[Padreic]

Participating in the online gaming industry is more challenging now than it has ever been and the Free to Play market has changed the industry. Partially for the good. Partially for the bad. It has resulted in more choices for gamers, but lessened the quality of so many released products and Micro transactions are now becoming the norm. To evolve with the ever changing market, Alganon has moved to a Subscription Free model.

There is a difference between Free to Play (F2P) and Subscription Free (SF). F2P gives the client away so there is zero barrier of entry. This creates a game world where anyone can just come in and do their thing. The drawback is the lack of controlling troublemakers and defining the general social 'maturity' of a game.

We decided to keep the purchase price to prevent Alganon from being saturated by gamers who have no investment in the game they are playing. Even though we are subscription free most gamers prefer to play with others who are committed to the game to some degree.

Regarding the much-anticipated March 1st hype, we know that you are looking forward to new features and the Dawning world bosses in the patch that many people assumed to be today. This was our initial plan and what we were shooting for. However, we looked in the oven, and it's not quite finished baking. So there will be a slight delay until everything is complete. The week of March 11th we'll be releasing a patch that will include The Dawning world bosses (as well as the usual patch fixes/etc). In the meantime the developers are diligently working to complete several new and redesigned features, most noticeably the collection of Dungeon Instances, a fully redesigned Starter experience (including completely unique starter areas - we're excited about this!) and the Tribute Market System. They are all on track to be part of our Official Launch release on week of April 8th.

Right now we know you are thinking: "What about those of us who pre-paid? If there isn't a subscription what did I pre-pay for?"

Well we've worked out a special for you. All Subscribers are being converted into Citizens and because we want to thank you for your show of support for Alganon, we have worked out a deal where what was paid will be converted to Alganon Tribute, a new in game currency system. Pre-Paid quarterly players will get 839 Tribute, semi-annual will get 1,559 Tribute and annual will get 2,878 Tribute deposited into their accounts after the April launch. We realize these numbers mean little without something to reference them against, so we will release more information on Tribute numbers as it gets closer to the Official Launch.

The Tribute Market System (TMS) will serve as the foundation of Alganon's new real-dollar transactional framework. This market will support three categories of purchases: Items, Boons, and Services.

• Items include Pets, Mounts, Equipment, Access Keys, Potions, Boxed Collections, Tokens and specialty items that will be available through the Market.
• Boons are specific to studies and allow the purchase of study-time. This provides the player with options since the study system directly relates to access of advanced game content and systems. A player could purchase a year of studies right away or use the studies system in real-time; boons simply let the player accelerate that time.
• Initial Services offered will be character transfers.

One thing that makes the Tribute Market System unique is Item Maintenance. This way players will never lose certain items they purchase from the market (ones that are not a consumable or have a finite number of charges). This allows players to buy that special mount and use their Tribute to pay Maintenance on the mount to keep it active. If it goes inactive, they can easily reactivate with Tribute instead of having to re-purchase the mount.

You will also get Tribute simply by playing the game. The more days you log in, the more Tribute you'll have added to your game account. Tribute is account-wide, so the points can be used by any character. In addition, players can purchase Items via a web-browser on MyAlganon or through the game. Any character tied to their account can then claim the items.

This is going to be a big month for us here at QOL as we wrap up the core elements of the game and get ready for the Official Release in April. We couldn't have done (nor continue to do) this without your faith and support in what we are doing, and we hope for even bigger things to come both with and because of that support.

As always, we want you to thank you for continuing help to spread the word of Alganon.

Sincerely,

The Alganon Team

[Dror]

First

Okay then. I hope you guys know what you are doing.

I think we should still get some sort of new patch today though, even if the big additions aren't ready.

[sightlesspite]

f2p games bring out bad juju...... but it its a must so be it I guess....

[Padreic]

sightlesspite, on 01 March 2010 - 03:53 PM, said:

f2p games bring out bad juju...... but it its a must so be it I guess....

By default I'd agree with you on that. We're doing what we can to brace against it from the get-go. One of the defining factors of Alganon is you guys, our community. In and out of game. We most definitely do NOT want to lose what so many reviewers and players have seen: the best gaming community by a landslide. Subscription Free games can be amazing, and we hope to help redefine the genre instead of being labeled by its stigmas.

</pseudo-rant>

[Skakwop]

Not sure what to say...

May I ask that even though this information took all day. And you all know it is going to hit the misc boards out there. How about someone spend the time to change the pages when you hit "Purchase Alganon". It may just add fuel to the fire...


Have fun and take care.

[MentalAnarch]

Well, personally, I have to say that I'm happy with this decision.

I was having bad thoughts about trying other games. This will allow me to continue playing this or at the very least checking back on it and logging in. This allows the game to grow and suck me in again and again .. all without a monthly fee.

And during the times that it does suck me in (and hopefully it will do that permanently at some point), i can invest a little money here and there on tribute for little boosts or goodies for my character.

All in all, after giving this some thought, I really like the idea. I truly hope that this modified F2P model will work well with Alganon.

I wish you guys the very best. I'll be playing/watching good things happen here.

Anarch~

[Wraithblade]

Padreic, on 01 March 2010 - 04:58 PM, said:

By default I'd agree with you on that. We're doing what we can to brace against it from the get-go. One of the defining factors of Alganon is you guys, our community. In and out of game. We most definitely do NOT want to lose what so many reviewers and players have seen: the best gaming community by a landslide. Subscription Free games can be amazing, and we hope to help redefine the genre instead of being labeled by its stigmas.

</pseudo-rant>

Oh lord.... Not to place too fine a point on this... I *REALLY* hope you guys know what you are doing... This has the potential to sink the entire game without a trace if you don't do it right. Or if the inevitable hysterics aren't fielded and handled right.

With yet another delay, you guys must be under enormous pressure. As always I hope things work out for you all. I have faith in Dave Allen and his vision for the game, and also great patience. But that patience isn't infinite.

[SaberHawke]

Sorry, to see this as I don't really like free to play or the new subscription free model. Nothing to do with the quality of the game, I just hate the micro-transaction model. I will just consider the $198 an investment and move on.

And no, before someone asks, I don't have any stuff you can have. :)

[Nevena]

I used to take one look at "Free to Play" and think "Not Gonna Play", but I've had some pretty decent experiences lately. I admit I went at them with a not-totally-open mind, and came away with a changed one.

With the new variants posted above, I think this sounds like a promising approach. I've been telling folks that I've made myself a personal timeframe commitment to seeing this game evolve, and this now adds curiosity to my various other reasons for that. (Others including finding this game just so darn endearing, and having a true affection for the staff and the players.)

So anyway, I don't come to the forums often, but I wanted to post a semi-quick, "Huh! Interesting! Let's see how this works out and hope for the awesomest!" Winds change. This is a new tack that just might sail true. I think it's premature to presume it'll be a F2P-Chaos-Suckstravaganza, so I hope those who decide to walk away for a while take a peek back to see how things go. I know I'll be happy to see you. :)

And now to go back into the dailies, since I have hopefully 11 more days to get that last piece of dawning gear... (I'm collecting both light armor sets!)

[Galendor]

As much as I hate to see this happen it is unfortunately the way the gaming industry is progressing. I feel the same way as Nev, if a game was F2P I would say not going to play it and move on. I had nothing but bad experiences with F2P until recently. I played RoM and still occasionally log in to play and same with DDO Unlimited. I have been in Alganon since closed beta back in July beginning of August and was one that did prepay and bought a year. And I will still be in Alganon and an active community member. The community and the GMS are what have made this game for me and so many others. While I'm upset about the new model and the money I have spent, being a business owner myself understand it was this or shut it down.

I am in one way happy that the bosses won't come till March 11 as I wanted to make 50 and have all my dawning gear, which this delay will allow me to achieve. I do wish though that a smaller patch was implemented to fix some bugs, quests and add some quests. Since we haven't had a patch in a couple of weeks this would have been something that might have helped lessen the sting of this announcement.

Well enough rambling, time to get those last 2 levels and do the lvl 50 Dawning quests.

[Radium]

Whether I like this or dislike this matters little at this point. I do understand why the choice was made and I know a vacant world has little appeal to anyone.

However I do not understand the bean counters at QoL. I buy 12 months of service with an annual subscription. Someone else buys 3 months or half a year with theirs. So that should mean that whoever bought the 3 months should get 1 bundle of tribute. Whoever purchased 6 months should get 2 bundles of tribute and whoever purchased 12 months should get 4 bundles of tribute.

Looks like those who supported QoL the most are not getting even the same value as the others did. I am sure that the bean counter who came up with this is only looking at total money spent, and not the faith that those who purchased an annual subscription put in them. IMOP those of us who put out all the money up front are getting screwed again.

/sigh

[Parilis]

Radium, on 01 March 2010 - 08:32 PM, said:

However I do not understand the bean counters at QoL. I buy 12 months of service with an annual subscription. Someone else buys 3 months or half a year with theirs. So that should mean that whoever bought the 3 months should get 1 bundle of tribute. Whoever purchased 6 months should get 2 bundles of tribute and whoever purchased 12 months should get 4 bundles of tribute.

Looks like those who supported QoL the most are not getting even the same value as the others did. I am sure that the bean counter who came up with this is only looking at total money spent, and not the faith that those who purchased an annual subscription put in them. IMOP those of us who put out all the money up front are getting screwed again.

Theoretically, yes, players would get 2 and 4 times more than the quarterly subscription for the semi-annual and annual subscriptions respectively, but there were also discounts applied to the different subscription options. The amount of Tribute given as compensation factors in the same discounts, so the numbers listed are correct.

[Hakiem]

Padreic, on 01 March 2010 - 03:39 PM, said:

You will also get Tribute simply by playing the game. The more days you log in, the more Tribute you'll have added to your game account. Tribute is account-wide, so the points can be used by any character. In addition, players can purchase Items via a web-browser on MyAlganon or through the game. Any character tied to their account can then claim the items.

?? so my tribute on 8 characters per server is split between them ?? kind of sucks.

Just Me,
Tim

[bairanax]

I've tried to remain positive... Now that I have my answer, I just want to know how I can get my money back for the year subscription?

I feel especially bad for the QOL employees that are remaining; who knows how many others have left the company after Tork.

To the remaining QOL employees: Don't let the upper management string you along with promises of improvement in this new type of Ponzi Scheme. Get out while QOL is still worth putting on your resume. I hear Blizzard is hiring for it's next MMO. https://blizzard.tal...ng=en&job=13340

[Wraithblade]

bairanax, on 01 March 2010 - 09:58 PM, said:

I've tried to remain positive... Now that I have my answer, I just want to know how I can get my money back for the year subscription?

I feel especially bad for the QOL employees that are remaining; who knows how many others have left the company after Tork.

To the remaining QOL employees: Don't let the upper management string you along with promises of improvement in this new type of Ponzi Scheme. Get out while QOL is still worth putting on your resume. I hear Blizzard is hiring for it's next MMO. https://blizzard.tal...ng=en&job=13340

Just exactly why did Tork leave?? I seem to have been out of the loop for that one. He was a real asset to QoL and the community. As for the rest, I think you are being more than a little harsh. None of us know the details of whats going on behind the scenes.

[Robby]

So, what do I have to do with my subscription ?

My subscription type is : Month recurring subscription

Do I have to cancel my subscription or QOL will automatically stops to get my payment this month ?

I like the game so I will continue to play it and will see if I can convince some French mates to test it after the next patch.  

This post has been edited by Robby: 02 March 2010 - 06:05 AM

[Chyra]

Parilis, on 01 March 2010 - 11:12 PM, said:

Theoretically, yes, players would get 2 and 4 times more than the quarterly subscription for the semi-annual and annual subscriptions respectively, but there were also discounts applied to the different subscription options. The amount of Tribute given as compensation factors in the same discounts, so the numbers listed are correct.

In all honesty I didn't subscribe for one year because of a discount and I'd wager most of the other one-year folks didn't either. In my 10 years of gaming I have never subscribed more than month-to-month in any other mmo. In spite of the crappy economy, I subscribed upfront to support you guys and in return get some promised perks.

I thought I had a fast moole, but you took that away. So that left me with a minor increased study time which now can be purchased outright by anyone with a padded wallet. We were told some perks were still being worked on for us, but I guess we can forget about that. So what was it I gained for my faith and support again? Yep the long-term subscribers have been majorly screwed.

[Soupdragon]

Quote

Theoretically, yes, players would get 2 and 4 times more than the quarterly subscription for the semi-annual and annual subscriptions respectively, but there were also discounts applied to the different subscription options. The amount of Tribute given as compensation factors in the same discounts, so the numbers listed are correct.

Please QoL as a pre-paid 1 year subscriber - STOP feckin "discounting" me!

You have "discounted" myself and all the other 1 year sub people quite enough thank you.

Oh yeah...and where the feck is my promised fluffage?

[Alysandir]

Chyra, on 02 March 2010 - 08:08 AM, said:

In spite of the crappy economy, I subscribed upfront to support you guys and in return get some promised perks.
<CLIP>
We were told some perks were still being worked on for us.

Soupdragon, on 02 March 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

Oh yeah...and where the feck is my promised fluffage?

Not to pile on, but these sentiments echo my own. The one and only thing of substance the Founders received was the study time bonus, which now appears to be purchasable (at a faster rate, no less) via the tribute market.

Can a blue please comment on this, as well as explain what being converted to "Citizens" actually means?

-Alys

[Klazgon]

Robby, on 02 March 2010 - 06:04 AM, said:

So, what do I have to do with my subscription ?

My subscription type is : Month recurring subscription

Do I have to cancel my subscription or QOL will automatically stops to get my payment this month ?

I like the game so I will continue to play it and will see if I can convince some French mates to test it after the next patch.  

There is no need to cancel your account, it has (from a billing standpoint) been canceled since February when we stopped charging subscription fees. You will be able to continue to enjoy the game as you see fit without the monthly cost.