Why do i pay more money for an expansion so NEW players get the other expansions free?

[TimUK]

<p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p>

[Karlen]

<p><span >>>>Why do i pay more money for an expansion<<<</span></p><p>Everyone pays the same price.   New players get a bonus free month of play.</p>

[Rolande']

<p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p> This argument has been discussed over and over. Maybe they could lower the price for excisting customers, but 5 or 10 dollars isn't going to break anyone. The main reason they put everything together, as far as I understand it, is so they can incorporate older expansion zones into questlines etc... The way they are adding instance zones into other parts of the world besides the new expansion zones.</p>

[Keyh]

<p>How do you figure they're charging extra because of that?</p>

[Illine]

<p>exactly. Since they add content in some other expensions, they need to give them to new players so they can enjoy the game completly.</p><p>For me it's not we pay more, it's they have the other expansions for free.</p><p>in the end it's the same ... except for the price.</p><p>but if it's too expensive for you, just don't buy it. you have a choice. buy it the way it is or don't. but right now, there are no third choice.</p>

[valkry]

<p>Because we got the older content first. We got to use it as soon as it was released, the other folks had to wait (for whatever reason they were waiting) to get that content. It's the same as the people who went out & bought the new kool Apple phone and 6 months later had the price drop massively... you are paying extra to be the first on your block to have the new toy.</p><p>Sure it frustrates me that I don't get any rewards for being a loyal customer, buying each expansion near release & paying my fee every month, but when I finally talked my hubby into playing, I was glad didn't have to pay hundreds of $$$ to catch his account up to where mine was.</p>

[Karlen]

<p><span > >>>but when I finally talked my hubby into playing, I was glad didn't have to pay hundreds of $$$ to catch his account up to where mine was.<<<</span></p><p>This is why it is a good thing that all previous expansions are included.  If it is going to cost $200 for a new player to join the game, we wouldn't see too many new players.</p>

[feldon30]

EQ2 is $15 a month + $40 a year. It's a built-in Christmas bonus scheme.

[Althena]

<p>If they didn't give new players access to all the previous content, they would not be able to catch up to current players, and quit thus you would have less people to play with. IS THAT what you REALLY WANT?</p>

[Zhern]

<p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>EQ2 is $15 a month + $40 a year. It's a built-in Christmas bonus scheme.</blockquote><p>Good one.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Verdana;">I guess i</span>t is a matter of perception. I think I am getting all the new stuff to do and explore and kill. So I am willing to play for that. But I also pay for my wife, son and nephew. So your paying for one, I am paying for 4.</span></p>

[Dreyco]

<p>Simplicity.</p><p>What are they saving themselves?</p><p>-The Need to print more than one retail copy for lesser prices, which would cost them more.</p><p>-The Need to weed through the dozens of "I bought the wrong disk where's my real deal?" complaints.</p><p>-Unnecessary complications when trying to bring new players to the game.  One box, everything included, means that new players get to pick it up and get started right away.</p><p>Yeah, DoF and KoS were 30 dollars a piece.  But we had to buy two within a 5 month period.  So... did they rip us off then?  We paid 60 dollars (Plus tax) to get both of those.  Now wouldn't it have been cool if I could have waited, bought KoS, and then had access to both KoS and DoF to save money?</p><p>It's ten bucks.  I'm only working contract while going to college of all things, and I can afford ten bucks.</p>

[Andok]

<p>Haven't you heard?  When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.  Don't complain when you get what you ask for <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Thunndar316]

<p>Expansions used to be about half the cost of the original release.  I know I paid about 20 bucks for Kunark and Velious back in the EQ1 days.</p><p>It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it.</p><p>Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion.</p><p>EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1</p><p>Total Accounts - 1</p><p><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Armawk]

<p>Ive never understood why people are so very fascinated with what other people get. Its either good value for money for you or it isnt. They could give it to 100000 other people for free and it wouldnt change what you got for your money.</p><p>And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are.</p>

[LordPazuzu]

<p><cite>Thunndar316 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Expansions used to be about half the cost of the original release. I know I paid about 20 bucks for Kunark and Velious back in the EQ1 days.</p><p>It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it.</p><p>Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion.</p><p>EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1</p><p>Total Accounts - 1</p><p><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>As gaming companies discover exactly how much they can get away with charging customers, the price goes up. However, your assessment of how many copies you own is incorrect. You only get the value of the previous copies from an all-in-one if you do not already previously own said content. If you already own the previous content, you're not really getting another copy of it since the game code only updates you for what you don't already have.</p><p>A more accurate assessment would be(assuming you bought box copies):</p><ul><li>EQ2 original: 1</li><li>DoF: 1</li><li>Kos: 1</li><li>EoF: 1</li><li>RoK: 1</li><li>TSO: 1</li><li>Sets of decorative yet ultimately worthless EQ2 themed drink coasters: 15</li></ul><p>Not that it makes you feel any better about spending $40 bucks an expansion...</p>

[Thunderthyze]

<p><img src="http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8624/deadhorseuu4.gif" width="300" height="232" /><a href="http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=deadhorseuu4.gif"></a></p>

[Sploit]

<p><cite>Holymoly@Runnyeye wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><img src="http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8624/deadhorseuu4.gif" width="300" height="232" /><a href="http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=deadhorseuu4.gif"></a></p></blockquote><p> QFE. This has been beaten to death in another topic.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p>Send a SASE and to get the 28 cent refund for the time it takes to generate a Account key that activates all expansions instead of just the newest one for you.</p><p>Look at the economics</p><p>World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95</p><p>Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95</p><p>Notice the simularity? Don't believe that WOW expansion includes the previous expansions, think those have to be purchased seperately. You are paying for the development of the new expansion.</p>

[Lethe5683]

<p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p>They don't charge any extra all the previous expansions are simply included free.  BTW if $40 a year is enough money for you to make a big deal about then I think you don't have time to be playing MMOs and need to go out in RL and get a better job.</p>

[Abekongen]

<p><cite>shaunfletcher wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Ive never understood why people are so very fascinated with what other people get. Its either good value for money for you or it isnt. They could give it to 100000 other people for free and it wouldnt change what you got for your money.</p><p>And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are.</p></blockquote><p>QFT! im on trial atm and im really happy with this!</p>

[ke'la]

<p><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p>Send a SASE and to get the 28 cent refund for the time it takes to generate a Account key that activates all expansions instead of just the newest one for you.</p><p>Look at the economics</p><p>World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95</p><p>Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95</p><p>Notice the simularity? Don't believe that WOW expansion includes the previous expansions, think those have to be purchased seperately. You are paying for the development of the new expansion.</p></blockquote><p>A better exsample is this</p><p>EoF WITHOUT previous content at launch = 39.99</p><p>EoF WITH previous content at launch = 39.99</p><p>KoS WITHOUT previous content at launch = 29.99</p><p>KoS WITH previous content at launch = 29.99</p><p>What is the differance between KoS and EoF? 1 expainsion per year instead of 2 expainsions per year.</p><p>From SoE's perspective, switching t0 1 expainsion per year is a loss of $29.99 per active account per year, as almost all active accounts get the expainsion every year. So we have to make up some of that differance, so they raised the price $10, that plus the possable increase in accounts(do to the Free previous content) off-sets the loss of funds they get by having 2 expainsions a year.</p><p>And yes the new WoW expainsion does not included the previous content for Free... LotRO's however does, and it also costs 39.99.</p>

[Mentalep]

<p>I started playing EQ2 close to two years ago, shortly after Echoes of Faydwer came out. I played the free trial and loved it, so I went out and bought the EoF compilation for $40. For $40, I was in and fully up to date. If Sony hadn't bundled all that content together, I'd be looking at $20 to start, plus another $80 for three expansions if I decided I wanted to play long-term. This, of course, is for a game that I still have to pay $15 a month to play. If that was the initial hurdle I was facing, I wouldn't have bothered purchasing the game. Spending that money over time in an MMO that I already play and enjoy is one thing, but standing on the outside looking in, it's an obstacle that makes me want to play another game that I can get into more cheaply. Are you willing to spend $150-$200 up front to get up to speed in an MMO? When I walk through Best Buy, I see compilations of older games and their sequels / expansions all over the place - Diablo, Diablo 2, and Lord of Destruction; Morrowind and both expansions; Battlefield 1942 and its expansions; FEAR and both expansions; Painkiller, its expansion, and the Overdose stand-alone; and Civilization IV Gold all spring to mind as compilations available right now for a fraction of their total original launch prices. Does that offend you?  Do you get angry when someone gets a great deal on something you bought at launch five years ago?</p><p>If you want to wait four more years and purchase five expansions for $40, you're welcome to do so.  No one is forcing you to buy The Shadow Odyssey tomorrow.  If you buy it anyway, then you've handily answered your own question.</p>

[NardacMM]

<p>The more new players they are, the more people we can find to group with (especially after recent xp changes.)</p><p>So who cares? Anything to encourage people to play is fine by me. The expansion is worth $40 to me. I don't care if other people pay less.</p>

[newRokan]

<p>It's hard to make a point with a bunch of cynics posting about it . Just like in game reactions to an /ooc all you get is a cynical answer or smart alec remark... Neat-o your cool and have great comebacks an type 120 words a minute and out type anyone...</p><p>Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too.</p><p>The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value.</p><p>The other fact that most of us are fed up with is, paying $40 for every expansion that comes out and $7.99 or whatever for each Aventure Pack. If you can add that up, I know you can do it, long time players had to pay over $200 for their software and a newbie gets it all for $40.</p><p>Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now...</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>newRokan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It's hard to make a point with a bunch of cynics posting about it . Just like in game reactions to an /ooc all you get is a cynical answer or smart alec remark... Neat-o your cool and have great comebacks an type 120 words a minute and out type anyone...</p><p>Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too.</p><p>The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value.</p><p>The other fact that most of us are fed up with is, paying $40 for every expansion that comes out and $7.99 or whatever for each Aventure Pack. If you can add that up, I know you can do it, long time players had to pay over $200 for their software and a newbie gets it all for $40.</p><p>Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now...</p></blockquote><p>I payed for each and every expansion, and adventure pack. Sorry but I could care less if the current expansion includes the previous expansions. I am adding my daughter as a new account starting tomorrow for that simple reason, if I would have had to purchase all the expansions, she would have been out of luck.</p><p>39.95 for a expansion is reasonable, stand alone games cost equal or more then that and have a very short lifespan. The other online games out there charge equal to or more then the current expansion and does not give the previous expansions.</p><p>Cynic, probably, no very likely. Realist, definately. Smart Aleck, yup and proud of it.</p><p>At the end of the day, the expansion most likely would have cost 39.95 even if it did not include the previous expansions and the base game.  Although a lot of people would have been complaining even if the game cost 39.95 and did not include the prevous expansions, just a different wording of the complaint, but the same basic complaint.</p>

[Renpatsu]

<p>I did pay for every expansion and adventure pack personally and yet I am still very happy that others can engage in EQ2 with paying the basic price of one expansion and getting the previous content as bundle.</p><p>The price of the expansion wouldn't be any less I guess - without the bundle for new players I mean - as this is oriented at market prices of other games in that genre basically.</p><p>The current mechanism allows new players to play in the whole world of Norrath by paying a reasonable price. By doing that, it is much easier to recommend EQ2 to other people and I already got a friend playing EQ2 now, who is very happy, that he doesn't have to catch up with buying all expansions or at least doesn't have to invest heavily.</p><p>Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players.</p>

[Oh]

<p><cite>Ceneen@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players.</p></blockquote><p>I agree with this 1000%. I only started playing eq2 less then a year ago, and thanks to the all in one package I was able to get to speed from the get go for a relatively good price. Yes I already preordered my expansion, no I don't feel jilted because i already had some of the content already. I'm happy with the pricing because it allows other new folks to try out this game for a good price. Having more folks come to this game is a good thing.</p>

[soibit]

<p>joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Solaran_X]

<p>Not only does including all expansions and base game and all Adventure Packs in one nice package make it easier for rookies to get into it (since they'd be looking at...what? $40 for TSO, and let's say a reduced price of $10 each for EQ2, DoF, KoS, EoF, and RoK? That's at least $80 right there just to get into the game...), but it's also a massive bonus to existing players.</p><p>A) It makes launching a second account (alts? boxing?) easy.</p><p>B) If you need to reinstall EQ2 for any reason...do you REALLY want to install EQ2, then DoF, then KoS, then EoF, then RoK, and finally TSO? And then PATCH all the GUs? Or would you rather install TSO that also installs the base game, all expansions and Adventure Packs, and (I believe) all GUs up to that point?</p>

[Beandip]

<p><cite>soibitum wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Or at most the six month reward...</p>

[Palathas]

<p>I have no real problem with all the content, like a lot of people have said, the initial cost to get up to speed would be quite high if they had to pay for everything separately.</p><p>Having said that though, to those saying that it would be expensive, you have to realise that people like myself that have been here since Beta <em>have</em> paid that large fee to get up to speed. In essence long term players are subsidising newer players and have nothing to show for it.</p><p>Veteran rewards hardly seem value for the extra money to me and having high level characters is certainly paid for by the ongoing subscriptions.</p><p>Like I said, I'm not saying the all-in-one package is bad, I'm just trying to show the other side of the coin that some people <em>have</em> paid all that extra, albiet over a much longer period of time.</p>

[Zarador]

<p><cite>Wardari@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I have no real problem with all the content, like a lot of people have said, the initial cost to get up to speed would be quite high if they had to pay for everything separately.</p><p>Having said that though, to those saying that it would be expensive, you have to realise that people like myself that have been here since Beta <em>have</em> paid that large fee to get up to speed. In essence long term players are subsidising newer players and have nothing to show for it.</p><p>Veteran rewards hardly seem value for the extra money to me and having high level characters is certainly paid for by the ongoing subscriptions.</p><p>Like I said, I'm not saying the all-in-one package is bad, I'm just trying to show the other side of the coin that some people <em>have</em> paid all that extra, albiet over a much longer period of time.</p></blockquote><p>I played since almost beta of Everquest Live and I beg to disagree.</p><p>One of the things that kept people out of joining or returning to the game in the "good old days" was the cost of entry, not the cost of ownership.   If I can purchase one copy of the software when I'm joining/returning to the game I may be tempted.  If it's going to cost me for each expansion then forget it.</p><p>There simply is NO other side of the coin since everything that they do as the game grows is to entice people to get up to the current expansions content as quickly as possible.  Why would anyone want to invest $100+ into a game that will excell them through 4 expansions of content in such a short time?</p><p>I would also add that it was often a mess in "the good old days" when one person was missing an expansion or adventure pack. Ooops...can't go there, they don't have (insert zone).</p><p>This is one of those few times where I have to agree with many that we got to actually experience the expansion to the fullest if we purchased it at release.  I spent a good 6 months of having fun in RoK when we purchased it.  I doubt my new alternate will spend more than a couple of weeks there now that we know where to go and what to do.  How many people will be spending 6 months exploring all the content in DoF? How about Eof or KoS?  Games progress and we tend to milk the most out of the new content, while it's still fresh.</p>

[TalanRM]

<p>There is no way new players are going to pay for every expansion in one swoop. Offerring all-in-one in vital for the continued health of the game; as is offerring a little new low level content from time to time. Even if there is already allot of content in that area anything which encourages vets to create new alts helps populate none high-end zones for new players to group-up through.</p>

[Halcyon201]

<p>I think the point has been made.</p>

[Palathas]

<p><cite>Zarador wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Wardari@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I have no real problem with all the content, like a lot of people have said, the initial cost to get up to speed would be quite high if they had to pay for everything separately.</p><p>Having said that though, to those saying that it would be expensive, you have to realise that people like myself that have been here since Beta <em>have</em> paid that large fee to get up to speed. In essence long term players are subsidising newer players and have nothing to show for it.</p><p>Veteran rewards hardly seem value for the extra money to me and having high level characters is certainly paid for by the ongoing subscriptions.</p><p>Like I said, I'm not saying the all-in-one package is bad, I'm just trying to show the other side of the coin that some people <em>have</em> paid all that extra, albiet over a much longer period of time.</p></blockquote><p>I played since almost beta of Everquest Live and I beg to disagree.</p><p>One of the things that kept people out of joining or returning to the game in the "good old days" was the cost of entry, not the cost of ownership.   If I can purchase one copy of the software when I'm joining/returning to the game I may be tempted.  If it's going to cost me for each expansion then forget it.</p><p>There simply is NO other side of the coin since everything that they do as the game grows is to entice people to get up to the current expansions content as quickly as possible.  Why would anyone want to invest $100+ into a game that will excell them through 4 expansions of content in such a short time?</p><p>I would also add that it was often a mess in "the good old days" when one person was missing an expansion or adventure pack. Ooops...can't go there, they don't have (insert zone).</p><p>This is one of those few times where I have to agree with many that we got to actually experience the expansion to the fullest if we purchased it at release.  I spent a good 6 months of having fun in RoK when we purchased it.  I doubt my new alternate will spend more than a couple of weeks there now that we know where to go and what to do.  How many people will be spending 6 months exploring all the content in DoF? How about Eof or KoS?  Games progress and we tend to milk the most out of the new content, while it's still fresh.</p></blockquote><p>How can you possibly say there is NO other side of the coin? That's like me outright stating that what you've said is outright wrong.</p><p>I've paid for every single expansion yet a new player pays just $US40 for the same content I've paid over $US200 for and you say there's no other side to the coin?</p><p>I didn't ever say that they should pay over $US200 for the same content, all I was asking was that people keep in mind that there are people that have and not to rip the OP a new one before considering other people's point of view. In things like this, just because you may not agree doesn't make it any less valid or wrong.</p>

[Efrath]

<p>I lol at you people complaining. Look, almost ALL expansions that MMORPGames releases costs around 40 dollars. We really just pay for the new expansion. but SOE also throws in all the other expansions for new players. Believe me, if it had been for example WoW, you would have to pay for the newest expansion (40 dollars right there) but you would also have to pay even more if you want the older expansion. See my point here?</p>

[Blakkmantis]

<p>I have a solution for you.  Every year we see threads just like this.  If you don't like spending the money, then don't.  Problem solved. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Zarador]

<p>Of course another fine example of all this is electronics.  If you purchased a 32" LCD about three years ago the price was several thousand.  You can find them today at $400 or less.</p><p>Being the first to experience something often has a premium attached to it (including bugs and defects).</p><p>Since it's entertainment were talking about, lets look at amusement parks.  There are people who will stand in line for hours just for a shot of riding that new coaster.  The new coaster attracts quite a few people to come to the park.  The older coasters, the ones that you stood in line for years ago are still just as fun, but no longer the "Main Attraction" that the park is focusing on to bring in people.  The "new" people who came for the new coaster will have the same shot as getting in line for the ride as you will, even if you been going there for 10 years.   They also won't have to wait, like you did, for hours on end, to ride that 5 year old ride, even though it's the same experience.  Games, like rides, devalue as they age.</p>

[Full_Metal_Mage]

<p>It's like asking why the XBox 360 game I paid $60 for a few months ago is now priced at $20. There's no point in asking.</p>

[Sparxx]

<p><cite>Full_Metal_Mage wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It's like asking why the XBox 360 game I paid $60 for a few months ago is now priced at $20. There's no point in asking.</p></blockquote><p>Exactly.   As games get older and stop selling for original retail price, price reductions get made.   I remember seeing EQ1 for 5.99 once in a store after the third expansion or so.   People who wait will pay less.</p><p>The iPhone was a good example.  Everything costs a premium when it is first released. </p><p>It does suck that over time, we do pay more, but its no different than when a movie comes out in the theatre.  It first comes in the regular theatres and costs 10 bucks (at least where I live.) to see it at non-matinee price.   A couple of month's later, its in the dollar theatre's.  Why do those people get to see the same movie at a cheaper price.  It always amazes me how a standard can be fine in one industry, but not in another.</p><p>I actually tried to get my wife to play in EoF and bought a second account.   She didn't end up liking the game.   I am much happier that I spent the $40 instead of spending the 50 to buy the game, 30 for DoF, 30 for KoS and 40 for EoF expansion.</p><p>Or maybe they should do a contract like cell phones.  You get the expansion and all previous content for $40 dollars if you sign up for a 2 year contract.  Otherwise you have to buy them for full price and still pay the monthly fee?  (hope the guys at SoE aren't reading this, don't want to give them any ideas.....)</p>

[Zorvan]

<p>I don't care about new players getting all the expansions. What I care about is being able to buy JUST the one I need. I have the Kunark all-in-one, so I'd only need Shadow. Is it so hard for SOE to allow me to login to my account and pay $10-$15 ($40 for newbies for all expansions is fine, $40 for one expansion along with content I already own is not fine ) for JUST that expansion to be added to my account?</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Zorvan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I don't care about new players getting all the expansions. What I care about is being able to buy JUST the one I need. I have the Kunark all-in-one, so I'd only need Shadow. Is it so hard for SOE to allow me to login to my account and pay $10-$15 ($40 for newbies for all expansions is fine, $40 for one expansion along with content I already own is not fine ) for JUST that expansion to be added to my account?</p></blockquote><p>The cost for the expansion is the development of said expansion, the cost to add the other expansions is flipping a bit on the keycode generator for the expansion - total savings about 20 cents.</p><p>Compare market cost of the other expansions for other games that are coming out - price for TSO is right within the retail cost curve. The ony thing you have paid less then 15 dollars for over the game's history is the adventure packs, this is not an adventure pack.</p>

[Kigneer]

<p><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Compare market cost of the other expansions for other games that are coming out - price for TSO is right within the retail cost curve. The ony thing you have paid less then 15 dollars for over the game's history is the adventure packs, this is not an adventure pack.</blockquote><p>That would be true if the expansion had new content. This is a mini update, as it's using existing sets (especially in EF). BF2142 offered such an "expansion" @ $10, and we sure didn't have to pay for a subscription, either.</p><p>And to me I haven't even played Shadows, I bought it for the mount. Then to find out I can't ride it without being a joke (it's 1/2 my size, and is like a Barbarian riding a pony).</p><p>Can introduce RMT, but despite paying $39 for the game, the reason I bought it I can't even use what I bought.</p>

[ke'la]

<p><cite>Kigneer wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Compare market cost of the other expansions for other games that are coming out - price for TSO is right within the retail cost curve. The ony thing you have paid less then 15 dollars for over the game's history is the adventure packs, this is not an adventure pack.</blockquote><p>That would be true if the expansion had new content. This is a mini update, as it's using existing sets (especially in EF). BF2142 offered such an "expansion" @ $10, and we sure didn't have to pay for a subscription, either.</p><p>And to me I haven't even played Shadows, I bought it for the mount. Then to find out I can't ride it without being a joke (it's 1/2 my size, and is like a Barbarian riding a pony).</p><p>Can introduce RMT, but despite paying $39 for the game, the reason I bought it I can't even use what I bought.</p></blockquote><p>I am sorry to break it to you but if you accually have USED the content... Say the zones, or going to Moores, etc. You would know that it IS new content as NOTHING in the game looks like those zones, or even close. It has just about as much new content as Kunark did... The differance is Kunark was focused on giving it to Soloists first, and everyone else an after thought, this expainsion gives the lion's share to groupers. If you don't like it well that is what it was advertised as so you knew what you where getting.</p><p>As for the mount I agree it needs to scale for all sizes, it is just as bad for a Fae as it is for a Barbarian, just the other direction.</p>

[LordPazuzu]

<p><cite>Zorvan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I don't care about new players getting all the expansions. What I care about is being able to buy JUST the one I need. I have the Kunark all-in-one, so I'd only need Shadow. Is it so hard for SOE to allow me to login to my account and pay $10-$15 ($40 for newbies for all expansions is fine, $40 for one expansion along with content I already own is not fine ) for JUST that expansion to be added to my account?</p></blockquote><p>Because the market value of a new expansion is $39.99, not $10-$15. Previous expansions and the original release have substantially lower market value than the new release, and their cost of developement is long paid for. It costs SOE nothing to add those in for free, while it would cost SOE a very substantial amount of money to cut the cost of a new release for existing players in half.</p><p>Even when SOE had the option to pay for just the expansion vs. the all-in-one, the price was exactly the same.</p><p>Face facts: New expansion = $40. Welcome to the modern gaming market. If you can't accept it, find a new hobby.</p><p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p>We dont pay more so new players can have the old content for free. That content has long since paid for its cost of developement. It costs SOE nothing in lost revenue to give it away for free with new expansions. However, by including it for free, it is actually able to continue to generate revenue by acting as an added enticement for new or returning customers to purchase the current retail product.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Kigneer wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Compare market cost of the other expansions for other games that are coming out - price for TSO is right within the retail cost curve. The ony thing you have paid less then 15 dollars for over the game's history is the adventure packs, this is not an adventure pack.</blockquote><p>That would be true if the expansion had new content. This is a mini update, as it's using existing sets (especially in EF). BF2142 offered such an "expansion" @ $10, and we sure didn't have to pay for a subscription, either.</p><p>And to me I haven't even played Shadows, I bought it for the mount. Then to find out I can't ride it without being a joke (it's 1/2 my size, and is like a Barbarian riding a pony).</p><p>Can introduce RMT, but despite paying $39 for the game, the reason I bought it I can't even use what I bought.</p></blockquote><p>Question - if you have not even been there, then this is illogical since it appears you are complaining it cost you 39 for the bear.</p><p>Want to compare games - the use WOW as a example, something that is a lot closer then that sdt.</p><p>WOW's new expansion = 39.99, does not give old expansions = same price as TSO</p><p>Player starting WOW, buy all 3 expansions</p><p>Player starting EQ2, buy TSO for the exact same price as the stand alone WOW expansion</p>

[Mataea]

<p>Post deleted, girlfriend left her account logged in.  Oops.</p>

[mamasan]

<p>Then again, WOW and the 1st expansion costs something like 35 dollars. Not that much.</p><p>Why isn't there a standalone expansion released anymore? I don't need all the other expansions, I have 'em already. I just need the latest (TSO). Why can't I buy that one? Why isn't there even such an option? Seems really weird for me.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>mamasan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Then again, WOW and the 1st expansion costs something like 35 dollars. Not that much.</p><p>Why isn't there a standalone expansion released anymore? I don't need all the other expansions, I have 'em already. I just need the latest (TSO). Why can't I buy that one? Why isn't there even such an option? Seems really weird for me.</p></blockquote><p>even if there was, it would more then likely be 39.99 same as the other stand-alone/full expansion release, or maybe 39.75 to compensate for the few seconds it takes to generate a key that unlocks the single expansion as compared ot the one that unlocks all the expansions.</p><p>BTW for some people yes 35.00 is a lot of money. Maybe not to you, but to the kid that is paying for his/her games on their allowance.</p>

[mamasan]

<p>Why would it still cost 40 dollars for the expansion when it only contains 1/6th of the full package? Makes no sense = nonsense.</p><p>And if some kid can't afford 35 dollars ONCE, how can they afford 20 dollars per month for the actual subscription?</p>

[Rast]

<p><cite>TimUK wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Pretty much all wrapped into the title really, they charge extra because we get all the content added which we already have, as if trying to make out their will be new players? lol thats a joke, there wont be because there isnt any advertising.</p><p>But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose</p></blockquote><p>But do you really pay more?  The last WoW expansion was 39.99 IIRC, and you have to not only have the base game, but burning crusades as well!  So to get started in WoW right now, someone would have to outlay 70$US to even play the game.  IMO, this is acutally one of the few pluses that EQ2 actually has right now, but yet again as they don't advertise, they don't actually utilize it.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>mamasan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Why would it still cost 40 dollars for the expansion when it only contains 1/6th of the full package? Makes no sense = nonsense.</p><p>And if some kid can't afford 35 dollars ONCE, how can they afford 20 dollars per month for the actual subscription?</p></blockquote><p>You are paying for the development of the expansion - do some comparisions, going cost of a expansion right now for a large scale came is 39.99 - look at the other game that just released their stand alone expansion - price  39.99. It costs them nothing but the key generation time to give the previous expansion to new players, existing players that do not have all the expansions.</p><p>Will use my daughter as an example, she plays, she pays for her own subscription, she payed for TSO, she covers everything with her allowance. She would like to play WOW - but for her to get started it would cost her close to 80.00 woth tax for the game, and the monthly subscription on top of that, she cannot afford to get started in WOW.</p><p>BTW for clarification - I stated "for some people yes 35.00 is a lot of money" not that they could ot afford it, two different things. Also - they did not develop 1/6 of the game, they developed a complete expansion from the ground up (design, graphics, code logic, itemization, item creation - all unique to this expansion) - THAT is what the 39.99 is for</p>

[ke'la]

<p><cite>mamasan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Why would it still cost 40 dollars for the expansion when it only contains 1/6th of the full package? Makes no sense = nonsense.</p><p>And if some kid can't afford 35 dollars ONCE, how can they afford 20 dollars per month for the actual subscription?</p></blockquote><p>Maybe you should read the whole thread.</p><p>When DoF launched it had ~6months of Development time it cost ~$30 it did not come with the base game.</p><p>When KoS Launched it had ~6months of Development time it cost ~$30, it came in two flavors, Digital(expainsion only) and Retail(Expainsion+Classic, no DoF)... both cost ~$30.</p><p>When EoF Launched it had ~10months of Development it cost ~$40, and it came in Expainsion Only(digital) and All in One flavors(Retail) both cost ~$40.</p><p>When RoK Launched it had ~12 months of Development it cost ~$40, and it came for a very brief time in Expainsion Only(digital) and All in One flavors(Retail) both cost ~$40.</p><p>It was at this point in order to avoid confusion that they ended the Expainsion only version as it was causing alot of CS headaches.</p><p>Now TSO launches, it had ~12 months of Development and it costs ~$40.</p><p>Now if you look at the history it is oviouse that the $40 is paying for the 12 months or so of development of the expainsion, everything else is included free of charge, you are not buying the old stuff, others are getting the old stuff free.</p><p>It is no differant then someone seeing someone else buy Unreal Anthogy and complaining that they didn't have to pay full price for each of the games like they did. Like it or not year old games are worth next to nothing unless they are extreemly popular games(wich is why WoW gets away with charging new players $80 to get all the content).</p><p>BTW, Mines of Moria is also $39.99 and it also was 1 year in development.</p>

[LordPazuzu]

<p><cite>mamasan wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Why would it still cost 40 dollars for the expansion when it only contains 1/6th of the full package? Makes no sense = nonsense.</p><p>And if some kid can't afford 35 dollars ONCE, how can they afford 20 dollars per month for the actual subscription?</p></blockquote><p>That 1/6th is all your actually paying for to begin with.</p>

[feldon30]

EQ2 is $15 a month plus a $40 per year renewal. Get over it.

[Griffildur]

<p>do we really need to go through this discussion every time an xpac is released ?</p><p>The exoansion itself costs $40. SOE add the rest of the content free for everyone who buys it. Does that affect old players ? no. Does it make easier for new players to catch up and play ? Yes. Is it better than Wow's System when you don't get anything apart form the expansion ? Yes.</p><p>Now get over it and let everyone enjoy instead of moaning that new players get to  play without forking out 300$ to buy everything they need. That is the whole point and well done SOE for doing it !</p>