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Is this game really free to play anymore ?

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  • johnnymo1johnnymo1 Member Posts: 697 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    Its free to play, but easier to play if you spend some cash up front. I'm not in favor of giving anything to new players to give them a boost other than some larger rewards or more scaling gear in the early story missions so they can go cheep grinding up and have more dil and ec for endgame play.
  • voyagerwaskingvoyagerwasking Member Posts: 8 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    damainx wrote: »
    Free to play is an illusion. It's foolish to think otherwise. You end up paying a lot more.

    is someone holding you at gun point? you can play this game for free without paying a dime. stop being lazy and grind for the dill if you want to play for free so badly. no one is forcing anyone to stay and play
  • captainzheicaptainzhei Member Posts: 203 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    Levelling 1-50 requires no Zen points to accomplish.
    You can use Dilithium once refined to convert to Zen if you really want something but don't wish to pay real money.
    Mirror Universe ships are pretty awesome.
    Tier 5 C-Store ships are not necessary items.

    I think that sums it up. You *can* play quite admirably without paying for it.
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  • voyagerwaskingvoyagerwasking Member Posts: 8 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    there are also surveys ive done them and gotten enough to buy a ship
  • catjarrettcatjarrett Member Posts: 285 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    I've been playing less than two weeks, and I'm actually very surprised at how F2P the game actually is. It, like most F2Ps, have a trade off; time or money. And for a buck twenty-five US you can get your hands on a million+ EC easy. What they offer to buy is useful, but not mandatory, and F2Pers can still do things like use the Exchange, which a lot of MMOs don't let F2Pers do.

    If you don't want to spend money, you can spend time. That's how the good MMOs are, IMHO.
  • solaris08solaris08 Member Posts: 25 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    ahh so its an entitlement claim about what you want and an attempt to try get more information from a confrontational attitude by trying to bait me into it? do you know how many entitlement claims have been ignored over the years? you think thats sarcasm or im trying to mock you or something? think again.

    no im always deadly serious when i make my points, i got no use for sarcasm and that's as far as i will defend my own actions, dont presume to know.


    No entitlement i just stated that fact.Unless we try to troll each other we can accept simple starting facts. How many entitlement claims u have ignored i don't care really. I am not deadly serious when i make my points also but i do like having a logical line of thinking. Confrontational attitude ? nope have better thing to do, u can call it direct approach :P.

    No use for sarcasm .. yeah sure .. its like saying people don't need EC then saying u are making lots :rolleyes:. Presuming things from a discussion/post its normal, and to put it simple i respond to direct approaches in kind :), but so are u i see, not deadly serious ofcorce :).

    Anyway from what i see this EC nerf was created problems for casual players mostly. Stable ones already know better EC farming methods ( like the ones that posted in this tread for example). Aslo things like gear drops for geint 1st/2nd are now more or less devaluated due to reputation/fleet gear or crafting. So now, easy/non complicated ways for casuals to gain pocket EC are mostly gone.
    Imo this will force them to quit, pay money or suck more, with last option being more likely.
  • mirrorterranmirrorterran Member Posts: 423 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    damainx wrote: »
    Free to play is an illusion. It's foolish to think otherwise. You end up paying a lot more.

    This is true only to a point. PWE made 3.1 billion dollars last year so no...they aren't going broke any time soon. Many F2P games are that way to increase profits, not as a way to avoid bankruptcy.

    However, you will never convince me that playing the game is the price I pay for not spending money. Also note, I have nearly everything I could want in this game. How? I play the game.
  • lunastolunasto Member Posts: 774 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    jonsills wrote: »
    No one has answered my question yet.

    Before you can contend this game is P2W, you still have to answer the question, "What exactly are you winning?" If you're all about the PvP, well, sorry to break this to you, but PvP is a tacked-on addition to the game, not the game itself. To borrow a phrase from Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III, being the best at STO PvP is akin to being the best ballet dancer in Peoria. The dedicated-PvP space combat sim is down the street. Star Trek is by nature cooperative, so it should be unsurprising that its MMO operates similarly.

    And I haven't run into anything yet that I can't complete with my free gear and free ships. I'm winning, and I haven't paid a penny. So again, pay to win what?

    It could possibly be the push to have everything, and to have it now! The game is becoming more fast paced for power creep addons. I'm impatient when it comes to earning stuff, but not so impatient to pay real money for it! Cool new outfits maybe, but not consumable commodities!

    Slow and steady wins the race, making goals sets the pace!
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  • thecosmic1thecosmic1 Member Posts: 9,365 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    This is true only to a point. PWE made 3.1 billion dollars last year so no...they aren't going broke any time soon. Many F2P games are that way to increase profits, not as a way to avoid bankruptcy.
    Perfect World's total Revenues were $504.3 million last year - divided among 14 games. It was 3.05 billion Renmimbi, not dollars.
    STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
  • nicha0nicha0 Member Posts: 1,456 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    The game is P2W, it doesn't matter if you spend money or not, you are going to spend time or money, both are valuable to an adult.

    In all honesty, by spending countless hours grinding for pitfiul amounts of dilithium, you could just work a couple hours extra a week and use the money to buy zen and trade for dilithium. So if you think all the grinding is F2P non-sense then you are sadly mistaken, cryptic has employed you to grind endlessly to earn pennies so you can sell your dilithium to someone else who more intelligently works for a living.
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  • jarodroto123jarodroto123 Member Posts: 1,337 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    nicha0 wrote: »
    The game is P2W, it doesn't matter if you spend money or not, you are going to spend time or money, both are valuable to an adult.

    In all honesty, by spending countless hours grinding for pitfiul amounts of dilithium, you could just work a couple hours extra a week and use the money to buy zen and trade for dilithium. So if you think all the grinding is F2P non-sense then you are sadly mistaken, cryptic has employed you to grind endlessly to earn pennies so you can sell your dilithium to someone else who more intelligently works for a living.

    P2W implies that you can gain things not achievable by in game play, because of the dilthium exchange, this is not the case.

    It is Pay for Convience as many have said
  • centaurianalphacentaurianalpha Member Posts: 1,150 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    Grinding out two million energy credits has become a monumental task.
    I thought that way at one time, until I got enough ship to do the "Tour the Galaxy" mission, which still pays out up to 500k EC each trip. So the "monumental task" is down to about 4 days, if this is all you did...
    Nobody wants to grind for a year to get enough dil to buy all the rep and fleet gear for their zen ship.
    This may also be true, but if you join a fleet, it can take a year (as in my case), even if you avail yourself of fleet bank gear. Perhaps the most difficult task is to remain focused on an end goal, and not be pulled in many directions with the game's breadth of activities.

    Many have posted that even dilithium is easy to get, but anymore one can hardly swing a dead cat without hitting another dil sink. This is no accident, as it increases the time needed to fill whatever bucket the player happens to be working at the moment (rep gear, fleet gear, Zen, personnel, etc.). Longer time often leads to loss of patience, hence the Zen purchase shortcut (for nearly everything, now). It's also human nature to want to avoid missing out on "desireable" shinies, and the persistent parade of events helps fuel an urgency to grind further. From this standpoint, PWE has really perfected the art of exploiting human nature to their profit; those players who have self-control issues might want to reconsider their time commitment... :eek:

    I personally prefer, now that my fleet grind has nearly come to an end, to play one character each time I log in, and spend a couple of enjoyable hours "making the rounds", with no particular time table involved. This has proven to be the closest I can come to an immersive Trek experience without having to spend cash!
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  • mhirtescmhirtesc Member Posts: 581 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    The Admins here get really really buttmad if you dare to question their $125 Delta Pack greedfest. I've had two threads where they closed the threads to prevent even the possibility of discussion about it.
  • starswordcstarswordc Member Posts: 10,963 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    mhirtesc wrote: »
    The Admins here get really really buttmad if you dare to question their $125 Delta Pack greedfest. I've had two threads where they closed the threads to prevent even the possibility of discussion about it.

    Actually if you'll read the forum rules, the second one was for criticizing a moderator for moderating. And greedfest? Lol. $125 is $25 cheaper than the Legacy pack, but you get the same amount of stuff.
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  • cbrjwrrcbrjwrr Member Posts: 2,782 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    I thought that way at one time, until I got enough ship to do the "Tour the Galaxy" mission, which still pays out up to 500k EC each trip. So the "monumental task" is down to about 4 days, if this is all you did...

    Actually 2 mil is about half an hour or so plus time to sell the material pack.
  • mhirtescmhirtesc Member Posts: 581 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    starswordc wrote: »
    Actually if you'll read the forum rules, the second one was for criticizing a moderator for moderating. And greedfest? Lol. $125 is $25 cheaper than the Legacy pack, but you get the same amount of stuff.

    What he was doing wasn't moderating. That was crushing of dissent.
  • kavasekavase Member Posts: 771 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    mhirtesc wrote: »
    The Admins here get really really buttmad if you dare to question their $125 Delta Pack greedfest.

    Nah, the only one who is buttmad is you. Stop making worthless threads and maybe they'll let you stay.

    Anyway, game is free to play because it says so. It's even possible to buy Z-Store only stuff via exchange while it's not even possible in some games to be able to do such a thing.

    I agree it is very grindy to get some items for free.
    Retired. I'm now in search for that perfect space anomaly.
  • khan5000khan5000 Member Posts: 3,008 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    mhirtesc wrote: »
    What he was doing wasn't moderating. That was crushing of dissent.

    Crushing dissent?
    They are doing a very poor job then if that's what he's doing.
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  • mhirtescmhirtesc Member Posts: 581 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    kavase wrote: »
    Nah, the only one who is buttmad is you. Stop making worthless threads and maybe they'll let you stay.

    Anyway, game is free to play because it says so. It's even possible to buy Z-Store only stuff via exchange it some games don't even have such a feature.

    I agree it is very grindy to get some items for free.

    I simply pointed out the things that made the $125 pack unique compared to just getting most of the items with Zen through the C-Store (IMO, all the $125 just buys you a title over your head and a few DOFFS. Everything else should be available through the C-Store with your heard-earned Zen with no real money down).

    But thou shalt not inform thy masses of that truth I suppose.
  • starswordcstarswordc Member Posts: 10,963 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    mhirtesc wrote: »
    I simply pointed out the things that made the $125 pack unique compared to just getting most of the items with Zen through the C-Store (IMO, all the $125 just buys you a title over your head and a few DOFFS. Everything else should be available through the C-Store with your heard-earned Zen with no real money down).

    But thou shalt not inform thy masses of that truth I suppose.

    If you don't want to pay real money for it then wait for the pack to turn up in the C-Store, just like the Legacy pack did. The only DLC for this game you can't pay ground Zen for is the Steam Starter Pack.
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  • mhirtescmhirtesc Member Posts: 581 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    starswordc wrote: »
    If you don't want to pay real money for it then wait for the pack to turn up in the C-Store, just like the Legacy pack did. The only DLC for this game you can't pay ground Zen for is the Steam Starter Pack.

    That's exactly what I'm doing. My message was simply pointing out what parts of that pack were an exclusive (mostly vanity stuff like titles) and anything of real use will be gained individually through Zen. No need to steal your Daddy's credit card.
  • nccmarknccmark Member Posts: 1,083 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    My gym has free water. Dispensed from a water fountain.

    If I want bottled water, or anything extra, I have to pay extra.
    Same logic here.

    Free is the basic experience. As it should be.
  • jorantomalakjorantomalak Member Posts: 7,133 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    solaris08 wrote: »
    First some things:

    1. I have enough EC not to complain ( if there is such thing) made some a while back and still have some.

    2. I am not a Cryptic hater, doom guy or anything like that. For instance i know many that hate some late changes but i actuality like the way this game is going regarding some game-play aspects. I want to see more of that.

    BUT i see to many people complaining about how hard is to make EC now, how u need EC to make EC and so on. The idea is that many people are casual games not professional grinders/farmers.Now that junk farming its not working anymore they seem to have problems making EC. I might add that with the new changes regarding consoles now its useless to hope u will get some good console from making 1st in some runs, u get utter junk.

    Also what its not working anymore (without taking a huge risk) its buying things low after market saturation ( lock box) waiting and selling later. With all this late changes regarding lvls or stuff and so on only sure thing are lock boxes ships, some uni consoles (and possible traits). But again those things are not cheep for poor players and having your little EC locked out for moths ...

    It would be nice if some things would be implemented to help poor players get a decent start. Imo at least.

    P.S. - I know there still ways to make EC but i am talking about some people that for various reasons cant do those due to lack if skill, EC, time etc.

    Please stay on the subject my last post was closed due to some people starting talking about nonsense, if u plan to do that make your own post ;))

    Tbh im not a pro grinder and since the price nerf on space equip on sell of i find it super hard to eanr anything.

    and im a casual gamer so i dont spend half or all day grinding i want to have fun and if i have to treat this game like a job then how does that define fun....it doesnt unless you enjoy such things.

    we log into the game to blow off steam from a long day of work etc etc

    but when you log in and wind up back at a job full of stress and what not .....thats not fun at all
  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    It is still free. If you want something faster than you pay to get it. Like a ship or item from the store. Or you really pay EC from the exchange.

    All things can be got for free if you take the time for it. Including farming Dil to convert into zen. I done that a lot and got several items free. All it took was my time to do it.

    We don't have to pay a sub. We don't have to pay for the expansions or additions. We don't have to pay for certain items or forced to buy them. Its only pay if you want it.
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  • inkrunnerinkrunner Member Posts: 407 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    STO used to have one of - if not the - best balanced F2P systems out there for MMOs.

    They seem to be desperately trying to ruin it.

    I'm hopping to Star Citizen ASAP. At least Neverwinter is still enjoyable - for now.
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  • jonsillsjonsills Member Posts: 10,459 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    I have no idea what y'all are "stressing" over. I'm about as casual as players come - with two autistic kids, I seldom have more than maybe 20 minutes at a stretch to play. And yet I manage to enjoy this game just fine without worrying about maxing reps, or getting the latest shinies, or any of that other TRIBBLE.

    Maybe the problem here isn't with Cryptic's attitude, ya know?
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  • centersolacecentersolace Member Posts: 11,178 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    ashkrik23 wrote: »
    Turning to insults are we? I expected better out of you.

    I have news for you digus.
    inkrunner wrote: »
    STO used to have one of - if not the - best balanced F2P systems out there for MMOs.

    Yeah what happened to that?
  • gavinrunebladegavinruneblade Member Posts: 3,894 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    mhirtesc wrote: »
    The Admins here get really really buttmad if you dare to question their $125 Delta Pack greedfest. I've had two threads where they closed the threads to prevent even the possibility of discussion about it.

    Um no. Your threads were closed because they are merging and keeping all discussion in the main official thread for it. Which has many pages and is not being shut down.

    What you did is the equivalent of posting guild recruiting messages in the academy forum then complain they don't want you to recruit because your recruiting threads keep getting locked.
  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    jonsills wrote: »
    I have no idea what y'all are "stressing" over. I'm about as casual as players come - with two autistic kids, I seldom have more than maybe 20 minutes at a stretch to play. And yet I manage to enjoy this game just fine without worrying about maxing reps, or getting the latest shinies, or any of that other TRIBBLE.

    Maybe the problem here isn't with Cryptic's attitude, ya know?

    I agree with you. This is how I view the game. I look forward to each time I get to log on. However I get a little more time to play. I usually hit around 3 hours per week IF I'm lucky. I don't worry about max rep, the latest stuff, or even end game stuff. I play to enjoy it.
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  • solaris08solaris08 Member Posts: 25 Arc User
    edited September 2014
    jonsills wrote: »
    I have no idea what y'all are "stressing" over. I'm about as casual as players come - with two autistic kids, I seldom have more than maybe 20 minutes at a stretch to play. And yet I manage to enjoy this game just fine without worrying about maxing reps, or getting the latest shinies, or any of that other TRIBBLE.

    Maybe the problem here isn't with Cryptic's attitude, ya know?


    I am not stressing about anything but i do see some that do that when they have the luck of PUP and losing :). Some find enjoyment in different things, wanting some decent stuff i don't think its bad also. Also some monks find it enjoyable to eat almost nothing for 1 month but then we aren't all monks, ya know ? :P

    I don't know about other posters attitude,i think every game should make profit , but what i don't get it is why the EC nerf when the only ones that will mostly lose are the casual players ( already poor) and not the pro farmers that want better stuff. That's is a attitude problem imo, but again maybe i am missing something ...
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