How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

I really cant think of a single major mmo that has released a free trial in the first six months. Correct me if Im wrong of course. Also, your post sounds very biased in the first place so I dont really know why Im answering this as it wont really do any good whatsoever.

Originally posted by ganton

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

I really cant think of a single major mmo that has released a free trial in the first six months. Correct me if Im wrong of course. Also, your post sounds very biased in the first place so I dont really know why Im answering this as it wont really do any good whatsoever.

Well, I can't think of any other major MMO that lost 700k subscribers in the first couple of months. Funcom is in a unique situation because they disappointed so many people with their unfinished game and legendary customer service. I do believe the only way they can save AoC is to give out free trials or give ex-players free month or two. They haven't done this yet because they believe the game is not ready for it yet, and they are right. First they need to merge servers and deliver DX10. This might take 3-6 months so don't expect trials anytime soon.

Tabula Rasa did didn't it? >.>

I'm not going to pay $35 or whatever the price has been lowered to for a game I'm not allowed to try first, and for a game that I got into the beta on, and my computer which wasn't even crap at the time couldn't even handle it. I want to be able to download a demo first or something geeze....

The trials will come around X-mas. Warhammer don't have a trial either yet, and it seems to be in the same position as AoC so it isn't unique.

And they should wait with the trials until they patched in tarantia common district anyways.

Originally posted by Loke666

The trials will come around X-mas. Warhammer don't have a trial either yet, and it seems to be in the same position as AoC so it isn't unique.

And they should wait with the trials until they patched in tarantia common district anyways.

If they were intelligent, AoC would release trials sometime in December. However, they most likely will do so closer around the time of their so-called expansion pack, which in all honesty, can't be anything but another attempt at a sucker hole for this game.

They have the buddy pass system now, but it completely deludes the point as you have to pay to use a buddy pass unless 1.) You are willing to take the risk of using a torrent download or 2.) Your buddy is in a close enough distance to lend you his disks. FC never ceases to amaze me in how they run business. The fastest way to gain revenue is not always the best way to gain the most revenue. It does sting to see a company with potential run a game into the ground with poor business practice and such short-sightedness.

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

A lot of people open a magazine. Read about the game, like what they read and then go to buy the game. { Mod Edit } if you think you like the game buy it. If not buy something else. It's not FC's job to carry you to Hyboria and start the game for you. You play if you want to!

Originally posted by BearShammy

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

 

A lot of people open a magazine. Read about the game, like what they read and then go to buy the game. { Mod Edit } if you think you like the game buy it. If not buy something else. It's not FC's job to carry you to Hyboria and start the game for you. You play if you want to!

Yes Bear but considering the past state of the game ,the current perception of the game and the huge loss of the subscriber base it is Funcom's responsibility  to offer an incentive   to people to try the game . A free trial is exactly  what they should be offering to galvanize interest in AOC

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

Originally posted by ganton

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

I really cant think of a single major mmo that has released a free trial in the first six months. Correct me if Im wrong of course. Also, your post sounds very biased in the first place so I dont really know why Im answering this as it wont really do any good whatsoever.

 

Well, I can't think of any other major MMO that lost 700k subscribers in the first couple of months. Funcom is in a unique situation because they disappointed so many people with their unfinished game and legendary customer service. I do believe the only way they can save AoC is to give out free trials or give ex-players free month or two. They haven't done this yet because they believe the game is not ready for it yet, and they are right. First they need to merge servers and deliver DX10. This might take 3-6 months so don't expect trials anytime soon.

 

They have already stated merges will happen before christmas I believe and DX10 is coming in next major update probably a month or less from now. Trial was stated in financial report to be coming in Q1 2009.

Here is another issue with having a trial.

The most you could probably get to is level 20 in a trial.

The game changes drastically 100% AFTER 20. Some find it enjoyable, some do not.

The problem remains. Level 20 means the game you trial will NOT be the game you buy.

Straight up, the game is worth the box price for 30 days...no trial needed. If you like standard RPG's. If you like Neverwinter Nights or Witcher or Diablo, or any action console game, you will like AoC.

I have found AoC for 25 bucks, and you cannot lose with that price. The game has been fixed, and stabilized, and the level 20 ride is the best of any MMO in existence.

Go ahead, and buy it and quit complaining about a trial.

 i also think that funcom isnt in a hurry to send out a free trial

the hardcore mmoers alreaddy made up their mind and the endgame isnt there yet that could bring the bored lvl 80 back. theycould however make tarantia free to play like a demo of a computer game.

to bring in fresh and new gamers advertising in magazines and out of the mmorpg box will prolly help more then bringing back people that would spam open channels with their negativity as seen on these boards.

Originally posted by ganton

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

 Well, I can't think of any other major MMO that lost 700k subscribers in the first couple of months. Funcom is in a unique situation because they disappointed so many people with their unfinished game and legendary customer service. I do believe the only way they can save AoC is to give out free trials or give ex-players free month or two. They haven't done this yet because they believe the game is not ready for it yet, and they are right. First they need to merge servers and deliver DX10. This might take 3-6 months so don't expect trials anytime soon.

 

They have already stated merges will happen before christmas I believe and DX10 is coming in next major update probably a month or less from now. Trial was stated in financial report to be coming in Q1 2009.

I do believe server merges are coming soon. However DX10.. well, it takes "a couple of weeks" before it reaches testlive and I'm sure sure they will find tons of issues with it which will take a lot of time to fix. There is no way DX10 will be ready in a month or less.

I predict they give us tirals as soon as DX10 is in and working, most likely at the end of Q1 2009.

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

Originally posted by ganton

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

 Well, I can't think of any other major MMO that lost 700k subscribers in the first couple of months. Funcom is in a unique situation because they disappointed so many people with their unfinished game and legendary customer service. I do believe the only way they can save AoC is to give out free trials or give ex-players free month or two. They haven't done this yet because they believe the game is not ready for it yet, and they are right. First they need to merge servers and deliver DX10. This might take 3-6 months so don't expect trials anytime soon.

 

They have already stated merges will happen before christmas I believe and DX10 is coming in next major update probably a month or less from now. Trial was stated in financial report to be coming in Q1 2009.

 

See that big "and" there? I do believe server merges are coming soon. However DX10.. well, it takes "a couple of weeks" before it reaches testlive and I'm sure sure they will find tons of issues with it which will take a lot of time to fix. There is no way DX10 will be ready in a month or less.

I predict they give us tirals as soon as DX10 is in and working, most likely at the end of Q1 2009.

Lol theyve been working on DX10 for a loooooong time now. Its not like content were they can release it onto Test semi done and patch the rest of it in from user feedback. Its part of the game engine, it has to work from the second it goes on testlive. It will probably stay on testlive much shorter then other updates have because of this(longest so far has been like a month). Theres no way it will be on test live till end of Q1 2009 lol. It should be out before new years, but hey if its not I'll eat my words so meh.

Originally posted by ganton

Lol theyve been working on DX10 for a loooooong time now. Its not like content were they can release it onto Test semi done and patch the rest of it in from user feedback. Its part of the game engine, it has to work from the second it goes on testlive. It will probably stay on testlive much shorter then other updates have because of this(longest so far has been like a month). Theres no way it will be on test live till end of Q1 2009 lol. It should be out before new years, but hey if its not I'll eat my words so meh.

Are you a game developer? Do you work for FC? Do you know how DX10 works?

What you say here is pure speculation. Sure it kinda sounds logical but what I've seen with MMO's is that the bigger the update, the more problems and delays. Remember what happened with pvp patch? And DX10 is a HUGE update.

I'm not a game developer so I don't know but if they put DX10 on testlive and it will be ready for live servers in less than a month, I will be surprised. We will see.

yep, not much point in speculation when we will find out in a few weeks.

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

They expect people to buy it simply due to the saying there is a sucker born every minute but I can say other than pretty graphics you ain't missin much

Originally posted by jaxsundane

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

 

They expect people to buy it simply due to the saying there is a sucker born every minute but I can say other than pretty graphics you ain't missin much

QFT

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

Do you realize how many >9/10 critics and reviews of this game you can find out there. Start with gamezone "editors choice" 9.4/10. Hmmm... how can we really expect people to buy AoC?

lol

Originally posted by CobraSolidus

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

 

Do you realize how many >9/10 critics and reviews of this game you can find out there. Start with gamezone "editors choice" 9.4/10. Hmmm... how can we really expect people to buy AoC?

lol

we all know editor reviews and  reviews from places like gamespot and gamezone arent worth the paper or pixrls they are created with. Sponsorship and Adv ertising $ trumps truth in reviews.

Tabula Rasa got 9s in reviews to and we see whats happening to it.

Originally posted by Bodeus

Originally posted by CobraSolidus

Originally posted by Teran1987

How do they really expect a whole lot more people to just buy a game they can't even try? o.O There's no trials for this, and the only way in on a free no strings account is via buddy key, and that you have to get from subscribers, and evidently there aren't enough loaner subbers for the amount of people who want buddy keys.

Is this another bright idea bought to you by the idiots at Failcom?

 

Do you realize how many >9/10 critics and reviews of this game you can find out there. Start with gamezone "editors choice" 9.4/10. Hmmm... how can we really expect people to buy AoC?

lol

we all know editor reviews and  reviews from places like gamespot and gamezone arent worth the paper or pixrls they are created with. Sponsorship and Adv ertising $ trumps truth in reviews.

Tabula Rasa got 9s in reviews to and we see whats happening to it.

You are slightly off topic here. The question was how can people buy AoC? Well, I am answering the question. With multiple >9/10 reviews on most gamingsites it's hardly a surprise that people keep buying the game.

For you comment on TR I would just say, look over to WAR with user rating 8.51 here in MMORPG. The game has been out for 2 months and are already falling apart harder than anything seen before. Still it is referred to some kind of success. lol, ask a guy on the EU servers if WAR is a success. lol

Originally posted by piotrsan
Personally i don't buy games that don't offer a "true" open beta or a trial.I didn't buy vanguard and AoC because of that and that was a good choice.Nowadays every new over hyped mmorpg that's supposed to be a revolution /new quality turns out to be the same old fried again cutlet , its not really worth buying those things blindly.

Well I think most people, including the haters, agrees on AoC being differente enough. It's just that they wanted much more of it as well as performance was low on launch. Performance and content is by the way, way up now.

Originally posted by Silencium

Originally posted by piotrsan
Personally i don't buy games that don't offer a "true" open beta or a trial.I didn't buy vanguard and AoC because of that and that was a good choice.Nowadays every new over hyped mmorpg that's supposed to be a revolution /new quality turns out to be the same old fried again cutlet , its not really worth buying those things blindly.

 

Well I think most people, including the haters, agrees on AoC being differente enough. It's just that they wanted much more of it as well as performance was low on launch. Performance and content is by the way, way up now.

If performance and content are "Fixed" now. Why hasnt Funcom offered and comeback program for past subscribers? I would think that if soo much improvment had been made they would want to intice people to come back by offering them a limited "free play' period to see it for themselves.

Originally posted by Silencium

 Well I think most people, including the haters, agrees on AoC being differente enough. It's just that they wanted much more of it as well as performance was low on launch. Performance and content is by the way, way up now.

I hear this argument all the time. How AoC is revolutionary, different from other MMO's. Tell me, what is so different in AoC? What makes it so revolutionary?

Graphics. That's it. And maybe that boring directional combo attack system they have, which failed miserably imo.

Everything else in AoC is taken from previous games. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just saying AoC is not as revolutionary as some people think.