You can always exchange ingame cash for real cash items. Although you might need a few million, but the possibility is there.

Just wait until the game economy has settled.

Originally posted by chiege

And guess what folks, despite the cost of mall items, you can still play the game free of charge.  No one is forcing you to buy anything at all.  If you feel forced then that's your own attitude about the game. 

Don't expect p2p experiences in a f2p game.  If you want the competitive nature of a p2p game then Allods is not for you.  Perhaps free online chess or checkers is more your f2p style?

Point being, if you come into this game with a "I'm going to be the best PVPer in the world and own all without spending a dime" attitude, then you're way off base.  Allods doesn't force you to pay a dime to play.  Please don't expect to get your cake and eat it too in a f2p game. 

 

mmmmm, kind of agree with you, but...the whole issue is that you DO need to buy CS items to play

without CS items you are not gonna be able to pvp at all.

mind you, im not talking about being the best, the second best or the 500th best. im talking about not being able to pvp, period. Unless you are fine with alt tabbing for 60 minutes every death (which may happen after 20 seconds of actual pvp).

same with PvE, you are not gonna be able to do endgame raids while the rest that use perfumes breeze thru them.

So if your point is that freeloaders arent entitled to get the same experience, and if they never intended to pay a cent  they have no right to complain, I agree with you.

However a game that is SO specifically designed to make your life a living hell and end up forcing you to quit becuase there simply is no way out,unless you purchase CS items....doesnt seem about right.

factor in there that in order to get the same gameplay you'd get from a subscription game you will have to pay A LOT MORE, and the whole issue is insane...

many of us were willing to pay about the same you'd pay in a P2P game, or even a bit more. Thing is, I could probably keep 5 subs to the current top 5 triple A P2P games and they would cost me less than playing this F2P game without restrictions...

I just read the Allods announcement.  Nowhere in it do they say they are going to change the things people are upset about. They just say they will "evaluate" it.

Yeah don't worry though I hear they're gonna lower the bag to $19.95.

Have you two even read the problem of it all? Its exactly what the game does, it forces you to pay absurd money if you are to level to max lvl, and to be able to see and do all the content. Its insane and I cannot understand anyone who would defend them, I smell bullshit and trolling all the way. 

Originally posted by ForceQuit

Yeah don't worry though I hear they're gonna lower the bag to $19.95.

It's actually being lowered to $19.99 (+$0.01 game tax)

 You people fail to notice that they do not "force" you to buy anything in this game. Most of you are saying that you "must" purchase things from the store to be competitive and that is completely wrong. EVERYTHING that is available in the store can be found in-game without ever spending a dime. Whether it be a quest or a rare drop, everything is available to everyone.

Originally posted by tkoreaper

 You people fail to notice that they do not "force" you to buy anything in this game. Most of you are saying that you "must" purchase things from the store to be competitive and that is completely wrong. EVERYTHING that is available in the store can be found in-game without ever spending a dime. Whether it be a quest or a rare drop, everything is available to everyone.

We aren't failing to notice anything.  Please read all posts before posting.

We are aware the items can be received in game.  You can only get ONE perfume (30 minutes) per day from a quest... which takes about 30 minutes to complete anyway (at least on Empire side - at the time I did it the quest was BROKEN also and not completable).

As far as the rare drops it's a gamble trying to get what you want through the cash shop from them and they don't contain the more expensive items.  Usually something along the lines of 10-50 crystals (which is 1/10 - 1/2 of a level 1 rune combine into a level 2 rune, let's not even discuss trying to get up to a level 10 from the chests).  Don't fall for the PR spin.

I'm getting really sick of repeating myself, but they ARE required to be competitive.  Perfume grants a 50% HP bonus as well as reduction to major CC effects from summoners and mages.  The perfume is required for tanking in the end game or bosses one shot you (even a plate tank).  The PvP difference is almost astronomical.  The extra bag space (yes, you can obtain it via a quest, but the quest is pretty much broken on the Empire side and I know of not a single person who completed it on that side) is required to as 18 slots is far too small and quest items especially at later levels take up way too much bag space.

Runes are even worse.  6 level 10 runes is going to give you almost 100% more HP and 30% more damage (or something along those lines).  It doesn't take a genius to figure out how imbalanced that is.  At least with the current price of $6890 per rune, you aren't likely to encounter anyone with these completely imbalanced items.

The short list of things you can't do because of FoD and requirement for perfume buffs:

1.  Heroic Instances - Almost required for your tank to have perfume as bosses simply hit too hard.  If you die you cannot leave the instance and there is no SoL in the instance.  If you die you have to wait out 2 hours of FoD at level 40 or do the instance without the member who died.  If your entire party wiped, you can't do the instance and will have to wait till the next day.

2.  Raids - If a member dies on the raid without perform they will have to leave the raid and go get FoD removed which can take upwards of 30 minutes.  Perfume is definitely required to tank.

3.  Astral Ships - If you die you have no way of removing FoD aside from waiting (which is dangerous while in the Astral) or leaving (which can take a long time and is risky), some bosses in the Allods also require perfume to tank.

4.  PvP - It's simply not worth it without it due to the death penalty and frequency you will die, and perfume gives you such an advantage that you need to have it for the competitive edge.

Edit:  I'll add what you can do without perfume to be fair.

1.  Craft/Harvest - Doesn't require perfume to be successful.  Even if you get the FoD penalty it won't matter too much.

2.  Play at low level - Penalty doesn't exist at 15 and doesn't get bad till later levels.  Things like PvP, raids, astral ships, and heroic instances don't exist either.

3.  Roleplay - Again it doesn't really require any actual fighting or is light on fighting so it doesn't matter if you get FoD or not.

So please for the love of all that is holy read the entirety of the threads before posting.

yeah seriously Mr. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A DIME Blah blah blah

If nobody spends a dime it's not gonna stay up dude.

Point remains if you wanna be viable in this game they've got it rigged so that you Do indeed NEED the cash shop.

Excellent summary by Magnum2103 there.

Looking for some casual solo PvE fun? The game design won't be a problem.

Looking to level to endgame and then spend a few evenings a week raiding or PvP'ing? Expect to spent as much per week as you would spend per month on a subscription game.

Looking to be a no-lifer playing the game all day every day? Ahahaha.. hope your unemployment cheque is enough to cover hundreds of dollars per month on the game.

It seems to me that Allods, with its current design, is completely unsuitable to be anyone's "primary" MMORPG. Bit of fun on the side, maybe, but definitely stick to one of the subscription titles as your primary game.

Originally posted by Magnum2103

Originally posted by tkoreaper

 You people fail to notice that they do not "force" you to buy anything in this game. Most of you are saying that you "must" purchase things from the store to be competitive and that is completely wrong. EVERYTHING that is available in the store can be found in-game without ever spending a dime. Whether it be a quest or a rare drop, everything is available to everyone.

 

We aren't failing to notice anything.  Please read all posts before posting.

We are aware the items can be received in game.  You can only get ONE perfume (30 minutes) per day from a quest... which takes about 30 minutes to complete anyway (at least on Empire side - at the time I did it the quest was BROKEN also and not completable).

As far as the rare drops it's a gamble trying to get what you want through the cash shop from them and they don't contain the more expensive items.  Usually something along the lines of 10-50 crystals (which is 1/10 - 1/2 of a level 1 rune combine into a level 2 rune, let's not even discuss trying to get up to a level 10 from the chests).  Don't fall for the PR spin.

I'm getting really sick of repeating myself, but they ARE required to be competitive.  Perfume grants a 50% HP bonus as well as reduction to major CC effects from summoners and mages.  The perfume is required for tanking in the end game or bosses one shot you (even a plate tank).  The PvP difference is almost astronomical.  The extra bag space (yes, you can obtain it via a quest, but the quest is pretty much broken on the Empire side and I know of not a single person who completed it on that side) is required to as 18 slots is far too small and quest items especially at later levels take up way too much bag space.

Runes are even worse.  6 level 10 runes is going to give you almost 100% more HP and 30% more damage (or something along those lines).  It doesn't take a genius to figure out how imbalanced that is.  At least with the current price of $6890 per rune, you aren't likely to encounter anyone with these completely imbalanced items.

The short list of things you can't do because of FoD and requirement for perfume buffs:

1.  Heroic Instances - Almost required for your tank to have perfume as bosses simply hit too hard.  If you die you cannot leave the instance and there is no SoL in the instance.  If you die you have to wait out 2 hours of FoD at level 40 or do the instance without the member who died.  If your entire party wiped, you can't do the instance and will have to wait till the next day.

2.  Raids - If a member dies on the raid without perform they will have to leave the raid and go get FoD removed which can take upwards of 30 minutes.  Perfume is definitely required to tank.

3.  Astral Ships - If you die you have no way of removing FoD aside from waiting (which is dangerous while in the Astral) or leaving (which can take a long time and is risky), some bosses in the Allods also require perfume to tank.

4.  PvP - It's simply not worth it without it due to the death penalty and frequency you will die, and perfume gives you such an advantage that you need to have it for the competitive edge.

Edit:  I'll add what you can do without perfume to be fair.

1.  Craft/Harvest - Doesn't require perfume to be successful.  Even if you get the FoD penalty it won't matter too much.

2.  Play at low level - Penalty doesn't exist at 15 and doesn't get bad till later levels.  Things like PvP, raids, astral ships, and heroic instances don't exist either.

3.  Roleplay - Again it doesn't really require any actual fighting or is light on fighting so it doesn't matter if you get FoD or not.

So please for the love of all that is holy read the entirety of the threads before posting.

People who don't understand what's happening, need to read the above post again.

I like Allods a lot, but it wasnt' going to be my permanent game.  I'm going to continue playing without ever using the cash shop until FFXIV comes out.

 I will continue to play as long as it is free to log on and I am having fun. I hate pvp anyway.

  I still think you guys are making a huge deal of nothing. Complaining about "Oh, but we only get such and such once a day QQ!" is just stupid. Don't forget that not everyone will need those things and they CAN and WILL BE sold on the auction house. You are not limited to only purchasing off the store or hoping one drops. You complain that "OMGWTF, I have to spend $4,500 to be competitive QQ", but you don't see the point in that. Does everyone have $4,500 to spend? No. So yes, those people that have no lives and wish to spend that money will be A LITTLE more competitive and have a small advantage, but it's not like EVERYONE will be doing it. If people want to spend the money to truly max out their character's potential then they can and they will have to pay for it if they want it NOW, but that's not the end of the world. The majority of the players won't be spending much, if not at all, and everyone will be fairly close competitively. And don't forget the fact that just because you don't blow your money on improving your character doesn't mean you'll never be as competitive as those who do cause you WILL, it just takes longer.

According to GPotato latest news statement. These prices were intended, and that they were watching how the community reacts. Then if needed, they will change the prices accordingly within their profit margin. They should've never released the prices, but researched the current going rate in the USA before they make assumptions that most of us have lots of money to blow on items that are nearly dependent on the game.

One thing about F2Ps is that if you get into CB, consider yourself lucky as having the most fun in the game before OB/Release cause that's when the shit hits the fan and the fun stops. Had a lot of fun in CB, time for me to go to another CB game and I'll come back about a year later to see if anything changed.

I'm sorry but I don't think you understand tkoreaper, especially when you manage to say that people who spend money over not will only have a slight advantage. It's about being able to play and enjoy the aspects of the game or not. Its impossible to enjoy all the aspects of the game without using waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than a standard sub fee. How is that a good thing?

Are the bag and bank space upgrades a one time deal or do you have to purchase them every month?

Evan if they are a one time per character thats pretty steep pricing for those alt aholics amoungst us.  However compared to other F2P/F2T $20 bucks for bag space pretty much equals 10 months or so in the limited time bag increase world so if you play for 10 months your about evan.

The potions I'm not to sure though a consumanble that provides10 hours of buffs to cost about the same as a 6 month sub plan does a month I'm guessing you would have to be playing pretty hardcore for that 10 hours a month to see any real value for money.

I guess what I am saying is bag space if it's a one time per character then it's probably decent value for money.  The potions on the other hand if there is no content you can do without them and dependant on how long the content that you do require their use lasts for then basicly paying a monthly sub for 10 hours gametime is way way way to overpriced.

For those saying you can buy the item via the auction house this is true.  However is your idea of fun going to be to grind for hours for 30 minutes of play?  Perfumes are going to be so in demand that the prices will be exorbitant.  If you think you'll be able to get away doing anything at the end game (which as of right now is no shorter than WoW's time to reach the end game and many many casuals have reached it) at paying only the cost of a MMO subscription think again.

Let's assume you do an Astral raid (which is the major feature the game has over say another game like WoW).  At the bare minimum it will probably take you 2 hours assuming you don't get wiped out quickly and move as quickly and possible in and out of a close Allod.  That's $2.70 just to raid.  You can still fail and get nothing for it.

That's at the bare minimum time to raid.  Most raids are going to take 5 hours or so.  That's $6.75 per raid.

Even if you weren't a "hardcore no-lifer" and just wanted to do Astral for 15 hours a month (we aren't even talking about a week here, and 15 hours a week is still casual) you are still paying $20.25 per month.  Sure you can spend time grinding out perfumes to lower this price a bit, but if you do the math you see just how unreasonable this is.  We are not overreacting here.  The prices are simply that bad.

Worst yet is most of the people that defend this weren't even willing to spend a dime in the first place.  Do you really expect Gpotato to continue supporting the game if only the people who aren't willing to spend money on the cash shop are left and using up bandwidth?

Originally posted by risenbones

Are the bag and bank space upgrades a one time deal or do you have to purchase them every month?

Evan if they are a one time per character thats pretty steep pricing for those alt aholics amoungst us.  However compared to other F2P/F2T $20 bucks for bag space pretty much equals 10 months or so in the limited time bag increase world so if you play for 10 months your about evan.

The potions I'm not to sure though a consumanble that provides10 hours of buffs to cost about the same as a 6 month sub plan does a month I'm guessing you would have to be playing pretty hardcore for that 10 hours a month to see any real value for money.

I guess what I am saying is bag space if it's a one time per character then it's probably decent value for money.  The potions on the other hand if there is no content you can do without them and dependant on how long the content that you do require their use lasts for then basicly paying a monthly sub for 10 hours gametime is way way way to overpriced.

The main concern with the bag is you are already given a limited bag.  So limited that it's going to cost you a lot of productivity to not buy an upgraded bag.  The bag is only 6 extra slots for $20, which while I can't 100% confirm this I'm sure this is far more per slot than any other F2P game.  It may not seem steep, but what happens when the next 6 slot bag upgrade is $20 more, then you need to purchase a $75 mount (Gpotato's other game Flyff has this and note mounts are being added to cash shop on RU's next patch).  The costs start piling up for simple conveniences.

The biggest thing here is that the bag costs about 0.84 US dollars on the Russian server if you convert from Rubbles.  Sure, Gpotato and Nival are going to want a bigger cut on the US version since there are royalty costs to deal with, but we are talking about over 2000% of a markup here.  Would you buy a virtual item at a 2000% markup from another country's pricing?

Note:  If you know Russian, play on a Russian server.  You can get by on $10 a month easily and have plenty to spare even with fairly hardcore play.  Playing a US server with fairly hardcore play is going to cost you over $150 a month once you reach the end game.

"From what I understand...you won't always have a CHOICE of "how much" you PvP."

Sorry, but you are wrong. Your choice is; to have possibility of defending or not. Simply,  they can kill you but you can do s.it about it if you got no items from CS. It is like childhood in Ghetto. You got weapon or you are meat.

Originally posted by Magnum2103 

Note:  If you know Russian, play on a Russian server.  You can get by on $10 a month easily and have plenty to spare even with fairly hardcore play.  Playing a US server with fairly hardcore play is going to cost you over $150 a month once you reach the end game.

 Which sounds pretty perftect (the Russian server). You need to be aiming to give a top dollar, P2P, AAA   experience at a similar price (15$ tops).