Curse

guffey · May 06, 2006, 10:22 PM // 22:22

if new monthly fews came i would just swithc to oblivion. no thinking just doing.

Kylie Minon · May 06, 2006, 10:47 PM // 22:47

Jeff Strain said that they adopted the no monthly fee structure while looking other MMORPGs and trying to offer an innovative business scheme, not tying up players to a regular payment.

A change of plans might be a warning sign Anet is loosing grip on its so far loyal userbase, and becoming less innovative : )

Thallandor · May 06, 2006, 11:25 PM // 23:25

As mentioned before this game dont warrent a monthly fee based on its content since it is far inferior to other MMOs out there. A comparison would be like DDO from turbine charging monthly fees for it sub standard excuse for a MMO walking the same path of AC2 while killing support for their up comming LoTR online.

Theres already many interesting MMOs comming up that holds great promise: Age of conan, Pirates of the Burning sea, Warhammer online to name a few and charging a monthly for guildwars would just make me and many others leave for good but since they already got my money for GWP and GWF CE they prob dont care, if so just as well since i was looking forward to NWN2 and D3 anyways. GG for screwing over your fans.

VGJustice · May 06, 2006, 11:30 PM // 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockster

This is included to cover the Asian versions which are typically pay to play as many play only in internet cafes.

Yeah, this is most likely it. I remember this being said, and I'm fairly sure that it was Gaile that said it. And, regardless as to whether or not she's "only a company mouthpiece", she is a good barometer for company plans.

My take on this is what I concider simple economics. One of the main selling points of GW is the "No Monthly Fee". It's a huge advertising point. Many players, including myself, began playing the game for this reason. Now, we appreciate the value the game offers at its low price.

If NCSoft or Arena.Net chose to change its polocy about monthly fees, it would upset a huge portion of their fan-base. If the fans refuse to play the game, then neither company can make any money off of these players. If they can't make money, they go out of buisness.

As it stands now, they have a large number of happy customers, like myself, that tell other players how good the game is, and that gets new players to try the game as well, thus making both companies money. If we were suddenly ticked off, we would tell our friends how bad the game is, others would not buy the game based on those examples, and the companies would not make money from new customers. This is the basic idea behind the company buzz-phrase "One Unhappy customer is worth 5 Happy customers", or, if we tick off one guy, we loose 5 potential happy customers. And, you can see the reaction in this thread. Just look at how many knee-jerk reactions of "I'll quit" there are already. I would quit because I can't afford a monthly, not because I disagree with them. And I'm certain that there's a large number of people that would be in the same boat as me.

I guess what I'm saying here is that people who want to make money do their very best not to make poor decisions. Adding a monthly fee after all their advertising about "No Monthly" would be a poor decision, don't you think?

Tortoise · May 07, 2006, 12:08 AM // 00:08

Although I don't have much legal knowledge I do know that EULA's are generally not worth much in court.The game cover stating GW is 'free online gaming' is legally a lot stronger then the EULA.

My guess is the same one as Hockster: it's because of the different bussiness models in Asian countries.

I don't ever see them changing this btw. Ever...

Alias_X · May 07, 2006, 12:30 AM // 00:30

They can try, and we will all switch to games worthy of monthly fees.

Evilsod · May 07, 2006, 12:41 AM // 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias_X

They can try, and we will all switch to games worthy of monthly fees.

My thoughts exactly

So far Factions hasn't even grabbed me as good enough to even buy yet thanks to all the ridiculous nerfs they've done recently. I wouldn't even hang around if they started with monthly fees.

Slade xTekno · May 07, 2006, 12:53 AM // 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias_X

They can try, and we will all switch to games worthy of monthly fees.

In a society in which the consumer holds great power, it still makes me sick to my stomach when I hear something like this. Has anyone stopped to appreciate what ANet is doing for us, the fact that they actually deal with issues quickly and stream updates to us constantly?
On a similar note, what is with all this "what if" stuff? You can say it as many times as you wish, but in the end, it will amount to nothing unless it actually happens. Woop dee doo, there is a clause in the EULA that very few people read that says that they could implement a fee system in a game that set itself apart by not having one. Think logically, folks.

It's kind of a pity to return to a forum I cherished after half a year's time to find that people now hold the negative attitudes that were once exclusive to The Guild Hall. It's sort of funny that we're discussing the hypothetical degeneration of a game rather than the present atrophy of the attitudes of its players.

Think positive. ~_^

Loviatar · May 07, 2006, 01:00 AM // 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

Think positive. ~_^

thank you for saying it better than i could.

if i cant find anything to do in Factions (fat chance of that) i will enjoy presear/monesrary chapter 1 until i get chapter 3.

i may be slow in progress but i do have fun and isnt that the bottom line for playing a game?

Lepton CFd · May 07, 2006, 01:05 AM // 01:05

After promising no monthly fees and heavily using that aspect as a marketing device, implementing a monthly fee would destroy the game. A lot of people would quit. I, for one, would quit.

MasterDinadan · May 07, 2006, 01:16 AM // 01:16

Liscence Agreements pretty much entitle game producers to do whatever they want. That doesn't mean they are necessarily going to excercise the rights they set out for themselves in the Agreement, but they just reserve the ability to do so.
I wouldn't worry about it. Frankly, I would be surprised if there WEREN'T something like that in the agreement. It's nothing unexpected.

aron searle · May 07, 2006, 01:21 AM // 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterDinadan

Liscence Agreements pretty much entitle game producers to do whatever they want.

Only up to a point.

I can only speak for EU law, but im pretty sure if you advertise it as free on the box, you cant then stick a not INSIDE the box saying you "may" have to pay and then enforcing it, It would be misadvertising just for starters.

I could be wrong not being a laywer, but if it happend the first thing i would do would be to report them to trading standards or something.

Evilsod · May 07, 2006, 01:26 AM // 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

Has anyone stopped to appreciate what ANet is doing for us, the fact that they actually deal with issues quickly and stream nerfs to us constantly?

Just thought i'd correct that.

Angel Develin · May 07, 2006, 01:33 AM // 01:33

no monthly fees??
thats true but now they come with a 6 month upgrade (what they call a stand alone game) and it cost allmost 50 euro, thats about 8 euro each month. so we are paying for whats new like every other online game the only thing is we pay every 6 month for now on.
Don't get me wrong, I love the game and I don't mind buying a new chapter each 6 month but to say we don't pay a monthly fee is not compleetly correct.
other Online game (with monthly fee) give a new area every few months, so this gamers pay for the upgrade and the services, we do the same only we do it diffrent. there is no compony that could or would make anything for free.

As long as there is no monthly fee

and as long as I'm having fun I'm buying the collectors edition every time

(i have the first 2, just to show that I love the game)

CK0 · May 07, 2006, 03:49 AM // 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

In a society in which the consumer holds great power, it still makes me sick to my stomach when I hear something like this.

Take some Pepto-Bismol. Breath into a bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

Has anyone stopped to appreciate what ANet is doing for us, the fact that they actually deal with issues quickly and stream updates to us constantly?

What would happen if they didn't deal with these issues and stream updates? I would say it's necessary. I appreciate you ANET.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

On a similar note, what is with all this "what if" stuff? You can say it as many times as you wish, but in the end, it will amount to nothing unless it actually happens.

It gives consumers a sense of power. It defines it for them. It is the 'go-to' plan in case this situation ever arises. It's fun to discuss? Let them talk about it if they wish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

Think positive. ~_^

Okay!

-Byron- · May 07, 2006, 04:59 AM // 04:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade xTekno

In a society in which the consumer holds great power, it still makes me sick to my stomach when I hear something like this. Has anyone stopped to appreciate what ANet is doing for us, the fact that they actually deal with issues quickly and stream updates to us constantly?

There is no doubt that we owe Arenanet our gratitude for their timely maner in addressing our gripes about the game and paying so much attention to their fanbase. However, I don't quite see how anyone is thinking negatively; it more being aware of what could happen to Guild Wars. Arenet is still a company above all other things, and while they do have the authority to do so, I still find it highly unlikely they will ever implement a monthly fee for obvious reasons. It is because the consumers have such power that anet will not introduce fees, not the kindness of the company. Both Arenanet and their customers are going to try to maximize what they want - respectively profit and quality gaming. Therefre, I think Arenanet and their customers have hit a point where both are content with what they have - the gamers have a quality game without monthly fees, while Arenanet makes money. As long as we continue buying expansions, monthly fees are really not a wise decision for either party. Lets hope it stays that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aron searle

Only up to a point.

I can only speak for EU law, but im pretty sure if you advertise it as free on the box, you cant then stick a not INSIDE the box saying you "may" have to pay and then enforcing it, It would be misadvertising just for starters.

I could be wrong not being a laywer, but if it happend the first thing i would do would be to report them to trading standards or something.

Seconded. Its not the fine print that matters, its the way the average person interprets it.

=HT=Ingram · May 07, 2006, 06:02 AM // 06:02

I think its pretty universally accepted that if GW was a Monthly fee it would not be a viable community any longer... I would simply move on to bigger and better things at that point. I mean EQ and WoW was fun for about a month or so, but in reality I would never be extorted into a subscription structure for something I already paid for in full. I'll walk away from it and not look back.

I don''t believe in such structures and I think its obvious that Anet as a stand alone company feels the same. NCSoft is another story. There has been tremendous pressure on Anet to change their model for one reason and one reason only... The other divisions of companies NCSoft are hurting because of the sucess of GW fee-less model. This forcing companies like Sony and MS and NCsoft and Blizzard, to rethink their existing subscription models in order to gain market share again. Factions is the start of a trend for the market. If numbers are as strong as it seems to be, its a proven success.
This has the competitors running for their lawyers trying with all due effort to FORCE Arenanet to change their model so as not to unduely effect the subscription business model. This will not happen easily to say the least. The legal mumbo Jumbo is there to allow it if it is ever deemed necessary, yes. but Anet knows this is their death sentence upon doing it. If such a thing happens 2 things are guaranteed.

1: GW will die very quickly in popularity.
and 2: Games like EQ and WoW, and Galaxies, and STO, and linage 2, all of em, will jack the monthly fees up 10-20% overnight.

This is known as collusion, Because the THREAT of competition will be eliminated.and they will universally agree to hike prices to cover recent losses.

Zorian Direspell · May 07, 2006, 06:22 AM // 06:22

This makes me wish I had had time to read the EULA better.

1. This probably has nothing to do with the asian users if it is appended to a product designed solely for distribution outside of an asian country (such as the U.S. or U.K.). They would have another license covering concerns for that.

2. This may, however, be the result of an adoption of a standard form from NCsoft 's legal department. Not everyone spends time thinking about the legal ramifications of their actions, but certainly everyone appreciates the dangers of being on the wrong side of the law. Maybe they just grabbed a standard form and had someone fill in the blanks. However:

3. What this effectively does is allow NC soft the option to start using monthly fees (or, heck, daily fees) for whatever they want. If they really don't intend to do this, they should change the EULA agreement to not include this clause and have everyone click accept again. That would fix this little problem.

4. If they don't do this, I admit that I'm worried. This clause isn't necessary if they have been honest with us in saying that there will never be monthly fees. (No, it doesn't cover added premium content, like extra character slots ... the clause by its wording is specifically limited to chapters and service. If you want to cover new premium content, just add:

In Definitions:
Premium Content: Optional upgrades to the Service that may be developed now or at a later date by Provider, the applications of which are not necessary to use the Service and may be purchased for a fee set by Provider.

In Terms of Use:
Notwithstanding any of the preceeding terms (or terms (1) through whichever parts cover any lack of fee promises), Provider reserves the right to charge User for Premium Content provided to that User at the User's request).

It would be nice to get some official response on this. I think, at least, we're owed a "damage control" explanation.

P.S. In regards to Guild Wars needing to charge to "maintain servers" at some point.... If Arena.net invests some of its revenue early on into a trust for the purpose of using its income to pay for server fees, server fees should no longer be an issue after a while, assuming the GW enjoys a long and healthy life.

ophidian409 · May 07, 2006, 09:10 AM // 09:10

as far as I know, chinese guild wars lost more than half people after beta, that means people aren't even willing to pay the one time free $40, not to say the monthly fee.

Again, if they start to charge, gw will probably lose half people, hall of hero will have no people and skip map like mad, people won't be able to find a group to do regular mission etc.

I don't feel guildwars has as many people as other popular on-line games have, and I don't see guildwars surpasses other online games in game play and graphics, the only reason I choice this game was its no monthly chrage. If they charge , they simply kill themselves slowly.

Numa Pompilius · May 07, 2006, 09:19 AM // 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thallandor

As mentioned before this game dont warrent a monthly fee based on its content since it is far inferior to other MMOs out there.

Bullshit. Have you played any other MMORPG's?

And please don't claim that NWN was good. Apart from the fact that it wasn't an MMORPG, NWN's official campaigns was utter crap, among the worst cRPG's ever made. NWN relied _entirely_ on user-made content and the fact that anyone could (and did) set up their own server, I don't see any reason to think NWN2 will be any different.

That said, it's been stated over and over and over and over that GW will not have monthly fees. I don't know why this subject keeps popping up regardless*.

Read ANets lips: GW will not have monthly fees.

* Well, actually I do. It's because people play crap like WoW, where you pay $40 for the game then $15 per month, then find it hard to understand that GW could possibly be just $40, period.