Possibility of Premium Servers for PS2?

[Sifer2]

So I have been thinking ever since it was confirmed PS2 is going full F2P. Mostly about how I don't like it. It seems to have obvious downsides like opening the door to hacking, and possibly too much of a reliance on item shop transactions for revenue. Which for a game of this scope I don't thinking selling different armor colors is going to pay the bills. I would be worried of them having to resort to selling power down the line.

But then I was also thinking maybe they could go back to the old Premium Server concept. Where you have to pay monthly to play on it but may get extras like more customer service reps. They could also remove the shop completely from the premium server an just let you customize your character with any of the available items, and disable any pay 2 win type things. Such as faster leveling or whatever.

Personally I would be on board for such a thing an would prefer to play on a Premium server an not have to deal with the item shop, and hackers. Might also give SOE a more consistent revenue stream as well if enough other players feel the same way. Then maybe they wont need to sell power as much.

[Captain1nsaneo]

Splitting the player base between the haves and have nots is never a good idea.

[Sifer2]

Splitting the player base between the haves and have nots is never a good idea.


And how does the Item Shop not do this?

[Crator]

If the amount of people that actually subscribe to the game is massive and there are enough people who would buy into a premium subscribtion to play on their own server, without the F2P options, I would be all for it.

may get extras like more customer service reps I LOLed, you know this is SOE we are talking about right?

[CuddlyChud]

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.

[Captain1nsaneo]

And how does the Item Shop not do this?

Because I can still shoot and play with people who do/don't use the item shop.
This would break the community up similar to how MW's map DLCs broke up their player base based on who bought them and who didn't.

[HELLFISH88]

If the amount of people that actually subscribe to the game is massive and there are enough people who would buy into a premium subscribtion to play on their own server, without the F2P options, I would be all for it.

I LOLed, you know this is SOE we are talking about right?

Premium server players get to swap Cell number's with DanB for prompt service.

[Sifer2]

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.



I dunno about the hacking but I think they are definitely more tolerant of the latter. I have noticed pretty odd cultural differences like that in gaming. Russians love to hack lol.

If there are not enough people willing to pay for the Premium servers then SOE could shut them down. But no item shop, less hackers, an maybe some other extras could make them popular. I think its worth a try.

What you mention at the end there about not walking away with any items. Personally i'm totally ok with that. I would rather pay a set rate an have full access to all the content for as long as i'm subscribed. Rather than needing to buy this an that all the time to stay competitive. I'm used to the subscription model, and simply prefer it over shops.

[Hamma]

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.

[SKYeXile]

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.

it works in asia because they dont really beleive in subscriptions, they pay for what they use, also, they dont mind grninding. westerners do so they will spend more money to bypass the grind or they simply wotn grind or wont pay.

[Sifer2]

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.


The first one you can maybe make a case for. Though like I said if enough people are willing to subscribe to keep the server active I see no problem with it. Unless SOE has grand designs of everyone in the world playing on the same single server. You don't hear people complain in other games that split PvE servers from PvP or Roleplay.

As for two different gametypes. How would it be different? Game balance would be exactly the same just with less hackers and all cosmetics usable. A switch can't be that hard to program since SOE has done this in the past with Everquest.

[Crator]

Just an FYI, DC Universe online does utilize paid subscriptions along with F2P subs all on the same server... SOE is probably going to do something similiar....

DCUO Gameplans: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/

[basti]

Let those who want play by themself on a premium server. The cool kids will all be with the rest of the guys, having fun in massive battles, with new faces every day, new noobs to train, new outfit members to recruit, and new enemys to kill.

[acosmo]

how about a big NO to op.

[Tasorin]

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.

I am going to have to disagree on this one. F2P model with the Cash Store enabled vs Premium with the Cash Store disabled. Same game, same client, the difference being no cash store interface on the premium servers. Now would or could this be a freaking nightmare to manage internally. Of course it could be, and why would SOE expend the additional overhead to support two business models? The answer is anyone worth their BS in Business is going to take a giant steamer all over this business case.

Here is the thing, every competitive PvP based gamed that has tried the Cash Store F2P model has failed miserable. I mean absolutely miserable, to the point that quite frankly I can't trust the bean counters at SOE to not fuck this up once they get a chance too sell the revenue potential to someone far enough up the food chain that it just happens and there isn't a damn thing Smed's can do about it.

Then lay over the top of the Cash Store slippery slope the fact that SOE's track record is not the greatest and they have crapped the bed more then once due to downward pressures from Sony Entertainment their parent PL.

Personally I would prefer a paid monthly subscription even if it was only $4.99 a month. It would significantly cut down on the hacker accounts and the ability to easily have multiple F2P accounts and being running multiple instances of PS2 having someone logged into the other faction(s) and watching troop movements as a spotter.

Did you think about that Higgles in your F2P business model with no cost for the client and the ability to speed up game play with beach heads? I know I will personally be running multiple clients if you are going to let the game be free and will be spotting for my faction on a 2nd and/or 3rd account...

[Bravix]

Just...stop....

If they handle the hackers fine, there's nothing wrong with playing with those who don't pay. SOE wouldn't do premium server, because then you'd get free cosmetics and what not. I'm assuming that even if you're a premium member, you'll only get so many credits for buying stuff per month. Thus, encouragement to buy more than just your subscription.

By making everything free on the premium servers, people could just pay 15 a month and never have to buy the extra stuff. Less money for SOE.

[Figment]

Premium server players get to swap Cell number's with DanB for prompt getting yourself banned/muted/made into a BO or get some other event when you just said you don't want to after which a CSR broadcast says YOU asked for a specific hated event like Rabbit on Cyssor.

Fixed.

[SKYeXile]

I am going to have to disagree on this one. F2P model with the Cash Store enabled vs Premium with the Cash Store disabled. Same game, same client, the difference being no cash store interface on the premium servers. Now would or could this be a freaking nightmare to manage internally. Of course it could be, and why would SOE expend the additional overhead to support two business models? The answer is anyone worth their BS in Business is going to take a giant steamer all over this business case.

Here is the thing, every competitive PvP based gamed that has tried the Cash Store F2P model has failed miserable. I mean absolutely miserable, to the point that quite frankly I can't trust the bean counters at SOE to not fuck this up once they get a chance too sell the revenue potential to someone far enough up the food chain that it just happens and there isn't a damn thing Smed's can do about it.

Then lay over the top of the Cash Store slippery slope the fact that SOE's track record is not the greatest and they have crapped the bed more then once due to downward pressures from Sony Entertainment their parent PL.

Personally I would prefer a paid monthly subscription even if it was only $4.99 a month. It would significantly cut down on the hacker accounts and the ability to easily have multiple F2P accounts and being running multiple instances of PS2 having someone logged into the other faction(s) and watching troop movements as a spotter.

Did you think about that Higgles in your F2P business model with no cost for the client and the ability to speed up game play with beach heads? I know I will personally be running multiple clients if you are going to let the game be free and will be spotting for my faction on a 2nd and/or 3rd account...

Except for League of ledgends and world of tanks and probably many more that im unaware of that i havnt played. perhaps they're not cash shop per say...but is PS2?

[SKYeXile]

Just an FYI, DC Universe online does utilize paid subscriptions along with F2P subs all on the same server... SOE is probably going to do something similiar....

DCUO Gameplans: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/

yea, that looks pretty reasonble, though i have to wonder how much of an incentive they can give to people to sub for PS2. I know some possibilities, but i guess it really depneds on how this resource, offlinleveling and what not really works.

[Crator]

Just...stop....

If they handle the hackers fine, there's nothing wrong with playing with those who don't pay. SOE wouldn't do premium server, because then you'd get free cosmetics and what not. I'm assuming that even if you're a premium member, you'll only get so many credits for buying stuff per month. Thus, encouragement to buy more than just your subscription.

By making everything free on the premium servers, people could just pay 15 a month and never have to buy the extra stuff. Less money for SOE.

Yeah, but you're argument is weak. If that is the problem then just make the cash shop cosmetic stuff not be available to the in-game content, so even though you pay-to-play you still have to spend money to get the extra goodies that don't really affect game play....

[Effective]

A F2P model does not mean the game is going to fail. League of Legends is a perfect example of a very successful F2P game, with an in game store where you can buy characters and skins for the game. Characters can also be bought with points you earn in game.

Levels and runes can not be bought with real cash, though you can purchase XP boosts (though I would not recommend it).

Stop demonizing F2P, it should work for PS2 as long as anything that can be obtained with real cash (excluding cosmetic changes) can be obtained through regular unpaid gameplay.

[Crator]

It is iffy, I give you that... Hard to imagine what they will sell since it is a FPS game and they aren't selling power in the shops...

[SKYeXile]

It is iffy, I give you that... Hard to imagine what they will sell since it is a FPS game and they aren't selling power in the shops...

well im sure they will have a premium sub, looking at DCUO it will include:

character slots.
expansions
forming an outfit
unlimited chat

wtih the possibilty to:
gain more XP
offline train faster
hold more resources
have more bank slots...real questionable
only have some certs or classes avalivle to premium...its not power, its versitility. (seen on free realms)
getting rewarded or bonuses each month(free realms)
having priorty que loggin in, zoning to conts and getting vehciles out.

cash shop:
new skins, for sure
bypass offline traning and buy training, possibility.
buy weapon mods.

theres plenty more.

[LongBow]

No, While a premium shard may seem perfectly valid there is little to no reason for it, as if SOE did decide they want this "everything for $15 a month, stop paying and it disappears" payment model they can simply add it to the list of payment models that exist.

as for scaremongering that PS2 will need to resort to selling power to turn a profit, its unfounded ... the F2P income model is not the leap of faith it once was.

A note to those railing on the OP for "splitting up the community":
While it is true planetside will contain massive battles in a persistent battleground, the environment will still be sharded.
Sifer2 is suggesting that one or more of these shards follow a differing business model than the rest. They are not then, implying that SOE should split up the community in any additional way.

For anyone confused by this a "shard" is causally called a 'server' and in the MMO defining WoW is called a 'Relm'.

[Redshift]

Here is the thing, every competitive PvP based gamed that has tried the Cash Store F2P model has failed miserable.
TF2 made £2million last year from selling hats, it's a 5 year old game

Personally I would prefer a paid monthly subscription
Fairly irrelevent, most people won't pay subs, i can think of zero FPS's that require subs, there's a handful of MMORPG's that require them but even they are struggling, a lot of people won't pay for more than one sub at once, that instantly limits your players i.e wow just lost 2 million subscribers to swtor, those people didn't suddenly realise they hated wow, they just wanted to try the other, if they were F2P a large chunk would play both.

Did you think about that Higgles in your F2P business model with no cost for the client and the ability to speed up game play with beach heads? I know I will personally be running multiple clients if you are going to let the game be free and will be spotting for my faction on a 2nd and/or 3rd account...
You are free to do that, the other people spying will just vent or whisper friends on the other team, like they always have. Seriously, unless you think SOE can limit people talking to eachother they're no way to stop it.

[SKYeXile]

TF2 made £2million last year from selling hats, it's a 5 year old game

Fairly irrelevent, most people won't pay subs, i can think of zero FPS's that require subs, there's a handful of MMORPG's that require them but even they are struggling, a lot of people won't pay for more than one sub at once, that instantly limits your players i.e wow just lost 2 million subscribers to swtor, those people didn't suddenly realise they hated wow, they just wanted to try the other, if they were F2P a large chunk would play both.

You are free to do that, the other people spying will just vent or whisper friends on the other team, like they always have. Seriously, unless you think SOE can limit people talking to eachother they're no way to stop it.

Sif you need to spy to know what whats going on anyway, the zerg is predictable.

[Furret]

have to pay monthly but may get extras like more customer service reps.

more like it.

[Xyntech]

Sif you need to spy to know what whats going on anyway, the zerg is predictable.

Right. We're talking early PS1 numbers of players or greater, not modern Planetside. I can see how gaining unfair intel may be a bigger problem in Planetside nowadays, but back when there were hundreds of zerglings clashing against each other, it wasn't as big a deal. All of the important intel was contained within the ranks of various outfits. Even if you had a spy in one, there were a half a dozen other outfits that you probably had no ears on.

[Quovatis]

Totally disagree with the OP, but I too would prefer at least a small monthly fee. It would keep the kiddies out. That's one thing I enjoyed about PS1 is that most of the playerbase was somewhat mature, unlike other games. The faster pace and free nature of PS2 will likely attract a much younger playerbase. SOE keeps saying they have hacking under control for PS2, and I really hope they do. I'm sure SOE has a better idea on their business model than we do, but for now I'm a little doubtful of how well FTP would work. They've already said you can't buy anything that would give you advantage that you can't earn in the game by other means. So that leave largely cosmetic items, which I don't see how that can sustain a FPS game. Maybe there are far more players out there willing to pay $10 to have a special hat than I think, so maybe I'm completely wrong.

[Rumblepit]

well if there was a prem server they will be using the same hack prevention as the f2p.and it was already stated this is not a pay win item shop. xp perks so on so forth, nothing that will effect gameplay. funny little tip too , most games with this payment model make more money then they would have if they had subs. why? people will spend more then 15$ a month in the item shop.

just because its f2p dose not mean hackers will flood the game. they have to buy the game first. then they can try to hack, but they will get caught. and they have to buy the game again if they want to play. if they want to continue to hack they will have to buy a new copy of the game every time they get caught. thats gonna be 40 to 60 a month.

if they are using the hack prevention program i think they are then there is know way around it. you will be caught for hacking. this program is top of the line right now ,and it has a massive data base to cross check in game data. also this hack prevention program updates its data base every month when new hacks are released. so lets say some script kiddie thinks he gonna get some hacks ,but hes just using gps/ radar hack somthing very hard to pickup on. well some other script kiddie downloaded his hacks from the same site and wants to test out his speed hacks or is using cof or he just red flags the hack prevention program. well then everyone who has ever download anything from that site that plays ps2 will be banned. this happens all at once. these bann waves tend to happen every 2 to 3 weeks.

as for hackers in a f2p ps2. i welcome the fools. they are gonna help clean house and they dont even know it.

[Xyntech]

they have to buy the game first. then they can try to hack, but they will get caught. and they have to buy the game again if they want to play. if they want to continue to hack they will have to buy a new copy of the game every time they get caught. thats gonna be 40 to 60 a month.

Actually they have indicated (have the confirmed? I can't remember) that it will be completely F2P, as in, no box price. Free to download, free to play. This is where a lot of these worries are coming from.

[SKYeXile]

Totally disagree with the OP, but I too would prefer at least a small monthly fee. It would keep the kiddies out. That's one thing I enjoyed about PS1 is that most of the playerbase was somewhat mature, unlike other games. The faster pace and free nature of PS2 will likely attract a much younger playerbase. SOE keeps saying they have hacking under control for PS2, and I really hope they do. I'm sure SOE has a better idea on their business model than we do, but for now I'm a little doubtful of how well FTP would work. They've already said you can't buy anything that would give you advantage that you can't earn in the game by other means. So that leave largely cosmetic items, which I don't see how that can sustain a FPS game. Maybe there are far more players out there willing to pay $10 to have a special hat than I think, so maybe I'm completely wrong.

you're completly wrong, i know guys who will drop $200.00 or more on their first day of playing a F2P game without hesitating. people with almost every character and a custom skin brought for most of them in LOL, you have no idea the money people spend.

hell, i think i would have spent maybe $300-400 on world of tanks, i probably spent like $500 on free realms...i like trading cards. no doubt ill spend something linsane on PS2.

[Rumblepit]

they are not selling hard copies. digital download. you will still need to pay for it and you will still need a key. this is why gamestop sent out all the notices. why waste all that money making games, shipping it around the world, so on so forth. it makes no since to do this , its a waste of money. put it online , and make people pay to download. save a tone of money and make life easy for everyone.

[Zulthus]

they are not selling hard copies. digital download. you will still need to pay for it and you will still need a key. this is why gamestop sent out all the notices. why waste all that money making games, shipping it around the world, so on so forth. it makes no since to do this , its a waste of money. put it online , and make people pay to download. save a tone of money and make life easy for everyone.

Source please

[Crator]

As far as digital download initial purchase? I don't think it's been confirmed either way...

[SKYeXile]

if its free to play it will be a download........?

[Traak]

Remember Sony's number one motive is profit. If they can have 40,000,000 cheaters instead of 39,999,999 non-cheaters, they will most likely go with the cheaters. And make money on the cheat websites, so people are, in effect, paying a subscription to Sony whether they want to or not, but this way, you don't have to pay to play, you just have to pay not to automatically lose.

Sony may be a Japanese company, but SOE in the USA is largely staffed by Americans, and they proved, in PS1, that they would sacrifice anything that the honest players brought to the table to pack in more numbers, and most likely were running Damncheaters.com also, for profit. Occam's razor.

The Japanese way is long-term market share. The American way is quarterly profit reports at the expense of any sane or reasonable long-term goal of any sort.

At least the Japanese had some shred of long-term view. The American devs that used to slither around the server, banning people they just didn't personally like? Very destructive to long-term market-share growth.

If Planetside started being run with 20-year market share in mind, instead of "let my kids cheat, because I work for Sony" and "Ban anyone who proves I'm an idiot in global" and other such community-raping moves, then it would have the correct mindset to actually fluorish.

Absent a view to long-term growth, and with the short term cash-cow mentality, PS2 will fall flat on its face, but faster this time, because many of us have had a belly full of cheaters running the game, and ruining the game, and won't wait 8 years to quit.

It's really up to Sony. Devs with character and dedication to protect the community from scum? Or devs who are scum who are cheaters themselves, who ignore people defining what cheating is, like JPMonr0e, while banning much better people for cussing twice on global.

Sony has to step up their game, and quit hiring and allowing scum to reign, with no recourse, no accountability, and no tracking of their "behaviors."

If they are willing to invest the money to make things happen right, instead of saying "OMGzzzz, we can't hire more then one dev, because that might cost money" and, as a result, losing hundreds of thousands of users, they can spend the time and money to rape the cheaters, and prosecute them, impaling them along the side of the road, leaving their avatars to rot in the Auraxian suns.

I, for one, would LOVE to see, LOVE TO SEE that. Cheaters not just BANNED, but their avatars impaled along the roads of Auraxis, with a sign over their head, explaining the cheat or offense, slowly rotting away until there was just an empty uniform hanging on the stake. Might serve as a warning to others. Or a motivation to cheat for some, come to think of it!

Instead of their name, they could be assigned a random number, so no boasting or whining could occur. Perhaps a panel on the pole would show a video of them in their most egregious cheating action in video, like the video of the NC guy who was running around Auraxis on Youtube,
NC hacker with BFR weapons - YouTube

I mean, Sony, either get it right this time or just don't do it at all.

[CutterJohn]

It would keep the kiddies out.

Will being F2P keep elitists out? If so I'm sold on it.

[Fate]

Will being F2P keep elitists out? If so I'm sold on it.

If you can find a P2P game without elitists then don't tell anyone. Else, there will always be someone better than you who will run their mouth. Learn to live with it, or move on.There will always be the leetfits, the zergfits, and the KOJ's, DS's, and TRx's in any version of PlanetSide.

[Sifer2]

Just an FYI, DC Universe online does utilize paid subscriptions along with F2P subs all on the same server... SOE is probably going to do something similiar....

DCUO Gameplans: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/



Interesting link there. Since reading that almost spells it out for me how Pay 2 Win will work once its clear selling hats isn't paying the bills. I would guess something like:


Free: Can use 1 weapon and 1 tool(medkit,hack device). Cannot use MAX armor or drive any vehicle except ATV.

Premium: Can use 2 weapons and 1 tool. Can use MAX and all Vehicles but cannot customize their loadout.

Legendary: Can use 2 weapons and 2 tools plus get a Sidearm. Can use MAX and all Vehicles plus customize their loadouts. Such as putting anti-air gun on your tank.





Or am I just not putting enough faith into SOE on this one you think? Really its not even a matter of faith I think its just economics. As much money as they are spending on this game judging by its awesome graphics. To give all that away for free without even making profit from box sales? There had better be a lot of people with a hat fetish that play this.

Some mentioned League of Legends. But I doubt that game took a tenth of the same budget Planetside 2 will cost to produce and operate.

[Crator]

Some mentioned League of Legends. But I doubt that game took a tenth of the same budget Planetside 2 will cost to produce and operate.

Not to mention that LoL is a MOBA game, not a FPS...

[Shogun]

on the free to download or paid download question:

matt mentioned here in the forums, in a thread about hacking protection, that they are working hard to adress the problem, that a banned hacker could just create a new account and hack again. (too lazy to search for this post)

this implies that the game would be free to download.

best way to get the masses in, and to have the scale ps2 deserves, but i am still for a small account activation fee(at least)

maybe every bought activation gets 2 free buddy keys. but if one of those keys was used by a hacker, all three keys get banned. would help to spread the game, without the danger of everybody posting his keys and hackers to abuse them.

[SKYeXile]

maybe every bought activation gets 2 free buddy keys. but if one of those keys was used by a hacker, all three keys get banned. would help to spread the game, without the danger of everybody posting his keys and hackers to abuse them.

yea...no. one person should not be held accoutable for another persons actions.

This isn't SOE's first F2P BBQ, im sure they have already figured it out.

[Rumblepit]

i really hope they are not leaning toward free to download. this will bring massive waves of hackers into the game. there is no way to stop a person from making a new account. you IP ban them , they will change their IP. they will be right back hacking in game in a matter of mins.

there was talk a year ago about new hacking prevention programs that detect hardware IPS and ban players that way. this means you get caught hacking you have to buy a new video card. but i dont know if it was ever implemented in any games.

knowing that the devs play this game as much as we do gives me some hope that they wont make this mistake.because im sure they know as much as we know what the outcome will be.

[SKYeXile]

Interesting link there. Since reading that almost spells it out for me how Pay 2 Win will work once its clear selling hats isn't paying the bills. I would guess something like:


Free: Can use 1 weapon and 1 tool(medkit,hack device). Cannot use MAX armor or drive any vehicle except ATV.

Premium: Can use 2 weapons and 1 tool. Can use MAX and all Vehicles but cannot customize their loadout.

Legendary: Can use 2 weapons and 2 tools plus get a Sidearm. Can use MAX and all Vehicles plus customize their loadouts. Such as putting anti-air gun on your tank.





Or am I just not putting enough faith into SOE on this one you think? Really its not even a matter of faith I think its just economics. As much money as they are spending on this game judging by its awesome graphics. To give all that away for free without even making profit from box sales? There had better be a lot of people with a hat fetish that play this.

Some mentioned League of Legends. But I doubt that game took a tenth of the same budget Planetside 2 will cost to produce and operate.

You really think that SOE plan to make money ONLY off selling cosmetic upgrades? They're not fucking stupid.

you can gurintee there willbe an optional sub with benifits, its in most F2P game and every SOE F2P game, you can gurintee its going to be in PS2. They have also said they like the LOL model, which is: pay for it now, or play for it.

[SKYeXile]

Heres some data for people that still dont get f2p.

In WOT i'v spent about $400 in 6 months, thats:

8 once off $50 box fees.
26 months worth of $15.00 subs
23 months of subs if you discount a $50 box fee.
avg of $66 spent a month effectivly supports 4.4 total free players.

F2P has been proven on many occasians to be a more profitble business model than P2P.

[Effective]

Some mentioned League of Legends. But I doubt that game took a tenth of the same budget Planetside 2 will cost to produce and operate.

And probably would/will still make a similar amount (if not more) to what a non-F2P PS2 would profit wise.

[SgtMAD]

why are you feeding this guy, his argument is pointless and not very well thought out at all and this damn thread is up to 3 pages now.

[CutterJohn]

Interesting link there. Since reading that almost spells it out for me how Pay 2 Win will work once its clear selling hats isn't paying the bills. I would guess something like:


Free: Can use 1 weapon and 1 tool(medkit,hack device). Cannot use MAX armor or drive any vehicle except ATV.

Premium: Can use 2 weapons and 1 tool. Can use MAX and all Vehicles but cannot customize their loadout.

Legendary: Can use 2 weapons and 2 tools plus get a Sidearm. Can use MAX and all Vehicles plus customize their loadouts. Such as putting anti-air gun on your tank.





Or am I just not putting enough faith into SOE on this one you think? Really its not even a matter of faith I think its just economics. As much money as they are spending on this game judging by its awesome graphics. To give all that away for free without even making profit from box sales? There had better be a lot of people with a hat fetish that play this.

Some mentioned League of Legends. But I doubt that game took a tenth of the same budget Planetside 2 will cost to produce and operate.


Once again, I'll sum up this argument.

"Its a travesty that I should have to pay to compete in this game, so to fix it, I demand that I should be required to pay simply to play at all!"


Why not just.. Pay?

[Zulthus]

If PS2 ends up being a "pay to compete" game, then they're doing something wrong. The whole idea of the game is that anyone can kill anyone, regardless of how much money one spends in the cash shop on handicaps, how much rank they have, etc etc. It should be based on nothing other than player skill. I fear that the cash shop will change all of that.

[Effective]

If PS2 ends up being a "pay to compete" game, then they're doing something wrong. The whole idea of the game is that anyone can kill anyone, regardless of how much money one spends in the cash shop on handicaps, how much rank they have, etc etc. It should be based on nothing other than player skill. I fear that the cash shop will change all of that.

A cash shop does not mean "pay to win"

[Zulthus]

A cash shop does not mean "pay to win"

I didn't say it was. I said it can be. If they end up selling guns/attachments/boosts etc with advantages that you can only get in the cash shop, then there will be some "pay to win" going on. Selling sidegrades is selling power in many cases. As I have said before, reducing accuracy while increasing damage on a gun will be selling power to the person that uses it indoors compared to the person who does not spend any money.

[ThGlump]

pay to win, pay to compete. Thats bullshit.
All i want is to pay to be be able to enjoy game -> pay to get rid off hackers grievers etc.

[CutterJohn]

I didn't say it was. I said it can be. If they end up selling guns/attachments/boosts etc with advantages that you can only get in the cash shop, then there will be some "pay to win" going on. Selling sidegrades is selling power in many cases. As I have said before, reducing accuracy while increasing damage on a gun will be selling power to the person that uses it indoors compared to the person who does not spend any money.

Then take the money that you saved by not having to pay for the box and subscription, and purchase those sidegrades. People who choose not to do this just want free stuff. People who cannot do this couldn't even play in a standard mmo model, and at least get to play, even if at a slight disadvantage.

Pay to win a bit more > pay to play at all.

[Trolltaxi]

Any form of a misinterpreted elitism based on money payed is an epic fail in an MMO.

[SKYeXile]

Then take the money that you saved by not having to pay for the box and subscription, and purchase those sidegrades. People who choose not to do this just want free stuff. People who cannot do this couldn't even play in a standard mmo model, and at least get to play, even if at a slight disadvantage.

Pay to win a bit more > pay to play at all.

i doubt he will pay if he can avoid it, from all his posts it spells out tight ass.

[Zulthus]

I am a "tight ass". I'm not going to spend money on stuff I can otherwise unlock in-game. I'm not a hardcore player, as I've said many times before.

[Crator]

^^^ I kind of share this mentality. I treat it as a challenge... With that said however, I'm sure they'll find something to put in the shop that we just have to have though... ;)

[Espion]

The point of being F2P is basically to keep a continuous supply of new players coming ingame... and splitting the playerbase onto different servers based on whether they're paying or not really defeats that purpose since they'd never get to experience the real game unless they paid up-front first.

[SgtMAD]

look at all the cheapskates crying in this thread.

I personally will throw money around in that cash shop like a drunken oil field rough neck on a sex tour of thailand( I worked with these guys years ago that had some of the wildest stories about their days off after working offshore the coast of Africa for 30 days on/off)

[Trolltaxi]

Spending money on Thailand's finest assets is a brave thing to do. You never know what you get for your money untill it is too late... :)