maybe $5 for a week...but 3 days is really poor.

Originally posted by elocke

I got this email as well and the headline in it was "Overcome your commitment issues" with this new payment model.

The only thing I could think of was, I'm not playing the game due to commitment issues, I'm not playing the game because parts of it don't offer me what I want and other games do. Namely open worlds and faster/more tactical combat. they change that and I'll gladly pay the monthly sub of $15. Giving me 3 days for 5 bucks is a ripoff. I hate when entertainment is tainted by monetary issues.

Naturally... They have to make it sound like there's a "problem" before they can offer the "solution".  That's typical marketing.

I've seen that angle before.. people only playing because they feel they "have to commit time to the game because they're paying a subscription fee". If anyone *truly* feels that way... well.. I'd say they have completel and totally missed the point of why you (you in general) play a game - to have fun. Just as the reason you continue to play a game is because you want to continue having fun. If you're not having fun, and are only playing because you "feel committed to", then I would suggest taking a step back and re-evaluating the situation.

I'd definitely sign up for 72 hours of gameplay for 5 bucks.  Hell I probaby dont' even play 72 hours a month on every game I'm playing!

Originally posted by rznkain

Originally posted by Pyrostasis

Kind of interesting this new program they are throwing out there.

EQ Passport Program

Basically you pay 5 bucks and get 3 days of game play. Bit of a premium if you ask me, but definitely nice to hop on and get a fix here and there. Great for folks like me who bounce around a lot. Anyways, discuss.

 Nothing to discuss really,I thought the 25,00 WoW mount was bad but 5 dollars for 3 days play time? Are they seriously kidding me full month is 14.99 you would think if they wanted ppl to actually come back to the gae and resub they would make it at a somewhat normal rate.you shouild get right at 10 days for 5 dollars as they bill in cycles of 30 days.

 That was My reaction as well...It's a rip-off...I know it's only 5 bucks...But 3 days? Are they kidding...lol

Ugh...SOE...

No matter how many shiny chachkis SOE throws in noone is going for this. Players know the difference between 3 and 30 and 5 and 15. 

This is what it says it should be used for on there website 8)

http://everquest2.station.sony.com/get_the_game/passport

LOL

The whole deal really smacks of accounting based decision making and not creating something that will address player issues and make the game more enjoyable.  This really equates to $50 per month for a subscription when all things are said and done. 

Even the reasons that were dreamed up to justify this program lack common sense.  None of the descriptions used are something I would want someone else to call me, let alone ask for money in return for doing so.  Penny pincher?  Party Crasher?  Commitment issues?  Is that really how they view customers for won't fork over $15 a month? 

If someone selling newspaper subscriptions door to door used those terms, I imagine they would get their ass kicked. 

This whole mentality of wanting more for providing less is just getting out of hand. 

You can only use this offer once every 30 days...

Originally posted by Ujirik

 For example, every 90 days World of Warcraft gives previous subscribers 17 days free to return to the game with no strings attached.

where do people come up with this stuff?

I have an expired WOW acct from last December 2009

--- there is NO FREE OFFER to return .... I just checked, its an inacitve acct that i need to pay for to activate

Originally posted by Nadia

Originally posted by Ujirik

 For example, every 90 days World of Warcraft gives previous subscribers 17 days free to return to the game with no strings attached.

where do people come up with this stuff?

 

I have an expired WOW acct from last December 2009

--- there is NO FREE OFFER to return .... I just checked, its an inacitve acct that i need to pay for to activate

I get a come back for 10 days offer on WoW ever 2-3 months. It usually includes access to all the expansions so that you can try it out.. It wants you to buy the expansion and game time once your 10 days is up but you are not required to do so.

As to the topic at hand, you can add me to the"this is a ripoff" crowed. A week (7 days) would be worth the $5 as that is how long it takes me to realize why I left a game the first time.   3 days at $5 is a $50/mo subscription rate (yes I know you only get 3 days per 30 days currently).  Maybe they are just making that high so that those people who are actually interested in playing will see that its a rip off and just give them the $15 for the monthly subscription.

I wish companies here would do something simular to what we had for the Chinese version of Aion. I cant remember the precise amount but I believe I spent around $6 and got just over 50 hours of gameplay.. Since I was only playing 3-4 hours a night  at the time it gave me just over 2 weeks of game time. The more money you paid up front the more hours per $1 you got and there was no expiration nor requirement that you had to use those hours over a consecutive amount of days.

I am glad it is an option and not the only way to pay or SOE would lose one of their longest subscribers...ME!

From what I've researched and figured out, the $4.99 is NON-RECURRING. You only pay the $4.99 ONCE, and you get access to your account for 3 consecutive days every 30 days.

In otherwords, this is a "play-for-3-consecutive-days-every-30-days" lifetime account for a one-time payment of $4.99.

Originally posted by Nepentheia

From what I've researched and figured out, the $4.99 is NON-RECURRING. You only pay the $4.99 ONCE, and you get access to your account for 3 consecutive days every 30 days.

In otherwords, this is a "play-for-3-consecutive-days-every-30-days" lifetime account for a one-time payment of $4.99.

It is non-recurring, but it is a one time sub for 3 consecutive days. After 30 days from it ending you are eligible to get 3 more days at the $5 rate. If you want to play more before the 30 days since the last usage you have to goto a normal subscription model or use a time card

Poor value and ridiculously confusing fine print. Now if it was weekends only with limited character slots or something more worthwhile I might be interested. 

Honestly, if it was 72 hours of anytime play, it might work for some people.  "Casual" or "once in a while" players aren't going to be playing 3 days straight.  People who want to maintain extra alts for raids or occassional play also aren't going to play them 3 days in a row, they're gonna play "an hour here and there".   

Originally posted by Nepentheia

From what I've researched and figured out, the $4.99 is NON-RECURRING. You only pay the $4.99 ONCE, and you get access to your account for 3 consecutive days every 30 days.

In otherwords, this is a "play-for-3-consecutive-days-every-30-days" lifetime account for a one-time payment of $4.99.

If this were the case it would be a great deal . I somehow doubt it is . Even 4.99 for 72 hours of non consecutive play would be tempting .

But if its 4.99 for 3 days of consecutive play then its a bit of a ripp off .

I think SOE need to clarify things further .

This isn't really a subscription model.  It's a way for players with inactive accounts to log in once a month for three days at a time if they wish.

People who are fixated on the idea of playing for 72 hours per month for 5 bucks need to settle down a bit.  It's not an offer designed to replace the existing subscription model.  Mmo subscriptions are extremely cheap when compared with other forms of entertainment.  Trying to work out how to wring a better deal is a bit tragic.

I have a few games on the go, but don't have time to play them all.  If each of them offered me a weekend of play time for a third of the subscription cost, i'd be very happy indeed.

Originally posted by phil_james

This isn't really a subscription model.  It's a way for players with inactive accounts to log in once a month for three days at a time if they wish.

People who are fixated on the idea of playing for 72 hours per month for 5 bucks need to settle down a bit.  It's not an offer designed to replace the existing subscription model.  Mmo subscriptions are extremely cheap when compared with other forms of entertainment.  Trying to work out how to wring a better deal is a bit tragic.

I have a few games on the go, but don't have time to play them all.  If each of them offered me a weekend of play time for a third of the subscription cost, i'd be very happy indeed.

They stated that this is targeted in part at people with 2nd accounts that are inactive or people that would like to stay in touch with guild.  For both of those , 3 days in a row per month doesn't make sense.  Even 24 hours non-consecutive would be more appealing.  By giving 3 days consecutively, they're effectively setting up that more than 50% of the given time is not used.  My criticism wasn't looking at a cheaper model for my own sub as this would clearly not work for me.

However, I've often considered the benefits of getting a second account for the occasional two-boxing and such.    For this purpose, I would love a "low-play" option, but getting only 3 days in a row per month just wouldn't work.  I may only use that account 10 hours a month, but i'd want to use it several times (when i need it).  I think the same is true for many people I know who would consider this. 

Originally posted by Nadia

Originally posted by Ujirik

 For example, every 90 days World of Warcraft gives previous subscribers 17 days free to return to the game with no strings attached.

where do people come up with this stuff?

 

I have an expired WOW acct from last December 2009

--- there is NO FREE OFFER to return .... I just checked, its an inacitve acct that i need to pay for to activate

  This past December they sent me a come back for 7 days email.  I have never been offered anything else from Blizzard.  I know a friend can send you a Scroll of Resurrection good for 10 days free.  It claims you're allowed up to 3 total, I've only been able to use one, all others they won't let me use.  Last I played WoW was over 4 months ago and tried one of those Scrolls yesterday with no luck.

Actually I find this to be about perfect. I tend to come back every couple GUs or so to chat with old friends and see what's changed. I have no intentions (nor the time) to stay longer. I appreciate that I can now spend $5.00 to check back in instead of $15.00. Given that this isn't forced on anyone I don't understand why people are getting all huffy about it; be happy that a small segment of the potential EQ2 populace has a payment model that might work better for them and continue on with your normal life. 

Originally posted by Vidan

Actually I find this to be about perfect. I tend to come back every couple GUs or so to chat with old friends and see what's changed. I have no intentions (nor the time) to stay longer. I appreciate that I can now spend $5.00 to check back in instead of $15.00. Given that this isn't forced on anyone I don't understand why people are getting all huffy about it; be happy that a small segment of the potential EQ2 populace has a payment model that might work better for them and continue on with your normal life. 

Welcome to mmorpg.com people like to get huffy about everything.!