South Carolina Video Games & PC Enthusiasts

[Deathsman]

I saw that STO was in "Open Beta". I find myself really having to question some of the practices that I'm seeing with STO.

First, "Open Beta". When I hear Open Beta I think that that means that the game is about ready for release and they are opening it up to be "play tested" until they are ready to go retail. I don't usually expect to have to either win a key (something that is usually more associated with "closed beta") or have to pre-order the game. I'm a little concerned about the idea of pre-ordering a game, which usually requires an outlay of cash, that is still in beta testing.

Second, "Special Pre-Order 1 Year and Lifetime(?) Subscriptions". Who pays $240 (+cost of game) to play a game that is still in Beta? How many games have we seen where their "Lifetime" was less than 2 years? I can think of several right off the top of my head.

It seems to me that maybe the game is not ready for prime time, that they are having cash issues, and are effectively saying "let's get as much money prior to actual release and get as many people invested in the game as possible so that we can survive until we get the game right".

Now perhaps someone who has paid for the opportunity to beta test this game can explain to me how I should be looking at this from a different point of view.
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"When Governments fear the people, there is Liberty. When people fear the Government, there is Tyranny". -Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the USA)

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." -Norman Thomas (1884-1968) six-time U.S. Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves. ......Abraham Lincoln

[Deathsman]

I read an blog on MMORPG.com that also touches on some of the "beta" questions I've got.

[|FZ|Onomas]

I can get you a key if you dont have one, many sites out there giving ffree open beta keys.

And if thewy are out you can simply go to target and pre-order a box for 99 cents. Which you can get back if you dont use the product key(not beta key).

240$ is cheap compared to monthly subs if you play for awhile. Only 2 mmo's have done life time subs on main stream. Lord of the Rings, and Champions Online (people who make STO also), and thus allowing STO to be the third.

See if this was your average orc/elf, shoot em up, or normal mmo, i would agree 240 for a game that might last 6 monthd is crap.

But this is Star Trek, there is so much potential and expansion ideas its not even funny. This game will last and go far, with work and patience.

You will always have this game with life sub, never worry about rough times and cant pay your monthly bill. And if it goes all the way, which it should 240$ is cheap compared to say a WOW account over 5 year period.

5*12*15$ monthly = 900$ Plus expansions. Normaly with lifetime sub, you dont pay for expansions. LOTR doesnt charge its lifers a fee for expansions.


Im in open beta now, game is set for release on the 2nd. Its not bad, got good graphics, doesnt require a super pc, lots of content for federation, and has lots of space to explore and use diplomacy.

Things im upset about, but will be added later = lack of klingon pve, only 2 factions, no player housing (captains quarters), and instancing. But the instancing here isnt as bad as i thought, nothing like GW's, more open.

Ill give game about 7/10 for starters, see how it goes from there. If they add content, patches, and expansions on a reqular basis, this game will be the new WOW. Star Trek has such a huge following, and already they have had to expand their servers to allow all the open beta players in. Time will tell, but i think this game will be a hit even if not 100% complete. But then again, what game is ever 100%?

240$ for 2-10 years of gaming isnt that bad. And much cheaper than buying 5-10 games a year that you guys only play for a week and goes on shelf like last year lol.

240$ for 2 years is like 33 cents a day, cheap entertainment.
240$ for 5 years is like 13 cents a day, cant beat that

Time will tell, but if anyone is interested in playing STO lets form a fleet/guild
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[Slingblade]

Deathsman,

I have played in many "Open Betas" where you were guaranteed a spot if you pre-ordered the game. They may be trying to get some up front capital by offering the lifetime sub, I won't disagree there, but with the Star Trek franchise behind them and the time they took to create the game in general I don't think there will be a lack of support or players. Unlike WoW, some people will play STO just because they are Star Trek fans.

With that said, I have been in the Open Beta since day 1 and must say it has been quite entertaining. The game style is diversified where some battle is done in space, some on space ships, and some on the planet surface. It just doesn't feel like it has quite the "grind" element that most MMO's have, I'm sure it's there and me be more noticeable at higher levels, but so far my experience has been good.

Just my .02

[|FZ|Onomas]

yeah and pre-order was anywhere from 99 cents to 5 dollars. Not my idea of a "marketing beta". Lifetime subs will be available at any time, the special limited time offer is 60$ cheaper, gives 2 extra slots for characters, and allows you to play as a liberated borg. You can always grab it later but for 60$ more.

If its anything like LOTR then you are considered a founder member and get some nifty things here and there, and cheaper stuff.

All in all, with it beinf ST, it will do well and always have a following. As WOW, many loved the war craft series and many people flocked to the game.

I ahve had fun as well since day one. Its not to shabby, and as sling stated, doesnt feel like the normal grind of most mmo's. Example: kill this amount of XXX or gather this amount of ZZZ.
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[Deathsman]

I like the conversation that this stirred up. I would certainly entertain the idea of trying out the game. When I looked at the official site, most of the places that "still" had beta keys to win I had never heard of. I would like to agree about the hardcore support for the Star Trek franchise being able to carry the game but I'm sure that there are those that would have never imagined a Star Wars MMO having as much trouble as they have had with that line.

On the same line but off to the side a little, how much are they looking to charge on a regular monthly subscription? Also what is the retail price going to be for the game? Honestly, this is a MMO that I would consider paying rental for. I'm not a "hardcore" fan, but I have been a fan since the seventies (reruns of original) and can carry on a some what intelligent conversation about the "science" of Star Trek. Just don't get me going on the Socialism of the Federation.
_________________
"When Governments fear the people, there is Liberty. When people fear the Government, there is Tyranny". -Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the USA)

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." -Norman Thomas (1884-1968) six-time U.S. Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves. ......Abraham Lincoln

[|FZ|Onomas]

a month-to-month package at $14.99 per month - 14.99
a three-month plan at $13.99 per month - 42.00
a six-month plan at $12.99 per month - 77.00


roughly, average costs

then they have 12 month sub and life time sub.


Cost of game itself:

Depends on what bonuses you want

http://www.startrekonline.com/retail

49.99 for regular ( box or digital download with store specific goodies)
59.99 for digital deluxe (digital download with some goodies)
79.99 for collectors edition (box set lots of goodies)
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[Deathsman]

So, how is the game? Input to MMORPG.com isn't very positive... http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/352/view/ratings
_________________
"When Governments fear the people, there is Liberty. When people fear the Government, there is Tyranny". -Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the USA)

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." -Norman Thomas (1884-1968) six-time U.S. Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves. ......Abraham Lincoln