Free to download?

[RadarX]

It might honestly be best to wait and hear more about the business model before deciding how effective it'll be. DC Universe Online and EverQuest 2 for example have completely different models that are both proving to be effective. There is of course the tiered access but DCUO relies mainly on cosmetic and convenience items (name change, power respec, etc..) whereas EQ2 is heavily mounts, experience potions, house items, etc...

And that isn't to say PlanetSide 2 will be like either. They are looking at every working model right now and seeing what will provide players value for their purchases while not removing the fun.

[Tasorin]

Come on now. EQ2 is not a model of success. While it may generate profits for a client that has long since been amortized and/or payed off, in no way, shape or fashion was EQ2 a success.

Yes I played EQ2 in beta and launch when I actually had time to devote to games. Yes I played in one of the Legacy Clans responsible for multiple World and Game firsts. We accepted what EQ2 was, and let go what it wasn't. A success was never something EQ2 was or is...

Even SOE's leadership has been quoted in interviews saying that if they had to do it over again they would of never named that client "Everquest 2".

I do agree though it is very hard to judge what will come of the business model for PS2 because SOE has been very tight lipped about what exactly "F2P" and "Cash Store" really mean to us players who want PS2 to succeed. The problem is SOE's track record is not one that has a lot of spot lights to shine on it. If your hanging your hat on EQ2 and DUOC as examples of how SOE does "freemium" and "cash store" then I am even more concerned about the SOE bean counters then I was before.

I do respect that you are a SOE Employee, and must put forward a positive foot at all turns, but I have experience with SOE going back to EQ and the track record is far from sterling. I would call it more middle of the road with cases of utter failure. (SWG Specifically)

[Chaff]

.
Something is DEFINITELY wrong with me. Despite my better judgement - I read every single post in this thread.

Right about the time I was about to snap - the sheer idoicy of the syntax hoo-haw began to erode away at my funny bone. But hey - I stayed with the whole pointless thread - so I'm guilty too.

I tend to ASSUME that some sort of "box" or "download" (P2P) fee is worth SOE considering. Make it $5. I'm looking for ways to HELP DETER HACKING. Catch and ban a hacker ?......banned hacker has to log on to SOE and "pay" $5 to buy PS2 again. Credit cards only. I'm not sure how many different credit cards typical hacker asshats have - but I think this course could prove to create a pretty good bottleneck to restrict hacker population(s).

No sub required - may exist as a basis for a "cash shop"

SOE can not maintain or improve the game without a revenue stream.

[basti]

Originally Posted by RadarX

It might honestly be best to wait and hear more about the business model before deciding how effective it'll be. DC Universe Online and EverQuest 2 for example have completely different models that are both proving to be effective. There is of course the tiered access but DCUO relies mainly on cosmetic and convenience items (name change, power respec, etc..) whereas EQ2 is heavily mounts, experience potions, house items, etc...

And that isn't to say PlanetSide 2 will be like either. They are looking at every working model right now and seeing what will provide players value for their purchases while not removing the fun.

Well, would suggest stuff that speeds up skill training and leveling in general, as well as a big bunch of pure cosmetic options.
Everything that remotly affects gameplay, like guns, attachments, ressources etc should be ingame only.

[alphi]

Was this ever confirmed? Will there be a box price or is this game entirely free?

[Graywolves]

Originally Posted by alphi

Was this ever confirmed? Will there be a box price or is this game entirely free?

Free digital download

[Whalenator]

1. Nice Necro
2. It's entirely free. I try not to be a mean guy. Really. But look around a bit before necroing/making a new topic.

[alphi]

Its ENTIRELY FREE?! That scares me...I don' t think I like that. Makes me a little skeptical.

[Whalenator]

Originally Posted by alphi

Its ENTIRELY FREE?! That scares me...I don' t think I like that. Makes me a little skeptical.

There are multiple topics regarding debate about the payment plan. To sum it up and save your time, SOE "promises" (Keep in mind this is SOE) that purchases will take place through an in-game shop window. You can get sidegrades (more customizing than upgrading) for your weapon using cash earned exclusively in-game or get cosmetic changes (like a different camo pattern) for real-life cash.

[Crator]

They also said several times in the GDC event videos that they are working on a subscription model for the game as well.

[Graywolves]

Originally Posted by Crator

They also said several times in the GDC event videos that they are working on a subscription model for the game as well.

In the reddit Q&A interview I believe Higby said something that possibly a "member" would have faster offline cert training than a free roller.

[Top Sgt]

I do worry about hackers and F2P model..

This game looks so good, so many players, so big, so much battlefield type tools.. I'd easily pay $29.99 for the game and I am sure alot of others would also. it won't stop all hackers no but it would cut down on alot of them. hackers just want to troll and disrupt.. and any game that free is any easy target for them over and over.

I don't mind them even splitting it up.. Give us a free version world to play on.

Subscription players also get an option for a seperate combat world that is only available to subscription players which will help keep even more hackers out.

I'd have no problem paying for that.

just my opinion.

[Markn]

Originally Posted by Top Sgt

I do worry about hackers and F2P model..

This game looks so good, so many players, so big, so much battlefield type tools.. I'd easily pay $29.99 for the game and I am sure alot of others would also. it won't stop all hackers no but it would cut down on alot of them. hackers just want to troll and disrupt.. and any game that free is any easy target for them over and over.

I don't mind them even splitting it up.. Give us a free version world to play on.

Subscription players also get an option for a seperate combat world that is only available to subscription players which will help keep even more hackers out.

I'd have no problem paying for that.

just my opinion.

no to this.

The whole point of f2p is the masses would be on and playing with everyone to create epic battles if you split it up the sub servers would never be as awesome or massive.

Don't worry about hackers. Every game has them, but SOEs launcher scans for them example would be in EQ right now it scans for any and all modules loaded into the exe and it does it for EQ2 and other SOE games. Right now there are ways around it, but im sure SOE will fight hard against hackers ruining one of there new games.

[AirFell]

Its pretty simple, imagine it on a slider: Expensive VS Free = Accessibility.

Make it TOO accessible and you get asshats.

[Ragotag]

The Dev's mentioned SOE is taking a very strong anti-hacker position on PS2, to include the full integration of PunkBuster for what that is worth.