Moral Quandary - What do you think? To sub or not?

Mercutio

To sub or not to sub, that is the question. I love TESO. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. If it were still just sub based I would re-up in a second. Even though I only get to play 10 hours a week at most, I thoroughly enjoy it.

My sub ran out yesterday. For certain financial conveniences I will not resubscribe till the 1st. But that is IF I do.

The gold and xp bonus aren't much incentive to be honest. That has been discussed to death, not going to rehash it here.

I have everything I currently want from the Crown Store, and still have like 900 points left. If there were XP potions or something useful I would spend them on that, but right now -- just don't care for what is being offered ( I do believe the goods are high quality, just a matter of personal taste ).

So subbing really will not enhance my game play.

On the other hand...

I WANT to support the game. I feel a bit like a freeloader. I tell myself, however, that I did not choose the payment model ZOS has put in place. I do tell friends what a great game it is and post positive reviews on forums and such, so I guess I am doing a little.

HOWEVER, if I do pay a sub, isn't that telling ZOS that I like what they are currently offering with a subscription, thereby encouraging them to continue offering something I don't care for?

So that is my quandry. Making this poll anonymous, please feel free to speak your mind. I FIRMLY believe in voting with my wallet. When The Secret World has a special event weekend I'll buy ten bucks worth of item store stuff even though I have a Lifetime Subscription. So I'm not cheap, just unsure how to best proceed.

May the Wisdom of the Masses guide me! Have a great Sunday and a great week everyone.

Turelus

I can't really make a choice for you. I voted to sub because that's my preference.

I log into the game every day, I still enjoy logging in and playing and to me personally that's enough to warrant the subscription. I get some Crowns to spend as well and once Imperial City is out I won't have to worry about the purchase of it.

Heromofo

I dont know if this will help you but Gidorick and myself have opinions to this.

Pulled from my thread:

Vegaroth wrote: »

Transmorgrifier: Not really necesary as in WoW, it could be a better option make somekind of adition to crafting to make costumes.

Personal merchant: Can become a huge advantage, specially for grinders and farmers, maybe with a big cooldown timer....

Children: BIG NO to those pesky critters!!!! I hate them in skyrim, really annoing, thats why my fav mod for skyrim was Killable Children.... finally able to get ride of that girl in Whiterun without need of console command...

Vegaroth

Added in hourly cooldown but compared to other mmos ESO + is the worst subscription service.
This feature is used in alot of mmo subscription services but your right a hourly cooldown would be good for it.

- Pesky Critters lol image of kids crawling up the wall is now freaking me out.

A quote from Gidorick

Gidorick wrote: »

I recently noticed that Archeage's sub benefits have been given a bit of an upgrade...

And I've been thinking about The Secret World's subscription too...

Those Exclusive Items and Store Discounts are really enticing.

When compared to what ESO+ gives you...

There's just no doubt that ESO+ is lacking... Now, that being said... The Secret World doesn't give subscribers access to their Expansions (They call Issues, like a comic!)... so the more DLC that comes out for ESO, the more enticing the Subscription will become. Right now, there's just not much to make a person go "yea! That's worth it!"

Add in the fact in the long run it might be worth just buying the dlc instead of going through ESO+ that only lets you (RENT) the dlc. If you stop paying for eso plus you will loose all your dlc same goes if you lapse a month.

If the dlc end up been 20-30 dollars a pop
Over 15 dollars a month
They said it takes at least 4 months to make a new area
So at the very best 5 months after testing
5x15 75 dollars
Or 20-30 dollars one time payment

So as it stands the best option is to just not to give zos any money and then just buy the dlc every 5-6 months you would be saving alot and only missing out on 10% exp bonus that you dont even notice.

AlienSlof

I just buy packs of crowns when I see something I want in the store. I don't care about xp or gold bonuses as I like to level in my own time, and I have tons of gold most of the time anyway. I'm even almost maxed out on my bank space, so there won't be much more to spend it on soon, except temper materials and rare motifs.

When the crown store has something I want, I support the game that way. I'm happy, ZOS are happy, we all win for me.

Ley

It was a close one with the poached egg for me but I went with sub because I figure eventually I'll have something to spend those crown on and in the meantime I enjoy the miniscule perks of being subbed. I do intend on leveling at least one more alt, so that's another reason I'd like to stay subbed.

Gidorick

lol. @Heromofo. Hi!

@Mercutio I had a similar dilemma. I really REALLY want to support ZOS but I didn't want it to feel like charity. This is a transaction. If ZOS kept the sub model, I'd still be happily paying just to access the game... well, I'd probably be on here griping about lack of content, but I'd still be subbed. But they didn't. ZOS changed the business model. They made the decision to go from a sub that pays for future content to a product based revenue model. They haven't produced the product... they don't get my revenue. Simple as that.

My plan is to:

• Sub for 1 month when DLC comes out
• Play that DLC for that one month
• If I enjoy it enough to buy it, buy crown packs to add to the 1500C I received for the sub and buy the DLC
• Only buy the $40 Crown Packs (the discount is crazy)

If ZOS produces good content they will get plenty of my money. If they don't, I'll only spend $15 on DLC with a month of ESO+... but not even really that since I ALSO get 1500C. So I'll effectively get to play the DLC for free.

ZOS made the decision to change the way this is done. They will get my money when they produce something worth spending money on. I didn't ask for this payment model. I'm just following their lead.

Tandor

It's entirely your decision, but I have continued my sub because for me the game hasn't changed at all as a result of going BTP. I'm not interested in the Crown Store and having played since launch I'm still levelling up my 8 characters and won't run out of content for a long while yet. In all respects for my solo PvE playstyle it's the same game as when I started except that it's been gradually improved along the way, so I'm perfectly happy to continue supporting it the same way.

Gidorick

Tandor wrote: »

It's entirely your decision, but I have continued my sub because for me the game hasn't changed at all as a result of going BTP. I'm not interested in the Crown Store and having played since launch I'm still levelling up my 8 characters and won't run out of content for a long while yet. In all respects for my solo PvE playstyle it's the same game as when I started except that it's been gradually improved along the way, so I'm perfectly happy to continue supporting it the same way.

And that's noble of you but I see it as being similar to going to a "Free Movie Friday Matinee!" where your local theater has a free movie every Friday and when you get there you insist on paying for your ticket.

Heromofo

Gidorick wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

It's entirely your decision, but I have continued my sub because for me the game hasn't changed at all as a result of going BTP. I'm not interested in the Crown Store and having played since launch I'm still levelling up my 8 characters and won't run out of content for a long while yet. In all respects for my solo PvE playstyle it's the same game as when I started except that it's been gradually improved along the way, so I'm perfectly happy to continue supporting it the same way.

And that's noble of you but I see it as being similar to going to a "Free Movie Friday Matinee!" where your local theater has a free movie every Friday and when you get there you insist on paying for your ticket.

Amen big time....

Ranique

I tried out ESO during beta but didn't start playing untill it went subfree. I'm very much against people namecalling non-subbers to be a cheapy scrooge.

I explain why I don't do subs. My income isn't stable. Sometimes I have a strong income and then I have limited time to game and sometimes I have a low income and I got plenty of time to play. As a sub (even in the current form) is payed for a period, it is of limited use. If I can pay it, I can't really play.

This doesn't mean that I don't support ESO. I prefer however things that are permanent, so I can enjoy them whenever I got the time to play and not whenever I have the money to play. All in all I am paying more then I would with a monthly sub, I jsut don't pay it regularly.

It actually feels a bit bad to be treated as second rate player by some people on this forum, just cause of this.

tl;dr: support ESO in anyway you seem to be best. Any financial support should be (and likely is) very much appreciated!

Rosveen

I wholeheartedly agree with Gidorick. As he pointed out in the other thread, it isn't our responsibility to make sure ZOS gets paid. They're a business, they chose the business model, now they need to create a service people want to pay for. *shrugs*

Danikat

I prefer to look at any purchase as a straight forward transaction. I (should) get what is offered in return for my money and after that it ceases to be my money and what is done with it is outside of my control.

So in this case I would judge the subscription entirely on it's own merits, not what I imagine or hope ZOS will do with the money in the future. For a start I don't have nearly enough information to make that decision accurately (it might be that the things I want them to develop are already finished and scheduled for release, or completely off the table and not going to happen no matter how much money they make, it might be that the money won't go to new content at all because someone's decided the heads of departments need a bonus for what they've already done). But more importantly making the decision based on what I imagine will happen at some point in the future and then holding the company to that decision - which they will know nothing about - is far more likely to result in disappointment for me than any other outcome.

I'd rather buy a sub because I like the benefits of the sub, or buy crowns because I don't want a sub but I do want items from the store and know exactly what I'm getting in return.

So if I was in your position I wouldn't buy a sub yet. I'd buy crown store points to get items you want, and wait for the sub to offer benefits you do want. (Although maybe I'd get a sub for 1 month if I was going to buy the 1,500 crowns pack, since it's the same price.)

And maybe post on the forum or using the /feedback option in-game to let ZOS know what you would like to buy from them, what would make a sub worthwhile to you. But don't pay for it until it's actually on sale.

KhajitFurTrader

I sub because I've been taught that it's polite to give back for what you take. TANSTAAFL.

I also like the game, its setting ES, and the way it gives me a completely different experience compared with other MMOs I know or still play. I want to contribute my share to sustain it, and hopefully help grow it, simply because I can enjoy it immensely.

Cernow

It's simple really. If you feel what is on offer for the subscription is good value for money, then subscribe. if you don't then keep your wallet closed. Same goes for the Crown Store.

Support the game through rewarding value for money, not just out of blind loyalty.

Faugaun

O think this is a very personal decision....that said many people support things that they don't receive anything additional in exchange for. Like for instance I donate to world vision have for almost a decade it is a good cause. I donate time to package food for the homeless.

A sub here is a sit down meal out (or three starbucks coffees) a month, so I sub just because...plus I like the ration of crowns for mounts and clothes etc...so for me I maintain a sub...

Drazhar14

There is no option for "Wait until they finish with consoles and focus on pc again". There is no reason to pay for a sub right now since they are 100% focused on consoles and no new content is coming anytime soon.

Ley

Drazhar14 wrote: »

There is no option for "Wait until they finish with consoles and focus on pc again". There is no reason to pay for a sub right now since they are 100% focused on consoles and no new content is coming anytime soon.

I thought that's what the poached egg option was.

Deome

I already made my views clear in another post, but the short of it is that the game won't get any worse if I don't sub, but it might not get any better either.

For the record, I could care less about the ESO Plus benefits. I'd much rather see ZOS continue, though, as I'm rather fond of Tamriel.

Plus, I now have the added satisfaction of knowing that dumping money into ESO Plus, and of course broadcasting that act, makes all the right people froth at the mouth.

Audigy

Stuffed Animal, god this is the best option I have ever seen in a poll I want one

Does one of @ZOS_MariaAliprando exist? It would get a special place in my home!

@ topic,

I did sub from the first day on, until it went F2P. I played 10 hours a month, if at all and never felt I would miss out or so. Its just 12 bucks anyways and without the F2P option, I would still pay, even though I am taking a break now.

In my opinion, we people have so many subs in life, do we really need all of them? Who doesn't has a TV channel subbed, just because of one event each month or a year sub for his / her favorite music or sports club? Its just a convenient thing in my opinion, we pay once and can always go or play. Maybe its silly to say that, but paying every time is kind of annoying - so why not pay once?

As far I can tell, after ESO went F2P the subs became somehow obsolete. Even if they would offer more XP, Gold or other non P2W elements, I still wouldn't feel like gaining said convenience with a sub. I can play and I can use all content, so for me subbing in a F2P / B2P game is pointless and those that demand that you sub to be able to play in a normal way (SWTOR, Archage), wont see a dime of me either, as I dislike such games.

On the other hand, if you intent to use the shop a lot and are sure you use all DLC´s, then why not save some crowns already?

mtwiggz

I've been asking myself whether or not I'll resub since the game went B2P. As someone who also doesn't have a lot of time to play, I'm in a dilemma.

I'm a huge fan of ESO and all TES games. I'd love to support the game - so the simple answer is to sub.

Personally I don't see the benefits of subbing as game changing, or even worth it in most aspects.

XP gain boost; While I don't have a lot of time to play this is by far the most beneficial bonus to me. As someone who primarily plays PvP getting my characters up to VR14 quick is a must. The less time I spend leveling characters the more time I can spend killing them.

Gold increase; Not really a huge benefit. Gold is very easy to make in this game. Whether your spend your time thieving, farming mats, flipping items or selling AP - gold isn't hard to come by.

Crowns; I'm not someone who is huge into vanity items, which is mostly what the Crown Store offers. I'm sitting on nearly 5,000 crowns at the moment, I believe, with nothing to spend them on. I plan to save them for when DLC content (or XP potions) find their way into the store. Hoping that they're not ridiculously expensive. Not to mention for the same price as a sub you can buy more crowns than you get through subbing.

This topic has been beaten to death. One would hope ZoS sees these topics and maybe gives subscribers a little more of a benefit worth our $15/month. At this point I do not see myself subbing again. With the plan to make use of my remaining sub to level all of my characters up to VR ranks at least.

Best of luck in your decision making. After writing this post my mind has been made up. I will not be renewing my sub.

Madness1

I understand what your saying about encouraging bad behavior on Zeni's part, however I'm not sure it's worth the risk. I'm a full supporter of stopping people pre-ordering but when it comes to a game that requires a boat load of cash to run and keep all the servers up it'll end up not being cost effective for Zeni to improve and add more content. Micro-transactions are all fine and good but to really show your support a sub is the best way to project your interest and want for the MMO to grow.

Talrenos

Don't pay a sub fee. they already got you paying for the game, and that was wasted money. If you sub you will be cancelling it within 2 months after you see how horrible the game is and the lack of their ability to actually fix anything. Your better off playing any other game. Even Tic-Tac-Toe.

AH93

Depends when they're planning on releasing new content, because that's the only reason I would consider subbing, depending on the price of said content.
Since it doesn't look like we'll see any content for a long long while I would advise you to not sub at all, the bonus currently offered are seriously lacking in my opinion, the Xp bonus barely makes a difference, you will out level content regardless of bonus so I think the sub is not worth it.
Maybe in a year when they make improvements and release some more content, maybe.

granty2008cyb16_ESO

will re-sub when new content comes out

timidobserver

Honestly, it won't be worth subbing until a few packs of content are available given that, going by the absurd price of cosmetic garbage, actual content will probably cost nearly $100 a pack.

The primary benefit of subbing right now would be to pool your crowns and then at some point in the distant future, unsub and buy all of the content with your pooled crowns.

Frawr

I have paid a sub upto now, however, I have now cancelled because I feel marginalised by the company.

I appreciate the fact that they are working toward a console release, however, it is not necessary to make hard the lives of current players in order to achieve balance for console release.

Example is xp nerfs in craglorn (to prevent grinding of CPs) resulting in there being insufficient xp in the available content to roll from 1-14. Sure, i can PVP, grind dailies etc, but i shouldn't have to do so.

It is lack of thought. Lack of interest in the current players because all focus is on the new potential customers (hence also the trailers that bear no actual relation to the game play).

I really have no problem paying to play but I need the company to put up a better show of valuing me.

Lionxoft

This isn't a charity. Make them sing for their supper.

Tandor

Gidorick wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

It's entirely your decision, but I have continued my sub because for me the game hasn't changed at all as a result of going BTP. I'm not interested in the Crown Store and having played since launch I'm still levelling up my 8 characters and won't run out of content for a long while yet. In all respects for my solo PvE playstyle it's the same game as when I started except that it's been gradually improved along the way, so I'm perfectly happy to continue supporting it the same way.

And that's noble of you but I see it as being similar to going to a "Free Movie Friday Matinee!" where your local theater has a free movie every Friday and when you get there you insist on paying for your ticket.

The game was worth my paying for it a year ago, and it's still worth my paying for it today. As such I want to do my bit to support it, rather than try and argue that it's not worth paying for despite the fact that I'm playing it a lot. Much like how in your analogy I'd benefit from the free matinee but also try and get to the movie theatre on paying nights rather than just turn up for the free matinee and hope someone else is paying to keep it going for me.

RazzPitazz

Gidorick wrote: »

lol. @Heromofo. Hi!

If ZOS kept the sub model, I'd still be happily paying just to access the game... well, I'd probably be on here griping about lack of content, but I'd still be subbed.
...
If ZOS produces good content they will get plenty of my money. If they don't, I'll only spend $15 on DLC with a month of ESO+... but not even really that since I ALSO get 1500C. So I'll effectively get to play the DLC for free.

ZOS made the decision to change the way this is done. They will get my money when they produce something worth spending money on. I didn't ask for this payment model. I'm just following their lead.

This is pretty much how I feel about it.
To OP, if you are weighing the pros and cons, not if you can afford it, chances are do not bother atm.
ZoS has money, they want more. If you do not like it enough to pay money for, well, nothing different then do not.
ZoS does not need charity they need revenue which, in turn, means they need product. Don't pay for a product you don't think would be worth paying for.

Gidorick

Tandor wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

It's entirely your decision, but I have continued my sub because for me the game hasn't changed at all as a result of going BTP. I'm not interested in the Crown Store and having played since launch I'm still levelling up my 8 characters and won't run out of content for a long while yet. In all respects for my solo PvE playstyle it's the same game as when I started except that it's been gradually improved along the way, so I'm perfectly happy to continue supporting it the same way.

And that's noble of you but I see it as being similar to going to a "Free Movie Friday Matinee!" where your local theater has a free movie every Friday and when you get there you insist on paying for your ticket.

The game was worth my paying for it a year ago, and it's still worth my paying for it today. As such I want to do my bit to support it, rather than try and argue that it's not worth paying for despite the fact that I'm playing it a lot. Much like how in your analogy I'd benefit from the free matinee but also try and get to the movie theatre on paying nights rather than just turn up for the free matinee and hope someone else is paying to keep it going for me.

In the continued analogy, going to the movie theater on paying nights would be akin to buying Crown Store items, not trying to pay them for the free matinee. You want to support ZOS, there's probably more than 50,000 Crowns worth of items in the Crown Store... that's around $500 worth of items, there is plenty in there to support them.

If you buy one month subscription you will pay about $0.99 per 100 Crowns. If you buy 5500 Crowns for $40 you will pay about $0.72 per 100 Crowns. That's a savings of about 28%. That's a better "benefit" than any of the bonuses you get with a subscription (I'm speaking of the 10% bonuses here).

My point is, you can support ZOS without a subscription. You can just buy Crown Packs every 3 months and save them up. You'll end up with about 4000 Crowns more every year. You just have to ask yourself how important are those 10% bonuses to you.

And of course, all this shifts when DLC starts coming out.

Rasimir

Nobody has to "support" the game. B2P is their business model, and ZOS has a business plan how this model will support their business. No room for charity here.Sub when you feel you get something valuable (for you!) in return.