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Player Features and Ideas Discussion

 
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Free To Play Idea

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Vayn Baxtor
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#81 - 2013-06-27 14:17:31 UTC
The unfortunate reality of EVE is that it is delicate. Slight change here, big explosions on the other side - Like a butterfly effect but with worse results to the game. The game comes from the early days of MMOGs as well as not being the typical fantasy type of setup alike DAOC, or better yet WoW, Guild Wars 2 and any other that primarily has a character swinging a sword. Those games can handle f2p with no problems.

However here in EVE, there are way too many ways to exploit things that kills the game, and these exploiters of whatsoever breed will -sorry to say it - **** any opportunity given. Free2play will give them even more of that. While Trial accs have always been a neat way to bring new players, long time players are also using them as dummy accs already to scout etc. I find that usage wrong, but it is here to stay and nobody cares.

Now if free to play comes, it will unforunately make all other matters worse.


Don't get me wrong, I like your idea, so you have my appreciation-point (fu, +1) for tackling the subject. As you can see, people feel immediately molested in their diginity here on this thread and no matter how many restrictions you put for any f2p acc, it will just keep causing new problems.

Personally, I'd rather see f2p be used for PI and maybe other industrial tasks that may be cumbersome only, but only to somehow help people, not give them some sort of AFK ability. If they want to fly spaceships, they should pay. Now before rabid people start tossing overused forum puns and controversies, I think if PI commodities could have more of a significant use throughout the game, one could think of a minigame - but this imo would require some separate game client.
I don't know, just that it doesn't effect anything big, and one would not have to worry all too much about the market. However the actual commodities and other industrial items seriously need more uses so that it is worth making whatsoever.

Oh never mind :D

Using tablet, typoes are common and I'm not going to fix them all.

Debora Tsung
Perkone
Caldari State
#82 - 2013-06-27 14:56:39 UTC  |  Edited by: Debora Tsung
Gnord wrote:

Even if you don't agree that it improves the game (Read my earlier links), the other argument is that, if done correctly, it earns MORE money for the makers of the game. As long as that's true, it's not a fad. Game development is expensive, and people like money.

The only reason it will go away is if another, better money-making strategy is devised.


Game Companies switch their MMO's to the Free to Play model to safe them from death. MMO Permadeath. it exists, it's no myth and it happens quite often.

And why are so many MMO's at the verge of dying? the Answer is easy, they're bad. Really really bad and lots of people stop paying for bad games once they finished some boring main quest line or such.

Why on earth would CCP want to switch EVE to a F2P Model when the subscriber numbers are still growing, continuously I might add.

Stupidity should be a bannable offense.

Fighting back is more fun than not.

Sticky: AFK Cloaking Thread It's not pretty, but it's there.
Arya Regnar
Darwins Right Hand
#83 - 2013-06-27 20:48:37 UTC
Gnord wrote:
Little Dragon Khamez wrote:
God no, ccp needs money, otherwise we can't enjoy eve. Freeplay mmos are rarely the quality of eve and have never lasted as long. Some things are worth paying for.


It is quite possible to earn MORE money under a good microtransaction/free-to-play model. Granted, it must be done correctly.
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/lord-of-the-rings-online-doubles-revenue-since-going-free-to-pla/
Since the game is already made, and is already gorgeous and high-quality, the real goal now is simply: More players.


I saw microtransactions.

No you sick demented prick, just no...

MT is baaaaaaaaaad.

All the F2P MMOs are crap. cash/month model is by far the best and as far as eve online goes CCP established the absolutely perfect model anyone could ever think of.

I'm sure all this has been said before in previous pages and posts but I felt the need to leave this here.
This being said I'm currently playing with PLEX but if that wouldn't work for me I'd be paying with RL money instead of additional effort.

EvE-Mail me if you need anything.
Bakuhz
NED-Clan
Goonswarm Federation
#84 - 2013-06-27 22:34:47 UTC
Gnord wrote:
[REVISED FROM ORIGINAL POST DUE TO FEEDBACK]
My original post was an attempt at simplicity and that clearly wasn't sufficient. So, I've thought up a few additions. I'm still trying to keep it simple, but it tries to address the issues from feedback.

The core of the idea:
Focus on the "cannot be trained on trial accounts" skills. These skills (for ships and modules) will be re-labeled as "restricted".
Additionally, focus on the meta-level of modules. Specifically, any module with Meta-5 or higher will also be considered "restricted".


While your account is marked as unpaid:

You cannot undock with any ship requiring any restricted skill. (Docking is allowed)
While in space, you cannot board an empty ship that uses restricted skills.
While in space, you cannot activate a ship that uses restricted skills from a POS/Capital ship maintenance bay.

While logging-in or undocking, any restricted modules are put offline (Including passive ones).
While in space, you cannot online or activate any restricted module.

(I'm very likely missing some/multiple key workaround(s) here which SHOULD be prevented as well, but the gist is that you're restricted to Tech 1 modules, Tech 1 ships, and nothing larger than cruisers, no workarounds.)

The venture, mostly as it exists now, will become a Tech-2 Mining Frigate, requiring Mining Frigate 4-5, and a "restricted" Tech 2 skill (Perhaps the T2 skill adds resistances, or drone mining yield). A Tech 1 mining frigate will be introduced, which has bonuses for mining, but appropriately balanced for F2P players.

You cannot train skills.
You cannot engage in PI.
You cannot engage in any Manufacturing, Science & Industry, Research, etc.
You cannot connect with an unpaid account on this machine if another paid account is active on your machine (Verified under current methods).
You can connect with a maximum of 3 unpaid accounts from your location (verified by connection details, such as IP and routing information).
You cannot give, or benefit from Mining Foreman bonuses in your fleet (All other bonuses ok).

Pirate bounties are capped at 1 million isk every 15 minute cycle. The rest is "taxed".
You cannot receive insurance payouts for destroyed ships.


Activities not restricted by unpaid accounts:
Piloting unrestricted ships/modules.
All market activities.
All contract activities.
Injecting skill-books (if prerequisites are met).
Docking your advanced ship after your paid-time expires. (This is contrary to my original proposal)

Goals:
1. Address the concerns and rag-*cough*-feedback from the first several pages of this thread.
2. Lure back lapsed players. Any existing player of unlimited age or skill points can return, and play for free.
3. Encourage casual play. If you play for 1 hour a month, you can likely play for free.
4. Provide a marketable Free-2-Play method that is not restricted by time or character age.

Possible Revisions:
I'd like to provide incentive for free players to leave Hisec. My earlier proposal encouraged this, but the current version lacks in this category. Perhaps specific modules/restrictions can be released if you leave protected space? Ideas?

The new idea is a lot more complex as well, but... this is Eve, so it probably can't be helped. Ugh



Discuss!


free 2 play please check every free 2 play game or every game that becomes free 2 play!!!

all these games are broken and exploited the F!!! out off.
usually comes with markets for real money t obuy golden guns etc pay 2 win!!
want to play for free well skill up correctly and start doing some of the isk making things in this game and get yourself (PLEX)
there you go you play for free and some poor loser paid for you.

eitherway the game is not that expensive really and if you cant pay for it because of financial issues or still in school.
still in school get a weekend job or a paper route
are you a grown up you might look for a job on the internet then play eve.


https://zkillboard.com/character/584042527/
Bakuhz
NED-Clan
Goonswarm Federation
#85 - 2013-06-27 22:36:53 UTC
Alvatore DiMarco wrote:
Tchulen wrote:
I have no problem with Free To Play accounts as long as they only last a month and no skills can be learned that can't be learned on the current trial account.

+1 to op for coming up with a genuinely original idea with no negative sides to the game and no ways of being abused whatsoever.


The sarcasm is so thick I could spread it on toast and eat it for breakfast with a nice hot cup of tea and some delicious fried eggs and bacon.


did someone say BACON? Shocked

https://zkillboard.com/character/584042527/
Sergeant Acht Scultz
School of Applied Knowledge
Caldari State
#86 - 2013-06-28 00:21:12 UTC
Op that's not a free to play game, it's a free to test one and largely making testers able to mess with paying customers day, no.

I rather pay my sub and not see those around, if some day that happens characters and whatever I did in this game does right to trash and delete, game cleaned from my PC and CCP mail address block forever.

No No No No and fcking NO !

removed inappropriate ASCII art signature - CCP Eterne
Tristanor
Majorum Gnavita In Industria
#87 - 2013-06-28 06:58:10 UTC
Ok guys,

Lets look into that f2p. Why would any active player opt for that?

There are a lot of us that have more then one account. I don't think most really want f2p to let in hordes of wannabees to destroy the eve universe... But simple want more then one account to specialise in different professions and like them to be online at the same time to easily let them interact.

I.m.o. thats the underlying reason this subject comes on so often. Not for scamming and botting purposes. f2p would problably give them free way to do so, but i don't think that people into that would make much noise on the forum for that :)

Following this I don't think people are having problems with the 15-20 or so euros to play each month.

Having 5 would make it 75-100 and thats making a bigger impression on peoples budget, not to mention the people insane enough to have even more :)

I like alts and extra accounts. They are specialised and i can run them together, easily hauling refining and missioning at the same time. But its hard work to keep up in plexes or rl money. I pay the same for the toon thats just hauling then for the missioning one i really play in stead of auto piloting him around.

So I would go for something like the following:
main : normal pay no exeption (can be plexed ofc)
second : 1.5month /plex (if training on, normal plex/month)
3-5th : 2 month/plex (if training on 1,5 month /plex)
6-10th : 3 month/plex (if training on 2 month/plex)
11-more: if you can show a proof of sanity :p then 4 month/plex (if training 3 month/plex)

That way, or one like this, would give current players some room for more toons more easily, not needing the f2p accounts
Scammers are mostly trials so they would not influence this system

Allready i posted somewhere i rather see aurum used for extra trading bought to have a good difference between, game time and training time, but thats another thing.

If you like it: Great! If you don't like it: Hé it .....uuhh.... was someone else his idea :)
Trax Chasmwalker
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#88 - 2013-06-28 09:22:01 UTC
F2P is just terrible, there is no exclusions. It's like pets, but no, it more terrible even than pets.