Potential

[MrSeagull]

After playing this game for roughly a week, maxing out everything a free account can do, I’ve decided that I will not pay for the unlimited access. There are a number of reasons why, but I believe it better to address the changes I believe could make this game successful. I will reference ideas from other MMO’s as examples.

First priority: The graphics engine. The engine in this game is horrible. The graphics in the game are mediocre at best, but the performance is terrible. Take a machine that can run games like Supreme Commander at full settings flawlessly and Pirates Online requires its settings lowered to be playable. Either the engine needs to be seriously tweaked, or rebuilt completely.

Second: Content. I know that running an MMO is a costly endeavor. I know some form of income must be present to keep the game alive. From straight monthly fees (World of Warcraft), no fees with purchasable content (MapleStory), or only requiring user to buy the game/expansions (GuildWars), there are a multitude of options for making money. However way they do it, they need to make the game sellable. They need to give reasons for users to pay for it. However, at the same time, they need to be able to recruit players with enough content to draw them into the game. There is where I feel Pirates lacks. The severe limits imposed upon free players do not provide enough encouragement to upgrade the account. It took me less then a week to max out a free character, and afterwards I didn’t want to play anymore. I thought about taking advantage of the 50% off deal for the first month, but after reading that the character would basically revert back to the way it is now once that month expired, I decided against it. It’s my suggestion that they use a model similar to other games, like Runescape for instance. Basically, make half the game accessible to free players. As an example, remove the level and rank limits on skills, but keep some of the skills locked – Like Doll magic is mostly unlocked, and Voodoo Staff magic mostly locked (unlock just enough to get a taste of it, enough for players to desire more). Unlock most, if not all, of the current ships and create additional “Exotic” ships that, say, have additional crew space, allow below-deck cannoneers, more cargo space, etc. Remove the notoriety limit, but keep the free-play penalties. Create areas that free players can fight, and areas limited to only paying members to fight. These areas can have unique mobs with extra, more luxurious, drops. Unlock enough weapons for a player to use up to the higher levels, but leave a good amount, including the best stuff, for paying members only. For vanity items, like Tattoos and piercings, you can leave most of these things locked, but make a small bit unlocked.

Third: Cost. I feel that there is a direct relationship to the monthly cost and the un-lockable content. The more you pay for the game, the more you should expect to get. With the way the game is now, taking into account all the items mention above, I would not pay $10 a month. $5 a month, however, I’d be willing to pay for what they have now. If the game was more like the suggestions I posted above, I would be fine with $10, mainly because I will still have a reason to play if I decided to let the account expire for a short while.

Fourth: Bugs. There are a lot of glitches and bugs in this game. I won’t go into detail here, I just feel they need to be addressed.

I feel this game has a lot of potential, and it can provide a unique style of game compared to the others out there. It just needs a lot of work.

Please, feel free to suggest additions or changes to this list; I’d like to hear what other players think.

A thought that came up while I waited for approval on this...

Can anyone think of a Pay-to-play MMO that does NOT have some form of professions? Or at least some type of non-combat oriented activity that benifits the character?

[CrimsonRabbit]

Originally Posted by MrSeagull

Second: BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....The severe limits imposed upon free players do not provide enough encouragement to upgrade the account. It took me less then a week to max out a free character, and afterwards I didn’t want to play anymore. I thought about taking advantage of the 50% off deal for the first month, but after reading that the character would basically revert back to the way it is now once that month expired, I decided against it.....BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

Sounds like you really want to play this game for free, but have access to all the content us others pay a monthly fee for. Of course there are limits to what you can do on a free account...that's why we PAY TO HAVE THE EXTRA CONTENT.

I completely disagree with this post. Big D, don't listen and keep the freeloaders limited to what they've got. Keep them wanting more to do...they'll crack and pay for at least a month to test it. No need to have a bunch of non-paying people crowding the seas where the bigger ships are (or the higher level land masses), bothering, disturbing and getting in the way of your paying customers.

Originally Posted by MrSeagull

Third: Cost. I feel that there is a direct relationship to the monthly cost and the un-lockable content. The more you pay for the game, the more you should expect to get. With the way the game is now, taking into account all the items mention above, I would not pay $10 a month. $5 a month, however, I’d be willing to pay for what they have now. If the game was more like the suggestions I posted above, I would be fine with $10, mainly because I will still have a reason to play if I decided to let the account expire for a short while.

Your post makes no sense. Direct relation to un-lockable content?!? You were just complaining that there's TOO MUCH content not available to freeloaders. So...you suggest that we give more access to quests, weapons and upgrades to the free players and THAT would make you willing to pay $5 more/month?

$10/month is pocket change and you're just making yourself sound cheap....or maybe your just a youngster with a low allowance.

[MrSeagull]

Wow, didn't expect to see so much hostility here. Alright, first...

Sounds like you really want to play this game for free, but have access to all the content us others pay a monthly fee for. Of course there are limits to what you can do on a free account...that's why we PAY TO HAVE THE EXTRA CONTENT.

Did you read the entire thing? I never said free players should have all the content, nor have no limits. My point was that there wasn't enough free content to create longterm players.

No need to have a bunch of non-paying people crowding the seas

That's why I suggested paying-members only areas. Miss that part too? There could even be payed-only servers.

You were just complaining that there's TOO MUCH content not available to freeloaders. So...you suggest that we give more access to quests, weapons and upgrades to the free players and THAT would make you willing to pay $5 more/month?

My complaint is that, with a combination of everything I listed, I woulden't pay $10 a month.



Let's take a look at Runescape. That game is roughly $6 a month to unlock all the content. Neary 80% of the continent is locked, half the skills are locked, and all the best gear and accessories are locked. Yet, even without paying a dime a person could play a character for years. Runescape has over 1 million payed subscribers. I've played the game for years and have been an off-and-on subscriber.

The whole purpose behind this thread was to express suggestions on how this game could become more sucessful, not complain about the price.

Also, http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart7.html

POTCO isn't even on that chart.

[theblastmage]

i have to aggree that more should be available to f2p, and heck the whole game needs more to do.

an explanation:

f2p can reach lv 10 in notoriety and lv 5 in three weapons.....oh and they can watch a few cutscenes and do about 5% of the story quest. then what? either pay or quit, i'd have to imagine most quit because, although they still have what i call "new game fever", they aren't sure if the game is worth $10 a month because they played for what, a week and now the game's over?

take a look at the game, what is involved in playing? grind grind and grind, i can do that for free in maplestory, what makes pirates different? if you think about it, only the story line (which is mediocre at best right now) makes pirates any better than MS.....ok except for the fact that pirates aren't a playable class in maplestory because pirates > ninjas. my point is that POTCO needs more to do apart from the "go get me this and sink 20 ships" quests and constant grindng. bosses, unique stuff to collect and show-off....and better pvp, big time neccessity here 'cause that's currently all a lv 40 can do that's, um....productive (for lack of a better word) all that needs to be added for this game to be a good game.

pirates isn't bad, but it isn't good either, and disney needs more frequent updates too, things get stale after a while....

(blabs on for about an hour or two while everyone else goes to sleep, i think i'll stop now...where's my anti-flame sheild?)

[Maximvs]

<snip> they aren't sure if the game is worth $10 a month because they played for what, a week and now the game's over? <snip>

Ok folks - its $10 bucks~ almost any other MMO out there want at LEAST $15 and others before you can even play want you to PURCHASE the game (~$35 to $50)... what do you expect for free? And only $10 bucks???

<snip> pirates isn't bad, but it isn't good either, and disney needs more frequent updates too, things get stale after a while....

(blabs on for about an hour or two while everyone else goes to sleep, i think i'll stop now...where's my anti-flame sheild?)

Disabled the shields I agree for a PAYING player there isn't enough content yet... but once again - its the ease of the $10... I can play for a month on a Game Card to level up some - then not use a game card for a month or whatever then if something new comes along get another game card.

Sure as many a 40 pirate will tell you the 'grindfest' is too much (almost 1/2 REP required for a 40 pirate is earned outside of any storyquest)... but its not a year yet (and even then the first three months I think was more post-beta than true game so really only the last 6 months count) - time will tell I guess..

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by Maximvs

Ok folks - its $10 bucks~ almost any other MMO out there want at LEAST $15 and others before you can even play want you to PURCHASE the game (~$35 to $50)... what do you expect for free? And only $10 bucks???




Disabled the shields I agree for a PAYING player there isn't enough content yet... but once again - its the ease of the $10... I can play for a month on a Game Card to level up some - then not use a game card for a month or whatever then if something new comes along get another game card.

Sure as many a 40 pirate will tell you the 'grindfest' is too much (almost 1/2 REP required for a 40 pirate is earned outside of any storyquest)... but its not a year yet (and even then the first three months I think was more post-beta than true game so really only the last 6 months count) - time will tell I guess..

Yes pirates and toontown(disney games) are two of the cheapest MMO games.
The best deal would be 80 dollars a year. Can you believe paying for a game first at about 30-50$ before you even paly it while pirates can be 80$ for one year?
The game is cheap in my opinion so I am with you 100%!

To Zeppers above post.
I agree. I have seen some pirate online games that look like the ship battles are about the same as the battle ship game but with different ships.

[Poison elf]

There are parts with this I agree with while others not so much. I don't see the cost per month really a issue, I am sure some of the same people that have cost issues like this have no problem getting a few gallons of gas to go to the movies or something. My own view is that it is fine for limited characters, and if they want more than pay. If anything I would say limit them more in some areas like svs, where I have seen many using glitches or what I consider a cheat, against paying customers.

Just recently I have been on the test server, and there is no doubt some issues. Yesterday I probably saw over 20 things I sent in. I agree the graphics has major problems and is getting to the point more and more, you must have vista and a certain video card.

I would last state that many of these bugs in the game are listed, and have been sent in. The most important step of this process is doing something about these problems. Its lacking in this area of importance to what should be fixed, versus perhaps a typo in a quest dialog.

As others I would like to see a future, but am unsure. I would like the level 40 cap increased, customization of ships and something to use gold in. As well as a increased story line perhaps to worlds end or something. None of this will mean anything if it first and utmost isn't playable.

[Edward Edgemenace]

I've got to chime in here. I don't understand the hostility either.

I think miralto's weekly races are a spectacular way the game has found new life for my level 40. The one recurring theme in his races, is FAIRNESS. For me, that makes them enormously worth-while. I hope big D can find a way to promote his weekly event, maybe partner with POF or something...I really have no idea here, but it just seems RIGHT, ya know?

The myriad suggestions from the original poster above, I think are reasonable. Worth consideration by Disney, at the very least. In my personal opinion, they should focus on fixing bugs, (eliminating more exploits that should be restricted to test servers) more than adding more content.

Unlike the OP, I don't think lower prices would help very much. I *DO* think that every single splash screen & nag warning & alert & locked message, should remind people that they can use game cards instead of credit cards only. The privacy implications are significant: the game cards are a good solution, that currently is down-played a bit too much.

P.S. I think separate areas for PvP and SvS for paying vs. free is a fantastic idea. Many problems (real or percieved) would be alleviated.

[Dr. Zeppers]

Should I point out that alot of competing MMOs have ZERO free play?

Most of them you can get a guest/trial passes for, but thats like a 14 day trial of a basic account. The guest/trial accounts are limited even further than the 14 days.

14 day POTCO guest account pass = Full access, as if you paid for 14 days.


I will agree that the game could use more content to entice more members to pay.
I disagree that offering more of it to free basic players is going to help.

A high volume of the free/basic players cause alot of the troubles in the game to begin with not having any responsibilities (such as maintainig a paid account). There are some good decent Basic players out there. But the volume of troublemakers are of this account type simply due to the repercussions.

[theblastmage]

guess i'll throw another reply out there for good measure, oh but first, maximvs (sorry if i spelled your name wrong) i also have an anti fire potion active XD

Zeppers, i didn't notice much about f2p being a hassle, but now that i think about it, i often am ksed by f2pers (doesn't say much 'cause p2pers ks me too lol), and i often get randomly crewed up with f2pers when i wanna take out high level flagships.....no offence but a lv 10 can't make it on a flag ship, high level enemies see that lv 10 and say "ooo, lunch!" lol

another thing about other mmo's:
while it is true that many of your larger mmo's requier payment without any permanent f2p, there are a hundred fold more 100% f2p games that often times can be just as good as these high end p2p games....not that it makes much of a difference or even relates to this at all but i just thought i'd throw that out there.

Edgemenace:
i really should use full reply rather than quick reply but......
.....gosh i already forgot what part of your post i was gonna reply to hang on.....
ah those events you mentioned, didn't know such player-made events existed, you'll have to tell me about this, sounds interesting. disney should work on making some fun interactive events/mini-games to give high levels a break from the grind, it would attract new people and keep the old folks in lol

again to maximvs..........i seriously thought this game was out more than just 6 months in it's open version, my sense of time must be out of whack......again lol

*re-activates anti-flame sheild and anti-fire potion, also uses a super set and eats a shark*

-rs player and part-time pirate: theblastmage

[Dr. Zeppers]

Originally Posted by theblastmage

another thing about other mmo's:
while it is true that many of your larger mmo's requier payment without any permanent f2p, there are a hundred fold more 100% f2p games that often times can be just as good as these high end p2p games....not that it makes much of a difference or even relates to this at all but i just thought i'd throw that out there.

Point made, are we comparing a pirates MMO to all other MMOs though? I have reviewed all the pirates MMO's and found nothing that I could play for free that deserved more than 10 minutes of reading thier home page to realize they are more like animated board games.. hehe (ok some are more than that, but just arent worth my time). If you really want to go there, solitaire is on most Windows computers, and absolutely free (id rather play that than most MMOs), you also will not be bothered by griefers or repstealers.

[BladeSlicer]

Originally Posted by theblastmage

guess i'll throw another reply out there for good measure, oh but first, maximvs (sorry if i spelled your name wrong) i also have an anti fire potion active XD

Zeppers, i didn't notice much about f2p being a hassle, but now that i think about it, i often am ksed by f2pers (doesn't say much 'cause p2pers ks me too lol), and i often get randomly crewed up with f2pers when i wanna take out high level flagships.....no offence but a lv 10 can't make it on a flag ship, high level enemies see that lv 10 and say "ooo, lunch!" lol

another thing about other mmo's:
while it is true that many of your larger mmo's requier payment without any permanent f2p, there are a hundred fold more 100% f2p games that often times can be just as good as these high end p2p games....not that it makes much of a difference or even relates to this at all but i just thought i'd throw that out there.

Edgemenace:
i really should use full reply rather than quick reply but......
.....gosh i already forgot what part of your post i was gonna reply to hang on.....
ah those events you mentioned, didn't know such player-made events existed, you'll have to tell me about this, sounds interesting. disney should work on making some fun interactive events/mini-games to give high levels a break from the grind, it would attract new people and keep the old folks in lol

again to maximvs..........i seriously thought this game was out more than just 6 months in it's open version, my sense of time must be out of whack......again lol

*re-activates anti-flame sheild and anti-fire potion, also uses a super set and eats a shark*

-rs player and part-time pirate: theblastmage

I got on a flagship with a high level crew and survived by using a voodoo doll and standing somewhere casting spells.I'm a lv11 what makes me differant from a lv10.

The thid post - check this out - http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart3.html

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by BladeSlicer

I got on a flagship with a high level crew and survived by using a voodoo doll and standing somewhere casting spells.I'm a lv11 what makes me differant from a lv10.

The thid post - check this out - http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart3.html

Looks like Toontown is still right up there on the activity.

[Swash]

Dont basics get enough:
All Island access
3 weapons
2 ships
Access to every shop
Able to join guilds
Able to make and join crews
Able to fight all kinds of enemies
Lv notoriety up to 14
All weapons up to lv 7
Able to get Max gold
Able to do All side quests
Able to do Entire Carver quest
Able to make 2 pirates
Able to Befriend other pirates

Thats alot of features compared to ToonTown

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Swash

Dont basics get enough:
All Island access
3 weapons
2 ships
Access to every shop
Able to join guilds
Able to make and join crews
Able to fight all kinds of enemies
Lv notoriety up to 14
All weapons up to lv 7
Able to get Max gold
Able to do All side quests SAY WHAT?
Able to do Entire Carver quest
Able to make 2 pirates
Able to Befriend other pirates

Thats alot of features compared to ToonTown

Having spent quite a bit of time both as unlimited and basic, I do think I should point out a few things from a better perspective.

Some of the elements of the game that should be really good, are not. Specifically, PvP and SvS. As an unlimited access level 40 player, I found PvP to be a bit disgusting - more about glitching than about just playing.

The single worst aspect of PvP, is that (except for glitching) the outcome is predetermined. The higher level player ALWAYS has such an enormous advantage, it is usually silly to even play PvP at all. (Which, I might add, is why I very rarely did. The few times I did click 'Yes' I usually won, even if levels were one or two higher than me.) PvP mismatches are the rule, not the exception. How often did you get "matched" to someone more then ten levels lower or higher than you? 50%? 70%? 90%?

But that disparity is nothing at all, compared to unlimited vs. basic.

If you have a level ~20 unlimited player, I'll go ahead and try to combat you with my level 40 basic. Guess who will win? We can do any combo you like - no tonics, no glitching, whatever. But as hard as I could try, I wouldn't stand a chance.

As a better test, you could try to match up a level 12 unlimited against a level 12 basic. There wouldn't be much point. I hope it is obvious, which one would win without hardly even trying. Yes, even if their basic opponent was glitching. Yes, even if they were sucking down tonics faster than Gunner drinks barrels of rum.

The original poster suggested separate servers for basic vs. unlimited. For PvP and SvS that would alleviate some problems. For questing, that would be counter-productive. One of the selling points currently, is envy. Seeing unlimited players doing a wither in Fort Charles is a rather special moment, for a basic member who had difficulty making it up the hill, just to get into the fort.


Now, for SvS, the problems are a bit more extreme.

The ship classes themselves are astonishing. A baby pirate I created can do "-6" points of damage to a typical war frigate in SvS. Three round shots in 15 seconds - a total of 18 points of hull damage. (Broadsides are about 1/3 the speed, therefore deliver 1/3 the damage, therefore aren't worth considering.) It would take several basic members continuously firing, several MINUTES to breach the outer hull. If at any time, the boat owner noticed them, he could repair 10-20 times faster (just on one spot, no glitching) than they could damage him.

That same basic member can stand on a repair spot and do +30 hull points of repairs per second. In SvS, that is the best utility a normal basic can hope for.

Now my basic, since it formerly was unlimited and FULLY mastered, can do quite a bit more. For a round shot, "-288" is a typical inner hull hit. But "-17" is also common, particularly against glitched war sloops.

For me, SvS is especially frustrating, when I usually (always?) see my round shots hitting more accurately than people's thunderbolt. HOW? Good Lord! thunderbolt auto-targets and auto-corrects for you, people! It goes TWICE as far! How can you be missing targets that are close! Every time I see people with such bad aim, it makes me want to scream!

After I've hit them 20-50 times, but they haven't yet sunk, then they hit me ONCE after missing me 5-20 times and I do sink, I do scream.

That's where Dr. Zepper's miracle cure comes in handy, lemme tell ya!


Now, is that the three-thunder-in-one-shot glitch? Possibly. More likely, it is normal rank 5 thunderbolt combined with open fire.


Now, am I inept? Gosh, when I won the "open" round of the Ironrat Cup, people didn't think so. When I placed first in the glitch-fest privateering contest, I don't recall too many people saying that I don't know how to sail or cannon.

If I am so completely shut down, right out of the gate, by SvS, what do you think people who create a pirate for one day think? What do you think people on their 5th or 6th day of the preview think?


They try PvP once. They get vaporized. Not fun.

Masochists try it a second time. Their vapors are scorched into the earth by flaming skull. Not fun. (Well, ok, maybe fun for true masochists.)

OK, moving right along, they try SvS, now that they have a "big" level 12 pirate.

Moving forward out of their protective bubble, they sink. Not fun.


If there were "basic only" servers, "mixed" servers and "unlimited only" servers, some of the problems would be mitigated.


-------------------------

Have you ever wondered why it is so rare to see a basic member level 40? There ARE lots. About 30 pirates per day hit level 40, right? Where do they all go? What is it about an expired subscription, that (for most people) makes it so unthinkable, to load the game back up?