If the game is entirely free-2-play (no required sub fee, no box/software purchase), would it be such a bad thing to monetize the game in such a way to make a profit?

You get to experience a core scope of the game (albiet limited).  If you like the game, you sub for more features/content/foundry sets or you buy it a la cart.

I don't have to buy the software (awesome!).  If I truly enjoy the game, I can support the game in a way that best fits my intentions (purchases via a cash shop, sub fee or both).  I could care less about the "lottery boxes"... No one is forcing you to buy them (or the keys to open them).  They usually don't enhance or increase enjoyment in the game (with the exception of the min-maxers).

While I think there are many legitimate concerns over how cash shops are stocked... I do think some players expect a high quality, entirely free experience... 

Believe it or not, the gaming industry as a whole (not just MMOs) is going through a transition.  Games are becoming increasingly risky and expensive to make.  They're becoming exceptionally expensive to purchase.  That is why we're in the beginning of an indie renaissance in addition to the big publishers talking about f2p for all genres of games.

Since the days of AO, I have hailed player generated content as the to solve end game issues. In AO all you could do is some scripting, but it showed the way forward as far as I was concerned.

But the idea of player designed content never really got going, maybe it will in this MMO which could be a real genre changer if it does.

I just hope Cryptic learns from the advice the STO UGC community has been giving them since the Foundry's closed beta!

If I come to NWO and see a Foundry where I cannot:

1. Create objects the player can pick up and place in their inventory and then utilize in the mission.
2. Create actual scripts for NPC behavior that takes into account player actions as well as player dialog choices.
3. Export my content out to another Author so they can use my designs and import content from others authors who wish to share their work with me.

Originally posted by Obidom

Due to my Life time subs with both Cryptic games, I automatically qualify for testing this game :)

 

urry up and give it to me, I wonder how long it will take for the Modding Community to convert some classic DnD modules to the game? Baldurs Gate etc will probably look AWESOME!

Pffft Baldur's Gate, think bigger. Imagine what Queen of the DemonWeb Pits would look like :)

Originally posted by lotaparty
i really dont see how a game with such horrible graphics can get mmorpg.com certification? 

Graphics are exceptionally good actually. I don't think you have seen in game videos of the game. Search for [["Neverwinter - InGame Presentation and "the Forge"]] on youtube.

Originally posted by grapevine

Originally posted by Yuui

Originally posted by grapevine

Originally posted by Yuui

Originally posted by MMOGamer71

Originally posted by Starfired

Now THIS is innovation.

Guild Wars 2? WvWvW? Dynamic Events? Please.

Good job Cryptic. This is really bringing the traditional DnD experience to the MMO genre. Be a Dungeon Master! Its a fantastic idea.

Correct me if I'm wrong..............Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2 has done this before.

 

Though this is good news.

NWN1 and 2 was NOT a persistent open-world mmo though.

 

Not sure this is either.  Pretty sure is more lobby based.

 

no its not. 

 

Its a set of non-instanced persistent (possibly zoned by districts of the city) areas and instanced dungeons.

 

 

 

They must have changed direction then, as originally they tried to coin a new type of game (OMG - online multiplayer game) and stated it wouldn't be a MMO.

 

They did. It was supposed to be released in 2011 as Co-OP multiplayer game. It was stated that devs wanted to make an MMO but Atari wouldn't allow them. Then Atari sold cryptic to PW and they delayed game for an year and PW allowed them(funded them) to make MMO game as cryptic devs initially wanted to.

Recently, they delayed the release to 2013 as response to the game has been unprecedented and so cryptic gets more funds to polish the game into a more refined product and add PvP at launch.

Now they have open areas where you can fight monsters toghether with hundreds of players but the game is still D&D based with stress on dungeon delves with parties of 5 players.

Originally posted by SwampRob

It all sounds very promising.   My real concern is how we will be charged for this.   It has the potential to nickel and dime us to death.

I totally love D&D, but whether or not I will play this is very dependent upon their cash shop system.   I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Unfortunately although playable demos might look fun the real problem will be how Cryptic do nickle-and-dime players on the actual game release. I am betting at least a buy-to-win cash shop, and who knows maybe even a cash auction house. Cryptic are briliant at taking a game with potenital, putting it through the Cryptic blender, and, hey presto, it becomes a shadow of itself as you have to play arround cash shop and advertising.

Originally posted by LordOfPit

I just hope Cryptic learns from the advice the STO UGC community has been giving them since the Foundry's closed beta!

If I come to NWO and see a Foundry where I cannot:

1. Create objects the player can pick up and place in their inventory and then utilize in the mission.
2. Create actual scripts for NPC behavior that takes into account player actions as well as player dialog choices.
3. Export my content out to another Author so they can use my designs and import content from others authors who wish to share their work with me.

Then I'll be highly disappointed because we've been asking Cryptic for these (and more) features since 2010!

 If pigs only flew. Day dream all you want about what it should be, while I agree. I'll just say that  what you want is way beyond what Cryptic is capable of from the technicl standpoint. They can barely get the NPC's in their other games to preform even the most rudimentary actions. From a business standpoint the model would fail, 2 reasons.

Firstly to fabricate all the items someone might want to use in a mission would be overly labor intensive. This works in old days because the code was turned over to modders who did some fantastic stuff. Cryptic wants to monetize this they have no intention of having modders do anything.

Secondly , to be able export content to other authors gets to the whole monetization point.  What you want is the original NwN, and that ain't happening ever again , unfortunately .

Disappoint is the trend in game design nowadays. Use to be that modders were what extended a games life and possibly profiblity . Now they are viewed as a profit stealing plague by the industry.

Originally posted by MrReality
Champions Online was awful as well as STO. So all of a sudden Neverwinter is going to be good ? Ok it can happen, anything is possible but that have a horrible track record. Why will this be any different ?

It won't be.

And that was before Cryptic was sold to a Chinese P2W company.

But people in the hype business have to hype what is available....