Why is it going to be pay-to-play? Not complaining, just saying that few games are.
Thanks
Matt
aka "Lucky Jack"
Massive Multiplayer
Post a replyMultiplayer
31 posts
You have to remember that the Multiplayer will be a MMOG (Massively multiplayer online game)
The servers required for these are much larger than your average *free to play games where the player count is normally around 32. These games need many computers to handle the thousands of players using them at the one time. The payments are furthur justified by continual add-ons which will come out monthly (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter). Enigma will be a constantly evolving game with players having a large part in how it evolves. The multiplayer version will be free to download but due to the maintenance and other factors I have mentioned, there will be a cost that has to be paid. That leaves us as the consumers to pay a fee so these games can not only pay for themselves but give the developers (who will constantly be working on Enigma) a wage.
The servers required for these are much larger than your average *free to play games where the player count is normally around 32. These games need many computers to handle the thousands of players using them at the one time. The payments are furthur justified by continual add-ons which will come out monthly (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter). Enigma will be a constantly evolving game with players having a large part in how it evolves. The multiplayer version will be free to download but due to the maintenance and other factors I have mentioned, there will be a cost that has to be paid. That leaves us as the consumers to pay a fee so these games can not only pay for themselves but give the developers (who will constantly be working on Enigma) a wage.
Speaking of Pay-to-play I am not adversed to the principle, what i would like however is flexibility. for example if I have a captain who I attain a certain rank with, then for some reason i am not able to play/pay for a few months i want to be able to save my money and resurrect the captain when I come back without having to start again.
Agreed... Things can happen and I might have to miss a month or two. I'd not want to loose any progress i've made. However, you can't expect the character to be stored forever.
Perhaps an "on leave" option - pay small storage fee to maintain your identity.
That would make sense if it were for several months, but if somebody had an account for over a year, missed 1 month and went back to have the character deleted, i'd expect them to be cheesed off.
On that note.. Half of the excitement is building the character up so personally I don't mind how you handle it.
On that note.. Half of the excitement is building the character up so personally I don't mind how you handle it.
Most MMOGs allow at least 3-6 months of your account being in stasis before wiping your stats.
It works in the game provider's own interests to do this because, whilst it costs a little extra in terms of database storage, it is much better than losing a customer who would otherwise return.
I have played Everquest on-and-off for several years and I can categorically say I would never have gone back had my account been reset (despite the fact I usually started afresh anyway!). Off-hand I think Sony hold your account for 8 months.
It comes down to the the game provider respecting their customer base. I am violently opposed to any sort of retention fee, as I feel that is just blatant exploitation. Don't fall into that trap please East.
/bux
[Edit]I forget how long IW held your account stats for, but I'm pretty sure it was almost indefinately[/edit]
It works in the game provider's own interests to do this because, whilst it costs a little extra in terms of database storage, it is much better than losing a customer who would otherwise return.
I have played Everquest on-and-off for several years and I can categorically say I would never have gone back had my account been reset (despite the fact I usually started afresh anyway!). Off-hand I think Sony hold your account for 8 months.
It comes down to the the game provider respecting their customer base. I am violently opposed to any sort of retention fee, as I feel that is just blatant exploitation. Don't fall into that trap please East.
/bux
[Edit]I forget how long IW held your account stats for, but I'm pretty sure it was almost indefinately[/edit]
well i have only ever played free to play games on line so have no experience of pay to play, partly because until recently I was of the opinion i have paid for a product so I should be able to use it without paying more, however this has now altered to where i can understand the principles behind it.
If the MP costs are resonable then I am all for it as it will generate the revenue for TAG to enable them to develop the game. which can only be a good thing
If the MP costs are resonable then I am all for it as it will generate the revenue for TAG to enable them to develop the game. which can only be a good thing
If i'm correct you've got a free month of the multiplayer to try it out and during that time you'll understand why it's pay to play.well i have only ever played free to play games on line so have no experience of pay to play
oh i do understand why it is already, i had forgotten that we had the free 1 month play, i wonder if we buy the gold version 2 do we get 2 free months?