I am an Aion player who is very worried about the things that are happening to one of my favorite mmorpg games right now. As I am sure many of you have heard Aion is going free to play this spring. I have never been a fan of the free to play cash shop model in almost every Korean mmo I have played until this point. My reasons for being skeptical and quite bluntly against this business model is that from my experience, end game players have to spend more than double the original $15/mo they would spend in a subscription fee to keep up with the rest of the end game players. This has been my experience in every free 2 play mmorpg game I have ever tried since 2004.
I am here to ask the Lineage II community, specifically the players who have been here since the game released,
what did Free to play do to this game?
Are end game players spending more money on average now to get by than they used to back when it was a subscription fee?
Do you feel the item mall is unfair/ unbalanced?
Does the item mall in any way affect PvP?
Does the item mall sell items that could be seen as broken or an unfair advantage in ways like stat enhancing or crafting enhancements that you could otherwise not obtain in the game within a "reasonable, defined as you will" amount of time due to economic inflation, or other reasons?
I am worried about my main mmo at the moment, I am not sure whether to quit or to continue playing and see it thrive or fall apart as time goes on. I believe this game, and these forums are a good place to start when it comes to finding out information about how Ncsoft handles the Free 2 play model.
It turned Lineage 2 into a bot + people with mentality of a 8 years old kid heaven.... :rolleyes:
People with money (and thinks that the game > RL) will pay whatever they can to have an 'edge' in the game, even before having an item mall. So, no I don't think it's unfair. NC just took advantage of this, and those player can now pay NC instead of the RMT companies. However, things are not always as simple as just player buy from RMT companies... if you know what I mean :rolleyes:
As far as having to pay to keep up, the answer is no.
You can pay for boosted experience rates, but there's a limit to how much of it can be used, and how long it lasts. For the most-part it's negligible.
The item mall is actually lacking imo, but others would disagree. As far as being imbalanced, it's minor. The pack of items you can buy to enhance the Lineage II experience comes with one or two bonus items that change monthly, and so far, those items have only been minorly game-changing. Most of the bonus items can be obtained through normal means, but they're typically items that drop at higher levels that the majority haven't reached yet.
The actual worst part of F2P was the large influx of bots, which I understand Aion had a problem with once upon a time, buut afaik, Aion is now policed better than Lineage II, so it hopefully won't be as much of a problem.
I would plan on continuing to play if you already love the game, there's going to be some changes, but I think Aion will be okay. Aion is NCSoft's bread and butter these days, I don't think they'd do anything too drastic.
way more players ....way more bots
ofc some ppl will find the shop unbalanced only bcuz they cannot handle to buy w/e they want but that is life...some ppl have money and some ppl dont
for ebuyers nothing changed,only that they can legit ebuy now
u shouldn't play any game if u are afraid that ebuyers will be always in front of u
from my pov is better f2p with a lot of ppl/bots than p2p with dead servers
I am just trying to decide If I should commit the time to a "F2P" game that could potentially be ruined in a very sort amount of time depending on what they do or if I should just give up on one of my favorite mmos and try to find something new in the P2P spectrum. It's actually a very hard choice for me as I absolutely detest the F2P model in games and truly feel that in the great majority of cases it demands more money from players to be competitive at end game than the standard P2P model. I am an end game focused player so this may affect me more than most as well. It is a hard choice given that I am a very competitive player, and all of my friends are still going to be playing Aion. If I could get some info about how end game is now on here from some serious competitive end gamers and how they are managing to keep up now days versus how things used to be like in P2P? Thanks.
Honestly, also it depends on what game we're talking about. Lineage 2's community has never been that great to begin with, the game tends to draw in the worst of the mentalities due to being open PvP, it had loads and loads of private servers with loads and loads of people (some of them are actually ok, but the majority isn't), so free to play was terrible for those people that valued quality over quantity.
Now Aion is a different type of game. I don't think you should compare L2 to what will happen to Aion at all. Especially because Aion's F2P model isn't truly free but a hybrid like most other MMOs that recently turned so, such as LOTRO or AoC.
Honestly, also it depends on what game we're talking about. Lineage 2's community has never been that great to begin with, the game tends to draw in the worst of the mentalities due to being open PvP, it had loads and loads of private servers with loads and loads of people (some of them are actually ok, but the majority isn't), so free to play was terrible for those people that valued quality over quantity.
Now Aion is a different type of game. I don't think you should compare L2 to what will happen to Aion at all. Especially because Aion's F2P model isn't truly free but a hybrid like most other MMOs that recently turned so, such as LOTRO or AoC.
I think that you maybe referring to the EU version of Aion which will no longer be handled by Ncsoft. The US version is going "Truly Free" or whatever they promote it as.
I quit Aion around the time that certain asmo clans and certain elyos clans pre-arranged killing each other at siege zones to trade medals. That pretty much broke the system, just like cash shops do. No matter how how "small and not-game-breaking" the items will be at first there will be always pressure on the company to increase revenue and therefore increase the value of the items it sells.
P.S. Here this already happened with people spending $2000 + on destruction enchants.
I quit Aion around the time that certain asmo clans and certain elyos clans pre-arranged killing each other at siege zones to trade medals. That pretty much broke the system, just like cash shops do. No matter how how "small and not-game-breaking" the items will be at first there will be always pressure on the company to increase revenue and therefore increase the value of the items it sells.
P.S. Here this already happened with people spending $2000 + on destruction enchants.
So is there even any point in playing games like that knowing that if you don't pay you won't get anywhere?
Is that the case in Lineage II? Or can F2P players obtain all cash shop items in game some how?
Can free players in this game actually compete in PvP, participate in end game, etc ?
Are things harder for players who only choose to spend 15 bucks a month on the game *standard sub fee* when they try to keep up in end game with players who can spend hundreds a month? Basically from a perspective of a player who used to pay a subscription fee (If there are any remaining here) have you had to spend more or less money in order to stay roughly around the same competitive level?
this whole new system L2 has adopted to me has ruined many aspects of the game.
1. the leveling is extremely easy, before having an alt lvl 62 prophet buffer was something to be proud of... now its no big deal, just takes a night or two. <-- also ISS buffs > everything (so it seems thus far cant really say end game because i'm only lvl 63 atm)
and
2. they hand out gear like its nothing, gear that i spent months back in C2 farming out mats for in order to craft just ONE PIECE OF, FREE of charge :D !
although, i do think these changes have helped bring back a bunch of people to the community / game. i know i probably wouldn't have started up again if it was as difficult to get gear as it was back in C2 (purley because i do not have the same amount of time now @ 23 years old as i did when i was 16), so with the good comes the bad i guess.
all in all i love this game, always have, always will.
People forget that before F2P the L2 servers were dead. All we heard was "servers are dead, there's no PvP". Only a few top clans could actually play and that's because they were the top cheaters/exploiters/botters.
Imo not much has changed besides the chronicle (which is no where as good as the previous one) and the ability to make unlimited amount of characters.
So to answer your questions.
Are end game players spending more money on average now to get by than they used to back when it was a subscription fee? If you're not a botter then you will have to spend money to get anywhere near the top players.
Do you feel the item mall is unfair/ unbalanced? No. But there's no difference since RMT has existed long before the item mall. If you have money irl you can always find your way to the top.
Does the item mall in any way affect PvP? Of course. As it's been mentioned before, players have spent thousands of dollars on getting over-enchanted items through the purchasing of Blessed Scrolls of Destruction.
To clarify, it is Aion EU which transitions to "free-to-play" (really a hybrid as a subscription option by another name still exists) under different management on 28.02.2012, the date for the NA version switching to the "Truly Free" model has not AFAIK been announced apart from a vague "Spring 2012."
It brought more bots than players...
The heaven of RMT cause new players are buying adena(game money) for real life money...so the botters are+++++ to reply to that demand with new players ;)
People forget that before F2P the L2 servers were dead. All we heard was "servers are dead, there's no PvP". Only a few top clans could actually play and that's because they were the top cheaters/exploiters/botters.
Imo not much has changed besides the chronicle (which is no where as good as the previous one) and the ability to make unlimited amount of characters.
So to answer your questions.
Are end game players spending more money on average now to get by than they used to back when it was a subscription fee? If you're not a botter then you will have to spend money to get anywhere near the top players.
Do you feel the item mall is unfair/ unbalanced? No. But there's no difference since RMT has existed long before the item mall. If you have money irl you can always find your way to the top.
Does the item mall in any way affect PvP? Of course. As it's been mentioned before, players have spent thousands of dollars on getting over-enchanted items through the purchasing of Blessed Scrolls of Destruction.
So one final question I have is, can people even participate in or compete in end game content in lineage 2 without spending a dime in the game?
In all honesty, is it likely that a highly competitive end game guild will accept members who are only playing the game for free and that these members become competitive in the game themselves?
A lot of people describe F2P vs. P2P as 1000 nails in the coffin vs. 100 nails in the coffin. With P2P you have bots, cheaters, and glitchers. With F2P you still have all that to a much higher extent, but now you also have a portion of players who buy their way to the top.
So one final question I have is, can people even participate in or compete in end game content in lineage 2 without spending a dime in the game?
In all honesty, is it likely that a highly competitive end game guild will accept members who are only playing the game for free and that these members become competitive in the game themselves?
A lot of people describe F2P vs. P2P as 1000 nails in the coffin vs. 100 nails in the coffin. With P2P you have bots, cheaters, and glitchers. With F2P you still have all that to a much higher extent, but now you also have a portion of players who buy their way to the top.
Do you believe this holds true for L2 as well?
People always bought their way to the top, in both P2P or F2P. No difference there either.
So one final question I have is, can people even participate in or compete in end game content in lineage 2 without spending a dime in the game? Yeah but you either have to be really hardcore and nolife grinding/farming or use bots/RMT. Or find another way like making friends with the top players and leeching stuff off them.
In all honesty, is it likely that a highly competitive end game guild will accept members who are only playing the game for free and that these members become competitive in the game themselves? Doubt it. They'll be looking for guys who have good level, good gear, and know how to play/bot.
A lot of people describe F2P vs. P2P as 1000 nails in the coffin vs. 100 nails in the coffin. With P2P you have bots, cheaters, and glitchers. With F2P you still have all that to a much higher extent, but now you also have a portion of players who buy their way to the top.
Do you believe this holds true for L2 as well? Yeah. That's pretty much how the game is now. But it's still better than most MMOs out there, and better than private servers as well (even though that's quickly changing imo).
Very Good question, I am a new player finding out lineage was a free to play game, but I had also had my eyes on this game even when it was p2p, I don't think it will do much, one of the reasons I'm loving this game is because it was formerly a p2p and the community who where part of that are still here which pleases me, it has the maturity and pleasantness in the community with the Quality of a p2p game which in my eyes is perfect.
I don't really think it can do much as long as everything stays the same or similar and there are no drastic changes except for the obvious then I don't think much can change, but then again what do I know eh? I'm fairly new, just the way I see it
So my choice are quit college to play, pay money that I don't have, bot, or don't play.
Seems like the choice is logical.
Thanks for the info. Iv made my decision. :)
If you've never played this game before or haven't tried GoD yet, you should give it a try. To play this game you really gotta look on the brighter side 'cause there are some negatives but the positives outweigh them usually.
For me, the thrill of PvP/PKing is what keeps me here. And a few good friends. For others, it can be taking down a giant dragon or gaining levels before anyone. Yeah there are ppl who ruin the game by cheating but that's the case with all games out there.
If you've never played this game before or haven't tried GoD yet, you should give it a try. To play this game you really gotta look on the brighter side 'cause there are some negatives but the positives outweigh them usually.
For me, the thrill of PvP/PKing is what keeps me here. And a few good friends. For others, it can be taking down a giant dragon or gaining levels before anyone. Yeah there are ppl who ruin the game by cheating but that's the case with all games out there.
The cheaters honestly do not bother me nearly as much as the players who pay $50-$100+/mo to get ahead. That is the real reason why I cringe every time I see the words "F2P" I just think "Great another game where my hard work will get me a nice job as cannon fodder for the wealthy".
The cheaters honestly do not bother me nearly as much as the players who pay $50-$100+/mo to get ahead. That is the real reason why I cringe every time I see the words "F2P" I just think "Great another game where my hard work will get me a nice job as cannon fodder for the wealthy".
There are ways to strike back at those credit card heroes. Besides, there are fun elements to this game other than PvP against the top players. People who are paying hundreds a month for this game are rare and end up being involved in drama that consumes them.
I'm a full time student as well and even though I have spent money to get ahead in the game before. I refuse to do it anymore for several reasons. But I do enjoy the game a lot still, even against wealthy players and cheaters and even when losing.
Once again, if you haven't played the game then I suggest you try it. F2P on Lineage 2 is still much better than any F2P game I've played. And there is no better feeling than the one you get when you first play this game. Try it out for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
There are ways to strike back at those credit card heroes. Besides, there are fun elements to this game other than PvP against the top players. People who are paying hundreds a month for this game are rare and end up being involved in drama that consumes them.
I'm a full time student as well and even though I have spent money to get ahead in the game before. I refuse to do it anymore for several reasons. But I do enjoy the game a lot still, even against wealthy players and cheaters and even when losing.
Once again, if you haven't played the game then I suggest you try it. F2P on Lineage 2 is still much better than any F2P game I've played. And there is no better feeling than the one you get when you first play this game. Try it out for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
I may give it a shot...but to be honest as a F2P game it is very unlikely I will be able to take it seriously or ever have the desire to progress knowing that I would be running into a brick wall.
I don't play this game to be the top endgame pawner.
For me the only reason to keep playing is to have fun. And this can be xping, questing, talking with friends, exploring new areas, pvp (you don't need to pvp only the top players you know ^^) etc.
I play this game ~6 years and i still love it cos i play it how i want to and not only to participate in the lvl/gear race with the TOP's.
People will always cheat,and there are always people with the means to buy boosts etc. It's free so try it,you aren't losing anything doing it. You can manage to play without spending a nickel. The cosmetic stuff and temporary short lived xp boosters aren't that mega. The R enchant destruction scrolls in the destiny packs people whine about because it enables some people with the means to majorly over enchant. Other than that you don't have to buy anything.
Plain and simple ( and im a 7 year veteran of L2)...F2P Ruined the Game...period!!!...yes i still play it, but it bcuz the ppl i have met...not the interest of the game anymore....Give me back P2P anyday. The game is now a "Pay to win" game...if you dont have the cash...you cannot keep up or compete. Now keep in mind, this is only my opinion and others may see it differently. I do not see myself playing this game anymore when T.E.R.A is released and the "Core" of my clan are all headed there cuz this game sux so bad anymore. Anyway...thats my take on it and to the ppl who will be saying "Bye Bye"..."Thx for making more room for me"..."dont let the door hit you in the *** whenya leave"...and..."Can i have your gears".....my answers are this: "Bye Bye"....."Your Welcome"...."I Wont"...and finally..."NO, ya cant have my gears, they going to the grave with me" :eek:
We had 15, 16 years old before!! :D Jokes aside, the player quality in P2P is definitely better than F2P as well.
I'm not buying that at all.
I see the exact same proportions of bots to players and exact same players now as before. Sure there are a few new faces but they aren't any worse than the people I was seeing before who were already huge *******s.
I see the exact same proportions of bots to players and exact same players now as before. Sure there are a few new faces but they aren't any worse than the people I was seeing before who were already huge *******s.
Hehehe. I know there are ******** prior f2p, but there's just waaaaaay more now. The free loaders are treating this game like trash :( From experience in random groups prior to GoD, 90% of the party members I was in respected each other. Now only <50%... Just look at this official forum, yes there are and always will be some ******s; but now it's like almost 90% of the posts :/
Bots... where can I start? Like, I can easily exp anywhere I want during my time (GMT +10) before f2p and now I have to compete with bots for the mobs... :mad: For example, I remember top MoS was free 95% of the time before f2p, now bots are infested in EVERY SINGLE ******* ROOM. Please.... please.... stop me from talking about the ones on Talking Island!