ZOS Why not make the base version of the game free?

TDVM · September 21

Make the base version of the game free for everyone, this will attract more players and more potential buyers of anything in the crown store and possibly stay in the game.
What's wrong with that? I'm sure a lot of people don't play this game because they have to either buy it or wait for a free trial because they don't know if they will like it. But this way the game will be more accessible to everyone, just like other mmo's where the basic version is available to everyone.

TaSheen · September 21

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

ESO_player123 · September 21

TaSheen wrote: »

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

I second that.

Dragonnord · September 21

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

Bradyfjord · September 21

TaSheen wrote: »

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

This is the only gate keeping I support. Keep that behavior out.

thorwyn · September 21

Let me put it that way:
If people are unwilling to pay 5$ during a steam summer sale, how likely is it that they are willing to pay anything for a game that comes as f2p?
Like TaSheen said, the (rather low) price provides a bit of protection against people that are trying to exploit the game for their personal profit.

LaintalAy · September 21

I honestly don't care.

If the only 'free' game I have is anything to go by, then they moved a whole pile of 'basegame features' out into expansion packs.

So now you have to buy the expansions to get what was once free in the preceding versions.

No such thing as a 'free lunch'.

Elsonso · September 22

TDVM wrote: »

Make the base version of the game free for everyone, this will attract more players and more potential buyers of anything in the crown store and possibly stay in the game.

It is already "free" on XBox Game Pass.

Given that it is already on Game Pass, I don't expect that it will get more free than that. I suppose if they get desperate for players closer to end of life... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

CatoUnchained · September 22

TDVM wrote: »

Make the base version of the game free for everyone, this will attract more players and more potential buyers of anything in the crown store and possibly stay in the game.
What's wrong with that? I'm sure a lot of people don't play this game because they have to either buy it or wait for a free trial because they don't know if they will like it. But this way the game will be more accessible to everyone, just like other mmo's where the basic version is available to everyone.

More players = more lag and performance problems

CatoUnchained · September 22

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

ESO is the most expensive game I've ever purchased. No other game even comes close, especially when you factor in the diminished content and inexcusable performance issues.

LunaFlora · September 22

CatoUnchained wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

ESO is the most expensive game I've ever purchased. No other game even comes close, especially when you factor in the diminished content and inexcusable performance issues.

the base game costs €/$20, about 8 on sale.
this post is about the base game so then i am confused how this is the most expensive game you have ever purchased

TheMajority · September 22

lol all my copies were $5 on sale, I have six account. eso ain't an expense

Theist_VII · September 22

TaSheen wrote: »

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

An easy work around to this would be a progress-gated chat permission.

Wouldn’t even need to be anything crazy, like complete 10 quests.

MrGarlic · September 22

On sale, the base game + Morrowind costs as much as an Airport coffee. Then you just need to pay for your internet. The only thing that should be free is the lag between key presses.

Ilbirs · September 22

LunaFlora wrote: »

CatoUnchained wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

ESO is the most expensive game I've ever purchased. No other game even comes close, especially when you factor in the diminished content and inexcusable performance issues.

the base game costs €/$20, about 8 on sale.
this post is about the base game so then i am confused how this is the most expensive game you have ever purchased

I started playing in late 2014 and at the time of purchase it was very expensive, I bought it with the Imperial edition for $150

But the game can't be given away for free, we already had the sad experience of giving away Epic for free

ESO_player123 · September 22

Theist_VII wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

An easy work around to this would be a progress-gated chat permission.

Wouldn’t even need to be anything crazy, like complete 10 quests.

10 quests is leveling a bit and doing some crafting dailies. Also, imaging legit new players not being able to chat in game right away and ask for help. Not a good solution IMO.

LalMirchi · September 22

I have a contrary opinion, make the game completely subscription based, not saying that would be successful but I personally would like it.

Czeri · September 22

LalMirchi wrote: »

I have a contrary opinion, make the game completely subscription based, not saying that would be successful but I personally would like it.

It was back in the day, before crown store...

TaSheen · September 22

Czeri wrote: »

LalMirchi wrote: »

I have a contrary opinion, make the game completely subscription based, not saying that would be successful but I personally would like it.

It was back in the day, before crown store...

And I too would prefer (always have) a sub-based game rather than a crown store one.

ArchMikem · September 22

TaSheen wrote: »

Czeri wrote: »

LalMirchi wrote: »

I have a contrary opinion, make the game completely subscription based, not saying that would be successful but I personally would like it.

It was back in the day, before crown store...

And I too would prefer (always have) a sub-based game rather than a crown store one.

Even though I sub for the goodies, I somewhat disagree. Inflation is hitting people harder than ever and the last thing we need is gatekeeping entertainment behind more bills. I already have to pay for Internet Service AND Xbox Live just to launch ESO. A required Subscription on top of that? THREE mandatory bills to play one game?

AzuraFan · September 22

The base game is dirt cheap when it's on sale (which is often). Only $5 (or equivalent) to get a humungous amount of content. There's no need to make it free.

Dragonnord · September 22

ArchMikem wrote: »

I already have to pay for Internet Service just to launch ESO.

Come on! You would have Internet Service anyways. You don't have Internet only becasue of TESO.

Otherwise, with that reasoning then, you have to pay for eletricity in your house, buy a PC, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, buy or rent a house or place where to put that stuff under roof, etc., to play TESO too.

Come on!

Reverb · September 22

Free games attract a lot of problematic elements, and there’s already too many bots and gold sellers.

TDVM · September 22

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

TDVM · September 22

CatoUnchained wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Make the base version of the game free for everyone, this will attract more players and more potential buyers of anything in the crown store and possibly stay in the game.
What's wrong with that? I'm sure a lot of people don't play this game because they have to either buy it or wait for a free trial because they don't know if they will like it. But this way the game will be more accessible to everyone, just like other mmo's where the basic version is available to everyone.

More players = more lag and performance problems

This problem is still there even now, even when the base version of the game is paid for.

Dragonnord · September 22

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

That's why only you and OP are in favor of TESO being free and all the rest are not.

Also, you clearly haven't read @thorwyn post and clearly you haven't read @TaSheen and @Reverb posts neither.

TDVM · September 22

TaSheen wrote: »

What's wrong is exactly what happened after the "free Epic Games promotion" - floods of RMT gold sellers pounding their schlock in the zone chat.

Game's plenty cheap enough on the frequent sales.

Considering that ZOS are introducing AI to moderate chat in the game, then RMT will be in some part neutralized, of course RMT will remain, but if you take globally what MMO does not have RMT? Probably only in the most unpopular ones.

TDVM · September 22

Dragonnord wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

That's why only you and OP are in favor of TESO being free and all the rest are not.

Also, you clearly haven't read @thorwyn post and clearly you haven't read @TaSheen and @Reverb posts neither.

Please read my replies more carefully before saying things that don't exist. Also do not need to speak for everyone, the people in this post are not all players who are in the game, so 99% sure that there will be those who are in favor of making a free basic version of the game

TaSheen · September 22

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

That's why only you and OP are in favor of TESO being free and all the rest are not.

Also, you clearly haven't read @thorwyn post and clearly you haven't read @TaSheen and @Reverb posts neither.

Please read my replies more carefully before saying things that don't exist. Also do not need to speak for everyone, the people in this post are not all players who are in the game, so 99% sure that there will be those who are in favor of making a free basic version of the game

As far as I'm aware, everyone so far posting does play the game. Unless you are speaking only for yourself.

[@Dragonnord - this person IS the OP.... just for info.]

TDVM · September 22

TaSheen wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

That's why only you and OP are in favor of TESO being free and all the rest are not.

Also, you clearly haven't read @thorwyn post and clearly you haven't read @TaSheen and @Reverb posts neither.

Please read my replies more carefully before saying things that don't exist. Also do not need to speak for everyone, the people in this post are not all players who are in the game, so 99% sure that there will be those who are in favor of making a free basic version of the game

As far as I'm aware, everyone so far posting does play the game. Unless you are speaking only for yourself.

[@Dragonnord - this person IS the OP.... just for info.]

My point was that everyone in this post is not all the players that make the online game, but only a small % of the 1%. And @Dragonnord talks as if this post is about ALL of the online game and speaks for everyone. And about the OP, what are you talking about? What does OP mean in your mind?

Dragonnord · September 22

TaSheen wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

TDVM wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

99% of the games are paid, so why should TESO be free?

Also, TESO is a lot cheaper than most games out there and has been on sale several times.

What does it have to do with 99% of games if the post is only about MMOs? Neverwinter, Destiny 2, LOTRO, SWTOR and similar MMOs. And it's not that the game is cheap, but that it costs anything at all, if they sell it for the price of coffee at the airport, it's not easier to make, it just looks ridiculous. It would make a lot more sense to make the basic version free, and attract more players

That's why only you and OP are in favor of TESO being free and all the rest are not.

Also, you clearly haven't read @thorwyn post and clearly you haven't read @TaSheen and @Reverb posts neither.

Please read my replies more carefully before saying things that don't exist. Also do not need to speak for everyone, the people in this post are not all players who are in the game, so 99% sure that there will be those who are in favor of making a free basic version of the game

As far as I'm aware, everyone so far posting does play the game. Unless you are speaking only for yourself.

[@Dragonnord - this person IS the OP.... just for info.]

Ty TaSheen, more on my favor then (only one person in favor then).

And OP, when I say "all" of course I mean the persons posting here, but I suppose you know how polls and surveys work...