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EVE New Citizens Q&A

 
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To full players: is the monthly fee worth it?
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Hassaat Enthoula
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2011-11-30 14:03:57 UTC
I've only recently activated a trial account for EVE online, and have been enjoying it quite a bit. The graphics are great (even though my lappy's graphics card can't really handle them), the universe seems incredibly vast, and everything generally seems like a good time. I was considering upgrading from a trial to a paid account, but I was shocked to see how high the monthly fee was. Currently $14.99 per month, if you don't purchase more than a month at a time. $133 for an entire year's membership, but even that seems steep. I was expecting something more along the lines of $5 a month.

While I know that I've never paid a monthly subscription to any game, and I really don't know what the average membership price really is, I'm finding it pretty hard to justify paying such a high fee for a single game. I know that if i enjoy it and keep playing, possibly for a year, it will cost me well over $100. Comparatively, an XBox Live membership would cost me $60 for the year, plus $60 for a brand new game, and that still won't cost me as much as a single year's paid membership to EVE.

So here's my question to all of you paid subscribers (the server tells me there's a little over 20,000 of you whenever I log on)... Can you somehow convince me that EVE is worth the subscription price? I've only got a few days play time, so I know I'm missing out on a lot of the universe still. Is there something out there that I haven't touched on that makes EVE worth way over $100 per year?

Sincerely,

cr8zyfoo
gfldex
#2 - 2011-11-30 14:18:34 UTC
Hassaat Enthoula wrote:
I was expecting something more along the lines of $5 a month.


Fees for MMORPG. For EVE expansions are free, so it's actually cheaper then most competitors.

If you take all the sand out of the box, only the cat poo will remain.
Borisaurus
Guardians of the Gate
RAZOR Alliance
#3 - 2011-11-30 15:12:39 UTC
What makes EVE, and most MMOs really, worth the price tag is the potential number of hours of entertainment you get per dollar spent.

For example: A night out at the movies with your best girl where I live is roughly $24 for two tickets. $6 for two drinks. $6 for a big popcorn for us to share. $5 for two things of candy. $41. That's almost three months of EVE. But at the movies it will be at most three hours of entertainment.

Yes, there are intrinsic benefits to spending a night at the movies with your girl. But based on dollars spent to hours of entertainment received, EVE is the clear winner here. You can play all day every day, as long as the servers are up, with your EVE sub. Naturally you won't, because most people have to leave their PC for sleep or work (I said most!), but when you consider that $15/month is the expected price for an MMO, you get quite a lot for your money.

Add to that, EVE doesn't charge anything extra for its "expansion" content.
L'ouris
Have Naught Subsidiaries
#4 - 2011-11-30 15:28:24 UTC
I just buy one less pizza every month.

Eve is a healthy lifestyle choice.

Honest.
Aethlyn
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#5 - 2011-11-30 15:51:58 UTC  |  Edited by: Aethlyn
See it this way: If you really like the game and keep active, it's rather easy to earn enough (game) money in the game within a few days to pay your account for another month. It depends on your preferences, the market etc. but in general it's possible to do it within 10-15 hours of game time. So the money question really just arises in the beginning.

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VindieBitch
VindieBitch Corp
#6 - 2011-11-30 17:14:50 UTC
I've been playing EVE on and off since late 2008. I usually come back for five or six month stretches, then un-sub for a few months while I build up a bank balance again. Fifteen dollars a month is the standard for Pay-To-Play MMO games, and most of those charge you an extra fee of like 40$ every so often for expansions. EVE has an insane number of expansions, all of which come with the cost of a subscription.

Piracy, mining, missions, exploration, wormhole space, alliance warfare, faction warfare, trading, market-PvP, and more... There are so many things to do in EVE, and given enough time, you can do them all. I'm not big on MMO's anymore, but EVE is one game that continues to call me back. It's a vast universe with interesting people, and most importantly, it's fun. If you're enjoying the game, I'd say subscribe, because you aren't going to find a pay-to-play game like EVE, and with as much polish, anywhere else.
Velicitia
XS Tech
#7 - 2011-11-30 17:42:55 UTC
Hassaat Enthoula wrote:

While I know that I've never paid a monthly subscription to any game, and I really don't know what the average membership price really is, I'm finding it pretty hard to justify paying such a high fee for a single game. I know that if i enjoy it and keep playing, possibly for a year, it will cost me well over $100. Comparatively, an XBox Live membership would cost me $60 for the year, plus $60 for a brand new game, and that still won't cost me as much as a single year's paid membership to EVE.



if you pay for EVE a year in advance (many people do), it's $120 (give or take a few) for the year. According to you, XBL is $60/year (dunno, I don't have one -- went for the PS3 because of bluray), a single game is $60 + applicable taxes (locally, 7.5%) ... so about $64.50 out the door at a local gamestop/bestbuy/etc.

And we all know you're not buying just one game per year. They always run out of content ... so you always have to buy more stuff (DLC or the next "new" game, or whatever).

In EVE, there is content that you can "run out of" (missions). However, the game is not really built as many other MMOs, where you're "on rails" throughout the whole game. The vast majority of the content is player-created. Whilst you're not necessarily going to be making huge impacts like CCP promotes in their trailers your first few months, given time, you may pull of a huge scam or be the crucial link in a campaign that makes or breaks an alliance -- EVERYONE in the game will know you then.

Quick examples of the infamous in EVE (in no particular order):
The Mittani -- Currently the CSM Chair, mainly known because he's the executor of Goonswarm
Sir Molle -- Executor of the former Band of Brothers (BoB) alliance that used to control Delve until Haargoth Agamar dissolved them (IIRC, by taking ISK from the "pay alliance fees" wallet), and defected to the Goons.
Chribba -- lord of all Veldspar
m0o -- one of the corporations that made CONCORD the unavoidable defence force they are (IIRC, they locked down Yulai when it was the big trade hub)
Goonswarm -- (depending who you ask) complete assholes that are ruining the game
Raiden. (formerly BoB and IT)-- (depending who you ask) complete assholes that are ruining the game
"DRF"/NCdot/TEST/WIdot -- (depending who you ask) complete assholes who are ruining the game (note that the Drone Region Federation is actually a coalition of alliances)

Pretty much if you mention any of these names to anyone in game, they'll have heard about them (well, anyone who isn't brand new, though some of the new guys may have been brought in because of hearing about the exploits of the above).

so yeah, I'd say it's worth it. Big smile

One of the bitter points of a good bittervet is the realisation that all those SP don't really do much, and that the newbie is having much more fun with what little he has. - Tippia
Astrid Stjerna
Sebiestor Tribe
#8 - 2011-11-30 22:35:34 UTC
Hassaat Enthoula wrote:


While I know that I've never paid a monthly subscription to any game, and I really don't know what the average membership price really is, I'm finding it pretty hard to justify paying such a high fee for a single game. I know that if i enjoy it and keep playing, possibly for a year, it will cost me well over $100. Comparatively, an XBox Live membership would cost me $60 for the year, plus $60 for a brand new game, and that still won't cost me as much as a single year's paid membership to EVE.


Right now, the retail standard for MMO subs is about $15-$20/month; a typical MMO at those price points costs around $180 a year; conversely, you're paying about $120 (not including tax) for your XBL sub and a game.

It's really up to you -- we can't tell you whether you'll like the game as much as we do.

I can't get rid of my darn signature!  Oh, wait....
Xercodo
Cruor Angelicus
#9 - 2011-12-01 00:52:56 UTC
I'd pay it if i had the money, so for now I use PLEX, but once i have an income then yes I'd def pay for it.

One of the greatest parts of EVE is the community, the trick is just poking around, doing a bit of networking and just finding the people you can enjoy being with a lot. And then make the friend circle a few times bigger then that in the event that a lot of them have RL issues that make them leave for a month. Have enough friends that there is always someone to hang out with and you'll never be bored.

Damn near everything in the game can be done with a team in someway or another, that's the main concept behind a corp.

The Drake is a Lie
Hassaat Enthoula
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#10 - 2011-12-01 01:30:18 UTC
Well thanks everyone! I'm going to keep playing through my trial subscription, and maybe if I'm really getting into it I'll pick up a subscription. And maybe cut back on a pizza.
Martyr Theos
The NecroMonger Faith
#11 - 2011-12-01 19:58:07 UTC  |  Edited by: Martyr Theos
The simple answer is NO, it's not worth it.

Eve has many game killing imbalance issues in it's basic game mechanics that detract from its entertainment value.
The requirement that you either bring a small army of pilots with you or join an existing army in Eve to accomplish much of anything means that you may as well leave now and go find another game.

Yes, you could join an existing alliance, but that means that you will become a serf in an RMT Plantation farming moongoo and I don't think you came to Eve looking for that.

Do yourself a favor and spend the money on beer and pizza. (Much better entertainment anyway.)
Sam Cavanaugh
State War Academy
Caldari State
#12 - 2011-12-01 21:13:06 UTC  |  Edited by: Sam Cavanaugh
Well, one thing I find interesting about versus most MMORPGs is that you can buy in-game time with in-game currency through legitimate in-game play.

You can't really expect to make enough ISK to pay for another 30 days during your first 30 days although it is possible. It depends on how much free time you have.

There's one guy who proved he could legitimately (no scams) make enough ISK to afford a 30-day plex during the 14-day trial.

I played EVE for a short bit a long time ago but I'm just getting back into it now. I'm gonna give it a few months at last before I expect to be able to start affording PLEX. I used to play Second Life a lot and my stuff still sells really well there, so it's not sweat off my brow forking over for a few months of subscriptions.
Fliance Alduin
Praetorian Shield
#13 - 2011-12-01 21:15:20 UTC
I started playing just under a month ago. My technical first month of paying starts in about 1 week.

In the past 3 weeks that I have been playing Eve. I have never had so much fun in an MMO. I have had some of the biggest WTF!??! moments I have ever happen(Warped in on a suicide gank, and I got about 10 mil in loot from the ganker's wrecks).
Saw a T3 Battlecruiser Tuesday go BOOM right in front of me(Friend salvaged the wreck and I took the loot). Got sent into Lowsec for an expedition(Swear lowsec is gonna give me an aneurysm[But I loved it]) and today had Someone try to steal my 4/10 combat site from me, but being smart didn't let him. netting me 325mil ISK(which if you want you can buy your gametime with game cash).

The adrenaline and excitement from me doing these little things alone was worth more than any of the past 6 years of MMO's that I have ever played. I have never actually had my hand shaking in excitement while I played a game before!

If you are looking for something exciting to do. I highly recommend exploration. Some days seems hit or miss, but when it hits. it is the best time ever!!!

Goodluck man and hope that you find what you are looking for!!!! Fly safe!!
Velicitia
XS Tech
#14 - 2011-12-01 21:24:18 UTC
Fliance Alduin wrote:

The adrenaline and excitement from me doing these little things alone was worth more than any of the past 6 years of MMO's that I have ever played. I have never actually had my hand shaking in excitement while I played a game before!


you were there .... Lol

One of the bitter points of a good bittervet is the realisation that all those SP don't really do much, and that the newbie is having much more fun with what little he has. - Tippia
Fliance Alduin
Praetorian Shield
#15 - 2011-12-01 21:30:43 UTC
Velicitia wrote:
Fliance Alduin wrote:

The adrenaline and excitement from me doing these little things alone was worth more than any of the past 6 years of MMO's that I have ever played. I have never actually had my hand shaking in excitement while I played a game before!


you were there .... Lol


I see what you did thur =P

And yes.....I was...Eve is real Lol
NightCrawler 85
Phoibe Enterprises
#16 - 2011-12-02 05:22:05 UTC
Hello there and welcome to Eve Smile

First off i wont lie,Eve is NOT for everyone. But if you like what you have seen so far,its a big chanse that you will enjoy the game as a whole.

Personally i have been playing since late 04 (this is a younger char before you ask). The cost of Eve might be high but considering how much entertainment you get from it,and how long it keeps you hocked its well worth it. Most games (including online games) will only keep you entertained for a couple of months,and many games you buy just last a couple of days until you have finished it.
In Eve there is no "end game". Yes i do know that some call 0.0 end game but personally i dont believe that.There will always be something new to do,something new to learn,and something new to exsperiense.

Also because of the fact that the majorety of the player base is older and more mature you are very likely to find people who you consider real friends (a lot cheaper then going out and get drunk at the bar every weekend just to end up with a hangover the next day Blink ).

What you will have to worry about is weather or not you will be able to handle loosing your first "large" ship. Like your first BS as an example.. Many people simply quit after seeing all that hard work just being taken away from them. Then ofc you have scams,suecide ganks,war decs and so on. Eve is a game,but its not all fun. But atleast for me thats what makes me enjoy Eve,there are so many challanges and most of the time you have no choise but to find a way to deal with it.

As other people also have mentioned you can buy game time for ISK. When you are new this will be hard but it wont take you long before you can make enough ISK to pay for your account. So i would pay for a couple of months,find your self a corp,try things out and see what you feel further down the line before you potentially take the big step of paying for a full year.

Also keep in mind that right now things seem to be moving fast,you are training low level skills and most are done in a day or two. It will not stay that way. Down the line you will be looking at week long skills,sometimes a month or longer where you dont get any new toys to play with. This is another reason some might not like Eve,so consider weather or not you have the patience,and dedication,to devote that much time into your character.

That being said i hope you will stick around,and that you will have a good time in Eve. Remember that there are assholes out there,but you can find plenty of nice people that will be more then willing to help you in any way they can Smile

Regards,
NightCrawler

Phoibe Enterprises

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