Free to Play (F2P) Discussion Thread

[Hamilton]

Currently Force of Arms does not support a F2P model, but this has not been ruled out either.


Been giving this some more thought (just like other things) and there may be a possibility of allowing for a F2P option, without resorting to in-game shopping malls for purchases with real money (ie: Skill Enhancers for $x).

Of course there is the operating two server clusters (one paid and one free) option, but that is going to bring up costs (duplication of resources) for a potential less revenue gain. 


A possible method is that F2P accounts are considered as the Extras, just as what is done in Movies; where the main characters are the paying players.  F2P accounts would the "regulars" or the grunts you could say.  After all, the mind of a player can outsmart a scripted AI for a MMO.

F2P accounts basically are restricted to being in service with a Faction (there are other possible roles as well) and therefore use standard equipment, whereas paid accounts are not restricted as such.  Also since this is not a level-based system F2P accounts using standard equipment are not considered weak either.  Most standard fighting units would be limited to the Main Class (35 to 80 ton range).

There are suspected to be exploitations with this, but we will deal with them as they are discussed or thought up of about (all of course hopefully before going into testing).


Yea, Nay, comment, feedback, don't care?

[Kellzz]

I support a F2P style as long as RMT (real money trading) does not make its way into the game.

The free being more of a trial, while those who pay get the full service.

I am sorry, but i despise the RMT way of doing things. i feel it ends up being he who has the most disposable income, wins.

[Cavadus]

The best F2P system I've seen was an old program for PlanetSide called the "Reserves."  These "Reservist" accounts were completely free to play and could be played indefinitely but they were restricted from advancing beyond a meager Battle Rank (each BR granted points which were spent on equipment certifications).

Seeing as how we're using HERO system and will start out our toons relatively advanced (unless this has changed and I missed it) it would appear that the F2P play accounts would begin the game at a much less powerful level and be restricted from advancing much beyond it.

So in essence you would merge the trial/demo accounts and the F2P accounts into one userbase that always has the right to upgrade to a full retail account.

[SS2Maximilian]

Honestly, with all due respect, I prefer the P2P program.

First of all, from what I know, FoA's monthly fee is not going to be the usual one, as much as I remember, Hami said it should be about 7.5$ or so, so whats the need of a F2P system if its pretty "cheap"?

Second, most F2P games are kinda filled with kids and even noobs, by getting a P2P system, it will keep them away from the game and leave room for the much "pro-like" players.

Even though I prefer the P2P system, I do not mind a F2P system too, it actually gives others a chance to try out the game without paying for it, and if they like, then pay.

[Stigmatax]

May I make a suggestion...

The idea of P2P makes more sense, you want to support your new world and P2P makes sure your new playground stays around a lot longer.

Second suggestion, a nice added revenue stream... product placement advertising. They do it in movies and it adds to realism, why smoke a generic pack of cigarettes when you can smoke a marlboro cig in a movie... or in our case...

Champion spark plugs or Shell Corporation :p

I bet if you asked around you would have companies jumping at the chance to do in-game advertising.

3rd is a F2P account system that allows players to get the idea and feel of the game without having to sacrifice cash if they don't want to play the game in the long term. They can use mechs, but only light mechs, no heavies. They can do infantry, grunts are always welcome, or they can run a tank... against a 100ton mech a small ground tank would make for alot of exciting squishing fun!

If you do all 3 I bet you can keep the P2P side cheap enough to entice the F2P to pay for the game and the in-game product placement money will come in very handy for project advancements, especially in time-line upgrades.

[Kellzz]

http://www.forceofarms.com/msgbbs/index.php?topic=451.0

In game advertising has been discussed before, and i think Hamilton is looking at passing the savings on the the consumers.

[Burninator]

I absolutely agree that F2P will attract too many little kids. I understand the point of a game is to have fun and let everyone play, but at the same time we have to consider that too many little kids and newbs crowding a server is really going to kill the plot advancement and organized play of P2P players. One thing I might try is having one server be F2P and one server P2P. Make the F2P server world much smaller and use a more limited tech and model selection. That way the F2P server would not take up so much of your hardware resources. I think this would be best because it would keep the F2P kids out of the P2P game world and still give curious potential paying players a place to check out the basic game dynamics.

[Hamilton]

F2P accounts are to be treated as "non-committed" or I should say, "non-invested."  That is, such accounts are assumed to be used by a majority of such users who have little investment or interests in the game's story-line or to cause impact.  Paid accounts are assumed to have a vested interest.  I do use the word assume as not everyone will be of the same mind-set, but this should be acceptable as a majority.

While I won't name of other titles, one of which was mentioned in this thread.  There other titles as well that have good F2P models and so it is to use those that seem to work best and put them together (but not using the RMT (real money trading) model as mentioned).

F2P accounts have restrictions and less freedom that paid accounts.  For example F2P accounts are treated as faction soldiers, and forced to accept being in duty (just as with soldiers of the real world).  Users of paid accounts can do what they pretty much want to do, but may have to accept the responsibility of their actions.  So for example:
War is being waged by Factions A & B.
All F2P accounts that are in the soldier roll are move to engage in the front-lines.  Perhaps there will be special missions for them, such as a flanking attack; but more or less, will have to go to the places that they are directed to go.  Should a F2P account want to go somewhere else, the server will not allow it to happen (artificial involvement).
A paid account will not have such a restriction applied.  But if a paid account was in the soldier role of a faction (ex: Disadvantage: Duty to Faction) and that user decided to go elsewhere; then that user may face a reprimand or penalized (then again maybe not, there are ways to get out of such problems).  So the paid accounts have choices, whereas F2P accounts do not.


F2P accounts will have equipment limitations.


I did leave out that F2P accounts aren't exactly free either.  There is no cost to users, but there is a means earn some revenue from F2P accounts (shouldn't be hard to figure out, since no RTM model is used).  Wanted to mention this, in case there is thought that users of Paid Accounts were to support F2P accounts. (Ex: The reason why there are F2P accounts is because there are enough Paid Accounts to support them; in which case this is not true).  The money spent by paid accounts does not go towards helping F2P accounts.

[SS2Maximilian]

Just something I had in mind not long ago and wanted to say:
How about giving the option of a one time payment? The monthly fee can stay, but some might not like to pay every month, so why not letting the players pay a one time fee? It can be high, but it will be worthy eventually, I believe that this option is also available in LOTR Online. That way, the F2P system will actually "stay" and maybe even attract more players. Since the monthly fee is about 7.5$, how about making the one time fee 150$ or even more?

[Kellzz]

A one time, "Lifetime" subscription payment would do well in any other MMO, but i think Wardog is looking at bumping up the fee with each phase. so there is also that to consider.

Or maybe no need to consider it. Those who paid early were lucky enough to realize that it would save them money as each phase is released.


Question, Multiverse provides the engine, and handles billing right? nothing related to the servers?

[TylinV]

Paid accounts are assumed to have a vested interest. 

Honestly, this says it all for me.  Speaking as a single mom with an active teen who will need college tuition in 2 years, there is no reason someone who can afford a computer cannot afford a monthly subscription cost.  With the possible exception of a free trial of some sort, there is no need to cater to those looking for a free ride.  If the game is good, it is worth subscribing to, period.  I would much rather see P2P players around me, whom I can reasonably expect to be good guildies or good competition, than waste my time on those looking for freebies.

[Hamilton]

Just something I had in mind not long ago and wanted to say:
How about giving the option of a one time payment?

A one time, "Lifetime" subscription payment would do well in any other MMO, but i think Wardog is looking at bumping up the fee with each phase. so there is also that to consider.

There may indeed by a "Lifetime" deal, seems possible.  The cost will be low, perhaps just as much as purchasing a copy of any new computer game.  The risk is that there would be no refund, so maybe a pay for one month first, then perhaps buy the Lifetime account is what I would recommend. (And never ever buy a Pre-Order, even if we did it, don't do it...)

Question, Multiverse provides the engine, and handles billing right? nothing related to the servers?

As for Multiverse, that is correct.  They provide the software platform and billing, we would be handling the rest.

Honestly, this says it all for me.  Speaking as a single mom with an active teen who will need college tuition in 2 years, there is no reason someone who can afford a computer cannot afford a monthly subscription cost.  With the possible exception of a free trial of some sort, there is no need to cater to those looking for a free ride.  If the game is good, it is worth subscribing to, period.  I would much rather see P2P players around me, whom I can reasonably expect to be good guildies or good competition, than waste my time on those looking for freebies.

Duly noted. 
I think there may be a way tie in free accounts with trial accounts, well make them end up being the same.  For example, one method would be to create artificial "meat-grinders", places where F2P/Trial accounts must go for battle. Actually those areas would be designated as the Front-Lines.  Paid accounts can if they so chose, go to the Front-Lines, but must understand what they may encounter, chaos.  The Front-Lines are not static either.

[Geo]

My 2 cents on the whole free thing is it just invites gold farmers.    That being said if the game is making hand over fist and you want to give back to the players then give your loyal customers free time or better yet add more devs and give us free and/or faster updates/expansions.    On a side note sending trial account people (should you have them) up to the front to get tore up by swarms of 100 ton atlas' probably isnt going to get many people to sign up unless they are masochists. (imo)

[Hamilton]

Free accounts will not be able to make trades with any other accounts, so that is one means of prevention; thought, stopping chat spamming is going to be a pain.

Right, there will be a award program for loyal customers.  (And expansions are free)

[Kellzz]

I know IP banning isnt what it used to be. (I can unplug my router from the wall for 30 min, plug it back in and be assigned a new IP)


the easiest way would be to require a credit card for P2P or F2P accounts. and just ban the numbers of the spammers.