and this is basically the only game I play, along with some classic old strategy games. The only "new" game I like is KSP.
2. Yes.
3. N/A
4. Nope. I do turn in 250-500 contraband a week to support my inability to spend real money.
5. I guess yes.
In the case of STO it's complicated by the fact that the game was run by a different company before F2P, and Atari did a terrible job generally. And I'm technically a "subscriber" even under F2P thanks to the lifetime sub.
I would be very unlikely to pay for a subscription MMO again, though. STO's F2P model had ruined me in that regard.
Been playing for nearly 2 years now and I'm still a Free to play player. But I now have 5 toons. All of which are now in either a Lobi, Lockbox, Fleet or Zen ship. Have not spent a single cent of real money to get the ships I now have. Some of my toons have more than one "expensive" ships.
Do I enjoy the game even though I'm a free to play player? YES! Probably more than I would if I were spending real money to get a disappointing ship.
Another thing I've learned is this, the balance of ship DPS capabilities is WAY OFF! When I have 2 cruisers that each have 8 weapon slots and I use the exact same weapons, console and boff station setup (or at least very close), and yet one ship does twice as much dps as the other....something is not right.
So be careful....just because it has a huge price tag doesn't mean that it has huge DPS....perfect example would be the Voth Bastion Flightdeck Cruiser. Overpriced POS!
Contraband for my dil. Very lucrative. Although I do appreciate the chumps that pay cash for their stuff. Helps to keep the system viable for me.
1. How much money do you spend on sto on a normal basis or total.
About 40 Euro a month if I can support this MMO I will, even I do not agree with things or think they work not very fast, I still support them
2. People who have spent alot of money on sto are you still enjoying the game.
I spend I think all by all couple of Thousand, there is not much to do right now but I enjoy the game !!
4. Do you feel you have to spend money to enjoy sto.
No but without it STO wouldn't survive very long if we kept our money to our self...
5. Do you, IYO believe F2P is better than a sub. I know this is a big discussion all to itself.
If in the beginning they left out the lifetime and only did the monthly fee I do believe they would have done great, Thats one mistake they made back then, Second mistake going F2P it left the game quality very poor with all these bugs...
But thats my thought about it someone else may have an other opinion ...
"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised. It's got me through the worst of the last three years. I beat the Borg with it."
Stores begone !!! :P
"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised. It's got me through the worst of the last three years. I beat the Borg with it."
F2p is better, I almost became a lifer at the beginning, but then I open around 100 lockboxes and recovered no even 1/2~1/3 of what I spent (some I stockpiled to sell when price is upl)
For years everyday I open a couple lockboxes. I still havent found anything worth half the virtual money I used.
So why would I spend real money to get tons worthless junks?
1. Would not like to add up really. I have an LTS and almost every ship in the cstore for all 2.5 factions..
2.Yes I still have fun playing STO, though Cryptic do try my patience..
3. N/A
4. No, not really. You can have fun in STO without spending any money.
5. Yes and no. On the one hand PWE has the best f2p method of any game I have yet to see, and on the other they have obscene costs for items that only the very weak will buy.
I can largely ignore the scam boxes, nothing good has been in them for over a year anyways.
Well it is. They didn't support their product after all with the Romulans, Nimbus, low-level KDF content, or the series revamps. They don't support PVE content (usually at a pace of three per season with miscellaneous additions here and there). They haven't added new types of max-level character development mechanics. They haven't added any new gear (which even through the lock boxes is easily accessible through the exchange.) They haven't updated their old systems (customization, kits, traits, you name it they haven't supported it.) They don't hold special events (even tropical themed ones). New ships? Heh, I wish. The last time Cryptic didn't support their game with one of those was weeks ago. Balance tweaks are right out as well. Hell, they haven't even added laser-firing dinosaurs and a great big place to shoot them in.
They haven't done a damn thing for us, except for maybe just steering clear of the classic 5 episode FE as the sole item of a season release. Maybe they should settle for not supporting STO less. After all if you exceed expectations you'll still fail to meet them in somebody's book.
Anyway, as an avid F2P'er I've spent somewhere about $20. It's a nice arrangement, I play cryptics game and populate it for the whales among you and I pay them for it. :P
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
1. Nothing
2. N/A
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
Yes
No
Yes
The reputation events are a marketing scheme to get people logged in. The whole point of daily events is to get people logged in daily so they can keep their 'player base' high - even if a player only logs in to do one daily, they can tally it as a player and revenue.
As for supporting their products - look through the bug forums. Look at bugs that have existed for YEARS. Look at shoddy costume and model errors. If something isn't making them money RIGHT NOW they don't care. I've given Cryptic my share of money. Between the lifetime subscription and the ships I have bought - I've probably given them a thousand or so total.
Until they go back and support older products, and until they go back and fix bugs that have existed for ages - It's my right to not give them money.
1- $0
2- N/A
3- Yes
4- No
5- Yes
I loved playing the game before I started paying anything for it (probably about 3-4months before I made the decision to rest my gaming head in sto.
Spending money has indeed enhanced my gaming experience, as it negated the grind factor somewhat and allowed me to enjoy other aspects of the game not dedicated to grinding dilithium all day long. I dread to think what grinding out the ammount of dilithium I have spent ingame on fleet projects and gear would have done to my brain. Let alone grinding out all those zen ships.
Does my investment keep me playing the game? To some degree, though its also friends and fleetmembers as well as new content that keeps me invested more than anything.
Is ftp better than a sub or lifer? I don't know. Personally I am ftp, but I would love to have a lifer or sub for the little perks and free zen. Being just a family guy with a 0hour contract means my income fluctuates significantly so ftp works for me as I can spend out when I have the cash and step into the grind more in sparser times.
"If this will be our end, then I will have them make SUCH an end as to be worthy of rememberance! Out of torpedos you say?! Find me the ferengi!".