Pay Per Month

[eat_pb]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

[TruthSeer]

It has already been confirmed that this will be a pay to play. Fact of life, any decent MMO is going to have a subscription plan.

Though there is a chance that there will be a lifetime subscription option.

[Arachnidus]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Hate to break it to you, but that's not happening.

[Capt_Dracon_Darknight]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

The game will cost money... Why?

Well Server maintenance does indeed cost money...

[Azurian]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Most companies need the income from subscriptions to continue expansions, upkeep their servers, and to recover money that was spent during the creation process.

Besides, the monthy subscription fees for MMO's ($12 to $16) is very reasonable.

[TFO_KillSwitch]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

i bet here is alot of things you pay fore weekly that cost more then what you will pay monthly for this game .
if you smoke , drink beer. then you pay more weekly then what sto will cost
hec sto will cost less then what it takes for fulling a car fore a week.
bottom line there is a lot of things that people pay for every week that will cost them more then what sto wil cost in one month

[The_Stig]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

If 15$ a month places an unbearable burden on your finances you shouldn't be thinking about which game you want to play.

[USS_Parallax]

Buy a lifetime sub. It's like $200. No sub fees then. :)

[epfarmdogg]

ill gladly pay 15$ a month to play on a game that gets new content and has graphics like i have seen about STO in youtube . every free game i have played just doesent have the graphics or server stability a pay one does.

[dr_truth]

Never played Guildwars, Though if i am correct it is like NWN where the servers are player run.

[srkuse82]

Honestly I cannot even think of putting GW in the MMO category, Its more like a glorified RPG experience in all honesty, Non Persistent worlds is fail

[epfarmdogg]

i think i didnt even make it past lvl 1 and i deleted it cause i got bored so fast :(

[Batleh]

Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Actually, Guild Wars isn't an MMO... it's a matchmaking service, like Gamespy or XBox Live. When you play the game with someone else you're actually running the "instance" on your computers, more akin to Gears of War or something like that.

[Admiral_Ares]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Buy a Lifetime Subscription.

[mad2274]

Buy a lifetime sub. It's like $200. No sub fees then. :)

Has Cryptic stated they will be selling limited lifetime subs, or are you just assuming this based on Champions Online?

[eat_pb]

Has Cryptic stated they will be selling limited lifetime subs, or are you just assuming this based on Champions Online?
He's just assuming.
I don't smoke, don't drink, don't own a car...
I just don't like the idea of "renting" a game (for lack of a better word). Call it what you will, but that's what you're doing. If the lifetime subscription is an option, that i can imagine buying. At least then i can put a cap on the cost, not just watch the line spiraling off into infinity.

[eat_pb]

It has already been confirmed that this will be a pay to play. Fact of life, any decent MMO is going to have a subscription plan.

Though there is a chance that there will be a lifetime subscription option.

Where? It says on the FAQ they haven't decided yet.

[TruthSeer]

Where? It says on the FAQ they haven't decided yet.

They've said in a couple of interviews that we should expect the monthly fee to be the industry standard. Meaning about $15 a month.

[GreatBarrier86]

i'd be happy to pay $30 a month for a game that was continually supported. The idea of that is really cool to me. I know it's on the expensive side but the idea of getting new content is pretty sweet

[TFO_KillSwitch]

He's just assuming.
I don't smoke, don't drink, don't own a car...
I just don't like the idea of "renting" a game (for lack of a better word). Call it what you will, but that's what you're doing. If the lifetime subscription is an option, that i can imagine buying. At least then i can put a cap on the cost, not just watch the line spiraling off into infinity.

every game is rented. when you buy a game all you are doing is buying a lices to play it .
so in less the game hasea singel player . ant any given time that licens can be pulled form you and be band form that game online

[thawn4444]

He's just assuming.
I don't smoke, don't drink, don't own a car...
I just don't like the idea of "renting" a game (for lack of a better word). Call it what you will, but that's what you're doing. If the lifetime subscription is an option, that i can imagine buying. At least then i can put a cap on the cost, not just watch the line spiraling off into infinity.

There are plenty "Free"to play MMO's out there if 15 bucks a month is too expensive for your current budget.

I am 99.999999999999999. . .% sure STO will be subscribtion based with microtransactions.

If you have some sort personal pet peeve over paying 50 cents a day ( based on a $15 month subcription fee ) then I am sorry but maybe MMO's are not for you. I cannot think of 1 AAA MMO that does not have subcription fees.

[FINALCUT]

Think of it this way if you will. If you go see a movie,it cost like 10 bucks,plus another 10 for the 55 gallon drink and the barrel of popcorn. For that 20 bucks you get 2 hours of enjoyment. If you play the game in a very conservative manner,say 2 hours a week,the game is a much better value and in the game you get to live the movie for a few hours a week. And,most people play much more then a few hours a week,so the more you play,the better the value.

Plus,you are also b uilding the game in a sense,or more like funding the builders of the game. That monthly fee goes to the continued growth of the game,new content,new missions,new ships and races. MMO's are one of the best entertainment values on the market today. I hope you stick around,I am sure you will not miss the 15 bucks a month that much. If 15 bucks a month is gonna break a person,then they probably have more important things in life to deal with anyways.

[raldar]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

It is quite obvious that you have no clue as to why there is a fee. After the game company pays the stores to stock the game,the distributors to distribute the game, the magazines to advertise......you knowwhat, just go read : http://www.raphkoster.com/gaming/busmodels.shtml . The numbers may be outdated but the overall breakdown is essentialy the same.

[mistharm]

Let me put this in perspective here:

1) 15 dollars a month is 180 dollars a year. Less if you go with larger subscription plans (you tend to get a discount per-month if you buy go for a 6-month at a stretch or 3 month at a stretch option).

2) That 15 bucks a month covers nearly 24/7 access to the game. The only exception is maintnenece and updates, which tends to be ~2 hours a week usually; sometimes slightly more.

Again, 24/7. Always on.

3) It also covers updates to the game, including new content, items, events etc... The game isn't static like a single player game. It'll grow and evolve in part because the money you spend goes to developing the game.

4) The money doesn't "spiral off into infinity" at all. You can quit at any time - it's not like you buy the game, sign up, and the money flows out forever more. If you don't play anymore, just cancel the sub.

Now you might look at it in terms of "But if I play for 2 years straight I've spent 360 dollars!!" - Which isn't an insubstantial chunk of change. However ask yourself this:

If you buy something every day for 1 dollar, you'll actually *double* the cost of an MMO monthly. That means if for instance, you treat yourself to a soda at lunch every day and spend a dollar on it, then by the end of the month you've spent 30 bucks. 30 bucks that you only saw a few minutes enjoyment from (ie: the time you drank the soda) - and then it's gone.

Basically, stop looking at it as a giant pile of change at the end of the road. Look at it as a service fee, like (for instance) your internet bill. You aren't "renting" the internet are you? Of course not. And games tend to be a better deal since they include service, updates, and support all in one go.

That's how I came to be an MMO gamer in the first place actually; because originally I was a bit perplexed at the idea myself... but a little thinking quickly reveals that if you break down daily activities into how much they cost you monthly, you're probably spending more on something you think innocuous than you would on the game.

[Trowa824]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high. I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

So what games do you play?

And it is wroth the $15 bucks a month to play a MMO.

Guild Wars isn't a MMO and only does 10% or less of what it is like to play a real MMO.
Guild Wars is an Online RPG.

And have you ever played an MMO before?

[robcoe]

It costs money to keep up servers and to keep programers on staff for bug fixes and content updates. As long as the devs dont pull what SOE did make people pay for years to beta test a game im quite happy to spend the half hour at work a montly subscription usualy costs considering the hours of entertainment i get out of the game.

[cmahecha]

$15 a month is nothing to play an game. Less than going to the movies, or even eating out. If you like the game, and are going to play it quite a few hours per week, it actually comes out really cheap entertainment. And when you get bored of it, just cancel it (with the advantage that you can reactivate later. MMO companies usually never delete your characters or data),

The game will probably cost $50 and include 1 free month, and then $15 per month. That's been the standard for MMOs for a while, so it should be similar with STO.

[eat_pb]

Wow. I didn't think my little pet peeve was going to spark this many arguments.
I'm not just talking about STO, i'm talking about all MMO's. I don't like that fact that you have to Pay To Play. It's a never ending fee. I would prefer to have some end in sight than to just keep emptying my account. That's all. Goodness me.
Also:
I don't go to movies every month. I go to movies 3 times a year.
I spend practically nothing. I treat myself to nothing. I eat basic food, don't eat out, don't drink soft drinks. I bike everywhere and don't own a car. I dont drink, smoke, gamble, or anything else that might waste money. I save. I'm just saying i don't like continuously paying people for things that have no guaranteed end. I don't like paying for cable, electricity, internet, water, heating etc... but there's no way to change that. There probably isn't a way to change STO. I was just voicing an opinion. That's all. Notice the words "HOPE" in my OP not WANT NEED or MUST HAVE. Just a HOPE. Nothing more.

[eat_pb]

every game is rented. when you buy a game all you are doing is buying a lices to play it .
so in less the game hasea singel player . ant any given time that licens can be pulled form you and be band form that game online

Depends on the game.
Games like STO and WOW, then yes. But TF2? Try and ban me from that. Even if i get VAC Banned, i can still host my own server or join one that isn't VAC Secured.

[thawn4444]

Depends on the game.
Games like STO and WOW, then yes. But TF2? Try and ban me from that. Even if i get VAC Banned, i can still host my own server or join one that isn't VAC Secured.

Im surprised you can read that! :D

[eat_pb]

Im surprised you can read that! :D

I can extrapolate!:D

Depends on the game.
Games like Star Trek Online and World Of Owarcraft, then yes. But Team Fortress 2? Try and ban me from that. Even if i get Valve Anti-Cheat Banned, i can still host my own server or join one that isn't Valve Anti-Cheat Secured.

[dr_truth]

I don't go to movies every month. I go to movies 3 times a year.
I spend practically nothing. I treat myself to nothing. I eat basic food, don't eat out, don't drink soft drinks. I bike everywhere and don't own a car. I dont drink, smoke, gamble, or anything else that might waste money. I save. I'm just saying i don't like continuously paying people for things that have no guaranteed end. I don't like paying for cable, electricity, internet, water, heating etc...


That sounds like a horrible life... I can understand not wanting to Play and MMO because it is P2P, But it just sounds like a dull existence overall. I'll mail you $20 if you promise to use it to enjoy yourself. I have just gone into depression just imagining myself living a life like that.

[Trowa824]

Wow. I didn't think my little pet peeve was going to spark this many arguments.
I'm not just talking about STO, i'm talking about all MMO's. I don't like that fact that you have to Pay To Play. It's a never ending fee. I would prefer to have some end in sight than to just keep emptying my account. That's all. Goodness me.
Also:
I don't go to movies every month. I go to movies 3 times a year.
I spend practically nothing. I treat myself to nothing. I eat basic food, don't eat out, don't drink soft drinks. I bike everywhere and don't own a car. I dont drink, smoke, gamble, or anything else that might waste money. I save. I'm just saying i don't like continuously paying people for things that have no guaranteed end. I don't like paying for cable, electricity, internet, water, heating etc... but there's no way to change that. There probably isn't a way to change STO. I was just voicing an opinion. That's all. Notice the words "HOPE" in my OP not WANT NEED or MUST HAVE. Just a HOPE. Nothing more.

Okay, just think of an MMO game are never ending and doing the P2P keeps it going and adding new content that will make it last even longer and longer.

Just think about it that it only take 2 or 3hrs to get 15 bucks working to play the game.

Trust me, I use to think the same way as you, but after playing mmos and stuff it wroth paying to play.

[Tricksterbro]

I'm hoping that they will have prepaid game cards like in World of Warcraft, i'm very paranoid when it comes to giving out bank details over an internet connection, but i definitely would for this brilliant game

[Teufelpanzer]

It has already been confirmed that this will be a pay to play. Fact of life, any decent MMO is going to have a subscription plan.

Though there is a chance that there will be a lifetime subscription option.

Yep, but I would still encourage product placement. It keeps the costs down and it can be kind of fun. I think a poster on the street for Disney World would be sort of cool and Disney would probably be willing to pay for additional content to advertise in the game - you could even do tie-ins with future world or something.

I'm in favor of anything that makes the game cheaper to buy/play and richer in content. :)


And I want, Want, WANT my lifetime subscription!!!! :D

[Teufelpanzer]

Okay, just think of an MMO game are never ending and doing the P2P keeps it going and adding new content that will make it last even longer and longer.

Just think about it that it only take 2 or 3hrs to get 15 bucks working to play the game.

Trust me, I use to think the same way as you, but after playing mmos and stuff it wroth paying to play.

/agree. I used to spend all my money on movies. With refreshments, one movie costs me over $20 and probably lasts for less than 2 hours. I will play MUCH longer than that on just a Saturday. :p

[Trowa824]

I'm hoping that they will have prepaid game cards like in World of Warcraft, i'm very paranoid when it comes to giving out bank details over an internet connection, but i definitely would for this brilliant game

They will, pretty much almost all MMO's and the free MMO right now all have game cards.

[Dext]

The game will cost money... Why?

Well Server maintenance does indeed cost money...

an don't for get patches(To fix thing) take time an people to make them an new content.

[Eclipse1987]

Yep, but I would still encourage product placement. It keeps the costs down and it can be kind of fun. I think a poster on the street for Disney World would be sort of cool and Disney would probably be willing to pay for additional content to advertise in the game - you could even do tie-ins with future world or something.

I'm in favor of anything that makes the game cheaper to buy/play and richer in content. :)


And I want, Want, WANT my lifetime subscription!!!! :D

OH. GOD. NO.

the last thing I want is to play a game with ads for moutain dew and hemroid creams.

Really .50 cents a day isn't that much.

I'd pay extra to not deal witu a ad filled game.

[Jesteruk1972]

So called free to play are not as good value as you think the would be, I used to play a free to play game that worked with am Item mall but I found you just couldn't compete with out spending money. The worst thing about it was there was a level cap that you could only go over if you payed for it. In the end I found I was spending way more than I would on a monthly fee game or I just got left behind or had to spend hours up on hours grinding just for in game currency to buy the item mall gear from players that was needed to level up.

All MMO's cost money to keep going on top of that the companies need to make money, that's just business if you don't make money there's no point.

[lordpenquin]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Cost is too high? Really? $15 a month is nothing. It's the cheapest form of intertainment at 0.50 cents a day!

Go to a movie for $10. That's two hours at $5 an hour and you don't get to see it again unless you pay for it again. Have you ever played a free mmo? They are horrible! No support, no content patches, horrible servers, etc. 99% of them are garbage and the 1% that aren't cost too much in the cash shops to enjoy the game to the fullest extent. Guild wars is a fluke. It's the only free game that doesn't suck.

You bring up the example of guild wars, but guild wars is different because everything is instanced. They don't have to support massive server loads because the only time anyone is together is in the cities. Otherwise you are in the "world" with five people. Even the huge guild battles are instanced with a few dozen people at most. There isn't an open world with thousands of people there. Sure, STO is one server split into different 100 player chunks or so, but you can freely move between them to get to higher or lower populated areas. It's not like everyone is at a starbase and then when you go in space you're alone with your party of friends or NPC bots. You are still in a populated world.

You get what you pay for. It star trek was free, it would be horrible. It's 0.50 cents a day so it will be better than a free to play game. If you're willing to miss out on a great game because you can't skip a movie or a pizza for one day a month to pay for an entire month of service, then that's your choice.

Don't try to push your free game disease full of ads.

[BorakRedBlade]

Its an MMO. Cryptic has another MMO. They will charge money. They will have micro transactions as well.
If this sits Ill with you or you already know you wont buy it if you have to pay a monthly fee, than I would suggest go elsewhere.

It WILL have a monthly fee.

[CyBeRsToRm]

I hope it has a monthly fee... In this way they have more resources to get updates and new content into the game.

Lifetime subscription sounds interesting, but wouldnt this include that Cryptic has to make somekind of garantuee that STO will be supported for a long time?

[ChicksDigHarleys]

Wow. I didn't think my little pet peeve was going to spark this many arguments.
I'm not just talking about STO, i'm talking about all MMO's. I don't like that fact that you have to Pay To Play. It's a never ending fee. I would prefer to have some end in sight than to just keep emptying my account. That's all. Goodness me.
Also:
I don't go to movies every month. I go to movies 3 times a year.
I spend practically nothing. I treat myself to nothing. I eat basic food, don't eat out, don't drink soft drinks. I bike everywhere and don't own a car. I dont drink, smoke, gamble, or anything else that might waste money. I save. I'm just saying i don't like continuously paying people for things that have no guaranteed end. I don't like paying for cable, electricity, internet, water, heating etc... but there's no way to change that. There probably isn't a way to change STO. I was just voicing an opinion. That's all. Notice the words "HOPE" in my OP not WANT NEED or MUST HAVE. Just a HOPE. Nothing more.

Live a little.

Yep, but I would still encourage product placement. It keeps the costs down and it can be kind of fun. I think a poster on the street for Disney World would be sort of cool and Disney would probably be willing to pay for additional content to advertise in the game - you could even do tie-ins with future world or something.

I'm in favor of anything that makes the game cheaper to buy/play and richer in content. :)


And I want, Want, WANT my lifetime subscription!!!! :D

Oh HELL no. First ad I see for Mt Dew in this game, I'm gone.

[ictin]

They don't have to support massive server loads because the only time anyone is together is in the cities. Otherwise you are in the "world" with five people



The majority of the PvE content that is in the game is 5-man instanced content



Even the huge guild battles are instanced with a few dozen people at most



There’s definitely PvP in the game, they’ll be arenas as well as battleground-type maps, but we’re kind of holding off on that a bit.


So what what is again diffrent between Guild Wars and STO? I am not saying that STO should be free, is their game and they will sell it as they like, but they don't have higher maintenance cost than Guild Wars.

[chillwolf]

I don't go to movies every month. I go to movies 3 times a year.
I spend practically nothing. I treat myself to nothing. I eat basic food, don't eat out, don't drink soft drinks. I bike everywhere and don't own a car. I dont drink, smoke, gamble, or anything else that might waste money. I save. I'm just saying i don't like continuously paying people for things that have no guaranteed end. I don't like paying for cable, electricity, internet, water, heating etc... but there's no way to change that. There probably isn't a way to change STO. I was just voicing an opinion. That's all. Notice the words "HOPE" in my OP not WANT NEED or MUST HAVE. Just a HOPE. Nothing more.

Dang and I thought marrying an accountant who watches the bank accounts like a hawk forced me into being a tight wad... Compared to this I am like a free spending Paris Hilton or something. I am going outside right now to hug my not yet paid for Mustang CS.

[TFO_KillSwitch]

So what what is again diffrent between Guild Wars and STO? I am not saying that STO should be free, is their game and they will sell it as they like, but they don't have higher maintenance cost than Guild Wars.

guild wars is not an mmo
its an rpg

[geodbdrunk01]

Morbo's pearl of wisdom for the day...

You can save all the money you like, but you can't take it with you when you die.

Honestly though... the game is subscription based to support content patches and server upkeep. When you get cable TV do you expect to pay once for the topbox and then get all the service for free thereafter? Think of an MMO the same way. When you buy the game, you are buying the Topbox more or less. You still have to pay to watch the different channels.

[xsnip3rx]

Never played Guildwars, Though if i am correct it is like NWN where the servers are player run.

uhh, no lol

[TFO_KillSwitch]

uhh, no lol

um ya
the only time you are on the guild war server. is when you are in a city. or a party gathering place
then when you start the mission. guild wars server. send every one to the party masters computer for the mission.
the random arenas are hosted on thee server. but when you organize the party . you are the host for that mission
this was stated years back when they were explaining how the server would run in GW

[ictin]

guild wars is not an mmo
its an rpg

Well, from what i read, and i may be mistaken, neither STO is not a MMO from this point of view.
You have almost all PVE content in instances in Guild Wars and in STO.
You have little trade options in Guild Wars, you have little trade options and NO economy in STO .
You have almost no crafting in Guild Wars, you have almost no crafting in STO.
You have PvP only in arenas in both games.
You have 2-8 man party in Guild Wars, you have 5 man party in STO.

If i am wrong, please point me to an dev statement that is saying otherwise.

So if you have almost no PvP interaction of any kind (economic or combat), except some teaming, some arena fights and maybe small trade in both games, how can STO be more a MMO than Guild Wars?

[kkmccall]

Actually, Guild Wars isn't an MMO... it's a matchmaking service, like Gamespy or XBox Live. When you play the game with someone else you're actually running the "instance" on your computers, more akin to Gears of War or something like that.


Never played Guildwars, Though if i am correct it is like NWN where the servers are player run.


It's absolutely amazing how uninformed many people are on certain topics. It is like playing Chinese Whispers. We live in the 21st Century where information is so readily available on the Internet - simply typing something into the Search Box on your Browser can get you information on practically any subject you care to research.

If you are going to use Guild Wars (or any other game) in your arguments, then it really pays to research the game first. Did you know, for example, that Guild Wars is one of the most popular Online Games , with over 6 Million Units sold? It was first released in April 2005 & is still going strong, despite being 4.5 years old. Go to any of your Games Stores & take a look on their shelves, you'll almost always see Guild Wars is still pretty high in their sales charts.

For the OP, Star Trek Online will be using a Subscription Model similar to Champions Online, this was stated very early in development. It is understandable, in today's economic climate, if you do not wish to subscribe to Star Trek Online, or any other subscription MMO. However, I would suggest at the very least buying it upon release & playing for the free 30 days that is always included in MMO's. After those 30 days you can then decide whether or not you wish to continue playing or not.

It provides two main modes of gameplay—a cooperative role-playing component and a competitive player vs. player (PvP) component—both of which are hosted on ArenaNet's servers.

Guild Wars at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild_Wars_%28series%29).

[andrewprofit]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

im hoping to get a lifetime sub. There probable will only be about 50,000 of them prb for 200 for the lifetime sub and 50 for the game box key. Kinda expensive upfront but then I wont have to worry about it ever again. I usually only play a mmorpg for a year a really good one maybe two years. prb about 1000 to 3000 hours of entertainment for 200 to 300 dollars. I figure its about a dime an hour which it pretty cost effective.

[Shakari]

I tried the argument for product placement last year for a cheaper monthly fee. It got blasted out of the water. Posts might be around here somewhere.

[Rosebud]

OH. GOD. NO.

the last thing I want is to play a game with ads for moutain dew and hemroid creams.

Really .50 cents a day isn't that much.

I'd pay extra to not deal witu a ad filled game.



That's probably the next step in MMO pricing plans.

Pay $20-25/month or pay $15 and see in-game ads.

[Batleh]

It's absolutely amazing how uninformed many people are on certain topics. It is like playing Chinese Whispers. We live in the 21st Century where information is so readily available on the Internet - simply typing something into the Search Box on your Browser can get you information on practically any subject you care to research.

If you are going to use Guild Wars (or any other game) in your arguments, then it really pays to research the game first. Did you know, for example, that Guild Wars is one of the most popular Online Games , with over 6 Million Units sold? It was first released in April 2005 & is still going strong, despite being 4.5 years old. Go to any of your Games Stores & take a look on their shelves, you'll almost always see Guild Wars is still pretty high in their sales charts.

For the OP, Star Trek Online will be using a Subscription Model similar to Champions Online, this was stated very early in development. It is understandable, in today's economic climate, if you do not wish to subscribe to Star Trek Online, or any other subscription MMO. However, I would suggest at the very least buying it upon release & playing for the free 30 days that is always included in MMO's. After those 30 days you can then decide whether or not you wish to continue playing or not.



Guild Wars at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild_Wars_%28series%29).

If I may beg your pardon, I never said that Guild Wars wasn't a popular game or that it was a dead product or that it wasn't selling or anything of the sort. What I said their online component was a matchmaking service, similar to XBox Live or Gamespy. Guild Wars runs as instanced worlds where parties or players can experience the game where the work of managing the instance is run by the players local computers, unlike a "true" MMO where the server does the work and tells your client what to display. Online games in Gears of War, Starcraft, etc all work in a very similar manner. Guild Wars was one of the first systems to centralize this management through their ArenaNet service and put a very polished interface to make it work really well. They basically took most of the PITA parts about getting hooked up for a multiplayer session and made it invisible/seamless for the end user. Saying that it's not a pure MMO in no way detracts from Guild Wars or the really elegant solutions they built into their design, but Guild Wars is not an MMO in the same sense as EVE, World of Warcraft or Everquest.

[ultraspot]

That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee.

How about $250?

If they follow along the same lines as CO, you'll be able to pay $250 (game + lifetime sub), and it will be free to play for you.

[The.Grand.Nagus]

Sorry, but almost all MMOs have monthly fees, and STO will too. If its simply a matter of not liking to pay for a game, you have to remember that in an MMO you get new content on a regular basis, plus your playing online on servers that require upkeep. If you "cant afford it", then that means you cant afford 50 cents a day, because that is what $15 a month breaks down to. And if you cant afford 50 cents a day, then who is paying for your internet?

[power123]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

I have played both WoW and GW. sadly I have to say that WoW is the superior product. and I think that having a subscription fee made the difference. while GW can only entertain me every once in a while. WoW always could.
after 3 year of playing and having enjoyed northrend to the fullest my refusal to raid finaly caught up whit me and the game became a long grinding session to me.

so I think a subscription fee is a necessary evil. If you want a good MMO that you can keep enjoying you will have to pay a price

[Arokh72]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Many people seem to want a no subscription game, but personally I'd rather it. Incidentally some of us pay $100 for games anyway whether we want to or not (well other than not buy it). Many would say that Guild Wars is not a true MMO as it is purely instanced and there are no real "free" areas like in most other MMOs. Also most free to play game rely on Microtransactions for in game items, that is actually gear not "pretty" game altering stuff like STO will. DDO is a good example of this. It's true they have increased numbers since going free to play, but you have to pay to unlock certain classes and races as well as certain areas.

I find that games using a subscription model are generally more stable and update more often than the f2p ones. This is because of the regular income stream the subscriptions generate. F2p games only obtain income from the inital boxed sales (if any) and any microtransactions that occur. I'm more than happy to pay US$15/month to get a stable game with regular updates and bug fixes.

[DarkOrion69]

To F2P minded people...buy a bloody lifetime subscription to STO for $200 if they offer it or just buy 6 months at once and call it the purchase price then quit when the time is up...look ma no sub fee :)

[Trowa824]

So what what is again diffrent between Guild Wars and STO? I am not saying that STO should be free, is their game and they will sell it as they like, but they don't have higher maintenance cost than Guild Wars.

Guild Wars only time you see players are in social hubs and it is an Online RPG and all GW is running just the social hubs not the game...When you running around killing stuff it is running on the group leader or the main persons computer.
Not a MMORPG.

[Trowa824]

um ya
the only time you are on the guild war server. is when you are in a city. or a party gathering place
then when you start the mission. guild wars server. send every one to the party masters computer for the mission.
the random arenas are hosted on thee server. but when you organize the party . you are the host for that mission
this was stated years back when they were explaining how the server would run in GW

Finally another person that is know what they talking about when its about guild wars.

[Profedius]

I am happy there is a monthly cost to play. I wouldn’t play a MMO game that was free to play because from looking over those that have been free to play they have been some of the worst games I have ever seen though I did not play them to see how bad they were just the look of them and the reports from the players was enough for me.

If you don’t want to pay buy the month then buy a lifetime subscription plan and call it a day. I personally would never buy a lifetime plan since I never play an MMO long enough to justify the cost of the lifetime plan over the monthly, but suit yourself.

[Corehaven22]

I cant believe how many of these type of posts I see. Its an MMORPG. Its going to cost monthly to play it.

Its something that just never seems to sink in with some people. Likely folks that have never played a real mmo before I guess. :rolleyes:

[GreatBarrier86]

I cant believe how many of these type of posts I see. Its an MMORPG. Its going to cost monthly to play it.

Its something that just never seems to sink in with some people. Likely folks that have never played a real mmo before I guess. :rolleyes:

Actually, there are MMORPGs out there that are free, but i can't imagine them being at this level of sophistication.

[briank741]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

I am sure there will be a lifetime membership so if you would rather pay $100 to pay a game then go ahead and pay the possible $250 to play the game. $200 for the lifetime subscription and $50 for the game.

[Specimen1]

I'll definitely buy a lifetime subscription , hence the fact I'll be a lifetime fan of Star Trek.

[GreatBarrier86]

OH. GOD. NO.

the last thing I want is to play a game with ads for moutain dew and hemroid creams.

Really .50 cents a day isn't that much.

I'd pay extra to not deal witu a ad filled game.

Actually, rainbow six vegas did a good job. They put comcast ads and billboards up IN GAME. Personally, i think that adds a level of realism. Of course, i'm not sure that seeing the McDonald's Have It Your Way sign when your in your Soverign zooming past venus helps much.

[Demonspirit]

If 15$ a month places an unbearable burden on your finances you shouldn't be thinking about which game you want to play.

what this guy said

[TFO_KillSwitch]

i like th e fee caus it will keep a lot of kids from playing it . who have no way to pay for it other then there parents lol

[emery0]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

Newsflash it will cost you more to go to a movie by yourself then the month payment of $15.

2 hours for 1 movie a month or play a game for almost 24/7 per month.

It's your entertainment $ to spent as you like, if I like the game will go with a long term subscription so it will cost me less then $10 a month.

[Commander_Nate]

I could think of worse things to spend money on every month.

The gym for example. :eek:

[Trowa824]

I could think of worse things to spend money on every month.

The gym for example. :eek:

Gym??? What is this devil speak you of?

lol

[eat_pb]

Newsflash it will cost you more to go to a movie by yourself then the month payment of $15.

2 hours for 1 movie a month or play a game for almost 24/7 per month.

It's your entertainment $ to spent as you like, if I like the game will go with a long term subscription so it will cost me less then $10 a month.

The thing is i only see like 3 movies a year. The only thing i don't like is the fact there is no set limit to the paying. I would buy a really expensive lifetime subscription because it saves in the long run.

Gym??? What is this devil speak you talking of?

lol

:D

[DarkOrion69]

eat_pb I am concerned that your lifestyle is far too utilitarian. If you spend no money out of greed (fear of wasting it) and only save...how do you find any joy in the money you earn? Surely you do not stand in your bank vault congratulating yourself each day for having lots of money that you will never spend?

If you follow the philosophy of saving to an extreme you will one day lose the ability to choose to spend any money at all. Your money will sit in a bank and be devalued as inflation rises. Now you could invest,but let's be honest...if you aren't willing to spring for $15/month for an MMO you certainly aren't going to give someone thousands of dollars to invest on your behalf...

Just chillax, get a girlfriend and take her to the movies sometime. You have got to live a little or life becomes boring and pointless...

[Fatherfungus]

I really hope this game doesn't do it. This is one of the rare few Space MMO's, and i would really like to buy it. That said, if there is a monthly cost, i probably won't. I would rather pay 100$ for a game than pay a monthly fee. I would rather have blatant product placement (Pepsi in the replicators anyone?) than have the fee. For me, the cost would just be too high (in the long term, as in over 3 years of playing). I really hope that Cryptic doesn't put it that way, but judging by their track record, it seems likely. Maybe they could do something like Guild Wars does... Guild Wars is an MMO and it has free servers. Why can't STO?

You can bet the farm there will be a subscription fee of 15 bucks a month

or you can life time subscribe....given CO was 200 bucks and...lets say a so so game at best
STO lifetime.....400 bucks or more....but no subscription...so if you play for longer
than 2.5 years give or take, might be a good deal.

[thawn4444]

You can bet the farm there will be a subscription fee of 15 bucks a month

or you can life time subscribe....given CO was 200 bucks and...lets say a so so game at best
STO lifetime.....400 bucks or more....but no subscription...so if you play for longer
than 2.5 years give or take, might be a good deal.

I sincerely doubt that IF cryptic offers lifetime subs for STO it will be $400 or more.

[power123]

i like th e fee caus it will keep a lot of kids from playing it . who have no way to pay for it other then there parents lol
so that why WoW has loads of children playing.....

plus an adult dusn't guaranty a mature person. some adulds i played whit refused to follow even the simplest of advises because they were to stuborn (or supid) to take them. more than enough times this resuled in repeded wipes on bosses that are just so simple.

[gentech]

Newsflash it will cost you more to go to a movie by yourself then the month payment of $15.

2 hours for 1 movie a month or play a game for almost 24/7 per month.

It's your entertainment $ to spent as you like, if I like the game will go with a long term subscription so it will cost me less then $10 a month.

QFT! same goes with games you buy, one year of playing STO = lets say.. $120,- where as you buy games you probs buy 3 or more a year hence more then the subscription.

Added that the subscription makes it possible to have good servers, regular updates and the funds to work on a possibly expansion. Furthermore it wil add to create a dedicated player base.

A quality MMORPG needs a steady income to do preserve that quality.
Dont forget the year and years of developing without any income (assuming STO is an independant business unit)

I say go for the PPM!

[Trowa824]

I sincerely doubt that IF cryptic offers lifetime subs for STO it will be $400 or more.

Why would you think that?

[eat_pb]

You know guys, I'm not an idiot. I do occasionally spend money. I do buy a few games a year, i do occasionally go out with my friends. But i don't do it unnecessarily.
I'm also not stupid enough to think what I'm saying is actually going to happen. I understand companies need income, and funnily enough i know how much servers cost. I was stating how nice the world would be if we didn't have to pay such fee's. It was just a theory. I know its not going to happen. I also know that if they don't offer some kind of lifetime subscription or maybe a two year plan then I'm probably not going to buy it. Enough said. Don't get all ragey because you don't see eye to eye with my opinion.

[Admiral_Ares]

Yep, but I would still encourage product placement. It keeps the costs down and it can be kind of fun. I think a poster on the street for Disney World would be sort of cool and Disney would probably be willing to pay for additional content to advertise in the game - you could even do tie-ins with future world or something.

I'm in favor of anything that makes the game cheaper to buy/play and richer in content. :)


And I want, Want, WANT my lifetime subscription!!!! :D

Yeah... commercials add so much to my listening pleasure on the radio and to my enjoyment of TV... thbbbbt! :p

I'd pay more for cable to never see another commercial on network TV

[Zandtar]

Why would you think that?

Because a monthly subscription base is a pretty continual income stream. A lifetime subscription plan generates a nice up front income, but there will always be a point in time where it starts costing the company money, not making it.

[Admiral_Ares]

eat_pb I am concerned that your lifestyle is far too utilitarian. If you spend no money out of greed (fear of wasting it) and only save...how do you find any joy in the money you earn? Surely you do not stand in your bank vault congratulating yourself each day for having lots of money that you will never spend?

If you follow the philosophy of saving to an extreme you will one day lose the ability to choose to spend any money at all. Your money will sit in a bank and be devalued as inflation rises. Now you could invest,but let's be honest...if you aren't willing to spring for $15/month for an MMO you certainly aren't going to give someone thousands of dollars to invest on your behalf...

Just chillax, get a girlfriend and take her to the movies sometime. You have got to live a little or life becomes boring and pointless...

That was... beautiful.

[Admiral_Ares]

Because a monthly subscription base is a pretty continual income stream. A lifetime subscription plan generates a nice up front income, but there will always be a point in time where it starts costing the company money, not making it.

If they charge more for STO then they did for CO they'll be making a mistake. They will sell way less and that will cut into thier MT sales.

[Fatherfungus]

call me mean or cruel, but

if I worked in cryptic marketing...and I don't

here would be the deal I would offer:

1000 lifelime subscriptions.....period

all get some special ship or item only available to them.....captains dune buggy...whatever

price

$ 1000.00 ........they woukld sell out in.......1 day...maybe 1 week most

cool million in early profit.


that is just me

don't laugh........trekies would buy them out

[TFO_KillSwitch]

just as a side note that is completely off topic. well kind of.
WOW is now getting a cash shop lol

[Trowa824]

just as a side note that is completely off topic. well kind of.
WOW is now getting a cash shop lol

They already had one, they just now making it where you can get ingame pets.

[Tabaris]

They already had one, they just now making it where you can get ingame pets.

What no Heavy Arms avatar Trowa =D lol. But paying per month I can deal with just don't make it crazy like 20.00$ a month.

[hossam]

yeah, AAA titles are 99% pay to play....i think the only decent F2P is DDO but that used to be pay to play, and i kinda got the premium account >.> cos the game is so epic