Jae Onasi Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Well, RedHawke, I guess they were working on other things besides the crafting, eh? See here for full story. Turbine, Inc., the premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities, today unveiled Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™ (DDO Unlimited), a free digital upgrade that makes DDO Unlimited the world’s first free-to-play massively multiplayer online game (MMO) to offer the quality graphics and robust features previously only available in premium subscription based-games. Launching this summer, DDO Unlimited will introduce an innovative new business model that is designed to provide an extraordinary experience to players who want a choice in how they pay and play online games. Players can download and play DDO Unlimited for free with the ability to purchase additional content and items in the new DDO Store to enhance their experience. Alternatively, players can choose to join the new DDO VIP program and gain unlimited access to all premium content plus a number of exclusive benefits for a single low monthly price. Turbine has launched a new website at http://www.ddo.com where players can learn more about DDO Unlimited and signup for the Beta program which launches today. I think this is the first time I've seen a combo of free/microtransaction along with VIP subscriber content, though it may well be something that other MMOs use and I just don't know it. For those who are curious... Here is Official Announcement Here is the Press Release Here is the DDO Forum Announcement -RH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkonium Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Hmm, I wonder if they'll do the same thing with Lotro, since it's the same developer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JediAthos Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Very interesting...I've never tried DDO but now it might make for an interesting diversion until Jumpgate Evolution comes out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aash Li Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 If its not too hampered, buggy, and abysmal, and the content isnt too minimal, when it launches I might just try it. I like the Ebberon setting, but the game was so blah I couldnt justify paying 15$ a month for it. This sounds alot like how Hellgate: London worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallucination Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Watson's kind of interested, but I wonder how much they will have to beta test for this system and how much non-paying members will be missing out on. I think this is the first time I've seen a combo of free/microtransaction along with VIP subscriber content, though it may well be something that other MMOs use and I just don't know it. The 13-year-old-dominated Runescape has a free/Members system, but sans microtransitions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrrtoken Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Unless if there's a Planescape setting, then I ain't playing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoffe Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I think this is the first time I've seen a combo of free/microtransaction along with VIP subscriber content, though it may well be something that other MMOs use and I just don't know it. Not particularly fond of the business model where you have to buy in-game items for real world money instead of earning them by questing and playing the game. But I guess if the core game is free they need to get the money to run it from somewhere. It still feels a bit like they're giving you an empty jigsaw puzzle box and then selling you the jigsaw puzzle one piece at a time, knowing that the completionists will eventually want all the pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I have no idea what to say about all this except in some ways this might be alright as it may bring in new players, in other things the vet players are being hosed by the points earned for unlocking favor NOT being retroactive I have over 1750 favor on 10 characters and will be getting hosed out of my earned points that a new player would get under the system, and our previous time won't count towards out point totals when this goes live (VIP's/Subscribers are supposed to get 500 points per month). So we won't get what others can, and our time previously spent as a subscriber won't count, I hope they change their minds on this. I'm not happy about having to use your real-world money equivalent to customize your characters appearances further, that should always be an in game currency thing. @ Stoffe from what the devs have said you can only buy some basic items/consumables plus some other special ones (like XP boost pots), and then only in quests and other limited ways, found/looted items will always be superior to them, and raid items will always be superior to those. So it isn't "buying" your way to the top. For those who are curious... Here is Official Announcement Here is the Press Release Here is the DDO Forum Announcement Hmm, I wonder if they'll do the same thing with Lotro, since it's the same developer. No... that was made loud and clear by the Devs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 *Raises thread...* September 9th DDO: EU opens Free-To-Play to the public... so for all you FPS game loving types who haven't wanted to try out an MMO because of things like monthly fees, well here you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igyman Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Cool news. However as far as I've read, the game will be Free-To-Play in the US, so I'll have to wait until the same applies for Europe before I consider this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkonium Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 From what I've heard, it's September 1st for VIP subscribers. I really hope I keep the stuff I purchased (ie Drow, and Favoured Soul) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spadille Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Might give it a try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Cool news. However as far as I've read, the game will be Free-To-Play in the US, so I'll have to wait until the same applies for Europe before I consider this one. Hmm... this is news to me. The Beta was US only but the FTP launch on the 9th has no such limitation as far as I have heard. From what I've heard, it's September 1st for VIP subscribers. I really hope I keep the stuff I purchased (ie Drow, and Favoured Soul) I wouldn't say anything you bought will transfer, but I think any points you purchased with real money on the beta will transfer to the Live servers and you can simply re-buy them again and it shouldn't cost anything more. Cause you purchased and spent the points on the beta server, any points you purchased will transfer to live that is what the Dev's have been stating at any rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Well its live... free to play... though like the original Pencil and Paper tabletop some parts are locked out until you buy those modules. http://www.ddo.com/playnow/ Just FYI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JediAthos Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I actually started playing the other night...an elven tempest ranger. I have to say I am pretty impressed. I don't know if I'll go full subscription, but I am enjoying what I've seen of the game thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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