Free To Play - what are the new changes?

[Swinging From Nosehair]

For example, is the gold limit still 10g?

[Andy B]

Here's an article about all the changes:

http://www.ageofconan.com/news/newmembership

Within this is a link that'll take you to a full rundown of membership and rewards.

[MugHug]

Checked the link and there are still unclear points.

'That’s right--you may now access any area you own.'

So does that mean we have access to part of the game and other parts are behind a paywall? Please give clear details as to what areas this refers to and how much.

Exactly what is the situation on expansions now?

Is Rise of the Godslayer included in the F2P game or is this expansion an additional cost?

Same with Dragon’s Spine as I did not (on current account) buy anything prior to the update mentioned in the email sent out.?

Did log in and look but the info must be buried. Also checked the shop but must have missed it.

Trying to work out total ownership cost of AoC before committing.

[Demolaye]

Originally posted by Community Manager (Odonoptera):

Here's an article about all the changes:

http://www.ageofconan.com/news/newmembership

Within this is a link that'll take you to a full rundown of membership and rewards.

Not really a "full rundown". The linked post seems filled with vague double-talk.
And does not answer a lot of questions players may have.

",,,Membership is no longer required to enter any area! --You may now access any area you own, regardless of your membership status. You no longer need to keep buying access passes or membership in order to enter Raids, Unchained Dungeons, or playfields from expansions you already bought. Please remember that you still need to own the appropriate pack (such as Rise of the Godslayer) in order to access these areas. Dragon’s Spine has become its own pack that is sold separately, but if you’ve ever spent money through us on Age of Conan before this update, we’ve given you the pack for free!"

Why would anyone need to buy an access pass for content they already own?
This patch "seems" to correct that but still leaves readers confused.
I've played a lot of MMO and normally once I buy a game or an expansion, I can play any area / raid / instance in said game or expansion forever without ever having to upgrade to play already paid for content. I have never seen such confusing double-babble from a game company.
I will end by saying I do like your game but your subscription model is a real tun-off.

[MugHug]

Originally posted by Demolaye:

Originally posted by Community Manager (Odonoptera):

Here's an article about all the changes:

http://www.ageofconan.com/news/newmembership

Within this is a link that'll take you to a full rundown of membership and rewards.

Not really a "full rundown". The linked post seems filled with vague double-talk.
And does not answer a lot of questions players may have.

",,,Membership is no longer required to enter any area! --You may now access any area you own, regardless of your membership status. You no longer need to keep buying access passes or membership in order to enter Raids, Unchained Dungeons, or playfields from expansions you already bought. Please remember that you still need to own the appropriate pack (such as Rise of the Godslayer) in order to access these areas. Dragon’s Spine has become its own pack that is sold separately, but if you’ve ever spent money through us on Age of Conan before this update, we’ve given you the pack for free!"

Why would anyone need to buy an access pass for content they already own?
This patch "seems" to correct that but still leaves readers confused.
I've played a lot of MMO and normally once I buy a game or an expansion, I can play any area / raid / instance in said game or expansion forever without ever having to upgrade to play already paid for content. I have never seen such confusing double-babble from a game company.
I will end by saying I do like your game but your subscription model is a real tun-off.

TY for reply.

Yep, I read that paragraph and it is also the one sent by email. Confusing for a new player. It does come across as 'vague double-talk'.

Cannot workout if the expansion 'Rise of the Godslayer' is available to new F2P players. Could not find anywhere to buy it (website or store). Same confusion with Dragon's Spine. Could not find where to buy it. What 'play areas' (zones) does a new F2P account own already!!.

If Odonoptera and the new Game Director are trying to encourage new players, they really need to clear it up. I can look at EQ1, EQ2, ESO and others allowing me to clearly understand F2P and P2P models alongside each other.

Actually, just an idea but the comparison chart that SoE used for the payment models in EQ2 would not be a bad idea for new, new players to understand.

I wish to use F2P to start with and if things go good I have no issue to switch to P2P down the road, but I am just reluctant to invest time and money until I know what is going on.

Use to play AoC a long time ago (account lost) and I have fond memories but when I went back to try it out about a year ago, the F2P model was so restrictive. Seeing that email in my box yesterday and my eyes lite up, only to be met with the confusion as detailed above.

Does not encourage one.

Installed the client but holding off playing. Checking out other MMOs while I wait for info.

I also posted a request for a sticky post on the official forums that clarifies the points of above post but no reply from Funcom yet.

[Demolaye]

There are lot's of Devs and Publishers that make reading and understanding your subscription easy, unfortunately FunCom is not one of them. A pity FunCom makes some interesting games; i.e. Longest Journey adventure series is real good, Anarchy Online was way ahead of itss time, The Secret World is a very intersting contemporary setting, with horror fiction and folklore stylings. But I too am quite wary of giving FunCom my cash again as their pay model for MMOs is hard to understand compared to many others.
If I buy a Paradox game, when I go to my Steam profile, it tells me what version I own. Before I hit the "go to Store Page" button I can easily see which DLCs / expansions I do and don't own and therfore understand if I need or wish to spend some money. The same can be said for MMOs Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO), and DnD Online, even the 2K Sid Mieir Civilization games, any Paraddox game and many oithers.
i like FunCom games but am slow to give them my money as it is much more difficult to know what I am actually paying for sometimes.
Their loss not mine as I have lot's of games to choose from.

[Wrain]

I will break this down VERY simply.

1. The expac's are purchased IN-GAME from their store. You buy funcom coins and spend them on what you want.

2. Yes, once you PURCHASE Godslayer...or ANY of the expansions. YOU OWN THEM FOREVER. NO-SUB, NO FEE's, NO-HIDDEN COSTS, etc. You just own them as if its a game such as GW2. ***You can do ALL dungeons, ALL raids, ALL quests, ALL pvp. Makling this very clear***

3. With NO SUB, the ONLY things you are missing are, increased drop rate(s), increase XP gain (30%), teleport(s), ect.

This is the BEST setup AoC has had since the beginning. If you are itching to play an AMAZING game (with unbelievable adult lore and music), this is the time.

I wish you well in Hyboria. Just remember, there's no "pay walls" any longer. But there's NO point in buying ANY of the expansion(s) until you are 50+.

good luck and see you in the lands,
Kyloth

[MugHug]

Wrain,

Thank you very much.

Basically answers my questions. Sounds good F2P setup now.

One observation. Maybe I missed it but logged-in to game I missed seeing the expan packs in the shop. Will look again.

Again, thank you.

Found expansions in shop. Price seems decent.

[Swinging From Nosehair]

Still think we are missing a section stating exactly what is available or limited for F2P.
Clear enought for Premium, but not for F2P.

[MugHug]

Agree,

Wrain is only a customer (as far as aware) so it is still down to Funcom to respond to this.

Still no reply from Funcom to post made on official forum.

[Wrain]

There is NOTHING missing..I spelled it out for you.

[Swinging From Nosehair]

Originally posted by Wrain:

There is NOTHING missing..I spelled it out for you.

Can you spell out the gold limit? Is there a way of raising it in-store?

[Wrain]

what do you care about gold for??? NOTHING on the AH is gonna be out of reach for you. All the good gear is from drops/dungeons/quests. Even if you do hit a gold limit, start a guild and guild bank it, or have your friend help you move it from your "bank" toon.

Cmon man..this really isn't rocket science. There is no super secret crypto "we got you te he he he" f2p switch. Sit back, log-in, and enjoy the game. :)

[MugHug]

Wrain,

What is with the CAPITALS. I thank you for your help but if you do not have the patiences to deal with a few questions from noobs then let someone else answer.

The Steam forum is bad enough with attitudes.

[Demolaye]

+1
The Level of discourse on Steam is not quite as bad Youtube or FB, but no need to give attitude to people asking earnest questions.
I have played many MMOs and been considered pretty good at most. I however have not seen the point of talking down to noobs as long as they are asking honest questions.
Maybe just a matter of tone, no need to get fired up IMO.

[Loli Cunnysseur]

Wow. I am glad I finally downloaded this game. Been itching to play it since a re-run of the Big Bang Theory showed Penny get obsessed with it.