as of this date, what are the benefits and drawbacks of getting a lifetime subscription?
Benefits: Not ever having to pay a monthly sub for STO.
Drawbacks: Worrying that your Lifetime sub may not reach the break-even point.
Back before release, you got a playable Borg character, as well as 2 extra character slots. I don't know if you get either of those at this point. It was also cheaper by about $60 US, I think. The biggest drawback at the time was that you had to buy the lifetime BEFORE the official release date, and you also lost the benefit of your initial 'free' month.
Right now, the break even point for a Lifetime sub is 20 months. Anything after that is gravy. That's based on a $300 Lifetime vs a recurring $15 for that time frame. If the cost of the Lifetime changes, the break even point will as well.
I paid for a lifetime myself. I think that once they get things settled down and start rolling out the updates, STO will make it worth the price.
hmmm. I'm going to have to think about it, and check to see whats coming out that may make this game go under(the way of tabula rasa). as it stands right now I've enjoyed this more then any other MMO I've done in a while, and I've done WoW and EQ for extended periods.
hmmm. I'm going to have to think about it, and check to see whats coming out that may make this game go under(the way of tabula rasa). as it stands right now I've enjoyed this more then any other MMO I've done in a while, and I've done WoW and EQ for extended periods.
Blargh, there's no way this is even close to the same thing.
Tabula Rasa went under because of an astronomical development budget that would require WoW numbers just to break even, let alone turn a profit, not just because of a weak launch and early content issues.
...Sorry, it's a pet peeve when people compare the two situations. They're not even remotely close.
I think the LTS is worth it even if you don't get the perks the ones that got it by Feb 1st got. Either way it eventually pays for itself and you never have to pay again for the monthly fee so 5 years down the road you'd have had free play for years.
It's always been available. The $60.00 discount, playable Liberated Borg Captain, and 2 Extra character slots is what ended.
The two slots where the clincher for me. Lifers don't even see the subscription options, so thanks for the info, one of the thing stopping from getting second account for my daughter is no lifetime option. (I don't like monthly payments)
as of this date, what are the benefits and drawbacks of getting a lifetime subscription?
I'd only get the lifetime deal if you meet two qualifications:
1) You like this game well enough -today- that you think you might have a desire to play it 20+ months from now.
2) You are willing to risk the chance that this game will not last at least 20 months.
Basically you're betting $300 on the future of this game. As a worse case scenario you must be willing to assume that money is gone the day you spend it and that you're not going to "win" this bet unless the game lasts longer than 20 months.
Obviously the sooner you pay for it the sooner you'll be playing this game for free. Based on the history of Cryptic's previous games Champions Online has been live for about 6 months and City of Heroes for almost 6 years. I bought the STO lifetime deal before launch because I personally believe this game will be around for longer than 16 months (the threshold for the prelaunch deal). Otherwise YMMV.
Also: it's a decision you need to make relatively soon: when a critical point has been reached (definetly before it's less than 16 months before the game reaches it's 2 year birthday, my guess is before September at the latest, Before Summer is very likely) the lifetime subscription option will end.
If you don't buy it when they close the offer, the longest you can subscribe to the game from then on is 6 months (if it follows Champions Online pricing). They are a business, and offering Lifetime Subs indefinetly isn't in their best interests.
One big advantage on the lifetime deal is that you never have to worry about a monthly payment again, no worry about your card expiring or keeping it up to date. The only time you need to get the card out again is to buy some C-Store points. Its great to buy with a one use type card, no surprise payments later.
If $300 is a significant amount of money to you, do not buy the lifetime. Go month to month, and just subscribe the months you want to play.
One big advantage on the lifetime deal is that you never have to worry about a monthly payment again, no worry about your card expiring or keeping it up to date. The only time you need to get the card out again is to buy some C-Store points. Its great to buy with a one use type card, no surprise payments later.
If $300 is a significant amount of money to you, do not buy the lifetime. Go month to month, and just subscribe the months you want to play.
The convenience of never having to pay Cryptic another dime to play whenever you want is definitely an added bonus.
Drawbacks: If the earth ends in dec 2012, you only got a free year plus.
I agree that Lifetime Subscription is a financially sound decision if you plan to play STO for an extended period of time. Most of my friends from GW got Lifetimes so we can play something together until GW2 is released in 2012.
thanks for all the info guys. Now I hope If I get it in the next few weeks they dont go and add another borg/char slot option type promotion after so I miss out on it.
I agree that Lifetime Subscription is a financially sound decision if you plan to play STO for an extended period of time. Most of my friends from GW got Lifetimes so we can play something together until GW2 is released in 2012.
I think he meant his GW buddies got lifetime subs to STO, to play this game until GW2 comes out in 2012 (provided the world doesn't end in firey doom).
I would be too worried that it would get canceled before the break even point. I have had three mmo's die on me, Earth and Beyond - played alot like this game, Motor City Online and the most suprising death Tabula Rasa. If Lord British's mmo gets canceled nobody is safe!
I would be too worried that it would get canceled before the break even point. I have had three mmo's die on me, Earth and Beyond - played alot like this game, Motor City Online and the most suprising death Tabula Rasa. If Lord British's mmo gets canceled nobody is safe!
How was Tabula Rasa dieing surprising? They went through three entire rebuilds of the game. And I mean.. total reconcepting and engine rebuilds, over a long development period. They racked up an enormous development budget, that even with WoW-level numbers they couldn't have possibly made a profit.
...in contrast, STO is made by a company that's first game is still running and turning a profit for it's company (NCSoft) since 2004, to the point it's got a major expansion later this year. And come on, Cryptic got bought by Atari.
If it's one thing Atari knows how to do, it's make money. They haven't been the great sleeping leviathan of the gaming industry for nothing. Think of all of the other companies that sputter out and die with even half of Atari's lifespan. If they bought Cryptic... had to have been money in it somewhere.
...Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take an acid bath as somehow defending both of these companies has left me feeling unclean.
I would be too worried that it would get canceled before the break even point. I have had three mmo's die on me, Earth and Beyond - played alot like this game, Motor City Online and the most suprising death Tabula Rasa. If Lord British's mmo gets canceled nobody is safe!
Beyond what YuriFoxfirega said there's another big point in favor of this game: it's a MMO based on one of the most popular sci-fi franchises of all time. Unlike many other MMOs this game has a built-in fanbase which'll likely keep its number of subscribers up higher than many other MMOs.
It's true this game could shut down before 20 months pass by. It -is- possible. But is it very likely? Not really. If any MMO has a chance to last for years its this one just based on its franchise foundation alone. Basically I consider a lifetime deal a safer bet on this game than most of those other "no name" games.
What I like about the lifetime subscription is the diminishing cost (eventually to $0.00/hour) for the time that I am NOT playing. I know it is just a mind game, but if I have the ongoing obligation to pay for something, then I feel like I should be using it. Even though I have technically paid in advance for the play time, I have emotionally written off the expense so to speak. Now I have no guilt that I "should" be playing if I want to take a break for any length of time...
Does this apply to current lifetime subscribers or does a new subscriber get these perks?
The reason I ask is that I am going back and forth about buying the lifetime subscription. I'm leaning toward going lifetime though. I'd wait if I had to for the perks. Otherwise I'd prob go lifer soon.
Does this apply to current lifetime subscribers or does a new subscriber get these perks?....
The quote was...
We've put together a special thank you package for our Lifetime subscribers:
and not
We've put together a special thank you package for our new/old Lifetime subscribers:
so presumably this applies to both new and current Lifetimers,,, This is most likely a replacement/substitute for the original 'Playable Liberated Borg' perk to encourage Lifetime sub sales...
I hedged my bet and bought a one-year subscription rather than lifetime, since the game is too new and subject to lots of potential future changes that could turn me off from it. One-year plan was pay for 8 months up front and get four months at no additional charge - and it's more than likely that I will play for at least 8 months - plus I got two additional character slots in the deal.
Comments
Drawbacks: If the earth ends in dec 2012, you only got a free year plus.
In other words, if you can afford the 300$, do it.
Yours in advisory Plasma,
Star*Dagger
Benefits: Not ever having to pay a monthly sub for STO.
Drawbacks: Worrying that your Lifetime sub may not reach the break-even point.
Back before release, you got a playable Borg character, as well as 2 extra character slots. I don't know if you get either of those at this point. It was also cheaper by about $60 US, I think. The biggest drawback at the time was that you had to buy the lifetime BEFORE the official release date, and you also lost the benefit of your initial 'free' month.
Right now, the break even point for a Lifetime sub is 20 months. Anything after that is gravy. That's based on a $300 Lifetime vs a recurring $15 for that time frame. If the cost of the Lifetime changes, the break even point will as well.
I paid for a lifetime myself. I think that once they get things settled down and start rolling out the updates, STO will make it worth the price.
Blargh, there's no way this is even close to the same thing.
Tabula Rasa went under because of an astronomical development budget that would require WoW numbers just to break even, let alone turn a profit, not just because of a weak launch and early content issues.
...Sorry, it's a pet peeve when people compare the two situations. They're not even remotely close.
I'd only get the lifetime deal if you meet two qualifications:
1) You like this game well enough -today- that you think you might have a desire to play it 20+ months from now.
2) You are willing to risk the chance that this game will not last at least 20 months.
Basically you're betting $300 on the future of this game. As a worse case scenario you must be willing to assume that money is gone the day you spend it and that you're not going to "win" this bet unless the game lasts longer than 20 months.
Obviously the sooner you pay for it the sooner you'll be playing this game for free. Based on the history of Cryptic's previous games Champions Online has been live for about 6 months and City of Heroes for almost 6 years. I bought the STO lifetime deal before launch because I personally believe this game will be around for longer than 16 months (the threshold for the prelaunch deal). Otherwise YMMV.
If you don't buy it when they close the offer, the longest you can subscribe to the game from then on is 6 months (if it follows Champions Online pricing). They are a business, and offering Lifetime Subs indefinetly isn't in their best interests.
If $300 is a significant amount of money to you, do not buy the lifetime. Go month to month, and just subscribe the months you want to play.
The convenience of never having to pay Cryptic another dime to play whenever you want is definitely an added bonus.
Guild Wars has a lifetime subscription???????
I think he meant his GW buddies got lifetime subs to STO, to play this game until GW2 comes out in 2012 (provided the world doesn't end in firey doom).
GW doesn't even have a sub fee.
How was Tabula Rasa dieing surprising? They went through three entire rebuilds of the game. And I mean.. total reconcepting and engine rebuilds, over a long development period. They racked up an enormous development budget, that even with WoW-level numbers they couldn't have possibly made a profit.
...in contrast, STO is made by a company that's first game is still running and turning a profit for it's company (NCSoft) since 2004, to the point it's got a major expansion later this year. And come on, Cryptic got bought by Atari.
If it's one thing Atari knows how to do, it's make money. They haven't been the great sleeping leviathan of the gaming industry for nothing. Think of all of the other companies that sputter out and die with even half of Atari's lifespan. If they bought Cryptic... had to have been money in it somewhere.
...Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take an acid bath as somehow defending both of these companies has left me feeling unclean.
:eek: lol :eek:
(darn 10 character minimum limit)
Beyond what YuriFoxfirega said there's another big point in favor of this game: it's a MMO based on one of the most popular sci-fi franchises of all time. Unlike many other MMOs this game has a built-in fanbase which'll likely keep its number of subscribers up higher than many other MMOs.
It's true this game could shut down before 20 months pass by. It -is- possible. But is it very likely? Not really. If any MMO has a chance to last for years its this one just based on its franchise foundation alone. Basically I consider a lifetime deal a safer bet on this game than most of those other "no name" games.
You get an IWIN Button that kills people instantly.
Shhhh that's supposed to be a trade secret :rolleyes:
Does this apply to current lifetime subscribers or does a new subscriber get these perks?
The reason I ask is that I am going back and forth about buying the lifetime subscription. I'm leaning toward going lifetime though. I'd wait if I had to for the perks. Otherwise I'd prob go lifer soon.
as in the bar from the book series of the same name? that would be awsome.