Topic: Everquest II (F2P) -- Update: Facial recognition + voice-fonts tech (6-3-2012)

[MysterD]

NEW - 6-3-2012:
EGMNow -> Facial recognition and "voice-fonts" [to change your voice's sound and pitch] will be implemented into EQ2 while playing in real-time.


OLD:
Yup, Everquest II is going free-to-play w/ micro-transactions for more content around August 17th.
If you want details, there's plenty on the EQ2 official website about this.
Basically, there will be two versions of the game now - EQ2 (Regular) and EQ2: Extended.

EQ2 (Regular) maintains the $15 per month subscription fee and gives you access to basically EVERYTHING. If you like the traditional business model that they've had going on, you may stick w/ this.

EQ2: Extended is the free-to-play business model w/ micro-transactions for more content. There are also different levels of membership here - Bronze [Free], Silver, Gold, Platinum - for additional levels of access to content, in which some of these membership levels have a one-time fee (Silver) OR a yearly fee (Gold, Platinum).

If you want to see the details on the Extended memberships levels, look here:
The Matrix of Membership Levels (direct link).

[K-man]

I remember when people were saying this game was going to kill WoW when it released.

[MysterD]

I remember when people were saying this game was going to kill WoW when it released.

Yeah, so much for that...LOL.

I think the only MMO that might even have a shot at WOW is SWTOR...

[PyroMenace]

Yeah, so much for that...LOL.

I think the only MMO that might even have a shot at WOW is SWTOR...

I'm actually curious... explain why you think that. I know that Bioware makes good RPGs, and I am very interested in playing the Old Republic. However I want to know how you think it will compel WoW players to keep playing it beyond the first month or two of its release.

[MysterD]

I'm actually curious... explain why you think that. I know that Bioware makes good RPGs, and I am very interested in playing the Old Republic. However I want to know how you think it will compel WoW players to keep playing it beyond the first month or two of its release.

Sure, I'll elaborate.

Bioware is like Blizzard, in one sense - a very well respected company. Look at their back-log of games and for the most part, you find a lot of greatness - Baldur's Gate series, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect series, KOTOR, NWN: Hordes.

Also, we're talking about Bioware is again working with one of the biggest franchises of all time here that Bioware is working with - Star Wars. Unlike most of the MMO's out there, Bioware's going to have for SWTOR full-supported voice-acting for this one. The decision-making stuff found in most of their Single Player RPG's are also going to be here. Given that Bioware seems to also have a knack for releasing tons of DLC at a very face pace for their most recent games - see DAO and Mass Effect 2 - I think we'll see a lot of that incorporated into SWTOR as part of that $15 per month fee SWTOR will likely have - that'll keep players playing. Also, EACH class has their own specific storyline, as well - so, likely, if you want the whole story, you're probably going to play out every class.

I smell the evolution of the MMO right before our eyes right here...

[angrykeebler]

have you even played an mmo for an extended period of time, D?



and SWKOR isnt going to kill WoW...Nothings going to kill WoW till WoW 2 or the new MMO from Blizzard.

[MysterD]

have you even played an mmo for an extended period of time, D?
and SWKOR isnt going to kill WoW...Nothings going to kill WoW till WoW 2 or the new MMO from Blizzard.

Only time will tell, Keebs...

[idolminds]

MMOs are trying to figure out how to co-exist with WoW. Its the only way. And trying to get people to either switch their subscription to a new game or to have more than one MMO sub is just not happening. Thats why we're seeing the rise of free to play MMOs.

[MysterD]

MMOs are trying to figure out how to co-exist with WoW. Its the only way. And trying to get people to either switch their subscription to a new game or to have more than one MMO sub is just not happening. Thats why we're seeing the rise of free to play MMOs.

One guy I know at work who plays a lot of MMO's - he usually winds up stopping his WOW subscription for a month; plays some other MMO; gets eventually bored and tired w/ that MMO; goes right back to WOW for a period of time until the next non-Blizzard MMO comes along; repeat cycle.

[angrykeebler]

dude, if you are going to make a statement like "I smell the evolution of the MMO right before our eyes right here.." then quit dodging the question and answer my questions.

What was the last MMO you played for longer than a month or two? How was the end game content and leveling?