EverQuest 2 Free-to-Play (SOE Official)

[Eru]

I'd be intrigued to see how this could affect eq2emulator's progress.

It may not affect us at all, aside from content collection. If EQ2 Live goes 100% F2P and there is no longer a box set client to base our server compatibility on, then yes... we might have an issue moving forward [with keeping live compatibility].

However, EQ2Emulator still plans to build a live-like experience (at the core) and more so, a server base that you (the admin) can build any world you wish using existing, purchased, box-set clients and play on them forever.

In other words, we're still going to build our engine, just might take even longer without data, but hey, we don't even have C++ devs so I guess it really doesn't matter

There are many rumors going around that SOE is just trying to convert all of their incoming players, and most of their current live server player-base, to the "free" server. I wouldn't doubt it.

Best to prepare for the future, considering the subtle, and not-so-subtle clues all about.

What's going to happen to the live servers after it dies? Perhaps it will continue on, in a different form..

[ZexisStryfe]

There are many rumors going around that SOE is just trying to convert all of their incoming players, and most of their current live server player-base, to the "free" server. I wouldn't doubt it.

Those rumors are absolute bullshit. They have made it very clear they are going to be two separate instances. they also made it clear EQNext would be a subscritpion model as well, so there would be no reason to move to this model. This is just a way to get more exposure for the game.

Personally, I think if SoE were smart they would move EQ1 over to free to play + Cash shop. Being an older game with a smaller clientbase they would have less to lose and more to gain.

[Eru]

There are many rumors going around that SOE is just trying to convert all of their incoming players, and most of their current live server player-base, to the "free" server. I wouldn't doubt it.

Those rumors are absolute bullshit. They have made it very clear they are going to be two separate instances. they also made it clear EQNext would be a subscritpion model as well, so there would be no reason to move to this model. This is just a way to get more exposure for the game.

Personally, I think if SoE were smart they would move EQ1 over to free to play + Cash shop. Being an older game with a smaller clientbase they would have less to lose and more to gain.

They took out the trial, and the only way to try out the game is to pay for the game, or go on the EQ2X servers. Why would they take out the free trial for live servers? Many are calling this a way of funneling the live servers to the EQ2X servers, and an obvious bluff on SOE's part.

[JCL]

So I just got to play in the EQ2X finally and here is my opinion (if anyone cares lol):

The Good:
-Free and the features offered there are fair.
-New slightly better UI. I had to resize mine down so I could see more of the nice graphics
-Lots of people running around.

The BAD:
Station Marketplace: They better watch where they go here. So far you can buy mounts from $12.50 - $25, potions, Mastercrafted gear from $0.50 - $4.00, tradeskill components $1.00 - $6.50 even up to $15 for some rares.

You have to pay $7.50 for a 3 race pack. There are 5 packs so thats $37.50 if you want access to all races.

I think they need to drop the race packs for those who pay $15 a month. What am I paying a sub for if I don't get a full game?

[ilythor]

Doesn't the $15 a month membership give you access to the full game?

That was my understanding, from all the membership chart.

[JCL]

For the most part it does, except you don't get any more races. You still have to pay like $40 for the rest.

[hawkbs]

seems like a lot of popular retail games are starting to offer a F2P option: First DDO, Lotro, and now EQII, wonder what game will be next.

Age of Conan in Korea is FTP. You do need a Korean national ID to join though.
http://conan.pmang.com/

Doesn't the $15 a month membership give you access to the full game?

That was my understanding, from all the membership chart.

At that price might as well play the live version.

Personally, I think if SoE were smart they would move EQ1 over to free to play + Cash shop. Being an older game with a smaller clientbase they would have less to lose and more to gain.

SWG would make more sense.

[Eradani]

Personally, I think if SoE were smart they would move EQ1 over to free to play + Cash shop. Being an older game with a smaller clientbase they would have less to lose and more to gain.

SWG would make more sense.

I saw a post today where SOE claims there's as many subs on EQ1 as on EQ2.
a) is this ACTIVE subs?
b) OMFG

I'd try SWG and/or Vanguard if they were free (and not operated by SOE).

Personally, I hate RMT with a passion. Paying to twink would cost me waaaaaaay too much on any game.

Give me a game that's good enough for a sub or I'll try and write my own. (lol)

[JCL]

With everything you can buy on the station store it's going to hurt the games economy. You can buy mastercrafted gear so why pay someone to make it or buy the rares. You can also buy harvest items and rares now.

[Eradani]

They're also "price controlling" with selling MC gear. And, atm, you can't even use the broker unless you SUB to the FREE2PLAY game. hahahahah

Their new best idea is maybe to sell broker transaction in bundles of 10 for 150sc.

[Chrisworld]

Wait so on the old live servers the brokers are disabled?

[Eradani]

everything normal with regards to content access on Live servers except no more free trial = no more new people.

i was referring to selling in-game items (ie: crafted gear) in the cash store, thus "price fixing" the in-game broker on the free2pay server