A Major Announcement!

[Roblar]

F2P players getting these dropped:

[You have been awarded a Treasure Boost! You will gain extra treasure until Wed Mar 11 00:58:18 ET 2015.]

[Archigeek]

F2P players getting these dropped:

[You have been awarded a Treasure Boost! You will gain extra treasure until Wed Mar 11 00:58:18 ET 2015.]

Awesome that they are doing this.

[Taernath]

lol @ invasion on eve of f2p

[Astray]

lol @ invasion on eve of f2p

Ah yes, just what every fresh faced new adventurer loves... getting fucking wrecked in an invasion.

[Tgo01]

lol @ invasion on eve of f2p

Welcome to Elanthia, noobs!

[Back]

Welcome to Elanthia, noobs!

You are far and away being the top poster in this thread.

[Tgo01]

You are far and away being the top poster in this thread.

I take pride in my work, okay?

[Taernath]

Welcome to Elanthia, noobs!

In a way, it works.

"Don't like getting juiced by gangs of muscular krolvin warriors while walking from TSC to the gemshop? LEVEL UP YOUR GAME™ NOW WITH A SUBSCRIPTION OR XP PASS!*"


























* Some restrictions apply. Must level up yourself. Charges incurred are the responsibility of the account holder.

[Tgo01]

In a way, it works.

"Don't like getting juiced by gangs of muscular krolvin warriors while walking from TSC to the gemshop? LEVEL UP YOUR GAME™ NOW WITH A SUBSCRIPTION OR XP PASS!*"


























* Some restrictions apply. Must level up yourself. Charges incurred are the responsibility of the account holder.

Why has Simu not hired you as their marketing and sales director yet?

[Astray]

In a way, it works.

I took a break due to being stomped to shit by Taladorians. Even as I knew it wasn't going to go on forever, I lost all drive to do anything after being butchered repeatedly with a saturated mind w/Lumis. I can't imagine how obnoxious it would be to be killed, lose all spells, need a pass to get them back, then need to replace your exp booster because an invasion is going on.

[Allereli]

I took a break due to being stomped to shit by Taladorians. Even as I knew it wasn't going to go on forever, I lost all drive to do anything after being butchered repeatedly with a saturated mind w/Lumis. I can't imagine how obnoxious it would be to be killed, lose all spells, need a pass to get them back, then need to replace your exp booster because an invasion is going on.

you don't need a pass as an f2p to receive spells. you need a pass to receive spells from an f2p

[Taernath]

I can't imagine how obnoxious it would be to be killed, lose all spells, need a pass to get them back, then need to replace your exp booster because an invasion is going on.

All part of the plan.

My level 1 guy is hiding in the inn.

[Astray]

you don't need a pass as an f2p to receive spells. you need a pass to receive spells from an f2p

Oh. Still pretty fucking stupid pass. WHY CAN'T I BE HELPED BY A F2P WITHOUT ME/THEM FORKING OUT MONEY

Tell me that, Ninja Llama.

[Androidpk]

Wtf is a taladorian?

[Allereli]

Oh. Still pretty fucking stupid pass. WHY CAN'T I BE HELPED BY A F2P WITHOUT ME/THEM FORKING OUT MONEY

Tell me that, Ninja Llama.

simple, because of bot abuse. anyone can have a free account.

maybe if some people had shown some personal restraint in the past, there wouldn't be so many restrictions on the free accounts.

[Back]

Oh. Still pretty fucking stupid pass. WHY CAN'T I BE HELPED BY A F2P WITHOUT ME/THEM FORKING OUT MONEY

Tell me that, Ninja Llama.

Never heard the term "ninja llama" until now. A google search turns up some pretty fabulous results.

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/292/6/c/ninja_llama_by_antoanela91-d312t0n.jpg

[Astray]

Wtf is a taladorian?

Some pissed off guys who ran around Wehnimer's just ruining shit for weeks.

[Astray]

simple, because of bot abuse. anyone can have a free account

Bot abuse. Yes... because free spells are just... so so terrible. Like what the fuck is so bad about a pocket wizard? Oh no, it's a free account spelling me up. You couldn't tell the fucking difference anyways.

[Allereli]

Bot abuse. Yes... because free spells are just... so so terrible. Like what the fuck is so bad about a pocket wizard? Oh no, it's a free account spelling me up. You couldn't tell the fucking difference anyways.

the difference would be you're not paying for that pocket wizard.

[Tgo01]

maybe if some people had shown some personal restraint in the past, there wouldn't be so many restrictions on the free accounts.

Right, customers are to blame for Simu's pricing policies :smug:

[Astray]

the difference would be you're not paying for that pocket wizard.

Yes. Because you paying for a main account while keeping a free pocket wizard is just... such a dig into Simu's pockets. Like, wow. Just take the cash out of their kids college funds at that point.

[Back]

Right, customers are to blame for Simu's pricing policies :smug:

Umm, people are to blame for many restrictions including theft for one thing. It only takes one bad apple to ruin things for the rest of us good apples.

[Allereli]

Yes. Because you paying for a main account while keeping a free pocket wizard is just... such a dig into Simu's pockets. Like, wow. Just take the cash out of their kids college funds at that point.

can you be anymore bent out of shape and over reactive about this?

[Tgo01]

Yes. Because you paying for a main account while keeping a free pocket wizard is just... such a dig into Simu's pockets. Like, wow. Just take the cash out of their kids college funds at that point.

I think part of the problem is GS was created back in an era when they got paid by the hour so everything they designed was made to take a long time; leveling up, spelling up, combat, traveling, etc etc. and as the years went by they never figured out how to keep the game fun and fresh without requiring everything to be a huge time sink so they kept designing the game around it being a huge time sink so one way to keep revenue was to make people pay for their own pocket <insert class here>.

[Astray]

can you be anymore bent out of shape and over reactive about this?

Yes. Yet I have a point, which is why you went for a personal attack rather than addressing the argument! But heeeeeeey, keep on trucking, Llama momma. I'll be here, waiting to read further developments.


I think part of the problem is GS was created back in an era when they got paid by the hour so everything they designed was made to take a long time; leveling up, spelling up, combat, traveling, etc etc. and as the years went by they never figured out how to keep the game fun and fresh without requiring everything to be a huge time sink so they kept designing the game around it being a huge time sink so one way to keep revenue was to make people pay for their own pocket <insert class here>.

I'd have to agree. When you go from hourly work to commissions, it is a massive strain financially and mentally. However, Simu's playerbase has proven time and time again that it's willing to pay for events. Instead of kneecapping something that brings in potentially fresh wallets, you could make some player friendly, desirables in the cash shop. Something I've harped on for some time now.

Also, I don't entirely disagree with the model. It just needs improvement. Which will (hopefully) make their way into circulation.

[Tgo01]

Umm, people are to blame for many restrictions including theft for one thing. It only takes one bad apple to ruin things for the rest of us good apples.

Yes but I didn't disagree with the notion that customers are to blame for Simu implementing rules and policies, I disagreed with the notion that customers are to blame for Simu's pricing policies. There are lots of ways to handle abuse; Simu decided the best way was to not call it abuse and instead make money off of it.


Yes. Yet I have a point, which is why you went for a personal attack rather than addressing the argument! But heeeeeeey, keep on trucking, Llama momma. I'll be here, waiting to read further developments.

That's just Allereli, you get used to her hot headedness.

[Back]

Yes but I didn't disagree with the notion that customers are to blame for Simu implementing rules and policies, I disagreed with the notion that customers are to blame for Simu's pricing policies. There are lots of ways to handle abuse; Simu decided the best way was to not call it abuse and instead make money off of it.



That's just Allereli, you get used to her hot headedness.

If you were Simu how would you handle it?

[Tgo01]

If you were Simu how would you handle it?

Of course that's the way I would handle it. Why are you arguing with me when you seem to agree with me? :/

[Taernath]

Sometimes ya might find that there's something extra that ya want to do or get, like storage space in a locker, a reduction in the after-effects of death (what we here call Death's Sting), help with travel, or an access pass to a society or guild that ya might not otherwise be able to get into. If any of those are the case, it's worth checkin' out what ya can get through SIMUCOIN, since ya might find something worthwhile for ya there.

When did THAT get added?

[Back]

Honest question. I'm fairly neutral. How could Simu do better?

[Androidpk]

If you were Simu how would you handle it?

He would do away with all the rules and make everything free. Then he would still find something to cry about.

[Taernath]

When looking for an adventurer who can assist you with spelling up, lockpicking, or loresinging, an efficient way to search is via:

1. SERVICE.
2. SIMUCOIN.
3. GLANCE.


Aww crap, is this a trick question?

[Tgo01]

When did THAT get added?

You're joking, right? This more of your applying to be Simu's marketing director? :p


He would do away with all the rules and make everything free. Then he would still find something to cry about.

You mad because I play to my strengths?

[Androidpk]

Aww crap, is this a trick question?

Service.

[Back]

I can't rep you but lol.

[Taernath]

You're joking, right? This more of your applying to be Simu's marketing director? :p

If only.

Looks like the invasion is maybe winding down. Level 1-ish Krolvin who chain cast ewave. Fun for the whole family!

[Androidpk]

You mad because I play to my strengths?


http://replygif.net/i/1485.gif

[Tgo01]

If only.

Looks like the invasion is maybe winding down. Level 1-ish Krolvin who chain cast ewave. Fun for the whole family!

Clearly he bought the pass to be able to chain cast spells like ewave. Maybe you should have taken Thrak's advice and checked out SIMUCOIN!

[Astray]

Honest question. I'm fairly neutral. How could Simu do better?

Being overly restrictive and attempting to draw as much money from those restrictions is not new player friendly. Here's how I would personally trim it down.

Free accounts have the following restriction.
1 Character per account. (A free account cannot expand on this.)
No Lumis. (Basic+ Subscription required.)
No access to boosters. (Move exp to Basic or higher subs. People would eat these up.)
No travel to Teras. (RR and the rest is fine. Teras is probably one of the higher level places, right? If I'm high enough level to go to Teras and I'm F2P, I'm probably several months/years older and am likely to roll into a subscription.)
PvP is a no-go. (Duh.)
Events are limited. (Merchants travelling around, sure. No EG or BIG events.)
Spells aren't going to be limited to receiving or giving. ( Fucking spells, get real people. They are literally nothing special.)
Limited bank and locker. (15 locker spaces. Period. Notes have a 3% higher exchange rate and you can only store up to a million or so. Enough to get 4x without being gouged or trolled.)

Easiest fucking thing in the World and possibly one of the friendliest ways to greet new players without screen scrolling through severe punishments.

[Tenlaar]

maybe if some people had shown some personal restraint in the past, there wouldn't be so many restrictions on the free accounts.

You mean those people who were paying for an account to receive benefits from a character on that account that they were paying for?

Those dirty fuckers.

[Back]

Being overly restrictive and attempting to draw as much money from those restrictions is not new player friendly. Here's how I would personally trim it down.

Free accounts have the following restriction.
1 Character per account. (A free account cannot expand on this.)
No Lumis. (Basic+ Subscription required.)
No access to boosters. (Move exp to Basic or higher subs. People would eat these up.)
No travel to Teras. (RR and the rest is fine. Teras is probably one of the higher level places, right? If I'm high enough level to go to Teras and I'm F2P, I'm probably several months/years older and am likely to roll into a subscription.)
PvP is a no-go. (Duh.)
Events are limited. (Merchants travelling around, sure. No EG or BIG events.)
Spells aren't going to be limited to receiving or giving. ( Fucking spells, get real people. They are literally nothing special.)
Limited bank and locker. (15 locker spaces. Period. Notes have a 3% higher exchange rate and you can only store up to a million or so. Enough to get 4x without being gouged or trolled.)

Easiest fucking thing in the World and possibly one of the friendliest ways to greet new players without screen scrolling through severe punishments.

A real answer. Thank you. Like I said I'm neutral to how Simu works. I have the disposable cash to give to them for my own entertainment. What I like about Elanthia and it's people is that they are a living breathing world outside of our own.

[Androidpk]

I don't see the point in denying a free account access to Teras. You can get to cap via the rift or OFT.

[Astray]

I don't see the point in denying a free account access to Teras. You can get to cap via the rift or OFT.

Restrict places where people commonly cap. If only for the purpose of having somebody say "I got this far, I love the game enough to stick with it for so long going free. Why not go basic, at the very least, and see if the grass is greener?"

I would be willing to bet that those people would spend more in the Simu store and be elated to know that they got a weekly Lumis exp boost to go with some in store boosters.

[Donquix]

Being overly restrictive and attempting to draw as much money from those restrictions is not new player friendly. Here's how I would personally trim it down.

Free accounts have the following restriction.
1 Character per account. (A free account cannot expand on this.)
No Lumis. (Basic+ Subscription required.)
No access to boosters. (Move exp to Basic or higher subs. People would eat these up.)
No travel to Teras. (RR and the rest is fine. Teras is probably one of the higher level places, right? If I'm high enough level to go to Teras and I'm F2P, I'm probably several months/years older and am likely to roll into a subscription.)
PvP is a no-go. (Duh.)
Events are limited. (Merchants travelling around, sure. No EG or BIG events.)
Spells aren't going to be limited to receiving or giving. ( Fucking spells, get real people. They are literally nothing special.)
Limited bank and locker. (15 locker spaces. Period. Notes have a 3% higher exchange rate and you can only store up to a million or so. Enough to get 4x without being gouged or trolled.)

Easiest fucking thing in the World and possibly one of the friendliest ways to greet new players without screen scrolling through severe punishments.

i think the place they're really missing out that would be so easy is alterations. sadie-scroll like GALD in the simucoin store. Include "you receive X amount of simucoins per month" as part of the basic/premium subscription benefit so if you choose you could put it towards that.

spell renewal tokens (like sym recall)
spellup tokens (like the MANA verb, self cast insta-spellup)
chrism-like effect (capped at worse than player created, something like 75-80%?)
basically everything from the advguild. the temp flares/padding, that kind of thing.
enhancive recharging

just a few things off the top of my head. want to REALLY help the game? after getting the store fleshed out with things people actually care about and, make simucoins available for purchase for silver. a real, repeatable, actual silver sink to help reel the economy in a little and having an in-game currency option (yes, i realize you can always sell silvers in exchange $ or someone using their coins can do the services for you, i.e. premium points) always makes micro-transaction thing a bit more palatable.

[Tgo01]

i think the place they're really missing out that would be so easy is alterations. sadie-scroll like GALD in the simucoin store. Include "you receive X amount of simucoins per month" as part of the basic/premium subscription benefit so if you choose you could put it towards that.

spell renewal tokens (like sym recall)
spellup tokens (like the MANA verb, self cast insta-spellup)
chrism-like effect (capped at worse than player created, something like 75-80%?)
basically everything from the advguild. the temp flares/padding, that kind of thing.
enhancive recharging

just a few things off the top of my head. want to REALLY help the game? after getting the store fleshed out with things people actually care about and, make simucoins available for purchase for silver. a real, repeatable, actual silver sink to help reel the economy in a little and having an in-game currency option (yes, i realize you can always sell silvers in exchange $ or someone using their coins can do the services for you, i.e. premium points) always makes micro-transaction thing a bit more palatable.

I don't understand why they don't do this either. I never thought GS would go f2p but if they did this is exactly what I thought they would do; basically put everything up for sale but either do away with subscriptions or give each subscription a number of SimuCoins per month based on which subscription they have. It's like Simu is worried people are going to just save their SimuCoins and never buy any.

[Astray]

Peripherals is mainly what I'm thinking of in the store. Anything that directly affects items (such as padding, flares, etc) run the risk of just overriding and undermining the steps in the game, as well as potentially disrupting the market.

I don't think the spell up and renewal tokens would be very successful. If I have access to my own set of spells and lich, I'm gonna just ;waggle and not bother. Chrism-like effects or objects, kinda iffy. I'd offer them for dirt cheap at 50%. A 'last resort' type of thing. Enhancive recharges are a no-go. You need to keep the Adventure Guild still functioning and desirable outside of exp.

Exp boosting is ALWAYS a great item. Screw the treasure booster if it directly influences the quality or type of item. I'm reluctant to have one at all. As this is probably Simu's only real experience with micro-transactions, they are fairly... decent at it.

[JackWhisper]

Just read another thread where someone stated they were in their first 30 days, and then got converted to F2P today.

Does this mean there is no longer the free 30day trial that is separate from this?

One that starts Basic, and gives you a free 30 days before billing begins?

[Astray]

Just read another thread where someone stated they were in their first 30 days, and then got converted to F2P today.

Does this mean there is no longer the free 30day trial that is separate from this?

One that starts Basic, and gives you a free 30 days before billing begins?

It's now F2P or P2P. No trial anymore.

[JackWhisper]

It's now F2P or P2P. No trial anymore.

*facepalm*

Chuck Norris would roundhouse kick this, if it wasn't so sad. Sigh.

[Tgo01]

Just read another thread where someone stated they were in their first 30 days, and then got converted to F2P today.

Does this mean there is no longer the free 30day trial that is separate from this?

One that starts Basic, and gives you a free 30 days before billing begins?

I was just reading about this too, 2 people have mentioned it on the officials now.


So I am about a week into my free trial. I played about ten years ago and wanted to try it again. Everything was going great (aside from the noticeable lack of population)until today. I spoke with someone at Silverwood and was told it may have to do with the change to F2P so I started reading up. I LOVE the idea of F2P, but here are the problems I have immediately run into.

I can't get into my locker. I am told as a F2P member I do not have a locker. This is pretty unsettling considering I just stashed a bunch of hand-me-down gear in it for when I hit level 10. So I am currently waiting on an assist for that.

Is my money safe? Am i now considered a F2P member? If so, what happens since I have 160k in my bank?

WHERE'S THE LOOT?! Seriously, I have been hunting a pretty standard spot, "Fill head, stash boxes or hit the east tower, swing by the gemshop, stop into the pawn shop, then chill in the trophy room, repeat. I usually get a few, if not too many boxes on each outing, plus gems and other assorted whatnot. What have I gotten today? After 10 outings? 1 steel lockpick.WHAT?! Loot, treasure, and lockpicking are VERY FUN. they help build the community and create jobs. Please do not take that away, and especially not as deeply as your did. Now my hunting process is "Fill Head, Chill in trophy room, repeat" which is pretty boring. Don't take this aspect away from new players. And don't take it away from me! I want to play the FUN game, free for a month then subscribe if I like it, I don't want to play this NOT fun game, even if it is free forever.


I'm roughly two weeks into my 30 day trial, and discovered my account had turned into a F2P account this evening when I couldn't cast spells on others. Luckily I had nothing in my locker. It isn't a big deal for me, but I can definitely see how it would be upsetting to have your locker locked up(ha) with things in it.

1 steel lockpick after 10 hunting trips? Is loot really that nerfed for free accounts? :/

Also I can't believe Simu switched these trial accounts over to free accounts.

[JackWhisper]

Also I can't believe Simu switched these trial accounts over to free accounts.

This. Horseshit. This.

[JackWhisper]

I won't lie, nowhere in this entire situation, both good and bad, did I think the TRIAL accounts were effected. I am 99% negative about this now. This is utter stupidity on Simu's part.

[JackWhisper]

In this entire thing, I figured

F2P, you forgo the Basic account rights.
P2P, you get your 30 day Basic trial, and then go straight into paying.

This F2P or P2P WITH NO TRIAL, is just a huge straw that the camel cannot take.

[Astray]

1 steel lockpick after 10 hunting trips? Is loot really that nerfed for free accounts? :/

If it is, they probably screwed the pooch harder than intended. Hopefully they'll loosen some of these restrictions and put a bit more trust in people. And hopefully that trust won't be betrayed!


Also I can't believe Simu switched these trial accounts over to free accounts.

It was bound to happen, considering they were going to get rid of the trials.

[Tgo01]

I guess Simu figured the trial accounts might prefer to be free accounts since once they become basic there is no turning back but you would think Simu would have planned for this and gave them the choice of becoming a free account or going to basic once their 30 day trial was up. Or they could have stopped handing out 30 day free trial accounts 30 days ago to avoid this issue.


This F2P or P2P WITH NO TRIAL, is just a huge straw that the camel cannot take.

I think getting rid of the 30 day free trial was the main goal behind this. They probably found too many people just quit after the 30 day free trial so they wanted to find a way to get a few dollars out of people before they quit.

[Donquix]

I guess Simu figured the trial accounts might prefer to be free accounts since once they become basic there is no turning back but you would think Simu would have planned for this and gave them the choice of becoming a free account or going to basic once their 30 day trial was up. Or they could have stopped handing out 30 day free trial accounts 30 days ago to avoid this issue.



I think getting rid of the 30 day free trial was the main goal behind this. They probably found too many people just quit after the 30 day free trial so they wanted to find a way to get a few dollars out of people before they quit.

they want the benefits of f2p (cash flow, larger customer base, potentially more robust community, lesser barrier of entry, easily marketable, etc.)
without any of the downsides (the percentage of players that are "free loaders")

they can't, as a company, wrap their heads around the fact that you have to "deal" with latter to get the former. they just see 0$ and flip the fuck out. Which is why their "f2p" plan is more a "shitty trial account" then an actual f2p option. Every other company, a long time ago, figured out the non-paying customers in the f2p model aren't anymore a burden then your typical advertising / marketing budget. Of course, we all know how much simu likes to spend on advertising and marketing :D

[Androidpk]

This is just conjecture on my part but I'm guessing in order to sell this to Whatley they needed to have all these restrictions and passes for sale in the Simu store.

[Astray]

This is just conjecture on my part but I'm guessing in order to sell this to Whatley they needed to have all these restrictions and passes for sale in the Simu store.

If that is how it went down, we've found part of the problem. Unless you're joking, in which case I missed the joke.

[Tgo01]

If that is how it went down, we've found part of the problem. Unless you're joking, in which case I missed the joke.

It makes more sense when you realize this is Whatley:

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt2v66C4uX1qin7xco1_500.gif

[Androidpk]

If that is how it went down, we've found part of the problem. Unless you're joking, in which case I missed the joke.

Nope, not joking.

[Astray]

Nope, not joking.

Well, we now know where part of the problem lies. What a shame.

[Gnome Rage]

I'm still pretty excited for my afternoon off with gemstone. Starting at twooo

[JackWhisper]

I envision a very populated Wehnimer's Landing this weekend...

[Fallen]

I envision a very populated Wehnimer's Landing this weekend...

The horror.

[Buckwheet]

Someone should roll up entire armies of people and just make the newb areas swarm like crazy. Dump 30 people in the nexus and move around without killing anything.

[JackWhisper]

The horror.

DUDE! I made it to level four, and a friggin' shopkeeper jumped me and smashed my face in!! I was like WTF!

Apparently... they're trying to fix this issue.

[JackWhisper]

Someone should roll up entire armies of people and just make the newb areas swarm like crazy. Dump 30 people in the nexus and move around without killing anything.

Fuck that. I'm going to roll up 30 people in the Small Park and have an orgy with TGO's ERP script. HECK YA!

[Fallen]

DUDE! I made it to level four, and a friggin' shopkeeper jumped me and smashed my face in!! I was like WTF!

Apparently... they're trying to fix this issue.

It's a tough game. You shouldn't have been looking at him like that.

[JackWhisper]

It's a tough game. You shouldn't have been looking at him like that.

I want the loots they have now. I'm trying to master the spike trap trick. Drop em onto spikes, they die, you loot their shop. WOO!

[Buckwheet]

Fuck that. I'm going to roll up 30 people in the Small Park and have an orgy with TGO's ERP script. HECK YA!

Was that actually released? If not, TGO...get on that crap.

[JackWhisper]

Was that actually released? If not, TGO...get on that crap.

Agree. TGO STOP SLACKING!

[Tgo01]

Was that actually released? If not, TGO...get on that crap.

I should. I have access to free accounts now.

[Tgo01]

Someone asked on the forums:


"Is there a clear reason not to allow both these systems?"

Both the 30 day free trial and the free accounts.

Solomon's response:


Yes, it just needlessly complicates things. :)


Solomon

http://www.2dayblog.com/images/2012/september/550x-I-hate-this-guy.jpg

[Taernath]

You hit level 10 yet Tgo? I'm coming up on 4 pretty soon.

[Tgo01]

You hit level 10 yet Tgo? I'm coming up on 4 pretty soon.

I think I'm level 0 :(

[Latrinsorm]

I'm going to assume that Free accounts can only have a single character, no adding another at all.There is currently no option that I can see for a free account to add a character at $2 / month on the play.net page or at whatever SimuCoinzz in the store.
Straight up, if it gets more people in the game playing, it can be as stupid as it wants to be. I'm talking Packlash, Drunk Back Tuesday, Latrinestorm type stupid! All rolled into one! I don't care if they even REMOTELY pursue an avenue that may revitalize their flagging game.Haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.
I won't lie, nowhere in this entire situation, both good and bad, did I think the TRIAL accounts were effected. I am 99% negative about this now. This is utter stupidity on Simu's part.Dozens of people have come back for this. Two people are annoyed by it, three if you count Terry (which I do not). How does that work out to 99%?
Or they could have stopped handing out 30 day free trial accounts 30 days ago to avoid this issue.And what would they have done to the people who were in the middle of a free account then? There was going to be a cut off point somewhere no matter what they did. Seriously, of all the things to criticize Simu over, you're focusing on the specific way they cut off 30 day trial accounts? That's your hill to die on?
they can't, as a company, wrap their heads around the fact that you have to "deal" with latter to get the former. they just see 0$ and flip the fuck out. Which is why their "f2p" plan is more a "shitty trial account" then an actual f2p option. Every other company, a long time ago, figured out the non-paying customers in the f2p model aren't anymore a burden then your typical advertising / marketing budget. Of course, we all know how much simu likes to spend on advertising and marketingTo be fair, it's a LOT easier to multibox Gemstone than it is a modern game. This does change the math for interpersonal activities. I would lighten the silver/exp stuff, and I would probably go full access for free to, but with the understanding that there are significant potential downsides to that that are unique to Gemstone.

[Allereli]

re: trial accounts:


<<While I understand that, I think that those on the 30 days should be given a choice whether to continue their 30 free days that they signed up for and have to pay after the 30 days to continue playing that character (the account is blocked from future F2P), or go F2P with all the restrictions now.>>

We're taking care of those people individually (and really well), but we can't give them the option to choose to play out their free trial because the option simply isn't there anymore. 30-day free trials no longer exist in the billing system. As I said, though, we are making sure they're taken care of.


Solomon

If anyone is in this situation and wants to share, please do, I'm curious.

[Tgo01]

There is currently no option that I can see for a free account to add a character at $2 / month on the play.net page or at whatever SimuCoinzz in the store.Haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.Dozens of people have come back for this. Two people are annoyed by it, three if you count Terry (which I do not). How does that work out to 99%?And what would they have done to the people who were in the middle of a free account then? There was going to be a cut off point somewhere no matter what they did. Seriously, of all the things to criticize Simu over, you're focusing on the specific way they cut off 30 day trial accounts? That's your hill to die on?To be fair, it's a LOT easier to multibox Gemstone than it is a modern game. This does change the math for interpersonal activities. I would lighten the silver/exp stuff, and I would probably go full access for free to, but with the understanding that there are significant potential downsides to that that are unique to Gemstone.

No, Latrin. Like I have said no less than 10 dozen times I am giving them shit for doing away with the 30 day free trial altogether.

[Astray]

re: trial accounts:



If anyone is in this situation and wants to share, please do, I'm curious.

I too am curious and would like to know just how people are being taken care of.

[Tgo01]

re: trial accounts:



If anyone is in this situation and wants to share, please do, I'm curious.

Solomon said they are being really well taken care of. Is that not good enough for you?

[Gelston]

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/56980405.jpg

[Androidpk]

No, Latrin. Like I have said no less than 10 dozen times I am giving them shit for doing away with the 30 day free trial altogether.

What would be the point of keeping the previous 30 day trial?

[Tgo01]

What would be the point of keeping the previous 30 day trial?

At least one person on the officials said they would have had to preferred to keep their 30 day free trial. Maybe some people would prefer an unrestricted 30 day free trial.

[Viekn]

At least one person on the officials said they would have had to preferred to keep their 30 day free trial. Maybe some people would prefer an unrestricted 30 day free trial.

If you knew your eventual goal was to subscribe anyway, I'm assuming the 30 day unrestricted free trial would be better than ftp, so yeah, I agree with that person.


What would be the point of keeping the previous 30 day trial?

Am I wrong in my logic?

[Androidpk]

At least one person on the officials said they would have had to preferred to keep their 30 day free trial. Maybe some people would prefer an unrestricted 30 day free trial.

For someone giving them so much shit over doing away with the 30 day trial I figured you'd have a better answer than that.

[Tgo01]

03-11-2015 05:00 PM
Thread: A Major Announcement!
Butthurt b/c can't race toons to 25 for free to later sell?

I have never in my life sold a character in any game. Try again Allereli.

[Taernath]

People buy level 25 characters? How much would they go for, like $5?

[Tgo01]

For someone giving them so much shit over doing away with the 30 day trial I figured you'd have a better answer than that.

Don't worry, pk, I'm not at all surprised your answer basically amounts to "Nuh uh!"

[Allereli]

03-11-2015 05:00 PM
Thread: A Major Announcement!
Butthurt b/c can't race toons to 25 for free to later sell?

I have never in my life sold a character in any game. Try again Allereli.

no that wasn't me, I have given you other neg rep too recently to rep you, although I tried in the racist thread you posted.

March 4th I repped you with "didn't you quit?"

[Androidpk]

Don't worry, pk, I'm not at all surprised your answer basically amounts to "Nuh uh!"

I didn't say that. I'm just laughing at your attempt to give them shit "because 1 person" doesn't like it.

[Tgo01]

no that wasn't me, I have given you other neg rep too recently to rep you, although I tried in the racist thread you posted.

March 4th I repped you with "didn't you quit?"

You're the racist!


I didn't say that. I'm just laughing at your attempt to give them shit "because 1 person" doesn't like it.

I thought every person mattered? That argument didn't last long.

[Androidpk]

You're the racist!



I thought every person mattered? That argument didn't last long.

One of the biggest complaints to the trial was the need to add a credit card. This f2p model will bring in more players. There is no need for them to support both models anymore. Doesn't make any sense.

[Astray]

So is Landing packed with fresh faces?

[Tgo01]

One of the biggest complaints to the trial was the need to add a credit card. This f2p model will bring in more players. There is no need for them to support both models anymore. Doesn't make any sense.

"Support" both models? Was it costing them money?

[Tgo01]

People buy level 25 characters?

Apparently so and apparently I was so efficient at it I did it in my sleep :O

[Viekn]

One of the biggest complaints to the trial was the need to add a credit card. This f2p model will bring in more players. There is no need for them to support both models anymore. Doesn't make any sense.

Why was that such a big complaint I wonder? Do credit card companies still not give free t-shirts and shit to college students who sign up for a credit card? At $15/month over 4 years, that's $720. One would think you could come up with a way to pay that off during the course of 4 years, even while buying PBR and enough chronic to take a few bong hits every weekend.

[Androidpk]

Why was that such a big complaint I wonder? Do credit card companies still not give free t-shirts and shit to college students who sign up for a credit card? At $15/month over 4 years, that's $720. One would think you could come up with a way to pay that off during the course of 4 years, even while buying PBR and enough chronic to take a few bong hits every weekend.

Most people don't like handing over credit card information for a free trial.

[Tgo01]

Why was that such a big complaint I wonder? Do credit card companies still not give free t-shirts and shit to college students who sign up for a credit card? At $15/month over 4 years, that's $720. One would think you could come up with a way to pay that off during the course of 4 years, even while buying PBR and enough chronic to take a few bong hits every weekend.

I think Simu is confused. When people said the requirement of a credit card turned them off they probably meant the fact that it costs money to play this game at all. Simu seemed to think removing the credit card requirement from the trial would bring more people in who are willing to pay.

[Taernath]

So is Landing packed with fresh faces?

I wouldn't say packed. There have been maybe 5-10 new characters I've run into regularly in TSC and the ratacombs, and by 'new' I mean low levelled, they could be returning people.

[Androidpk]

"Support" both models? Was it costing them money?

Yes.

[Tgo01]

Most people don't like handing over credit card information for a free trial.

Look who thinks he speaks for most people.

[Androidpk]

I think Simu is confused. When people said the requirement of a credit card turned them off they probably meant the fact that it costs money to play this game at all. Simu seemed to think removing the credit card requirement from the trial would bring more people in who are willing to pay.

Simu isn't confused, you are. People have said that the credit card requirement for the free trial was the barrier.

[Tgo01]

Yes.

Offering a free 30 day trial was costing Simu money? You stupid?


Simu isn't confused, you are. People have said that the credit card requirement for the free trial was the barrier.

According to who, Simu? Going by that reddit thread the barrier was that this game costs money at all.

[Androidpk]

Offering a free 30 day trial was costing Simu money? You stupid?



According to who, Simu? Going by that reddit thread the barrier was that this game costs money at all.

According to people who said that. Reddit, facebook, and here on the pc.

[Astray]

I wouldn't say packed. There have been maybe 5-10 new characters I've run into regularly in TSC and the ratacombs, and by 'new' I mean low levelled, they could be returning people.

Returning and probably a few people who are just testing it out. Great.

[Taernath]

Simu isn't confused, you are. People have said that the credit card requirement for the free trial was the barrier.

Who? Most if not all people here are at least in their 20's, 30's and 40's. We've had access to a credit/debit card for years. This isn't the 90's and early 2000's anymore - CC information is used regularly when it comes to online gaming, and banks are much more proactive and understanding about fraudulent charges.

[Viekn]

According to who, Simu? Going by that reddit thread the barrier was that this game costs money at all.

I never saw the reddit thread, but logically, why wouldn't the game cost money? It's not ad supported. Aren't the only ways developers are going to make money from a game to either charge money for it or to have it ad supported? Maybe that is old school thinking on my part.

[Androidpk]

Who? Most if not all people here are at least in their 20's, 30's and 40's. We've had access to a credit/debit card for years. This isn't the 90's and early 2000's anymore - CC information is used regularly when it comes to online gaming, and banks are much more proactive and understanding about fraudulent charges.

It isn't about having access to a card, it's about using it for a free trial, which is almost unheard of these days.

[Astray]

I never saw the reddit thread, but logically, why wouldn't the game cost money? It's not ad supported. Aren't the only ways developers are going to make money from a game to either charge money for it or to have it ad supported? Maybe that is old school thinking on my part.

Micro-transactions act as a supplement for monthly subscriptions in most cases.

[Viekn]

Who? Most if not all people here are at least in their 20's, 30's and 40's. We've had access to a credit/debit card for years. This isn't the 90's and early 2000's anymore - CC information is used regularly when it comes to online gaming, and banks are much more proactive and understanding about fraudulent charges.

Exactly! I know the difference between giving my CC info for a game like GS vs. the offer of butt implants shipped to my door.

[Taernath]

It isn't about having access to a card, it's about using it for a free trial, which is almost unheard of these days.

You kidding? Companies use credit cards to prevent hordes of level 1 spammers from invading. I'd say it's very common.

[Gelston]

You kidding? Companies use credit cards to prevent hordes of level 1 spammers from invading. I'd say it's very common.

It is also often used to ensure a person is 18+

[Androidpk]

You kidding? Companies use credit cards to prevent hordes of level 1 spammers from invading. I'd say it's very common.

I disagree.

[Thondalar]

I disagree.

And I'm a little teapot. The internet is great for saying things that don't matter.

[Taernath]

I disagree.

Alright.

Who was saying a credit card requirement was preventing them from trying out GS? I don't need a link to a specific post, just tell me where you saw it.

[Androidpk]

Subscription based games are a dying breed. Today most people favor f2p social games that have easy access.

[Androidpk]

Alright.

Who was saying a credit card requirement was preventing them from trying out GS? I don't need a link to a specific post, just tell me where you saw it.

The GS facebook page and also the GS group page Gemstoners or whatever it's called.

[Tgo01]

I never saw the reddit thread, but logically, why wouldn't the game cost money? It's not ad supported. Aren't the only ways developers are going to make money from a game to either charge money for it or to have it ad supported? Maybe that is old school thinking on my part.

Muds have traditionally relied on donations in the past. More recently some of them have started going the whole "pay to win" route while people can still play the game for free with no restrictions. People who aren't familiar with Simu aren't used to seeing muds requiring a monthly subscription.


It isn't about having access to a card, it's about using it for a free trial, which is almost unheard of these days.

Like I've said before, if this was really about people not giving the game a chance because the trial required a credit card then why didn't they just remove the credit card requirement, capped trial accounts to level 20 and either kept the 30 day free trial part or increased it to 45? If it was just about the trial requiring a credit card they could have saved hundreds of man hours of coding and done this change overnight. But at this point I'm starting to sound like a broken record and you're starting to sound like a brain damaged record.

[Androidpk]

Muds have traditionally relied on donations in the past. More recently some of them have started going the whole "pay to win" route while people can still play the game for free with no restrictions. People who aren't familiar with Simu aren't used to seeing muds requiring a monthly subscription.



Like I've said before, if this was really about people not giving the game a chance because the trial required a credit card then why didn't they just remove the credit card requirement, capped trial accounts to level 20 and either kept the 30 day free trial part or increased it to 45? If it was just about the trial requiring a credit card they could have saved hundreds of man hours of coding and done this change overnight. But at this point I'm starting to sound like a broken record and you're starting to sound like a brain damaged record.

Why? It's simple. This new model caters to more people. If someone wants to play for free then now they have thay option. No need to worry about your trial account ending. And :lol2: at you calling me brain damaged. I'm not the one that harps over and over about how Simu is the devil. Did they bully you and steal your lunch money or something?

[Tgo01]

Why? It's simple. This new model caters to more people. If someone wants to play for free then now they have thay option. No need to worry about your trial account ending. And :lol2: at you calling me brain damaged. I'm not the one that harps over and over about how Simu is the devil. Did they bully you and steal your lunch money or something?

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/36/56/3f/36563fa5a68477831ebd798dd89e81fc.jpg

[Donquix]

I wouldn't say a majority have a problem with the CC requirement, but it's definitely a non-trivial amount.

There's a LOT of people who pay for other online games exclusively through things like paypal which i don't believe simu offers, or purchasing physical game-time / currency cards (RIOT points purchased at a physical store in cash, for example)

it's confusing as fuck to me as well but, there's a lot more people who have to, or choose to, use those methods than you'd think.

I know grown ass men who make six figure salaries that don't have credit / debit cards. People are weird.

[time4fun]

Look who thinks he speaks for most people.

Except AndroidPK is 100% correct. I work in a freemium business- there is a reason why Google Drive doesn't ask you for a credit card up front.

[Tgo01]

Does anyone know how Lumnis is handled when buying the pass/upgrading a free account to basic? Does it become active immediately? Does the game keep track of when your Lumnis should have started if you had it so it makes you wait out until the week is up?

[Winter]

Does anyone know how Lumnis is handled when buying the pass/upgrading a free account to basic? Does it become active immediately? Does the game keep track of when your Lumnis should have started if you had it so it makes you wait out until the week is up?

I experienced a delay, I logged in and couldn't work out why I wasn't getting it then realised that the trial account had been converted to a free to play account so I upgraded immediately (there was only 4 days left on the trial anyway) when I upgraded it to basic it took an extra day for lumnis to kick in.

[Tgo01]

I experienced a delay, I logged in and couldn't work out why I wasn't getting it then realised that the trial account had been converted to a free to play account so I upgraded immediately (there was only 4 days left on the trial anyway) when I upgraded it to basic it took an extra day for lumnis to kick in.

Hmm, interesting. I wonder if there is like a 24 hours delay or if it's because the game still tracks your Lumnis start/end cycle in a free account but you just don't get the benefit of it while it's active.

That kind of sucks if that's the case. Should get Lumnis immediately upon upgrading to basic or buying the pass.