I see SA new account is $30 and High Seas is another $15. Time of Legends is another $20 and we're up to $65 already. Are the 7th character slot and storage upgrades still only available separately or are they included in one of these?
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How expensive is it to start a new account and get it up to date now?
May as well in the Rustic, Gothic and Kings for another $30 not required but odds are sooner or later you are going to want what they offer. North of $100 to have the full account, features and content before you pay your first sub. They need to Package it all into 1 bundle for $50-$60 and the price to get get set up would not scare so many potential players away.
That's ridiculous to have to spend that much, definitely agree they should bundle most of it together at a lower price.
How bout $30 and they get everything? Why not? We need players and payers monthly-if someone gets to start for that price, how does that affect our gameplay?
In case no one has noticed, there is a lot of competition out there that doesn't require a $70 outlay to get started with the bare bones...
In case no one has noticed, there is a lot of competition out there that doesn't require a $70 outlay to get started with the bare bones...
They need to bundle everything from the 9th Anniversary up to Time of Legends, including all the boosters and themepacks, for a reasonable price. Say $60 (including free month).
I agree with stripping out the freebie pixelcrack, that stuff can be added to the store (I think only the Spring Collection, Personal Attendant and the Chest of Sending are really missing at this point).
I agree with stripping out the freebie pixelcrack, that stuff can be added to the store (I think only the Spring Collection, Personal Attendant and the Chest of Sending are really missing at this point).
Not sure what all this would include but Mesanna did say this at the Siege Meet and Greet:
[York]: I have a couple of friends that were interested in joining UO until they realized the startup costs
[York]: . I honestly cannot blame anyone for passing on a game that would have such a start costs and a monthly fee….
[York]: Again thanks for your time and Have a nice evening.
[York]: That is all i have.
Mesanna says: Actually we are kicking around giving all expansions up to SA in the near future
[York]: It should be something to consider
Mesanna says: along with a few other things we are working on
[York]: to help UO stay competative
[York]: Just consider it is all i ask
Mesanna says: We have some ideas we are working on
Mesanna says: that will be released later to everyone
[York]: I have a couple of friends that were interested in joining UO until they realized the startup costs
[York]: . I honestly cannot blame anyone for passing on a game that would have such a start costs and a monthly fee….
[York]: Again thanks for your time and Have a nice evening.
[York]: That is all i have.
Mesanna says: Actually we are kicking around giving all expansions up to SA in the near future
[York]: It should be something to consider
Mesanna says: along with a few other things we are working on
[York]: to help UO stay competative
[York]: Just consider it is all i ask
Mesanna says: We have some ideas we are working on
Mesanna says: that will be released later to everyone
Not entirely postive on ESO's model, but I believe if you opt to pay a monthly fee, you get all expansions + some added perks like xp bonuses and what not. Else you buy the base game and and the expansions can be purchased through in game store credit.
UO on the other hand, as others have pointed, sticks it to their customer base and more importantly to prosective players by charging a monthly fee and having them pay for expansions. Many of the expansions are old and currently still full price. To give some perspective, I bought ESO tamriel unlimited for $10 on a steam sale. The High Seas booster - having come out 6 years ago - currently cost 14.99 and I dont know if Ive ever seen it on sale. Probably not fair to make such a comparison, but think about that a second.
Appreciate the devs finally giving this some consideration. Its kind of long overdue though. My suggestion would be to utilize a similar model to ESO. Free to play game but no housing and expansions cost extra, or allow a player to opt for a subscription and include everything - housing, expansions and maybe some other perk.
UO on the other hand, as others have pointed, sticks it to their customer base and more importantly to prosective players by charging a monthly fee and having them pay for expansions. Many of the expansions are old and currently still full price. To give some perspective, I bought ESO tamriel unlimited for $10 on a steam sale. The High Seas booster - having come out 6 years ago - currently cost 14.99 and I dont know if Ive ever seen it on sale. Probably not fair to make such a comparison, but think about that a second.
Appreciate the devs finally giving this some consideration. Its kind of long overdue though. My suggestion would be to utilize a similar model to ESO. Free to play game but no housing and expansions cost extra, or allow a player to opt for a subscription and include everything - housing, expansions and maybe some other perk.
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Enziet
Journeyman
I just started a new account from scratch about 5 months ago. All I purchased were the game expansions so I wouldn't be locked out of any content.
I joined an active guild so that I could actually experience some of the new content and still have not spent any money on any of the extra fluff in the store, or expansion slots. You don't need the extra character slot or inventory expansions if you just don't collect garbage and hang onto it like so many of the pack rats in this game.
Keep what is viable to you, and throw the junk away, and you will never need to spend a dime on any of the extra fluff just to hang onto more junk.
(My account previous to this one was created in 98. That account needed the extra inventory expansion, but this new one. I'm not even lose yet)
I joined an active guild so that I could actually experience some of the new content and still have not spent any money on any of the extra fluff in the store, or expansion slots. You don't need the extra character slot or inventory expansions if you just don't collect garbage and hang onto it like so many of the pack rats in this game.
Keep what is viable to you, and throw the junk away, and you will never need to spend a dime on any of the extra fluff just to hang onto more junk.
(My account previous to this one was created in 98. That account needed the extra inventory expansion, but this new one. I'm not even lose yet)
One more thing from the Siege M&G:
Mesanna says: Greetings Budo
[Budo]: do you plan to do a welcome back to britanina anytime soon?
Mesanna says: no we have something else in mind
Mesanna says: that we will release later this year
[Budo]: secret
Mesanna says: err announce not release sorry
[Budo]: oh ok ty vm
Mesanna says: welcome
Could sounds like changes to the Trial and Return to Britain system.
I really would love a way to let players play for less monthly fee, if:
1. Iron, They can't own a house, can only use 1 char slots, have max 1-2 pet in stable depending of taming skills. Price $2 a month
2. Bronze, Theý can only own a small house, can max use 3 char slots,have max 2-3 pet in stable depending of taming skills. Price $5 a month
3. Silver, Theý can only own a large house (no keep/castle), can max use 5 char slots,have max 3-5 pet in stable depending of taming skills, Price $7 a month
4. Guld, Full access like now. Price $10 a month.
When players changes account level to a lower level, they will be allowed to login all chars once and inactivate the ones they do not want to use for the level of payment.
If house is to large for the new payment, they will 14 days to move before the house start to decay. They will get a reminder each time they login.
They will have to move pets from stable to get down in stable slot, before they can add new ones.
With the Store sale, this should work nicely I believe and draw more players. Also get rid of the 90 days house delay, let players have a one time 90 days house delay, if credit card run out/fail to remew. If you use it, you can buy a new house secure = the account price for the time it took you to reactivate, first 10 days are free, 11-40 days = one month of payment, 41-70 days = 2 months of payment, >71 days, 3 months of payment.
Not a bad idea AT ALL. But one problem arises. Say someone that posts here (i.e. me) doesn't want to pay the $10 monthly fee, but already has all of the bells & whistles for what'd be a "Gold" account - 7 char slots, a keep, 12 pets on my LS tamer (including my currently not-in-stables GD), etc. Unless you incorporate a way for an existing account to keep pretty much everything, nobody who currently plays would go for the smaller payment plans.
Granted, we're likely to pay the full amount anyway, so it's a moot point for us. For a new player, it'd be perfect. They can play the game without spending a crapload on expansions right off the bat, learn the intricacies of UO and upgrade as they play more, and eventually get Stygian Abyss/High Seas/Time of Legends.
Some interesting points made. I definitely think...now I won't say competitive, but at least get the ball rolling to have a little bit of advertising and maybe a token here and there with decreased price for starting with all of the expansions. I like it.
I think it should include upto Stygian Abyss.
Yes for current players, it would not be easy to go down in level, but yes for new players and returning players without house, it would make it easier to come back. I can see the stable can be a problem for returning players, so maybe an options to disable some pets at first login, so they can't be used to get down to the count of active stable slots for the level of payment.
If you own a keep or castle and want to keep it, you have to play full price.
It isn't the high cost of starting UO that keeps people away (although it certainly dont help)
It's the fact it's $13 a month subscription, which places it amongst the highest subscriptions of any online game.......for a 2d tiny view window.
Nope, not worth the money anymore. Not when the Free shards are now far superior than the "official" servers.
It's the fact it's $13 a month subscription, which places it amongst the highest subscriptions of any online game.......for a 2d tiny view window.
Nope, not worth the money anymore. Not when the Free shards are now far superior than the "official" servers.
We all pay a sub to play each month. As soon as a new 'expansion' is released (in this case TOL) the current game to 'buy' should include EVERYTHING up to and inluding TOL (should be a standard $55 to buy in). After that any subsequent expansions (content) should be purchaseable for token cost to existing players (ie not more than $10) and automatically included in the current game to 'buy' for new players. Any new player should only have to buy ONE game to download and it should be totally current. Stuff that is required for game content ie mythic and gothic packs should also be included in the ONE game. Stuff like that should be automatically included as a free download after 12 mths of relase to all accounts. If exisiting players want it straight away then pay the token cost, or wait til it becomes a yr old to get it free.
Stuff like additional storage bonus, character slot bonus etc should be just via the game store. Buy if you want but isn't 'standard' with the game.
It should be simple and easy to get going and seriously once stuff is out for a year if it has game content in it it should be 'free' after 12 mths of release to keep everyone in the same 'game'.
Stuff like additional storage bonus, character slot bonus etc should be just via the game store. Buy if you want but isn't 'standard' with the game.
It should be simple and easy to get going and seriously once stuff is out for a year if it has game content in it it should be 'free' after 12 mths of release to keep everyone in the same 'game'.
Enziet
Journeyman
I do enjoy how the OP asks how much and it's now become the same old beating the dead horse topic... Lets just drop it now before it turns full blown like all the other closed / dead threads about F2P or how everyone great idea is better than the current system because they are armchair fainboi's and know whats best for financial gain.
Merlin
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I have no problem with the costs of this game. I don't think everything should be offered in a bundle for just $45-$50 bucks, as is suggested here. The only difference compared to console games is the monthly sub. Most modern console games are ~$70 starting price, usually with 3-4 DLC releases at anywhere from $10-$25 a pop, plus other in-game purchases that sometimes feel necessary (just as with UO).
Most UO players are 30+ years old, not pre-teens with little to no income. If we want this game to stay around, Broadsword is going to need to generate revenue.
Most UO players are 30+ years old, not pre-teens with little to no income. If we want this game to stay around, Broadsword is going to need to generate revenue.
The starting price is a bit steep with all the old expansions that are needed. One can't play properly without SA nowadays, so having it mandatory.
Decreasing the price on the old expansions and actually making it so that everyone can buy it would be pretty nice, though. I am tired of sending people to third party sites so they can get SA...
Decreasing the price on the old expansions and actually making it so that everyone can buy it would be pretty nice, though. I am tired of sending people to third party sites so they can get SA...
Thoughout the years I have come over a dozen of people just starting to play the game. Oh how frustrating it was to keep hearing "wow, where can i get that?" and having to respond "super cool [skill,item,spell,armor,etc.], but like I told you ten times already, you have to buy SA first".
And then I also keep wondering how many of us would have bought Time of Legends if it wasn't given free to us. Maybe I would have fallen for it in the hype, but I would certainly regret it now. (thank god it was free
)
I might have upgraded 1 acct to TOL I just can't find anything there that interest me.And then I also keep wondering how many of us would have bought Time of Legends if it wasn't given free to us. Maybe I would have fallen for it in the hype, but I would certainly regret it now. (thank god it was free
Merlin
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I can see adding SA to the standard package sometime in the future. HS is priced fairly at $15 and ToL at $20. If SA becomes standard, maybe do something with ToL similar to what is offered with SA - have a $30 version that gives you one month sub along with the base game and ToL expansion. At that point, all you're missing is HS. Unless you're in a guild doing HS stuff semi-regularly, it's probably not necessary for someone as soon as they get back in game.
Yeah those are prices for brand new games. This isn't a brand new game, the only thing even somewhat new is Time of Legends.
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition on Steam
New accounts shouldn't cost more than $30 for all expansion content given the age of this game.
Merlin
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My guess is that this game probably needs the revenue more.
@Merlin - if they wanted more revenue, increasing the player base should be far more of a priority than having high prices on expansions that only the current and dwindled player base is willing to pay. The in game store could capitalize on a larger player base.
And I respectfully have to disagree with your suggestion that HS is priced fairly at 15. Given the extremely limited grindfest content for a 6 year old expansion, I would say its more like a 1.99 at best content upgrade. That is my opinion.
And just because a studio has limited resources should never justify overpriced content. I truly believe thats what makes games like this collapse. Again, my unprofessional opinion.
And I respectfully have to disagree with your suggestion that HS is priced fairly at 15. Given the extremely limited grindfest content for a 6 year old expansion, I would say its more like a 1.99 at best content upgrade. That is my opinion.
And just because a studio has limited resources should never justify overpriced content. I truly believe thats what makes games like this collapse. Again, my unprofessional opinion.
More realistic UO prices:
9th Anniversary (Crystal & Shadow house tiles): FREE
Stygian Abyss (Nearly a DECADE OLD): FREE
High Seas: $4.99
Gothic/Rustic Theme Packs: $2.99 each
King's Collection: $3.99
Time of Legends: $12.99
Housing & Bank Storage Upgrade: $10.99 (This could be made to stack to 200% base storage in 20% increments. Many MMOs use this as a moneymaker)
7th Character Slot: $6.99
7th Char & Storage Upgrade: $13.99
Then they pump up the ingame store with vanity pixelcrack: Showy armor reskins, pet reskins, titles, deco, etc.
Sovereigns should go on sale with the regular Origin sales. Someone should reprice the packages so the more you buy the less they cost, that's Marketing 101.
9th Anniversary (Crystal & Shadow house tiles): FREE
Stygian Abyss (Nearly a DECADE OLD): FREE
High Seas: $4.99
Gothic/Rustic Theme Packs: $2.99 each
King's Collection: $3.99
Time of Legends: $12.99
Housing & Bank Storage Upgrade: $10.99 (This could be made to stack to 200% base storage in 20% increments. Many MMOs use this as a moneymaker)
7th Character Slot: $6.99
7th Char & Storage Upgrade: $13.99
Then they pump up the ingame store with vanity pixelcrack: Showy armor reskins, pet reskins, titles, deco, etc.
Sovereigns should go on sale with the regular Origin sales. Someone should reprice the packages so the more you buy the less they cost, that's Marketing 101.
You also have to remember with HS you are getting %20 Storage so HS is well worth the price. IMHO the theme packs are over priced for what you get with them.
Yeah, I agree.
Hell, they could get potentially get more out of existing subscribers if they drop prices a bit. I was pondering creating a third account but I don't think I want to pay $65 just to start it up.
Merlin
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You can sign up and play the base game for as little as $12.99 a month. I don't believe the prices are much of a barrier to increasing the player base. Again, this is a game with a player base that is mainly mature and older and has more disposable income than that of console games with a younger player base.
^^^^ This. The storage increase is worth $10-$15 in itself.
I'm not trying to troll you bud, but you believe the cost of this game isn't barrier to increasing the player base? I dunno about that man. If i didnt play this game growing up I would think $65 + monthly sub for a game released in 1997 is laughable.
And my point was that only the current base is willing to pay that much. Try asking someone who hasn't played this game if they would join with that kind of start up cost.
The storage increase which i forgot about might be worth it..... But honestly the price of HS should still be lowered.
And my point was that only the current base is willing to pay that much. Try asking someone who hasn't played this game if they would join with that kind of start up cost.
The storage increase which i forgot about might be worth it..... But honestly the price of HS should still be lowered.
Enziet
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I will make the post that breaks this tread. No other posts are required after this post because it is the end all be all answer for everyone problems.
EA Owns this game and sets the price, so complaining on the forums that are not related to EA accomplishes nothing except to have everyone whip out their epeens.
There done. You can all go back to playing the game we love now
EA Owns this game and sets the price, so complaining on the forums that are not related to EA accomplishes nothing except to have everyone whip out their epeens.
There done. You can all go back to playing the game we love now
That is precisely the sort of mentality, Enziet, that is slowly killing this game. As someone who has little need to complain for my own sake regarding prices, because I already own all expansions, what you suggest doesn't account for prospective players who could inject life into this game. I believe Messana clearly mentioned that they were considering lowering prices for expansions prior to ToL, which to me suggests they do have some sort of influence over EA.
I guess I'm having trouble understanding people who think UO should continue on doing the same old. UO is an absolutely amazing game, but I believe that there are several bottlenecks - such as outdated pricing models - that prevent new players from joining. This topic which has been brought up on other threads many times warrants an ongoing discussion.
Steam on the other hand, would obviously be another excellent marketing tool, but does seem to be withheld by EA. Silly.
I guess I'm having trouble understanding people who think UO should continue on doing the same old. UO is an absolutely amazing game, but I believe that there are several bottlenecks - such as outdated pricing models - that prevent new players from joining. This topic which has been brought up on other threads many times warrants an ongoing discussion.
Steam on the other hand, would obviously be another excellent marketing tool, but does seem to be withheld by EA. Silly.
He did not say UO should keep doing it this way. He just stated a fact that you may not be aware of, we all are. EA could care less what we think, they will milk this cow dry and then sell the carcass for dog food. He is also right in the fact that this is a UO player forum site and EA DOES NOT READ IT and alls BS does is maintain UO for EA, EA calls all the shots, why do you think all the money goes directly to EA not BS.
Fun fact: Both Fallout 3 and the Ultima Online Enhanced Client use the same game engine (gamebryo)