I've noticed a certain amount of distain towards these types of MMOs. They are an option for people who cannot spare $15 a month on average for a monthly subscription, who don't play a game enough to warrant paying a monthly subscription, or just like to play several MMOs and don't have the time/money to dedicate to all of them.
So in comes another option, what is generally referred to as "microtransaction" MMOs. They're free, but they have some sort of service that lets players buy items that they can use in-game. The thing is though that every free MMO uses this system differently.
First off, I've played a LOT of free MMOs and browser games. So I can safely say that the large majority of free MMOs (that you can play in America without speaking a second language) utilize one of four types of "buy if you want" systems:
1. Items bought affect the game itself. That is, you can buy super elite +8 Swords of Doom and toss it onto your character, or turn around and sell it for in-game currency to buy something else. Sometimes you can actually BUY in-game currency.
2. Items bought don't affect the game itself, but can be sold to other players. These are the goofy clothes, the XP/Stat buffs, the silly pets... anything that adds a fun or unique element to the game. The catch is that they can be sold for in-game currency.
3. Items bought don't affect the game itself and are bound to your character/account. I've also found that sometimes time limits are placed on these items so that they aren't permanent. In this case, you just get to look cool and nothing else.
4. You can play for free, but to experience the full game, a subscription must be paid. Generally, these games limit things such as how high you can level or what items you can access. These act as teasers, because while you can partake of the core functions of the game, all you get is the appetizer... if you want the rest of your meal, you have to pay for it.
The first system is one I don't really run across because, well... I ignore them. For me, this type of system is no different than paying $15 a month to play a game. If anything, it's worse. At least pay-to-play games put everyone on an equal field (ignoring, of course, people who buy gold illegally). But in these, you're constantly competing with your wallet, and there will always be someone else out there willing to shell out more than you. So I can see why there would be some distain or hesitation towards this type of "free" MMO.
Skipping ahead to four, this type of "free" MMO isn't free. It's a trial period that has no time limit. So hating this type of "free" MMO is like hating any normal pay-to-play MMOs.
Two and three are the ones I run across the most. In the case of number two, the economy is generally borked. For 99% of the people playing, however, this doesn't really matter. You don't really need that +8 Sword of Doom at level 25, and when you get a lucky drop, you can turn around and sell it for a ton to catch up with the economy a bit. It's not the easiest thing to live in, but if you're smart, you can sell things that you get in-game without having to shell out the big bucks. Thus, there's really no reason to hate a game that just takes a little longer to earn money in. Online sites like Gaia Online work off of this too; sure, having 15 pets and giant wings bursting forth from every part on your avatar's body looks cool, but you don't need all of that to enjoy the little games or post on the MBs.
For number three, these are the best types of free MMOs. There's no pressure to buy stuff unless you really enjoy the game and want to give something back to it in exchange for nifty glitter to add to your character. Unless you're obsessed with looking uber leet. Then that's your own problem.
With so many different types of microtransaction MMOs out there, it would seem to me that people would dislike some and favor others, like saying "I don't like sci-fi MMOs because I don't like that look." Each has something different to offer players who'd like to have options aside from paying a monthly fee. So why is it then that people talk about ALL of them as if they're a plague on the MMO genre?
I don't dislike microtransaction titles, but they certainly do not live up to the best MMOs with a monthly fee. I can afford the monthly fees, so why settle for something that is worse simply because it is 'free'.
I mean, yes I can see why some people will opt for el-cheapo mp3 players, they offer the same features at a more reasonable price, but still, they aren't Ipods.
Tue Jan 22 2008 1:25PM ReportPersonally, I like having options, but I really don't have the money to pay for several MMOs at once... so I play both. And while they might not be as visually appealing as some of the pay-to-play MMOs, I find that they do sometimes have fun features that you can't get in pay MMOs (the gameplay for Puzzle Pirates (this game falls under #4) comes to mind).
Tue Jan 22 2008 1:46PM ReportI do not like them simply because they are all low-quality trash and you pay to be strong.
I would rather play a high-quality, monthly fee MMORPG where one's pocketbook is not directly related to one's standing in the game. I do not like being able to buy power.
Seriously, $15/month is cheap, anyway. I can dig into my change jar after a few weeks and come up with that much. It is worth it to pay something of value rather than some imported Asian supermarket disguised as an MMORPG.
Tue Jan 22 2008 2:48PM ReportSornin, you obviously didn't read the article, which states that for many free MMOs, you DON'T pay to be strong. You pay to look neater than 98% of the players. Also, they aren't "all low-quality trash," which is due to another point I bring up... that you can't generalize all of them because you've played a few. Many have graphics on par or better than current pay-to-play MMOs, and have features that none of them have used before.
But thanks for proving my point... that there are people out there who play one or two free MMOs and then think they've played them all and know what they all have to offer.
Tue Jan 22 2008 3:05PM ReportI personally like microtransaction games, chiefly because they give me the freedom to play any of the games that I want without having to commit to one solely. But you do have to be discriminate, in that there is indeed a lot of crappy, money sucking games out there. And you can usually tell these by the fact that the item mall (and advertisements for its contents) take up more space on the website than the features of the game. But on the flipside, there are some truely cool ones out there as well. DOMO is one of the best F2P games out there right now IMO.
Tue Jan 22 2008 3:19PM Report"Sornin, you obviously didn't read the article..."
I did, I just do not agree with it - do not assume everything you write is correct nor applies to everyone. I offered my personal opinion, and you jump to the conclusion I did not read the tripe your wrote because obviously, if I had, I must agree with you because your words are just that powerful - ha!
"...which states that for many free MMOs, you DON'T pay to be strong. You pay to look neater than 98% of the players."
For some, though you still pay to look good, which is a type of power - social status. Besides, you yourself said:
"The first system is one I don't really run across because, well... I ignore them."
You do not play those kind, fine, but do not bury your head in the sand and minimize these types, because they are prevalent, especially in the games that try to be more like pay-to-play MMORPGs. These are the ones that are at least playable, but they are also the ones that feature things like experience bonuses, item bonuses, etc. in their shops.
"Also, they aren't "all low-quality trash," which is due to another point I bring up... that you can't generalize all of them because you've played a few. Many have graphics on par or better than current pay-to-play MMOs, and have features that none of them have used before."
I do not care about graphics - Asians make pretty, yet bland, games, full of either grinding, or full of standing around dressed like a technicolour clown, talking to other poor teens and children. But graphics do not make a game one of quality. As for features, show me some that have not been done before that are actually things people want to see.
And for the record, I have played at least a dozen free MMORPGs. Rappelz, Knight Online, Maple Story, Silkroad, Sword of the New World, Flyff, etc. They are all either cutesy, ridiculous garbage, pay-for-power money grabs, or grindfests, or a combination of those.
Anyway, do not write a blog entry if you cannot stand people disagreeing with you. The funny thing is, your entry contains many negative points regarding free MMORPGs, yet you refuse to acknowledge some people think they are crap, me being one of them. I have never played one I have liked, and certainly never one that has approached the level of quality in a game like EQ, DAoC, WoW, etc.
You like them, cool, but I hate them - it is that simple.
Tue Jan 22 2008 3:51PM ReportYou know, It really doesn't matter who doesn't like them, if you don't like them don't play them. I've played a few and some suck but some are good. Archlord and Perfect World are 2 good free MMO's. I'm really looking forward to Cabal online too. I don't have time to play 4-8 hours a day to play so I play the free ones. I can play an hour or two and thats cool. I don't have to worry am I getting my $15 worth because I don't have to pay to play them, and if I want to buy something I can do that too.
Tue Jan 22 2008 5:09PM ReportMy biggest issue with free games is the community. Basically, they're unable to police their members; someone who is banned simply makes a new account and comes back to bug people again.
Also, while it is certainly not true of ALL people playing free games, in most of them I have looked at, the average age and maturity levels are much lower. This again contributes to a less fun playing environment for me.
Really, it's the overall "lowest point" feel of the games. They generally use old and outdated engines. They generally add very little new content over time. They tend to be clones of existing games, with very slight mods. They tend to have no or very poor customer service. They tend to attract players who have been banned from other games. They tend to attract young children who cannot convince their parents to cough up $15 a month for a subscription, who *tend* to be more difficult to play with than adults. The adults they attract tend to be the sort of people who are attracted to "cheap/free but lower quality" - sort of the WalMarts of the MMO universe. ;)
I'm well aware this is not true for all players there, so please don't be offended. But by and large, the quality of player in free MMOs is substantially below that in paid games. And in a genre where community is EVERYTHING, games with poor communities are not going to be as fun.
Wed Jan 23 2008 3:59AM ReportI like playing good games.
They simply suck. They don't even come close to the Western Titles in terms of game play and quality.
Wed Jan 23 2008 8:15AM ReportAs soon as I come across a F2P/Microtransaction game that I enjoy playing, I'll consider the model. But so far, I've tried SotNW, RFO, Archlord and a couple of others, and while the price was right, they certainly weren't up to the gameplay standards of most P2P games.
Actually, if one of these games came out that let you buy things to really improve your strength I might give it a go. I've no interest in cosmetic items.
Wed Jan 23 2008 8:17AM ReportSornin, the problem I had with your first post is that you didn't explain yourself at all and instead made ignorant generalizations without bringing up anything specific. Your second post, however, is what I was looking for... instead of some idiotic statement like "they're all low-quality trash," your second post explains what qualities about the game is trashy in your opinion. Now see, it wasn't that hard to explain your reasons.
Owyn, I actually forgot to bring up the community issue as well as the fact that anyone can come back as a new character and start being trouble all over again (without a loss of money too if they keep such stuff on a side account). Those are two really great points... as for the community, I've definitely found a much wider range of personalities than I would in p2p MMOs. In both you get the bad right along with the good, but I've noticed that the a/s/l crowd tends to be larger in the free games.
Wed Jan 23 2008 8:29AM ReportTrollstar, out of curiosity, why would you give a game a try that lets you buy useful items? What do you think would keep you there aside from this feature?
Wed Jan 23 2008 8:34AM ReportWell, I've tried a few and all in all, I have to say so far, they aren't for me. But it is mostly because I'm tired of the fantasy stuff... I've kind of bowed out of my pay-to-play MMO's as well.
I've actually been thinking about dialing up Anarchy Online again...
This was a good post, though.
Wed Jan 23 2008 10:08AM ReportFree MMO's are crap quality. If they came out with a good Micro-trans MMO then I'd be paying into it!
Wed Jan 23 2008 10:38AM ReportMMORPG.com writes:
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