I woke up this morning to find a Secret World Closed beta invite in my inbox this morning. Anyone else from the escapist get one?

Nope.

I must admit my enthusiasm for TSW plummeted like a stone when I read about how aggressively they're leveraging their cash shop given they're charging a sub fee on top of it. Three character slots? Please.

no but I am interested in this game post youre thoughts and impressions on it when you have had a reasonable amount of time with it I may have to buy it at some point.

BloatedGuppy:
Nope.

I must admit my enthusiasm for TSW plummeted like a stone when I read about how aggressively they're leveraging their cash shop given they're charging a sub fee on top of it. Three character slots? Please.

....WHAT?!?!?!

I hope it fails badly. Sub fee AND microtransactions? Piss off.

SmashLovesTitanQuest:
....WHAT?!?!?!

I hope it fails badly. Sub fee AND microtransactions? Piss off.

3 character slots, $10 for extra slots.

That's some FTP style pricing. On a game with a sub fee and a box price. That's past my tolerance threshold for gouging, I'm afraid.

BloatedGuppy:

SmashLovesTitanQuest:
....WHAT?!?!?!

I hope it fails badly. Sub fee AND microtransactions? Piss off.

3 character slots, $10 for extra slots.

That's some FTP style pricing. On a game with a sub fee and a box price. That's past my tolerance threshold for gouging, I'm afraid.

Damn that sucks I didn't think there was any sort of a micro transaction shop or anything like that. Oh well I'm not going to complain about getting into the beta.

synobal:
Damn that sucks I didn't think there was any sort of a micro transaction shop or anything like that. Oh well I'm not going to complain about the beta.

No, you might as well still monkey around while it's free. Lord knows only the wealthy will be playing it at release.

I'm not a fan of cash shops and microtransactions at the best of time. GW2 has them, and I'm a little queasy about them. I'd rather pay a sub fee and have access to everything.

But to have BOTH?

No thank you, sir!

BloatedGuppy:

synobal:
Damn that sucks I didn't think there was any sort of a micro transaction shop or anything like that. Oh well I'm not going to complain about the beta.

No, you might as well still monkey around while it's free. Lord knows only the wealthy will be playing it at release.

I'm not a fan of cash shops and microtransactions at the best of time. GW2 has them, and I'm a little queasy about them. I'd rather pay a sub fee and have access to everything.

But to have BOTH?

No thank you, sir!

yep got to say I agree

Wait, so from what I've seen, the pre-order version is like $50. You have to pay a monthly fee (anyone knows how much ?) AND you can use actual money for in-game items ? Is that right ?

TSW kinda sparks my interest, but I've never play a MMO and I'm not really willing to commit before watching some gameplay demo and/or reviews... A pre-order buy for a new MMO is a leap of faith.

But please report back if you get around to play it :)

It's a Closed Beta, right? Isn't it under NDA?

micro transactions and monthly fee damn well thats me out, I absolutely loathe micro transactions but can stomach them if everything else is free however paying for a game with monthly fees on top of this is a big no. Its like they want themselves to fail.

Im really disappointed now this game had an interesting premise oh well maybe they will change their model when nobody buys it or better yet make the longest journey 3 I want to know what happens dammit.

Nasrin:
Thanks for the heads up! I got one, but I assumed it was another newsletter so I threw it away without looking.

Again, thanks! You saved my beta :)

*brushes off shoulders* Yea what can I say I'm just that awesome. It comes naturally.

Been playing the beta for the past 2 days as Illuminati. Gonna...skip it. The "puzzles" are total nonsense, the mouse sensitivity is terrible (with no option to change), the tutorials are nonexistent (maybe because it's beta), and the graphics are mediocre at best (DX11 not available yet). I was really looking forward to this game, but left very very disappointed. I can't imagine people are going to pay $60 for the box, $15/month, and use a cash shop for this mess.

BloatedGuppy:

SmashLovesTitanQuest:
....WHAT?!?!?!

I hope it fails badly. Sub fee AND microtransactions? Piss off.

3 character slots, $10 for extra slots.

That's some FTP style pricing. On a game with a sub fee and a box price. That's past my tolerance threshold for gouging, I'm afraid.

I think its 10 EU, not 10 bucks btw.

BloatedGuppy:
3 character slots, $10 for extra slots.

That's some FTP style pricing. On a game with a sub fee and a box price. That's past my tolerance threshold for gouging, I'm afraid.

Seriously?!? Ok, that's one more game I can cross off the list. I wasn't even expecting this to be a good game, but I might have given it a quick trial at some point. I don't even care if it's the best game ever now. That is not right. Those kind of cash shop features make a profit even in a FTP game. What the hell is the subscription for?

Captcha: "top dog". I doubt it.

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"

For those of you that didn't get a key and would like to try the beta out this weekend you can pick up a free beta key at Gamespot:
http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/secret-world-pc/

I'll be playing it with a few friends to see if it's any good.

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.

nu1mlock:
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.

BloatedGuppy:
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.

nu1mlock:

BloatedGuppy:
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.

hino77:
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.

hino77:
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!"

BloatedGuppy:
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.

£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.

nu1mlock:

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..

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.

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.

WoW Killer:

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.

BloatedGuppy:

hino77:
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.

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.

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.

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.

BloatedGuppy:
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).

nu1mlock:
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.

nu1mlock:

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.