If all MMOs were subscription-free .... - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

tmr819

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2007

W/Mo

02 Feb 2008 at 14:41 - 1

OK. I admit it. I am really spoiled by the GW "just buy it and play it and no subscription fees, ever" business model.

However, I'm getting a tad bored with GW and am wondering what to do in 2008 since GW2 still seems a long LONG way off (2009!

). I mean, how many times can you go through some of these EotN dungeons?

I was just wondering what GW players past and present (that would be you

) looking for something to do till GW2 comes out (but bored with GW1) would be playing this year if all MMOs were, like GW, subscription-free, meaning you buy the game and any expansions, but paid no monthly subscription.

For me, it would probably be WoW (which I already own) or Tabula Rasa or perhaps LOTRO.

Among upcoming (i.e., releasing this year) games, Age of Conan or Warhammer Online look fairly promising.

So, assuming no monthly fees, what would you be playing or want to play?

netniwk

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

Bellgium

W/E

02 Feb 2008 at 14:41 - 2

Like I do now,Gw and Wow.But with less pressure when I play WOW.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 14:44 - 3

Lets see -

Play now - GW
Played - WoW, EVE, DnD Online

Fee isn't an issue, the amount of grind required to get anywhere is. GW wins on that. So I'll stick with GW until I get bored, then maybe I'll go back to pirating in EVE.

Meat Axe

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2007

Brisbane, Australia

R/

02 Feb 2008 at 15:01 - 4

Well, none of the current MMOs really interest me (although, admittedly, I have had next to no experience with some of them, so I can't really judge). If there were no subscription fees, I would definitely try out the Firefly MMO. It was my favourite TV show after all, and I think it could get me hooked if there wasn't too much grinding.

Another one I heard of recently (that is still in production) is the Stargate MMO. Although the show wasn't great (I stopped watching around season 5. I just got bored with it. I have been watching it recently though), I think an MMO based on the concept would be great fun. Again, that is providing there isn't a terrible amount of grind.

But, to be honest, the only reason I play GW is because it has a storyline that I can go back to whenever I get bored doing side stuff. I generally only play games for the storyline. The problem with the MMOs I mentioned is that I can't really see them having a storyline. And especially in terms of the Firefly one, if it did have a storyline but it wasn't written, or at the very, very least looked over and approved by Joss Whedon or one of the other main writers of the show, I just can't see it being all that great.

So, in other words, most MMOs out there don't interest me. Although they can have some really fun side stuff to do, they just don't have enough to hold me to the game very long. But I would definitely try the Firefly MMO out, given the chance, even if just to muck around. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and they'll offer the same deal as some other online games, and have the subscription as an optional-to-get-more-stuff type of deal.

Red Sonya

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 15:29 - 5

I'd go back to playing Star Wars Galaxies if it were free. It has the most fun crafting system I ever played and you get to ride all kinds of things in it. I also like the run and gun combat engine of it, that is quite fun also.

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

02 Feb 2008 at 15:36 - 6

Without fees...? I would still play GW.
I don't like re-rolling, I don't like king of the hill behaviour in market and item drops, I do like to get all skills with a dingle character, I like the maximums in weapons...

I didn't bought GW because it had no fees. There are other games with no fees. I bought it because I liked it when I tested it in the Battle Isles and Factions previews.

Angelina Collins

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2008

Heaven Royal Knights (HRK)

A/N

02 Feb 2008 at 15:39 - 7

it would be nice, I would play wow, but they are not so stuck with GW. I what I really hate is that GW started out as PvP and then PvE, but there bad attemps at balance and diversity ruined the game, kinda makes you wish they were all free so choosing a game would be easier

Darkobra

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Scotland

Type like an idiot, I'll treat you like an idiot

E/Me

02 Feb 2008 at 15:42 - 8

It actually started out as PvE, as said in an interview.

Avarre

Bubblegum Patrol

Join Date: Dec 2005

Singapore Armed Forces

02 Feb 2008 at 15:43 - 9

Never cared about fee, gameplay is my only concern. I doubt I'd play any other MMOs, can't be bothered to put in the time.

Wouldn't play Guild Wars either if not for the fact I already do.

tmr819

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2007

W/Mo

02 Feb 2008 at 15:45 - 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Axe

Well, none of the current MMOs really interest me (although, admittedly, I have had next to no experience with some of them, so I can't really judge). If there were no subscription fees, I would definitely try out the Firefly MMO. It was my favourite TV show after all, and I think it could get me hooked if there wasn't too much grinding.

I did not know they were planning a Firefly MMO, so I googled around and found this on Wired's site: Firefly MMO planned

Like you, I really loved that show. The MMO sounds a long way off though, like GW2.

Thanks for the heads-up about it, though.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 15:50 - 11

The series was bad, the MMO won't be any better.

Red Sonya

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 15:52 - 12

Actually if they were all free I'd probably jump around in them like a jack rabbit. I get easily bored with repitition and GW's becomes that quite quickly. Once you finish the storyline and the quests then there's not much if any "rolepaying" experiences left. Farming for items is not roleplaying and running through the content is not roleplaying either. Vanity is not roleplaying the storyline either. Thing is not really any of these mmo's/mmorpgs give much to roleplaying them. You create a character and then basically just go out and play carrot in front of the horse. Even GWs is like that after the storyline. It's not that much different from a WOW afterall since vanity takes over after the storyline ends. As far as skill, skill is a requirement in all of them GWs didn't set the precedence on skill in these games. No matter which one you play without skills of how the combat engine works you will lose and die. Most of the others just allow you to advance those skills where GWs restricts you to a certain level (being changed in GW2) and max item stats. It just went down a different approach to the same carrot in front of the horse....

Pleikki

WTB q8 15^50 Weapons!

Join Date: Nov 2006

???oo ???ugs ???lan [?????????]

02 Feb 2008 at 15:55 - 13

Guild wars i would play mostly and when got boored maybe week or two Warhammer online.. but yeah im not gonna get warhammer

Kashrlyyk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 15:58 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

The series was bad, the MMO won't be any better.

Talking about Firefly?

I would look into any MMO, that doesn´t have OpenPvP.

heavykani

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Finland

W/

02 Feb 2008 at 15:58 - 15

I can recommend Silkroad Online. Although it has many login problems because of the large amount of players and the lack of servers, it is fun and of course, completely free.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 16:00 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashrlyyk

Talking about Firefly?

I would look into any MMO, that doesn´t have OpenPvP.

Yes.

The film was even worse then the series. I have little hope of a decent MMO coming out of it.

Redfeather1975

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Apartment#306

Rhedd Asylum

Me/

02 Feb 2008 at 16:03 - 17

I'm not playing any mmorpgs anymore. I played em for years and eventually I got bored of the progression system they almost all use.
So if all mmorpgs were free I'd probably try Eve Online. And that's about it.
When Guild Wars 2 comes out I'll play that, as it'll probably be considered an mmo.

Winterclaw

Wark!!!

Join Date: May 2005

Florida

W/

02 Feb 2008 at 16:06 - 18

If they were free, I'd go back to FFXI and maybe try EVE.

Antheus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

02 Feb 2008 at 16:10 - 19

Those that can't afford the monthly fee don't have a choice in the first place.

For everyone else, gameplay and community will decide which is good enough.

IMHO, I prefer a subscription based game, simply because it solves certain problems with community side.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 16:11 - 20

Try EVE. EVE has a very steep learning curve though. You need time and patience to get anywhere.

Very few immature idiots. Very helpful people. The corporations really do work together etc

Reginator

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

N/Mo

02 Feb 2008 at 16:17 - 21

Definately Galaxies. Doing the space missions, being able to bounty-hunt players, etc. is a ton of fun. They've gotten better with the grind, though there is still a bit of it left.

Graphics aren't cartoon-y like WoW.

I also loved the non-instanced part of Galaxies. Seeing people out and about instead of just in a specific town is awesome.

And the greatest reason of all: killing gungans with a lightsaber!!!

Lady Yuna

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2008

inside your closet.......

ViLE

Mo/W

02 Feb 2008 at 16:20 - 22

Starcraft 2, when it comes out sometime this 2007

netniwk

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

Bellgium

W/E

02 Feb 2008 at 16:21 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Yuna

Starcraft 2, when it comes out sometime this 2007

last year called,they want you to leave.

Taurucis

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2006

The edge of reason

I don't play any more.

W/E

02 Feb 2008 at 16:23 - 24

I'd dump GW and head straight to WoW.

I pretty much play MMOs to team, which is what hardly ever happens in GW anymore.

Lady Yuna

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2008

inside your closet.......

ViLE

Mo/W

02 Feb 2008 at 16:24 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by netniwk

last year called,they want you to leave.

meh I mean 2008

w/e. It's cool i can afford to wait........gonna be busy this year anyways

(and what's w/ every1 against SC 2 lol....)

It's A Me

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2008

N/

02 Feb 2008 at 16:25 - 26

Ive never played any other online game other than gw and gears of war round my neighbours, but i would probably play FF online just cos i like the FF series

Antheus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

02 Feb 2008 at 16:25 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

Try EVE. EVE has a very steep learning curve though. You need time and patience to get anywhere.

Very few immature idiots. Very helpful people. The corporations really do work together etc

EvE has become the harbor for pathological griefers, since there's nothing else in game. Unless you enjoy looking at virtual planets. Those that enjoy eDrama and TS rage (see google for the abundance of organizations that specialize in that) love EvE. Those looking for active gameplay however, will find more pleasure in re-arranging columns in Excel or watching the paint dry. Destroying someone's virtual ship to steal their virtual credits and hear them cry on TS is not something I'd consider appealing. I find it kinda sad.

But at very least EvE stayed true to its design. Not unlike some games, which launch to cater to one group, and then suddenly become something else.

But perhaps I missed something. Is there some other "end-game" in EvE? If so, then it's very well hidden.

Vinraith

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

02 Feb 2008 at 16:27 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

Fee isn't an issue, the amount of grind required to get anywhere is.

Those are actually the same issue. Fee based games are designed to waste as much of your time as possible to milk as much money from you as possible, grind with incremental power increases is the best way to achieve that purpose.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 16:28 - 29

EVE end game is owning/running a corp, and a lot of big ships to go with it.

It's not everyones type of game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinraith

Those are actually the same issue. Fee based games are designed to waste as much of your time as possible to milk as much money from you as possible, grind with incremental power increases is the best way to achieve that purpose.

Hence why I always come back to GW

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

02 Feb 2008 at 16:32 - 30

Grind is subjective.

I've been playing WoW for over a month, and so far, no grind b/c everything I've been doing is fun. (One caveat: the crafting system needs a revamp with no waiting bar. THAT is obviously built in to suck time.)

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

02 Feb 2008 at 16:34 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordakai

Grind is subjective.

I've been playing WoW for over a month, and so far, no grind b/c everything I've been doing is fun. (One caveat: the crafting system needs a revamp with no waiting bar. THAT is obviously built in to suck time.)

You enjoyed the early quests? God, what a snorefest.

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

02 Feb 2008 at 16:43 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

You enjoyed the early quests? God, what a snorefest.

It's the same thing in Guild Wars...

How many times can you do the early quests in Factions or Nightfall and not get bored?

Keep in mind too, WoW is an old school MMORPG. It's all kill "x" of monster "y".

Which, when you think about it, is different from the Title Tracks in GWEN how?

I actually enjoyed the early quests for the Draenei. Maybe it's the music, or the setting, I don't know.

The fact that most races have a unique starting area is nice too, unlike Guild Wars where everyone starts in the same area.

Lets not fool ourselves: Both games are about killing monsters.

Skawtt

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

Oregon

W/N

02 Feb 2008 at 16:48 - 33

I would definetly be playing Star Wars Galaxies. I do kind of miss playing my Elder Bothan Jedi/Imperial Ace Pilot.

Solas

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2006

Ireland

Currently LF Active HA Guild, Glad 2, Comm.3, R2

E/

02 Feb 2008 at 17:08 - 34

i alt from WoW to GW mostly was GW tho

some CoD4 now and again tho

~ Dan ~

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2006

D/

02 Feb 2008 at 17:13 - 35

Paying to play LOTRO atm, so obviously would have no problem playing it for free. However i don't see it as a time filler until GW2 - i can't see me making the switch. Anet have got too much wrong.

Antheus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

02 Feb 2008 at 17:18 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordakai

I actually enjoyed the early quests for the Draenei. Maybe it's the music, or the setting, I don't know.

This is the whole point. Majority of effort in MMOs is spent on starter areas. They get people hooked.

Then, grind is added to slow the progression through increasingly pointless areas. But people still play, since they expect things to improve as they reach higher level.

And when they reach the level cap, they say: "What now?"

You've been suckered into playing for 3 months. But do buy the expansion. There's better content there, we promise.

And best of all - it works like a charm. Even now, after so many people have experienced the MMOs, players still fall for it. They still get into grindfests, hoping for that promised reward.

But if there's 10 million that are willing to do this in WoW alone, why not milk that market. It takes so much less effort than designing a different game.

Look at GW titles. They don't give any benefit, they don't promise anything, yet people have become mindless zombies grinding them.

roshanabey2

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

[lion]

N/Mo

02 Feb 2008 at 17:18 - 37

wow is too much grind for me and is too pro 'superman player' rather than 'ordinary player'. the whole idea of legendary and epic weapons makes me sick imagine going into pvp with them plus way too much nerds( not to say there no nerds in GW)

WOW = good to star off with
WOW = bad in mid way levels way too much grind (plus the middle is huge)
WOW = good at the end but only a few turn into the 'superman characters' that people sooo wanted.

Spike

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

In front of my PC

Kai

E/Mo

02 Feb 2008 at 17:21 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

Try EVE. EVE has a very steep learning curve though. You need time and patience to get anywhere.

Very few immature idiots. Very helpful people. The corporations really do work together etc

LOL Actually eve has the WORST player community I have EVER found in the 10 mmos I've played. Its was even worse that wows and thats really saying something. None of the people I met in my four months there was the LEAST bit helpfull. The corps do NOTHING but attack each other. ONLY play eve if your idea of fun is ruining other peoples or breaking most of the rules every other mmo has. EG scaming people, hassling other players, deliberatly attacking the same person over and over again. Basicly anything that would get you banned in GW is fine in eve.

slowerpoke

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2007

Cuba

02 Feb 2008 at 17:22 - 39

just gw
wow sucks. i wouldnt play (it again) if they paid me

netniwk

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

Bellgium

W/E

02 Feb 2008 at 17:25 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

just gw
wow sucks. i wouldnt play that if they paid me

God,I hate people flaming a game when they never even tryed it or have arguments to back them up.