Secret World Beta

[BloatedGuppy]

Also, I don't really care about the microtransactions. They are the developers, I don't care if they add a way for gamers to pay for convenience. As long as it doesn't turn into pay-to-win, I'm all good with a microtransaction system which I will never use. Let those that want to do it, if you don't, then don't.

I was of a similar mind, but limiting character slots is dirty pool. I've no idea what else they've locked down and slapped a price tag on, but they're not off to a winning start.

 

[nu1mlock]

I was of a similar mind, but limiting character slots is dirty pool. I've no idea what else they've locked down and slapped a price tag on, but they're not off to a winning start.

Sure, it's a bit harsh to limit the slots to three (I heard), but in a game like The Secret World you don't really need more than that, maybe.

Seeing there are three factions, you get one slot per faction. There are no classes so you don't need to create a specific character as tank, another mage and another melee DPS for example. You switch "class" on the fly. Everyone can play any class there is.

There's no levels so you won't be higher level than your friends that started later than you. However, there will of course be stuff to increase your damage output, armor etc. so how the developer will solve "going back to play with friends that just started" will be interesting. Perhaps they'll make it like GW2 where you get your stats changed to fit the party you're playing with, I don't know.

But sure, even though you won't NEED more than one character per faction, perhaps you want to. Well, then pay. It's not that different from people paying for a server change.

Keep an open mind, a microtransaction system won't ruin the game (as long as you buy convenience). Play it for what it is instead of focusing on a few bad choices.

 

[hino77]

I was of a similar mind, but limiting character slots is dirty pool. I've no idea what else they've locked down and slapped a price tag on, but they're not off to a winning start.

Sure, it's a bit harsh to limit the slots to three (I heard), but in a game like The Secret World you don't really need more than that, maybe.

Seeing there are three factions, you get one slot per faction. There are no classes so you don't need to create a specific character as tank, another mage and another melee DPS for example. You switch "class" on the fly. Everyone can play any class there is.

There's no levels so you won't be higher level than your friends that started later than you. However, there will of course be stuff to increase your damage output, armor etc. so how the developer will solve "going back to play with friends that just started" will be interesting. Perhaps they'll make it like GW2 where you get your stats changed to fit the party you're playing with, I don't know.

But sure, even though you won't NEED more than one character per faction, perhaps you want to. Well, then pay. It's not that different from people paying for a server change.

Keep an open mind, a microtransaction system won't ruin the game (as long as you buy convenience). Play it for what it is instead of focusing on a few bad choices.

There is that tiny little detail though,you know, the whole subscription thing?
I never had high hopes for this game, but microtransactions AND a supscription i just too much in my book.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

There is that tiny little detail though,you know, the whole subscription thing?

Exactly this. I can live with limited options in a fair microtransaction model. GW2 limits character slots to 5 and limits some storage options, and while I don't like it, that's the cost of a sub free game.

If I'm paying a monthly fee, I expect access to all the game has to offer. I'm not one to balk at a monthly fee, but by gum if you're going to charge me for the box AND the fee AND then reach into my pocket further with a cash shop, I reserve the right to raise an eyebrow.

 

[nu1mlock]

There is that tiny little detail though,you know, the whole subscription thing?
I never had high hopes for this game, but microtransactions AND a supscription i just too much in my book.

Here's a tip for you: Don't use the microtransaction system if you don't like it. Convenience isn't something you must have, it doesn't affect gameplay at all and you can save your money for the subscription instead. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it.

Besides, except for more character slots (which you don't need anyway) you don't even know what's going to be in the store.

"Buhu, the game has a subscription fee and I can buy unnecessary stuff that I don't need using microtransactions if I want to. I'm not forced to do it and it won't make an impact gameplay-wise. I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY THIS GAME!"

Exactly this. I can live with limited options in a fair microtransaction model. GW2 limits character slots to 5 and limits some storage options, and while I don't like it, that's the cost of a sub free game.

If I'm paying a monthly fee, I expect access to all the game has to offer. I'm not one to balk at a monthly fee, but by gum if you're going to charge me for the box AND the fee AND then reach into my pocket further with a cash shop, I reserve the right to raise an eyebrow.

Just because a game gives you an option to buy non-essential stuff that doesn't affect gameplay at all, doesn't mean you have to, you know.

 

[Elate]

£40 for an essentially F2P game WITH a cash shop too? Hahahahahahaha... No.. No I don't think so.

Edit: Read as well that the fees are around $14.99 if going by "standard" as they said.. That's laughable.

Here's a tip for you: Don't use the microtransaction system if you don't like it. Convenience isn't something you must have, it doesn't affect gameplay at all and you can save your money for the subscription instead. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it.

No, but it does say a lot about how they view their game/customers and what they are willing to do to get money, and it undermines a lot of players who DON'T pay, because, depending on how much they sink into the cash shop, people will have an obvious advantage, be it out leveling you faster, or having better gear overall, easier. It defeats the whole model of subscription MMOs, being that the more time you devote, the better you will be, and instead being, the more money you have, the better you will be. Kinda reminds me of games like farmville actually..

 

[nu1mlock]

I'm amazed how stupid people are today. Bashing on a game because it has a feature that you don't like, which you don't even have to use. At all.

Here's an idea: Ignore the cash shop and try the game without paying any microtransactions. Who knows, maybe the game is good and you'd miss out on something cool only because you choose not to play it for a feature that you're not forced to use, that doesn't impact the gameplay and that we don't even know anything about (except for the option to buy more slots, which we don't need anyway thanks to how the game is developed).

I'll let the developers do whatever they want, it's their game. I'll try it out and if I like it, I'll keep playing it, even though they have a microtransaction system that I will never use.

 

[WoW Killer]

Just because a game gives you an option to buy non-essential stuff that doesn't affect gameplay at all, doesn't mean you have to, you know.

Well you know the whole game is kind of non-essential, as in it doesn't affect my real life. So maybe I just won't buy the game.

 

[nu1mlock]

Just because a game gives you an option to buy non-essential stuff that doesn't affect gameplay at all, doesn't mean you have to, you know.

Well you know the whole game is kind of non-essential, as in it doesn't affect my real life. So maybe I just won't buy the game.

That might be a good idea actually. Perhaps you shouldn't buy the game.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

There is that tiny little detail though,you know, the whole subscription thing?

Exactly this. I can live with limited options in a fair microtransaction model. GW2 limits character slots to 5 and limits some storage options, and while I don't like it, that's the cost of a sub free game.

If I'm paying a monthly fee, I expect access to all the game has to offer. I'm not one to balk at a monthly fee, but by gum if you're going to charge me for the box AND the fee AND then reach into my pocket further with a cash shop, I reserve the right to raise an eyebrow.

Then there's the fact that in GW2 you can buy gems (cash-shop currency) with in-game currency, so you could technically buy as many bags and character slots as you want once you've saved up enough in-game money. ArenaNet is being amazingly generous with their cash shop.

Then someone has to go and do something like this and it boggles my mind.

I admit I was also mildly interested in The Secret World, but was holding back due to Funcom's history with MMOs. From everything I've heard so far, it's not going to be worth it for me. Sad. (Also,I signed up for the beta a while back but apparently they'll only let you in if you log into your account frequently or some such bullshit.)

Captcha: well done. Well done, indeed.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Just because a game gives you an option to buy non-essential stuff that doesn't affect gameplay at all, doesn't mean you have to, you know.

Please get the cotton out of your ears. I'm not daft and I understood this less than compelling point the first thirteen times you made it. I realize I don't have to partake of a micro-transaction model. What I have said, and will say one final time for posterity, is that I will tolerate EITHER a micro-transaction model OR a subscription fee in my MMO, not both, unless the micro-transaction model is limited to ONLY cosmetic items, and few of them at that.

Any gating of what has become industry standard MMO content such as character slots, or storage, or convenience, via a cash shop, and your game better be sub free or free to play.

Why not a friendly bet? Secret World is going to take it on the fucking chin if it launches with this double-dipping scheme. The market for MMOs is getting increasingly littered with free to play AAA titles. Rightly or wrongly, people already balk at paying a sub fee for polished and content-rich games, never mind fledgling titles. And ESPECIALLY never mind fledgling titles with Funcom's reputation for smooth launches.

 

[nu1mlock]

Then there's the fact that in GW2 you can buy gems (cash-shop currency) with in-game currency, so you could technically buy as many bags and character slots as you want once you've saved up enough in-game money. ArenaNet is being amazingly generous with their cash shop.

Then someone has to go and do something like this and it boggles my mind.

I admit I was also mildly interested in The Secret World, but was holding back due to Funcom's history with MMOs. From everything I've heard so far, it's not going to be worth it for me. Sad. (Also,I signed up for the beta a while back but apparently they'll only let you in if you log into your account frequently or some such bullshit.)

Captcha: well done. Well done, indeed.

Yeah, Guild Wars 2 and it's cash shop is how it's supposed to be when using microtransactions. I'll be playing Guild Wars 2 during the BWE's and after release. Doesn't mean I can't try Secret World.

Try the Gamespot link I posted earlier, it gives you a free beta key for this weekend so you can try it out.

 

[nu1mlock]

Please get the cotton out of your ears. I'm not daft and I understood this less than compelling the point the first thirteen times you made it. I realize I don't have to partake of a micro-transaction model. What I have said, and will say one final time for posterity, is that I will tolerate EITHER a micro-transaction model OR a subscription fee in my MMO, not both, unless the micro-transaction model is limited to ONLY cosmetic items, and few of them at that.

Any gating of what has become industry standard MMO content such as character slots, or storage, or convenience, via a cash shop, and your game better be sub free or free to play.

Why not a friendly bet? Secret World is going to take it on the fucking chin if it launches with this double-dipping scheme. The market for MMOs is getting increasingly littered with free to play AAA titles. Rightly or wrongly, people already balk at paying a sub fee for polished and content-rich games, never mind fledgling titles. And ESPECIALLY never mind fledgling titles with Funcom's reputation for smooth launches.

All I'm saying is that it's better to try the game (again, this weekend), before making up your mind.

I know I'm not going to pay a subscription fee for this or any other game. I've tried all the popular MMO's (except WoW) but got bored after the first month. So for me, the game will be just like any other regular non-subscription based game but with more content (GW2 excluded).

 

[BloatedGuppy]

All I'm saying is that it's better to try the game (again, this weekend), before making up your mind.

I know I'm not going to pay a subscription fee for this or any other game. I've tried all the popular MMO's (except WoW) but got bored after the first month. So for me, the game will be just like any other regular non-subscription based game but with more content (GW2 excluded).

Secret World has an uphill battle to climb. This is already a rich gaming year for me. I've had to put Diablo III on the side line because I don't have the money for it and I doubt I'll have the time for it. GW2 is already purchased and will look to eat a lot of gaming time when it launches. I have Warlock: Master of the Arcane one-more-turning me up past my bed time already, and the Civ V expansion on the way, and the X-Com reboot coming out later this year which looks poised to devour my life. Secret World would need to be ASTONISHING as it stood to win a purchase. And I was already deeply wary of it due to the whole "Fool me once" routine with Funcom.

And then they announced the cash shop + sub fee, and I thought "ewwwww", but then I thought "maybe it won't be so bad, I do like some of the game's features".

And then they announced 3 character slots, and I thought "Okay, the Secret World can go fuck itself".

So I don't WANT to try it. I don't even WANT it to be good at this point, because until it changes that pricing scheme I simply will not ever be trying it. And I would bet MANY dollars that not many other people will be trying it either. I'm guessing it's going to do a rich old face plant, and in some ways that's a shame, because there were some neat ideas in there. Buried under a mountain of greed.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

Then there's the fact that in GW2 you can buy gems (cash-shop currency) with in-game currency, so you could technically buy as many bags and character slots as you want once you've saved up enough in-game money. ArenaNet is being amazingly generous with their cash shop.

Then someone has to go and do something like this and it boggles my mind.

I admit I was also mildly interested in The Secret World, but was holding back due to Funcom's history with MMOs. From everything I've heard so far, it's not going to be worth it for me. Sad. (Also,I signed up for the beta a while back but apparently they'll only let you in if you log into your account frequently or some such bullshit.)

Captcha: well done. Well done, indeed.

Yeah, Guild Wars 2 and it's cash shop is how it's supposed to be when using microtransactions. I'll be playing Guild Wars 2 during the BWE's and after release. Doesn't mean I can't try Secret World.

Try the Gamespot link I posted earlier, it gives you a free beta key for this weekend so you can try it out.

Interesting, thanks for drawing my attention to that.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Im in. Didn't even know I was a gamespot member. Apparently I joined in 2006. Never been under an NDA before.

 

[WoW Killer]

Im in. Didn't even know I was a gamespot member. Apparently I joined in 2006. Never been under an NDA before.

There's no NDA. See the FAQ here: http://www.thesecretworld.com/news/beta_weekend_1_kingsmouth_calling

6. Will there be a NDA for this Beta Weekend?
No, you are free to tell anyone about what you experience in this Beta Weekend. We encourage you to spread the word and take both screenshots and video.

 

[Sparklyfingers]

Can someone link to the announcements about subfee + microtransactions etc? I'd appreciate that.

I'm joining the open beta this weekend to check it out. I'd love for them to succeed (being Norwegian) but it's not looking too promising right now. The open beta will also be very limited, which I don't think is a good thing. However, if the mechanics and story work fine, we'll see.

Also:

i just hope they get this whole mmo thing out of their system so they can finally work on part 3 of "the longest journey"

That would be awesome.

 

[nu1mlock]

The open beta will also be very limited, which I don't think is a good thing.

.. that's because it's a closed and not an open beta.

Im in. Didn't even know I was a gamespot member. Apparently I joined in 2006. Never been under an NDA before.

I have, several times.

Out of all the MMO's I've been under NDA that I wish would have made it is Auto Assault from NCsoft. There are no other MMO's out there like it, which is a shame. It was great, too bad it didn't get enough attention.

 

[WoW Killer]

lawl, this is a good start. "Failed to initialize GUI/rendering system. Please try updating your video card drivers to the latest version.". My drivers are fine thanks. I can't post on the official forums either because they haven't sent me an activation email yet. The forum is a fun read though. Apparently if I do manage to get into the menu screen I'll probably crash before I can make a character, and I'll only get 3 frames a second in game anyway.