turbine's new expansion, free to vips?

[smatt]

Because the cost of the development is greater than the income from subscriptions?
They can either cut down on development or find new ways to fund it.

If it was free for VIPs then the cost of VIP would have to increase and/or the cost of the expansion for premiums would have to be significantly higher.
Can you imagine the whining on the forums if that would happend?

Oh no doubt... BUT what I do expect is a reasonable amount of bug fixes and LESS lag/lag like issues... Even when the severs have a far lower popualtion than they did last summer (northern) the condition of the game overall as far as lag etc is horrid... Yes yes... We've heard form Maj about this fix and that fix... But actions speak louder than words.. Remember the amazing success of the last 2 patches... Almost none of the ifxes were fixes and they actually broke more stuff.. LOL Heck, they couldn't even get the release notes 50% right..

That's all I expect, I'll gladly pay for a big expansion...

[djl]

Hopefully, because this is an expansion pack I can completely ignore it and not have it impact the rest of my game at all.

Unfortunately, that isn't likely. Unless you actually get put into a different game with the expansion enabled, the LFMs will probably be shared therefore the already-low amount of LFMs relevant to level 20 stuff will go even lower as everybody will be posting Forgotten Realms LFMs.

[Valezra]

If the content is truly as large as their Marketing BS makes it sound AND it is fully fleshed out and bug free... I will HAPPILY pay for it.

This is what Turbine doesn't understand. People are willing to pay for quality services that work as advertised. Instead, they would rather just keep giving us free adventure packs (to VIPs) that are **** and only half working.

Val

[smatt]

If the content is truly as large as their Marketing BS makes it sound AND it is fully fleshed out and bug free... I will HAPPILY pay for it.

This is what Turbine doesn't understand. People are willing to pay for quality services that work as advertised. Instead, they would rather just keep giving us free adventure packs (to VIPs) that are **** and only half working.

Val

LOL, fully fleshed out and bug free???????????? LOLOLOLOLOL

[Claymorep]

They call it EXPANSION not for nothing:

1- An expqansion is supposed to be bigger than an update (a lot of rules and mechanics revision like the discussed new enhancment system, all new pre, new level 25 cap, a lot of new quest and content)
2- An expansion is a way for Turbine to sell something that was suppposed to be free (so with a trick name change Vips have to buy it...)
3- An expansion is a marketing trick to revitalize the game and attract new players and to keep in the game old ones with a "big" announcment. Infact if You noticed they changed the game logo (as it changed when Stormreach become Eberron Unlimited)

So before to start to bleed for the new consider the involvments as I'm very happy for the 1st consideration, completely unhappy for the 2nd and so and so for the 3rd as I'm happy about the try to take players and attract new ones it's a fact that we are going bad about popuation.

[Metaljaw]

As a non-LOTRO player I'm confused. I would assume that the expansion would be like any other pack. However, there seems to be a permanent purchase of physical material tone on this thread. Can someone dumb it down for me. Is this going to be a boxed set you have to buy or will it be available like any other update (e.g. the challenge pack).

Seeing as how this is the only MMO I play don't hate on me too much for not having a clue on this one.

If it is something outside that has to be purchased - glad I converted to premium so I don't get screwed any more than I already do.

Also I realize this is conjecture. I guess I am asking for detailed info on how the LOTRO expansion was handled.

[Cyr]

As a non-LOTRO player I'm confused. I would assume that the expansion would be like any other pack. However, there seems to be a permanent purchase of physical material tone on this thread. Can someone dumb it down for me. Is this going to be a boxed set you have to buy or will it be available like any other update (e.g. the challenge pack).

It will most likely be a digital download only (or just a code you purchase online).

You will also be able to buy the pieces of the update in the DDO store (was the case with LOTRO), but this will probably be much more expensive then buying it with cash directly (as was the case with the last LOTRO expansion).

You will not get it for free as a VIP according to LOTRO precedence and one interview about the subject posted online (forget which one).

[Metaljaw]

Also I am looking at integration with the current game. Take the level cap expansion to 25. Does this mean if I have access to the epics (which I do) I won't get xp and level unless I buy a level cap increase a la the previous rune system when F2P was first introduces that was determined to be bunk. If so way to rehash old $@$@ that does not work turbine... and glad I am premium again.

[Metaljaw]

It will most likely be a digital download only (or just a code you purchase online).

You will also be able to buy the pieces of the update in the DDO store (was the case with LOTRO), but this will probably be much more expensive then buying it with cash directly (as was the case with the last LOTRO expansion).

You will not get it for free as a VIP according to LOTRO precedence and one interview about the subject posted online (forget which one).

Thanks. That helps a lot. +1 to you sir.

[jsaving]

To further clarify, TenTonHammer is reporting this morning that everybody -- whether they be VIP or FtP -- will have to pay for the expansion. While Turbine hasn't announced a pricing scheme as of yet, TTH hints they may follow the LotRO Isengard model, which would mean players could pay for the whole thing in cash or get it piecemeal with Turbine points (at a relatively poor exchange rate).

[BladeTricks]

Don't think so. Will be at least $20. Although with the challenge pack at $15, it could be much more... :P

[Missing_Minds]

Don't think so. Will be at least $20. Although with the challenge pack at $15, it could be much more... :P

Actually expect $35 to $65. The big variance is based on Isengard where you had 3 different pre order packages. Mirkwood was.. $30-$40 if I recall correctly.

[jsaving]

I haven't seen Isengard dip below $30, and the piecemeal components were around 6K TP in total the last time I checked. So it would be surprising if MOTU clocked in as low as $20.

[somenewnoob]

Oof.....I hope it's not $60....that's a lot for a game that I already pay $10 a month for. Got about 5000 TP though to spend on parts of it!

[twiliteslayer02]

Posted it in the other thread, but postin it here too:


STRAIT answer Turbine,

is it a traditional expansion pack, wherein we buy a software product?, or is it just gonna be a same-ole same-ole where vip's get it and everyone else uses TP for it??

stop the hypothetical mumbo jumbo before it eats up all the bandwidth please and clarify this for us all!

[Vormaerin]

If its anything like LotRO Isengard expansion, VIP will complain and moan about not being able to use their TP or should get it for free..

I have a lifetime LotRO membership. I had to pay for the expansions (Mines of Moria, Mirkwood) that came out before the LotRO free to play roll out. The latest expansion (Isengard) I purchased out of my turbine points total. The pre-order bonus stuff had to be purchased with new money, though.

[HernandoCortez]

Looking forward to know about prices and if we'll be able to buy that with Turbine Points.

If its really a great expansion as Fernando says its gonna be, I wouldn't mind paying up to US$60 as long as its a premium content and won't require a subscription.

[DragonMageT]

I don't mind paying for the expansion.

As VIP, I would hope they would give a discount to VIPs.
If it's $60, then offer to VIPs for $50 or a discount on TPs.

[cdr]

In interviews with MMO news sites, Fernando/Turbine have said the expansion is not free to VIPs and that you can buy it with TP.

[Ausdoerrt]

You know, it's almost a year away, still. It's announced for summer, and there's a good chance it will be delayed further. And you know, if the sale won't have any extra shenanigans (no extra sub fees, everything included etc.), and is priced like an expansion not a full game (under $30), I'd totally buy it, because Forgotten Realms are awesome and Eberron is not, and I've got good memories of Underdark from BG2 and NWN. It's not a surprise that it's not free to ViPs, since Turbine has already established its "f*ck the VIPs" policy earlier.

But this is, if and only if the sale is honest, and I'm still playing the game by then. Oh, and they had better fix the freakin' lag.

If its really a great expansion as Fernando says its gonna be, I wouldn't mind paying up to US$60 as long as its a premium content and won't require a subscription.

$60 is an insane price for something like this. You can buy a shiny new AAA game on release day for that price? Do you really think this'll have anywhere near the amount of content and level of quality as games like Skyrim, Witcher, Deus Ex HR, Crysis 2 etc., which were priced similarly? I honestly doubt that. Besides, they're just creating new content on the same six-year-old engine, so it should be priced accordingly.

But anyhow, better start saving TPs...