It's not like that game didn't already have a free trial and low cost of entry. You would think a ton of MMO's would at least have tried it for free? It's definitely a grasp without a doubt. It might be fun to play for a while with the influx. Overall pretty damn mixed over all of this and I think I already mentioned it gave me a headache.

Many things I like about this game, however many things I don't. I still feel the UI is non-intuitive and D&D rules aren't at all easy to grasp and most young players have zero idea of D&D rules. Those are probably the main reasons why people don't stay on after their time is up. Obviously there is a segment that simply won't play a heavily instanced mmo, that part I have no problem with.

Originally posted by AgtSmith

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

 

Sorry not buying it. People have  heard of DDO, especially MMO players as we tend to know what games are coming out soon or are out. To say DDo is nearly unheard of to MMO players is wishful thinking at best.

 

Exactly, I mean seriously, one of the greatest IPs for an MMO and it is just not heard of?  It was/is plenty heard of, the problem is it was quite forgettable. 

 

Originally posted by Rokurgepta 

Will F2P bring in more people? How could it not? Will they stay and pay money is the question and over DDOs history player retention has not been that great.

 

This is the key point - being that it will no longer be P2P how many people bother with it is irrelevant since playing doesn't equate to paying.  In changing the model to F2P it isn't about how many it becomes about how much.  That also means the game will substantively change as all the good stuff has to be better available through RMT and other such negative changes the current players will certainly not like.  All the more reason I have no doubt this is little more than a live testbed for a company that clearly sees its future plans needing a solid RMT model.

Yeah several parts of the game I do like really have no business in a DnD game. Who woulda thunk that the fastest action fantasy MMO would be DnD? You think DnD and you think turned based. IMO what Turbine has would be better under a different name and defiantely a different ruleset to go along with the action. And a true DnD game would be a helluva lot slower.

I wonder how many DDO-EU players will stay with CM when the U.S players/new players will play for free(ish).  If i would have to choose i would´ve go for the F2P and not stay and pay monthly for content that i may not like.

The best article about this announcement to date: www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/163/view/news/read/14054/Goes-Free-Introduces-Store.html

Originally posted by Sarr

The best article about this announcement to date: www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/163/view/news/read/14054/Goes-Free-Introduces-Store.html

Yes, that's good journalism and a good article.

<--- Fails at journalism. XD

Originally posted by Inktomi

Originally posted by Sarr

The best article about this announcement to date: www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/163/view/news/read/14054/Goes-Free-Introduces-Store.html

Yes, that's good journalism and a good article.

<--- Fails at journalism. XD

No problem, everyone does mistakes, and this was veeery little one ; ).  Thanks anyway.

Followed this story with interest, as I was a DDO subscriber for 6 months after launch but just didnt like the setting at all.

Anyhoo, over at Kotaku there was this:

http://kotaku.com/5285263/atari-to-release-neverwinter-nights-mmo

Now admittedly its a rumour, but IF its true then surely a pre emptive move to prevent migration (thats making another assumption, that people would move) from DDO to NWN?

Any thoughts?

As for the OP I think DDO going "free" is a nice idea, I would certainly play it again and no doubt cough up for some of the premium stuff ie Monk class FTW! Lets hope it comes to Europe . .

What happens if I already have 8 high level characters and log in to play for free? Do they get locked? 

I don't know, as long as subscribing gives you all that you currently get, for paying, that is fine. The point system is crap for old subscribers. Many of us ran this content to get favor in the first place. You can NOT get points/favor by running the content again but someone who is new is obviously at a great advantage for earning points. Wow, let's run this quest for the 3294239043209th time!

They announced last year they would not go microtransaction on DDO yet they just announced that they have been working on it for a year. This game has many GREAT aspects but I have never been a fan of Turbine or their lack of transparency (honesty).

Originally posted by levsix

What happens if I already have 8 high level characters and log in to play for free? Do they get locked? 

I don't know, as long as subscribing gives you all that you currently get, for paying, that is fine. The point system is crap for old subscribers. Many of us ran this content to get favor in the first place. You can NOT get points/favor by running the content again but someone who is new is obviously at a great advantage for earning points. Wow, let's run this quest for the 3294239043209th time!

They announced last year they would not go microtransaction on DDO yet they just announced that they have been working on it for a year. This game has many GREAT aspects but I have never been a fan of Turbine or their lack of transparency (honesty).

 

From what I understand you will be able to choose which two characters to unlock, and buy additional character slots with a one time charge.

There's a beta, but it is only open to us so-called "VIPs." Have you ever been to a VIP lounge where they refuse to serve you any drinks? That's what being a VIP feels like in a Turbine game.

My bottom line: this is a hail mary to keep the game populated and profitable. It could be worth it for us legacy playesr if it brings more notice to the game, and thus bring more resources to the game. Or what we have plus the five areas in Mod 9 could be it.. in which case I could turn into a Free to Not Play player before the the year is out.

To AgtSmith:  Seriously, lay off the DOOM pills.   Geez, every post of yours....

The thing is, the game is going to be free!   I am certainly going to give it a try, and encourage others to do so.   I've nothing to lose by giving it a shot and making my own decisions.   Will it hook me or others?   That remains to be seen.   But AgtSmith's whole purpose seems to be "It's Dead!  Don't go near it!  Don't touch it!"      

Why the hell not?

Originally posted by SwampRob

To AgtSmith:  Seriously, lay off the DOOM pills.   Geez, every post of yours....

The thing is, the game is going to be free!   I am certainly going to give it a try, and encourage others to do so.   I've nothing to lose by giving it a shot and making my own decisions.   Will it hook me or others?   That remains to be seen.   But AgtSmith's whole purpose seems to be "It's Dead!  Don't go near it!  Don't touch it!"      

Why the hell not?

His grievance certainly seems personal. Very strange.

I didn't encourage or discourage people from playing, I don't much care what folks do in that regard.  As a topic of conversation it is worth countering those who continue to buy the spin and marketing dribble time and time again.

Its definently a solid idea for making paying customers feel like there is more then them and 5 buddies. There servers will be full and it will make everyone happy and definently end up helping the company maybe keep this mmo alive.

Where do I sign up ?!!!    Definitely good news.

We (myself and 3 sons) tried out the demo... it was ok. Was it worth 60/mo?  hell no.

Will we all 4 play on day one of F2P?  hell yes.

Might even throw them some money later on. An inspired move Turbine... i might even reactivate lotro to show support.

Originally posted by AgtSmith

I didn't encourage or discourage people from playing, I don't much care what folks do in that regard.  As a topic of conversation it is worth countering those who continue to buy the spin and marketing dribble time and time again.

What about the crazy hat conspiracy theories that turbines real goal is to kill your dog?

Who will defend us from that?

Obviously this has been in the works since before MOD8 went live, that is why Korthos was put in (to support the small initial download and play while the rest downloads thing that is mentioned in the F2P/RMT thing).  But go right on ignoring what is plainly obvious, after all, it is far easier to flame someone speaking the truth than to confront your own denial.

 Awe, puppy eyes!

Personally, with 4E Eberron books comming out shortly, I would like them to redo the thing to the 4E way of playing while they are at it :P

3.5E is long gone.

Well, the playerbase is split: Half think it's a great idea that will bring in new subscribers and keep the game going, and the other half think it's a great idea that will finally kill the game so we can get a decent company to make a D&D MMO while the ham-fisted morons running turbine can go work for microsoft in the bug-making division.

I'm in the 2nd half.

no matter if good or bad -

as usual (and mentioned a few times in this thread):

the EU side is being SCREWED OVER (sorry for language). Codemaster always goes their own way, but in the end have to bow to the originator (think LOTRO and life-time sub). Guess Codies were surprised by this as well and don't want to do it, but will have to. Heck, if it is for free and you don't need a credit card, there is no problem playing the US-version from europe. The only hinder so far was that Turbine didn't allow a non-US credit card. Exceptions are game-time cards bought via the net.

So what will happen? EU players who want to test or don't have high-level chars will just go and play on US side., Codies won't receive new players, Codies has to rethink their business model. Heck, they have experience with Archlord.....

Gosh, i am so tired of this EU/US split. No matter what you want to think about SOE, but they at least don't do shit like this.

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Originally posted by AgtSmith
ROFL @ the DDO fans for their refusal to acknowledge the clear reality of the situation.  DDO didn't fail as an MMO because it had the wrong pricing model it failed because it is not a good MMO, period. 

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