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Star Wars: The Old Republic goes Free-to-Play

Discussion in 'MMORPG' started by Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012.

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  1. Supernatural

    Supernatural LiveStreamer Ogre Veteran

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    And so it was predicted! Star Wars: The Old Republic will be going free-to-play this fall.


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    It looks like all of the predictions were right! Today BioWare has officially announced that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be going free-to-play this fall, with players having full access to all eight personal storylines up to level 50, although some content and advanced features will be gated via microtransaction purchases. Subscriptions will still be available to players by offering unlimited access to new features and higher-level content, but BioWare has noted that they want to offer "flexibility and choice" to their players.

    Ultimately, according to the new SWTOR F2P FAQ, free players will be limited in terms of how many warzones, flashpoints, and space missions they will be able to accomplish per week. Additionally, F2P players will have "extremely" limited access to the Galactic Trade Network, as well as no access to any endgame operations. The expectation is that these features will be available to F2P players via microtransaction purchases (BioWare is calling their real-money currency "Cartel Coins"), but subscribers should be able to access all of this new content for the same monthly price.

    BioWare also has plans to reward their current and returning players, with Cartel Coins rewarded to subscribers and purchasers of the Collector's Edition of SWTOR, as well as a unique "Fan's Choice in-game item" for anyone who subscribes before August 1st, 2012.
     
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
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  2. Aaddron

    Aaddron Moderator Staff Member GameOgre Moderator

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    This is a good move, 1 to end game content is pretty good, will give more people a chance to play it.
     
    Aaddron, Jul 31, 2012
    Aaddron, Jul 31, 2012
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  3. Supernatural

    Supernatural LiveStreamer Ogre Veteran

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    Well restrictions are pretty hard, doubt much people will decide to start paying now...
     
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
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  4. Mordekaiser

    Mordekaiser Dealer of Death Ogre Veteran

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    This is great news
     
    Mordekaiser, Jul 31, 2012
    Mordekaiser, Jul 31, 2012
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  5. Aaddron

    Aaddron Moderator Staff Member GameOgre Moderator

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    The restrictions are pretty good, could be better but defiantly not the worst of hybrid model games. The meat of the game 1-50 looks to be untouched, which is great. The end game and extra modes are gimped but 3 out of 4 modes are limited by amount of times can play per-week instead of can't play at all which is good. I don't see any money restriction which is great... however it could be just not on the chart yet...

    The trade network restriction is a bummer... hopefully they provide free players with at least 1 slot to sell things but it's a pretty common restriction.

    I'm hoping they add some kind of in between tier where you spend say $10 and get some of the limits lessened.

    EDIT: Found the first real wrinkle... they are planning paid (free for subs) content updates every 6 weeks... if they aren't overpriced could be neat... kind of like DCUO mini expansions, sounds like they will offer an update in one package and also split the package up so if say it includes a PvE item (say new quests) and a PvP specific item (say new maps)... you can buy just the PvP item if your not interested in PvE quests... I like the idea but I think in the end it'll just divide the player base.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2012
    Aaddron, Jul 31, 2012
    Aaddron, Jul 31, 2012
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  6. Supernatural

    Supernatural LiveStreamer Ogre Veteran

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    All those stuff make the game complicated, as far I noticed, only games with simple F2P system can survive...
     
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
    Supernatural, Jul 31, 2012
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    ogreman

    ogreman Ogre In Charge Staff Member GameOgre Admin

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    We could possibly play this game for Ogre Game Time:).
     
    ogreman, Aug 10, 2012
    ogreman, Aug 10, 2012
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  8. Aaddron

    Aaddron Moderator Staff Member GameOgre Moderator

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    Maybe, I heard F2P could still be a month or two off. However the Unlimited time Free Trial to level 15 is still open in the meantime so it'd still be possible. Given the games size though, might take now until F2P launch to download it lol (20gb)
     
    Aaddron, Aug 10, 2012
    Aaddron, Aug 10, 2012
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  9. Fallstar

    Fallstar Ogre Newling

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    going to the f2p model should work out a lot better for them. Their subscription base was dwindling quite rapidly, and by offering the game as f2p with a cash shop you can bet people will spend money in game to see the end content, and for flavor items as they get leveled up.

    As whole bioware will probably make even more in terms of profit this way that with just a subscription plan.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2012
    Fallstar, Aug 11, 2012
    Fallstar, Aug 11, 2012
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  10. FreeUGC

    FreeUGC BamBam

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    I think going Free-to-Play is definately a good start for Star Wars The Old Republic to head in. There rapid declining players that just dont want to pay that subscription price every month was rapidly increasing. However as free as they call it, hmmm. Well we know its going to be Pay to "win". Predictions on that changing? Not any time soon. May the Force be with you and your money >=)
     
    FreeUGC, Aug 18, 2012
    FreeUGC, Aug 18, 2012
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  11. joeku

    joeku BamBam

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    Good news!
     
    joeku, Aug 23, 2012
    joeku, Aug 23, 2012
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