A few days ago ShackNews reported that the highly anticipated MMORPG(to me), Star Wars: The Old Republic would be a Micro-Transaction game. This apparently sent an uproar among the MMORPG community(a great example is the comments here at
http://brokentoys.org/ ). While EA came around and said it was all a big misunderstanding, the whole ordeal made me wonder. What is it about MT and F2P(Free to play) MMORPGs that upsets the community so? A lot of these arguments stem from the general stereotype that F2P and MT games are not of "Triple A" value.
Now was there an actual misunderstanding or did EA change it's mind after discovering the outrage by the community? The sheer rage by a lot of posts are truly confusing to my fragile little mind. Some stated that most F2P games have nothing but 12 year olds playing. I would like to point out Barrens chat to you in a tiny subscription MMORPG called World of Warcraft. Or trade channel, or ANY channel for that matter. While these "kids" may not be 12, but more like 18 and older...
So with EA silent about what type of payment model they will be using, I can only stare at my fellow MMORPG gamers in confusion. Did we just shoot ourselves in the foot here? We had a game being developed by Bioware, who's record of making brilliant games rivals some of the best, and when it was "misunderstood" as being a MT based game everyone freaks out? These kind of biased responses that can shift a game from being a paragon of awesome to crap kinda scares me. Considering the bully power that has been used on Blizzard before to make in-game changes, what else will change from start of production to release due to angry, confused, and misguided players?
Again, stolen, cleaned, and pawned from my blog. Brought over here for the opinions and shameless dirty self promoting.
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Cup - It cannot be more evil then episode 1-3. Plus it is Bioware, I'm gonna have faith in their promise of the fourth pillar of online games(which is story).
And why do you hate MT?
Regarding MT, I don't hate them yet, it's quite simple: I expect MT to be a way to add new levels, new story content, side missions - ergo, "complete" experiences in them selves. Maybe I have miss interpreted the definition of MT in you piece, if so I am sorry :P. However, my experience of MT in MMO games are items and such bonus stuff, which brings a edge to the people who have the money.
There are some versions of MT I'm fine with, even if those with the cash get better gear then I do. However if its TOO unbalanced then I get the feeling of why I should even bother.
Its a touchy subject.
"Are we human.... or are we danshir?"
I think I have made my view clear so I am curious about yours. :)
Ok. My opinion on the matter is I'm fine with a MT system, even if it gives said people "SOMEWHAT" better gear than any I could get by playing the game normally. The reason is suddenly I'm playing for free.
Why does free matter so much? Besides the obvious, you lose that nagging thought that you have to play the game everyday for at least an hour or so so your not wasting your subscription. Also "fun" items such as just custom graphics, unique mounts*Like WoW's halloween Broom*, and items like Orb of Deception, That Piccolo that makes everyone dance, and etc being items you could get from MT.
While I would NEVER buy items like that on a subscription game, if I was playing for free I may. However there are forms of MT, such as the Private server WoWScape, where the items you get for MT are incredible in breaking the games balance. People fork over $300 and get gear that can let the player solo Black temple *Literally*. What surprizes me is how many people DO it. Almost everyone around me had some of these "Donor" items. Is it so they can be on par with others so the game is "balanced" again or because they want to say they solo'ed Hyjal?
I would have to say I can't take a singular stand with just subscription or MT. Each game is different even if their using the same type of payment method. Some games do MT very well, some don't and as a result I enjoy the game less.
Ok I've rambled on for quite a bit =). Basically it all comes down to the game in question. There are MMORPGs that I play and talk about on my blog that I don't play monthly fees for and I'm starting to play them more and more then my subscription MMORPGs even though I'm already paid up..
It's just more laid back =).Thanks for all your comments, even if we end up not agreeing.
I think its very reasonable to regard it as a relative matter - my view might have a more varied composite in the future though - until then I am skeptical at best regarding MT.
Yet - not to beat that dead horse again - the discussion is fun and interesting. :)