A contact sent me a few interesting articles. This contact who I will not name because I don't know if he wants me to name him or not, ( But if you are reading this feel free to chime in ) showed me two different companies that are changing their policy.
The First Is SOE with Everquest 2. SOE is planing changing the game over to free 2 play. Right now it is being called EverQuest II Extended, and it would work "without a subscription, credit card, or software purchase. players will be able dive into the wide pool of content EverQuest II has put out since it was launched in 2004. All game zones will accessible, and SOE hopes to hook a new generation of fans and create a new revenue stream through microtransactions."
So another company is going the way of free 2 play, and like the game or not ever quest is a big hitter in the MMO world. ( not as big as WOW )
you can read more on it here
What was even more shocking was EA partnering with Live Gamer. Live Gamer is a company that MMO developers hire out to make Micro Transactions. ( C-Store fluff ) What they do is free up the time that it takes to make Micro Transactions from the developers, so the developers can only work on the game content. One thing interesting about this is the fact that EA has a small MMO coming out from under one of their publishers Bioware. That MMO is The Old republic, But that is not their only MMO. They also own Warhammer online, and lord of Ultima. Right now it is only speculation, but I have a hunch that Warhammer might be getting Micro Transaction, and I have a bigger fear for The Old Republic due to a press release that stated that
they need One Million players to break even. I fear that EA might be getting read to put in a Micro Transaction Store in that game to cover the costs in case they don't break even, but as I said this is all guesses, and speculation based on what is happening.
If you want to read more on EA, and Live Gamer Click Here
This brings us to our last part. What does this have to do with STO? Well there is a shift in the gaming Industry. It seems that MMOs are more going to Micro Transactions and Free to play. ( more so on the Micro Transactions. ) With this change in the industry what can we expect in the next few years. More so what can we expect for Star Trek Online. We already have the heavy micro transaction store, and to be honest I see this game going to a hybrid model for free to play with in the next year to two years. ( in ways I welcome it ) From the looks of it, it seems that the days of giant MMOs is coming to an end, and the days of the free 2 play are coming. ( Who knows maybe TOR will be the last giant MMO )
But the question is what does the future hold for STO, and is it a good future?
So how do you feel about this change?
What should the devs do in your opinion?
What do you think the future holds?
What about these other games?
Also I would like to thank the poster who sent me the links. If you want to join in please do.
And any devs want to give their opinion on the industry change please add it.
Comments
Look at many of the F2P games that are out there. Many of them lack support, GMs, bug fixes, detailed graphics, low server capacity etc etc because they can't afford it and many closes down after few months because the server costs gets too great.
no doubt about it.
it's a good thing.
.
It will not be before two years after the last LTS is sold to prevent mass refunds.
You dont understand what we're talking about. The model STO will eventually adapt is not pure F2P, it is a F2P / paid sub hybrid like that currently being used by DDO and soon LOTRO. There will STILL be a monthly sub you can pay to get access to full content, or you can play for "free" with access to limited content. For people who already have LT subs they will still get access to all content for life without having to pay the monthly sub. See this FAQ for more details on how that model works:
http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/faq.html
Forgive me. STO is the only MMO I play. I am unaware of how others do it. STO could end up in what you are talking about. I just don't see it happening anytime soon, IMHO.
Please explain, how, exactly, you are so certain- not only that STO is going F2P, but also that it will adopt this model.
Seriously, I haven't seen a bit of evidence to justify either claim- in fact, Jodi's OP does not support this at all: it is merely an account of two MMO companies changing their business model, and does not imply anything beyond that.
Guys, it's pretty irresponsible to continue to generate such rumors- they only serve to cause more unfounded rage and unnecessary complaining. On the other hand, if you really hate this game, you're doing a great job of miring it in uncertainty and turning away other players.
Hey, no one really knows. Its probably Atari's call at this point anyway, rather than Cryptic's. But as far as when, I'm thinking maybe a year from now. Guess we'll see
I'm "certain" because there is a reason other MMOs are starting to adopt this model: it makes more money. And since Cryptic/Atari wants more money, its only a matter of time. As far as this particular model, the new executive producer himself said he wouldnt be surprised to see STO do this eventually:
http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2832102#post2832102
On the other hand you have games like DDO which was failing but went to a hybrid Free 2 play, and they were able to get that game back on it's feet. Turbine did so good with that, that they are applying that to LOTRO, and last I heard they had over a million players. So just because it is free 2 play does not mean that it is all doom and gloom, and it is starting to look like where MMOs are going.
SOE is a big hitter, and them going Free 2 Play does have some push in the industry, But on the other hand we have EA, another power house that I could see them turning one of their games free to play ( warhammer ) and at the same time they are getting live gamer to do Microtransactions for them, so they are another group to be watching. ( I'm going to be keeping an eye on TOR because there were hints of micro transactions. )
Grand nagus got it covered. but in truth they are watching it to see how it plays out. they have not said it is going to it, but now they have Everquest 2 to watch to see how F2P works out. .
This is a slippery slope argument: two companies shifting to a new model does not mean anything other than those two companies are trying to increase revenue. That's all it means; the rest is speculation, and claiming that STO "will" make this change is likewise purely speculative.
Dstahl said that it was a possibility- he did not rule it out, neither did he confirm it- and that is simply good business sense. If other companies successfully switch to that model, then of course Cryptic should consider it.
As for the rest, what's the point? Threads like this serve only to spread confusion and uncertainty: they are just as harmful as the countless "sky is falling" threads, only with a bit more subtlety.
If you really feel that way, then dont read them or keep them at the top of the forum with your replies. However, I am personally certain that STO will eventually go F2P. Of course there is no proof to offer at this point, but I'll be happy to PM you when that day comes if you are still playing
No, he didn't- he merely drew some unfounded conclusions, with a touch of gloom and doom, especially in the context of all the other chicken little posts about f2p.
Anyway, of course they're watching to see how it works out- so is everyone else in the industry.
How is it "doom and gloom" to say STO will adopt a model that will make it MORE successful? That is actually the OPPOSITE of "doom and gloom". You might want to work on your analogies.
Now he answer you. he show where they hinted at free to play. As I said they are watching and that is what Dstahl was saying. he also said he could see it go that way, but he did not say that it is going that way.
Exactly; so why present your opinion as if it were anything otherwise? That's all I ask.
Of course I could ignore this thread, but it is not only incredibly easy to point out an irresponsible and deeply flawed argument, it's also a service to the STO community to keep unwarranted rumors in check.
Frankly, neither I'm a bit surprised to see you and Zodi participating in this kind of thing; both of you have been more responsible and reasonable in the past, and have put a lot of naysayers to rest. So why the change, and why now?
If you werent aware of this, it is a clearly obvious fact that whenever a person makes a statement it is their opinion. Therefore, I will continue to state my opinion without stating the OBVIOUS fact that it IS my opinion. People who are unable to understand the blatantly obvious have far more problems to worry about than whether STO goes F2P or not.
Well I'm not sure what I'm participating in. I'm just bring up valid points about what is happening in the industry. ( like it or not what other MMOs do effect us ) gave my opinion. ( my opinion that I can see and in a way welcome the game going to free 2 play ) and I asked the community for their opinion on the shape of thing in the industry , and what they think the devs should do.
So I'm not sure what I'm participating in, all i see myself doing is up holding my rule. Ask two simple questions. What does everyone thing, and is it in the best interest for the game.
( on a side note I also play devils advocate when needed )
Once again, how is it 'naysaing' to say that STO will adopt a model that makes it MORE successful? You seem to be confused about the words you are using. "Naysaying" and "doom and gloom"(from your earlier post) imply NEGATIVE things. However, if STO adopts the DDO/LOTRO model, it will have POSITIVE effects on the game.
F2P has several different possible models so it all depends on the corporate policy behind the model used. A heavy emphasis on the 'free' subscriptions with revenue primarily from micro transactions could well be seen as 'successful' by reducing staff and only developing what is known to sell well in MTs or expansions. I don't see that as a benefit to players. On the other hand a model that maintains an emphasis on subscriptions but has a F2P element could increase MT revenue without losing subscriptions if done right. It could maintain or even increase staff. But it's not clear how easy it would be to do.
For STO, subscriptions could increase as the year goes on and new content keeps coming out. I would think this subject probably wont be looked at seriously by Atari and Cryptic until they see how Christmas sales go.
Why thank you for reading. if you would of taken the time to look at it you would see that the main articles are dated for today, and yesterday. Then again I do have psychic awesome powers so I guess I did post this 15 days ago, but I did that because I'm just that awesome. oh I think this is my first thread on this, I could be wrong, but I think it is my first thread. also the articles are new and these are valid questions, but you would know this if you read what I wrote.
how that works is they give you 500 points/month whether you p2p or are lifer. That way f2p... being totally f2p youll be halfassed. So youll want to buy stuff. Lifers still get points regardless and vet vip status. So thats not going away.
If STO takes the same route, it may be something like that.