I think that free realms and this game are going to be based on similar technology.

Both games have the notion of jobs, both look to use instances to create minigame like experiences with various options for victory.  I'm going to bet that these two games will have a lot in common.  No doubt different in content and game play but a lot of common elements.

That is exactly what SOE is shooting for. The MT and FTP aspects are their game plan right now and I see that continuing.

I'm curious if DCUO will be this way or not.

I just hope they release more info on The Agency at Fan Faire

Originally posted by j1flaw

That is exactly what SOE is shooting for. The MT and FTP aspects are their game plan right now and I see that continuing.

I'm curious if DCUO will be this way or not.

 

I just hope they release more info on The Agency at Fan Faire

Well if they make it FTP with many of the elements of FreeRealms but add in a stronger story, voice overs, and a more mature gameplay with of course good itemization then this game will be great.  I see a lot of Free Realms being applicable to this game.  I hope they are taking free realms and building on top of a common core for this game.

I'm pretty sure The Agency isn't going to be F2P.

Originally posted by NeoVenom

I'm pretty sure The Agency isn't going to be F2P.

Are you sure?  Because, I don't see a lot of people playing Valve games (TF2, HL, L4D), the battlefield series, tom clancy whatever for free suddenly switiching over to a pay model for this game.  It will be F2P with an item shop.

Originally posted by therain93

Originally posted by NeoVenom

I'm pretty sure The Agency isn't going to be F2P.

 

Are you sure?  Because, I don't see a lot of people playing Valve games (TF2, HL, L4D), the battlefield series, tom clancy whatever for free suddenly switiching over to a pay model for this game.  It will be F2P with an item shop.

The Agency isn't a FPS.  If it was, then why is it listed on this site?  Out of all the videos I've seen and interviews I've read, the developers never hinted that the game is going to be F2P.  If it was, they would have been saying that it's going to be F2P like SOE did with Free Realms, like NCSoft did with Guild Wars, etc etc.

Originally posted by NeoVenom

Originally posted by therain93

Originally posted by NeoVenom

I'm pretty sure The Agency isn't going to be F2P.

 

Are you sure?  Because, I don't see a lot of people playing Valve games (TF2, HL, L4D), the battlefield series, tom clancy whatever for free suddenly switiching over to a pay model for this game.  It will be F2P with an item shop.

 

The Agency isn't a FPS.  If it was, then why is it listed on this site?  Out of all the videos I've seen and interviews I've read, the developers never hinted that the game is going to be F2P.  If it was, they would have been saying that it's going to be F2P like SOE did with Free Realms, like NCSoft did with Guild Wars, etc etc.

It's going to be an MMO-FPS, a "persistent" world for your character to log into.  A lot of the discussion that has revolved around the payment model has been "velvet rope" and "we're going to see how Free Realms does".  The simple fact is, no FPS player is going to suddenly turn around to pay to play for roughly the same game experience--it's a huge barrier to entry given the competition.  If SOE wants that new, relatively untapped, gaming demographic then, they need to get people playing it for free first and then see if they can encourage people to buy items piece by piece (regardless if Hal Milton claims otherwise)

Originally posted by therain93

It's going to be an MMO-FPS, a "persistent" world for your character to log into.  A lot of the discussion that has revolved around the payment model has been "velvet rope" and "we're going to see how Free Realms does".  The simple fact is, no FPS player is going to suddenly turn around to pay to play for roughly the same game experience--it's a huge barrier to entry given the competition.  If SOE wants that new, relatively untapped, gaming demographic then, they need to get people playing it for free first and then see if they can encourage people to buy items piece by piece (regardless if Hal Milton claims otherwise)

Maybe I should have said, it's not your typical-straight FPS game.  Heh  In my opinion, I can't really compare this game to let's say TF2 because they are totally different games through my eyes and experience as well.  This game is going to have elements that are found in many MMORPGs, like character development and leveling him/her up, exploration, missions, instances, operatives (a kind of "loot" in the Agency), etc etc...where as TF2 has none of that.  Anyways, we'll see what payment option they will have in the future, whether it be F2P with MT or P2P or whatever.

But anyways, I noticed a lot of games are going for this style look (I think that's what it is called).  This game, SWTOR, Free Realms...  It's pretty cool in my opinion.

I'm fairly certain that the Agency will be

• free to play
• optional subscription plan
• micro transactions - item mall
• loot cards/virtual trading cards
• advertising

Here is an article that is a bit outdated, but it is 100% in line with the direction that soe is heading.  I highlighted some of the relevant points, but feel free to read the whole article.

www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/freerealms/news.html

The Agency will combine a number of different business models, including in-game ads, and the 'velvet rope' model, with some areas off-limits unless players gain access [ed: I suspect this means subscriptions]. Smedley also says that The Agency will eventually be following the business model of Free Realms. He said, "We also see this game going a similar style to that of Free Realms, although I think that the velvet rope model in this case, we're also going to be bringing that in quite a bit because this is also appealing to a more hardcore gamer."

However, he is aware that although gamers are now very accepting of the subscription model for playing online, they are resistant to certain alternatives, like paying for microtransactions such as new outfits, weapons, or characters. He said, "We believe very strongly that this is the future of MMO gaming, but we also know that it is something that players have an issue with... There's going to be an aftermarket, and we want to control it so that players don't get duped into having something switched out from them."

The Agency will also have an in-game collectible card game featuring characters that players can recruit for their team through the purchase of the appropriate card.

As you can see.  In game advertising, virtual loot cards with special ingame "npcs/loot" you can buy through cards, subscription based areas, micro transaction for items, etc.     It will be almost exactly like free realms.

Ah I see.  Article is from GC '07 but I guess it's still something.