City of Heroes Going Free to Play

I'll just co-sign with all of those saying this is over-reacting as far as I'm concerned. However, that is only my opinion and you are of course entitled to yours. Now more than ever does this philosophy apply, "It's your 15 bucks, do as you will!".

I'm actually optimistic about it, especially after thoroughly reading before just reacting. There's restrictions to what they can do from AT's to Global Channels. If anything, some of the true 'new F2P's' will pay to get all the goodies we have. If that means more activities and a larger player base to eventually cultivate for Champion, then I consider this good news. Granted, probably the minority of them will be those who get hooked and choose to subscribe. It will still be newer players interested in quality teaming and willingness to learn, as well as the return of old friends.

Imho, it's like when I was a kid, Go-Bots vs. Transformers. You'd play with a Go-Bot if it was free or a gift from a relative that were clueless. You wouldn't spend money on one though! But, you'd save your allowance or get a paper route to go out and buy a Transformer. At least I did ...lol

It's too early for me to really know how I feel about this. My knee-jerk reaction was fear, but I guess I'll have to just sort of feel it out.

At this point in time, I believe I will stay primarily on Champion (you guys can breathe now, I know that it was weighing heavily on your minds), but that'll be dependent on how much of the current population decides to remain, as well.

Thank you, Champion.

I PuG sometimes when nothing else is going on to meet new people to run with. Or at times we'll fill our teams by inviting from searches.

Interesting.

Not sure about my actual stance on it going f2p, alot of things both good and bad about it. Although it might mean I actually return, if the community still exists after the change.

Oh and relevant:

Things just got a little more interesting ey?

I'm honestly not surprised at all this is happening. I think we've seen some true indicators as to what the Paragon Studios team has planned and have in motion. It's a wicked web we weave.

I just hope that the additions are worth the price and they continue to evolve the game. As much as I love this game, I have to say after so many years it's date is starting to show and protrude through the shineys.

I am like the others... reserving my judgement for judgement day. We will just have to see what happens.

You can't judge a cupcake by it's look... you gotta take a bite first!

I have no intention of hiding behind the walls of the gated community of elitist VIP players....just imagine what could happen if you stay here: old subs and new curious casual players take a chance, check out the server, and (hold on to your seats now folks) interact in a positive manner with old veteran players, enjoy the experience, and become paying (fully functional) new participants in the Champion community; you just might even meet a few new friends in the process. I wouldn't hit the panic button just yet.

The only reason why I'd probably move to the VIP server is to get certain badges from TFs or Trials. The VIP server might open up a whole new can o' drama. :P

Hmm... maybe it's time to respec again into a Siren's PvP build and beat up on Noobs.

Another aspect I caught on the Ustream they'll be doing all week (10:30 Pacific/1:30 EST) is that instead of waiting for every issue for signature arc, there will be new ones for us to play and engage in monthly. I like the sound of that!

A little late to the game perhaps, but this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amygdala ...I love this server, but that is because of the people/community on it. If that is gone, well, then it's just another server...

...pretty well sums it up for me. I'm not sure what I'll do if the Champion community implodes because of this.

Why do I get the feeling that the VIP server is gonna be the one with the problems?

oh and hi.

To be quite honest, I am not seeing the cause for alarm in many of these threads. Most of this game is instanced, and we have plenty of tools that let us decide which individuals we would like to spend time with, listen to, or avoid. Even if there's a large influx of players who are absolute trolls, they can be kicked from the team, (or, conversely, you can quit from theirs) placed on /ignore, ignored until a mission is entered, or one can simply go to a new zone. As non-subscribers won't be chatting in broadcast, will be unable to do certain content, (AE especially) and can't get into global channels, It may be easier to cope with new-system problem players who are "free" than it is currently with spammers, griefers and such.

Conversely, I know several people who have played this game before, but have stopped subscribing because their limited time in game made the monthly chunk of change unjustifiable. Now, they will be able to log in ever so often as 'premium' users, and hang out with old friends on a limited, but more sustainable basis. That's just awesome.

Don't really care. Champion is the only place I play. Champion will go on being the only place I play. People can come and go as they will. I don't see this being any kind of significant change.

Bah, humbug.

Here I log in to bask in the "OMG the world is ending" goodness, and what do I find?

Caution, reason, and calls for restraint.

How... disappointing. And this is the "drama" server, to boot. Whatever shall I do? (cue fainting couch...)

-=-=-

On a more serious note, I personally doubt this is going to have the negative impact that F2P has had on other titles. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details... upon review, I think the marketing and dev teams (no relation to aforementioned "devil") have covered themselves pretty well with the limits they are proposing.

Will I likely have a character or two on the "VIP" server? Probably... my guess is that will be hosting more special events (previously relegated to Test) in the future. But Champion has been my CoH home since initial release, and I don't see anything here likely to change that (wiggle room: "yet").