Sony Droping Station All Access Pass from 29.99$ per month to 19.99$ per month woot!

[Alliera]

<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/0...station-access/</a></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><h1><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/"><span ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #800080;">Sony Online Entertainment dropping the price for Station Access</span></span></span></a></h1><p >by <a class="byline-author" href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Eliot Lefebvre</span></span></a> <a href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre/rss.xml"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/writer_rss.gif" /></a> on Jun 8th 2011 6:30PM</p><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest II</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pirates-of-the-burning-sea/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Pirates of the Burning Sea</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/planetside/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">PlanetSide</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">MMO industry</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">News items</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-galaxies/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Star Wars Galaxies</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-realms/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Free Realms</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Miscellaneous</span></span></a></p><div><a href="#"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">19</span></span></a></div></div><div><div><a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/soe-station-epl-608.jpg" /></span></span></a></div>Whether or not you're a fan of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Sony-Online-Entertainment/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Sony Online Entertainment</span></span></a>, it's hard to deny that the company's <a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Station Pass</span></span></a> is a pretty good value for the money. For the price of two monthly subscriptions, you get access to everything from the original <a href="http://www.everquest.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></em></a> to the recently launched <a href="http://www.dcuniverseonline.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></em></a>. But if the deal isn't quite good enough for you yet, SOE has just announced that <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the access price is dropping once again to $19.99 a month</span></span></a>.Needless to say, the chance to get nine games at once for only slightly more than the normal subscription fee is a pretty enticing deal for any gamer. While the announcement is not yet reflected in the official site, which is still advertising the previous price, the update will be coming "soon" according to the company's representatives at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/E3/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">E3</span></span></a>. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about precise dates for <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the change</span></span></a>, which should be a boon to current and potential future customers.<a name="continued"></a></div><div><ul ><li>Source: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">SOE confirms Station price drop</span></span></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

[Alliera]

<p>We have had 5 accounts since 2002 when was station access with legends server package but now we can contiue to play our beloved vanguard and eq 2 , eq1, star wars galaxies and dc online once in while! and save 10 bucks per account thats a saving of 50 bucks per month total!</p>

[NightGod473]

<p>Now they just need to give me a way to buy multiple months of Station Pass and I'll be in heaven! It would also be nice to be able to cash in the, oh, 5ish months I have left on my current sub so that I can convert back to a Station Pass without having to wait >.<</p><p>Edit: Whoa! Above poster has had five accounts since 7 years before EQ released? That's pretty amazing!</p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>Since they are rethinking station access, I hope they are also thinking about multi-month subscriptions as well as the incentive rewards from the various games for that kind of billing. I dropped access when EQ2  came out with the rewards for subscribing for 12 months at a time. I do most things on a save some by not going month to month and it might make sense to go back to station access if they did that as well.</p>

[Banditman]

<p>You are all foolish if you think this is good news.  It means they are going to dig deeper and deeper into our wallets in other ways.  Hello station cash for EVERYTHING.</p>

[Tigress]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Since they are rethinking station access, I hope they are also thinking about multi-month subscriptions as well as the incentive rewards from the various games for that kind of billing. I dropped access when EQ2  came out with the rewards for subscribing for 12 months at a time. I do most things on a save some by not going month to month and it might make sense to go back to station access if they did that as well.</p></blockquote><p>i agree with this.  my EQ2 sub ended during the shutdown.  i have amex pre-paid cards (thanks to my amex rewards) so i planned on buying the annual sub.  i like the idea of not having a monthly bill.  plus, i wanted the awesome horse!  :p. </p><p>this new pricing makes station access tempting; however, i cannot buy an annual sub so thats a big downfall.</p>

[Lathain_Sarathai]

<p>Another bad news</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Burningice@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Now they just need to give me a way to buy multiple months of Station Pass and I'll be in heaven! It would also be nice to be able to cash in the, oh, 5ish months I have left on my current sub so that I can convert back to a Station Pass without having to wait >.<</p><p>Edit: Whoa! Above poster has had five accounts since 7 years before EQ released? That's pretty amazing!</p></blockquote><p>had 6 SA accounts up until the ability to purchase character slots, at that time I bought enough slots to move the characters i wanted to keep over to the two oldest, dropped them to regular and canceled the other 4 accounts. With this price drop I will be boosting the two remaining accounts back to SA</p><p>Given the simple fact they are dropping the price so much, I do not really think that they will go multiple month with an additional discount over the 19.95</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You are all foolish if you think this is good news.  It means they are going to dig deeper and deeper into our wallets in other ways.  Hello station cash for EVERYTHING.</p></blockquote><p>            ^^ This</p>

[Faelain]

<p>It could be a sign of just how big a hit they took on subs across the board due to the hacks.  It's what, 8 seperate hacks now?</p><p>I plan to take advantage of it, but I still will not give them CC info since they have obviously not learned their lesson about security yet.  Pre-paid CC FTW <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[jamzez]

<p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Zorastiz@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You are all foolish if you think this is good news.  It means they are going to dig deeper and deeper into our wallets in other ways.  Hello station cash for EVERYTHING.</p></blockquote><p>            ^^ This</p></blockquote><p>the advent of character slots on SC make a deep dent in the monthly reoccuring for SOE with my situation, went from 6x29.99 to 2x14.99 with a 1 time outlay for the character slots and for the accoun transfer, course the one time outlay was mitigated due to sc purchase bonus days. They basicly lost 150.00 a month from me, now they will can 10.00 of that back</p><p>The only 3 things that I have purchased from SC is, slot tokens, transfer tokens and expansions. Doubt they will get anything from me otherwise.</p>

[Tatwi]

<p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p>

[Trellium]

<p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>I wouldn't mind that sort of setup. Buying as we go works for us in DDO, and generally it's easier to swallow than paying $40 per expansion times 4 accounts. The exception is when we can buy station points at 3x rates on sale, but that would also apply to the fragmented content for sale on the store.</p><p>This new system might cost a bit more than buying the expansion all at once, but it also lets us buy just what we want.</p>

[Andok]

<p>Wow - even price cuts are bad news here <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Banditman]

<p><cite>Andok wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Wow - even price cuts are bad news here <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Do you honestly believe that is what is going on here?  Really?  I've got a bridge in New York I'd like to sell . . .</p>

[Andok]

<p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Andok wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Wow - even price cuts are bad news here <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Do you honestly believe that is what is going on here?  Really?  I've got a bridge in New York I'd like to sell . . .</p></blockquote><p>I guess I need to borrow your crystal ball; however, do you honestly believe that SoE will never raise the subscription price?  It's been $14.99 for 6 years now, and the cost of business has gone up a lot in those 6 years.  If your crystal ball is correct and this is the precursor to "station access for all", at least we will get more value with a price increase.  </p>

[Tallithia]

<p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Andok wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Wow - even price cuts are bad news here <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Do you honestly believe that is what is going on here?  Really?  I've got a bridge in New York I'd like to sell . . .</p></blockquote><p>Wow.  </p><p>Of course, no business 'gives' anything for free.  There is always a drive to bring in money...it's a business for cripes sake.  However, there are ways to modify and reduce what and how people pay for your services that help them get what they want and the business up their numbers.  No need to get all negative about it.</p><p>I for one applaud them for this move and trying something new.</p>

[Banditman]

<p>You definitely don't need a crystal ball to see what's coming here.</p>

[Andok]

<p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You definitely don't need a crystal ball to see what's coming here.</p></blockquote><p>You definitely don't need a crystal ball to complain about everything.</p>

[Geothe]

<p><cite>Tallithia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I for one applaud them for this move and trying something new. </p></blockquote><p>It definitely isn't new.I believe that station access is now back to its original price. heh.</p>

[Golbezz]

<p><cite>Andok wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I guess I need to borrow your crystal ball; however, do you honestly believe that SoE will never raise the subscription price?  It's been $14.99 for 6 years now, and the cost of business has gone up a lot in those 6 years.  If your crystal ball is correct and this is the precursor to "station access for all", at least we will get more value with a price increase.  </p></blockquote><p>They don't need to raise the subscription price as long as enough fools, I mean customers continue to pay for the marketplace items.</p>

[urgthock]

<p><cite>Burningice@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Now they just need to give me a way to buy multiple months of Station Pass and I'll be in heaven! It would also be nice to be able to cash in the, oh, 5ish months I have left on my current sub so that I can convert back to a Station Pass without having to wait >.<</p><p>Edit: Whoa! Above poster has had five accounts since 7 years before EQ released? That's pretty amazing!</p></blockquote><p>EQ was released in 1999, not 2009</p>

[TheMightyTaco]

<p>My crystal ball is telling me that a couple of games will be going Free2Play model. Pirates already is so I'll guess Vanguard and possibly SWG. It would be hard to justify the inflated price that Station Access has been sitting at after those transitions happen. Wishful thinking on my part, perhaps.</p>

[NightGod473]

<p><cite>urgthock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Burningice@Guk wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Now they just need to give me a way to buy multiple months of Station Pass and I'll be in heaven! It would also be nice to be able to cash in the, oh, 5ish months I have left on my current sub so that I can convert back to a Station Pass without having to wait >.<</p><p>Edit: Whoa! Above poster has had five accounts since 7 years before EQ released? That's pretty amazing!</p></blockquote><p>EQ was released in 1999, not 2009</p></blockquote><p>And if you look at their post you'll notice that they edited after I posted because the initially put 1992 <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I know it was just a mental slip and was just having a bit of fun.</p>

[Peogia]

<p><cite>Alliera wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/0...station-access/</a></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><h1><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #800080;">Sony Online Entertainment dropping the price for Station Access</span></span></span></a></h1><p>by <a class="byline-author" href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Eliot Lefebvre</span></span></a> <a href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre/rss.xml"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/writer_rss.gif" /></a> on Jun 8th 2011 6:30PM</p><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest II</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pirates-of-the-burning-sea/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Pirates of the Burning Sea</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/planetside/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">PlanetSide</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">MMO industry</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">News items</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-galaxies/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Star Wars Galaxies</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-realms/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Free Realms</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Miscellaneous</span></span></a></p><div><a href="#"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">19</span></span></a></div></div><div><div><a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/soe-station-epl-608.jpg" /></span></span></a></div>Whether or not you're a fan of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Sony-Online-Entertainment/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Sony Online Entertainment</span></span></a>, it's hard to deny that the company's <a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Station Pass</span></span></a> is a pretty good value for the money. For the price of two monthly subscriptions, you get access to everything from the original <a href="http://www.everquest.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></em></a> to the recently launched <a href="http://www.dcuniverseonline.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></em></a>. But if the deal isn't quite good enough for you yet, SOE has just announced that <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the access price is dropping once again to $19.99 a month</span></span></a>.Needless to say, the chance to get nine games at once for only slightly more than the normal subscription fee is a pretty enticing deal for any gamer. While the announcement is not yet reflected in the official site, which is still advertising the previous price, the update will be coming "soon" according to the company's representatives at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/E3/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">E3</span></span></a>. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about precise dates for <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the change</span></span></a>, which should be a boon to current and potential future customers.<a name="continued"></a></div><div><ul><li>Source: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">SOE confirms Station price drop</span></span></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p>Nice idea but to many hack and cheat in planetside and aim bot ect so not worth it and I am sure planetside 2 will be the same as they don't enforce legitimate game play with any 3rd party software like punkbuster ect kinda like the way they made servers secure in past if you believe there secure then there secure lol</p><p>all the articles I read about in DC Universe ONLINE in official soe forum said the pc version doesn't have a high res client only low res and has same frame rate issues as everquest II and its reinforced by patcher if you attempted to remove cap of 24 to 30 frames or lower so it all lag as bad as everquest II on any system so kinda walked away from that game<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /></p><p>ohyeah 1 more thing I found it extreme odd when the dc universe client asked me to install the developers version of dx10 on a dx10/dx11 os no other games ask for this or do this so I am gonna guess it suffers from the same programing issues as everquest ii</p><p>pirates of the burning sea looks like chess</p><p>eq1 and starwars and vanguard wars look worse then wow lol</p><p>free realms has decent graphics but didn't have much to do there got really boring lol no action and extreme repetitive mini games</p>

[KarmaMule]

<p><cite>Andok wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You definitely don't need a crystal ball to see what's coming here.</p></blockquote><p>You definitely don't need a crystal ball to complain about everything.</p></blockquote><p>Priceless!  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[wullailhuit]

<p>That new model for expansions / game uPdates would more suit their free to play server style , but will end up costing the 'standard' account holders a lot more per year.</p>

[Wolfsbaine]

<p>I checked it out just now to see if I could  get it, and the site said it would be $29.99. I would also have 62 extra days of station access. I dont want to sign up right now if I am going to be charged more. How would that work anyways. Wouls I have the station access for 62 days and then get billed the $29 or $19 when it lowers?</p><p>I just went and upgraded it, and I dont have to pay until 9/11/11. Hopefully they will lower the price by then. I also have access to vanguard and eq1. I had the trial versions of both. I do want to test out the Beastlords on eq1. No hate for mentioning them please</p>

[NightGod473]

<p><cite>Peogia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Alliera wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/0...station-access/</a></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><h1><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/sony-online-entertainment-dropping-the-price-for-station-access/"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #800080;">Sony Online Entertainment dropping the price for Station Access</span></span></span></a></h1><p>by <a class="byline-author" href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Eliot Lefebvre</span></span></a> <a href="/editor/eliot-lefebvre/rss.xml"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/writer_rss.gif" /></a> on Jun 8th 2011 6:30PM</p><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest II</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pirates-of-the-burning-sea/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Pirates of the Burning Sea</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/planetside/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">PlanetSide</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">MMO industry</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">News items</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-galaxies/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Star Wars Galaxies</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-realms/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Free Realms</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Miscellaneous</span></span></a></p><div><a href="#"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">19</span></span></a></div></div><div><div><a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/soe-station-epl-608.jpg" /></span></span></a></div>Whether or not you're a fan of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Sony-Online-Entertainment/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Sony Online Entertainment</span></span></a>, it's hard to deny that the company's <a href="http://station-access.station.sony.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Station Pass</span></span></a> is a pretty good value for the money. For the price of two monthly subscriptions, you get access to everything from the original <a href="http://www.everquest.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">EverQuest</span></span></em></a> to the recently launched <a href="http://www.dcuniverseonline.com"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">DC Universe Online</span></span></em></a>. But if the deal isn't quite good enough for you yet, SOE has just announced that <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the access price is dropping once again to $19.99 a month</span></span></a>.Needless to say, the chance to get nine games at once for only slightly more than the normal subscription fee is a pretty enticing deal for any gamer. While the announcement is not yet reflected in the official site, which is still advertising the previous price, the update will be coming "soon" according to the company's representatives at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/E3/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">E3</span></span></a>. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about precise dates for <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=26663"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">the change</span></span></a>, which should be a boon to current and potential future customers.<a name="continued"></a></div><div><ul><li>Source: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">SOE confirms Station price drop</span></span></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p>Nice idea but to many hack and cheat in planetside and aim bot ect so not worth it and I am sure planetside 2 will be the same as they don't enforce legitimate game play with any 3rd party software like punkbuster ect kinda like the way they made servers secure in past if you believe there secure then there secure lol</p><p>all the articles I read about in DC Universe ONLINE in official soe forum said the pc version doesn't have a high res client only low res and has same frame rate issues as everquest II and its reinforced by patcher if you attempted to remove cap of 24 to 30 frames or lower so it all lag as bad as everquest II on any system so kinda walked away from that game<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /></p><p>ohyeah 1 more thing I found it extreme odd when the dc universe client asked me to install the developers version of dx10 on a dx10/dx11 os no other games ask for this or do this so I am gonna guess it suffers from the same programing issues as everquest ii</p><p>pirates of the burning sea looks like chess</p><p>eq1 and starwars and vanguard wars look worse then wow lol</p><p>free realms has decent graphics but didn't have much to do there got really boring lol no action and extreme repetitive mini games</p></blockquote><p>DCUO runs much smoother than EQ2. Not a game I would ever make my primary, but it's a fun distraction from time to time. I've had Vanguard since about release and still haven't played it beyond the screwing around I did in Beta-with all the good things I hear about Diplomacy in that game, I really should make the time. EQ1 looks better than it used to, but it's definitely a bit of culture shock if you grew up on the more modern looking AAA titles. Won a free boxed set of Star Wars at GenCon a few years ago, I really need to actually try it someday lol.</p>

[d1anaw]

<p><cite>Lathain_Sarathai wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Another bad news</p></blockquote><p>Clear case of complaining about anything and everything. Since when is lowering the price on anything a bad thing? Do you complain when the gas station lowers the cost of a gallon of gas?</p>

[x82nd77]

<p>I wouldn't recommend DCUO to any PC gamer.  It was built from the ground up with the PS3 in mind.  There are no chat bubbles, the profanity filter is the most obnoxious one I have seen, and they make you jump through hoops to activate AA (more so than EQ2 did).  To top that off (as was said before) there is only the medium textures availible. I assume that is because the PS3 could only handle that limited option.  SOE has been VERY quiet on the boards too about fixes and things to come over the last 6 months as well.  It is not unusual to go weeks without seeing ANY red name post other than to keep the peace or lock a thread and an actual dev posting is rarer still. </p>

[Thraxarious]

<p><cite>d1anaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lathain_Sarathai wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Another bad news</p></blockquote><p>Clear case of complaining about anything and everything. Since when is lowering the price on anything a bad thing? Do you complain when the gas station lowers the cost of a gallon of gas?</p></blockquote><p>MMORPGs have the most confusing groups of people who complain like they hate the game so much, yet continue to pay and play them. Its like they like paying for something they hate.</p><p>Strangely I haven't heard anyone here say something that came to me right off, Maybe they're doing this to..... *drumroll*  Get new customers to buy station Access? Any losses they make on individuals who already have it, can be mitigated by a large number of other players deciding they want station access on their primrary and maybe secondary accounts?</p><p>So much pessimisim. Sure ding people on their failures, but imagining them to have strange ulterior motives and dark plans by lowering their prices is just... wierd.</p>

[Morrias]

<p><cite>Thraxarious wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>d1anaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lathain_Sarathai wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Another bad news</p></blockquote><p>Clear case of complaining about anything and everything. Since when is lowering the price on anything a bad thing? Do you complain when the gas station lowers the cost of a gallon of gas?</p></blockquote><p>MMORPGs have the most confusing groups of people who complain like they hate the game so much, yet continue to pay and play them. Its like they like paying for something they hate.</p><p>Strangely I haven't heard anyone here say something that came to me right off, Maybe they're doing this to..... *drumroll*  Get new customers to buy station Access? Any losses they make on individuals who already have it, can be mitigated by a large number of other players deciding they want station access on their primrary and maybe secondary accounts?</p><p>So much pessimisim. Sure ding people on their failures, but imagining them to have strange ulterior motives and dark plans by lowering their prices is just... wierd.</p></blockquote><p>Generally when SoE does something positive like this, it's followed by something really bad, that's probably why people complain, though I can't be sure, as I am not them.</p>

[Ealthina]

<p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>EQ2 is simply going back to the "Adventure Pack" model i.e.... Splitpaw Saga</p>

[Morrias]

<p><cite>Cheesers@Mistmoore wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>EQ2 is simply going back to the "Adventure Pack" model i.e.... Splitpaw Saga</p></blockquote><p>Which failed horribly.</p>

[retro_guy]

<p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>So back to adventure packs? Which I thought were a brilliant idea and was sad they only did 3 of them.</p>

[Trellium]

<p><cite>retro_guy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>So back to adventure packs? Which I thought were a brilliant idea and was sad they only did 3 of them.</p></blockquote><p>They didn't have the maketplace in back then, so they migh tdo better with selling content that way now. It will probably work well for us, we buy that way on DDO (although there that is all you need to pay for, no monthly subscription so SOE may be pricing themselves out of the market).</p>

[Morrias]

<p><cite>retro_guy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>So back to adventure packs? Which I thought were a brilliant idea and was sad they only did 3 of them.</p></blockquote><p>Adventure Packs were supposedly replaced with more free content from monthly GUs.</p>

[Rigelli]

<p>If you all set your tinfoil hats aside for a moment, you'll realize that, given a player spending time X in EQ2 for $15 a month, if they switch to the Station Access account for $20, they'll still be spending time X.  Effectively, their services still provide the same amount of content, but for $5 more.  The player may be able to access more, but they will still spend the total time in gaming as they did before.  It will just be spread among different services.</p><p>Its a win for both.  No need to couple it with consipiracy theories over marketplace creep when the move itself gives players more of what they want, and gives SOE more cash for providing next to nothing.  It <strong>is </strong>its own moneymaker.</p>

[drakkenshie]

<p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>Actually what they are doing is increasing our costs by smokescreening them as choice and flexibility.</p><p>This is sales 101 kiddie stuff: You can guarantee this will end up costing you more, and you'll get less in terms of expansions.</p><p>The said the same thing about VG, and granted that game has issues that EQ2 does not, but the point is this: that was a lie, this probably is too.</p>

[Pyrochick]

<p>aaaah once again the pessimisstic ulterior motived negative veteran players come to the forefront.....seriously why dont you just stop playing and go play wow.........to sony thank you once again sony for something that is another great move on your part, me and my familiy will be purchasing station access on all of our accounts <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> itll be fun to play multiple games for 5 dollars more.</p>

[d1anaw]

<p><cite>drakkenshield wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>falacy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>jamzez wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Reading on massively they also want to stop expansion's for EQ2.</p></blockquote><p>Quoting part of the story for maximum dramatic effect?</p><p>What they actually said was:</p><ol><li>They want to do quarterly FREE content updates, such as raids, quests, and "things to do".</li><li>Rather than monolithic expansion packs, they would rather add new game play options in small part that folks can purchase one at a time when it suits them. Doing this would likely mean a more fluid, constant release of new systems, locatoins, etc. It also means people won't need to drop $40+ all at once for a raft of content they may not get around to using until months down the road. </li></ol><p>Despite your attempt to make it sound like they are dropping support for the game, SOE is actually attempting to update EQ2 more frequently and in a manner that is more customizable to the players.</p></blockquote><p>Actually what they are doing is increasing our costs by smokescreening them as choice and flexibility.</p><p>This is sales 101 kiddie stuff: You can guarantee this will end up costing you more, and you'll get less in terms of expansions.</p><p>The said the same thing about VG, and granted that game has issues that EQ2 does not, but the point is this: that was a lie, this probably is too.</p></blockquote><p>It will only cost you more if you CHOOSE to purchase it. There is no requirement or law that says you have to do so. And let me guess the argument there....waaah, some people cannot afford to buy what they want. Well, then maybe they need to get a job or make other changes if it is that important. Personally, if finances are an issue, it seems to me that video games are on the bottom of the list of importance. Not everyone can afford a mercedes. That doesn't mean no one should be permitted to have one. The absurdity of complaining about a pretty significant price drop is hilarious. And if down the road, you have to make other purchases, that is well within your control whether or not you choose to do that. Speaking for myself, I'd rather spend $5, $10 here and there than $40 or $50 at a time. It amazes me that no one seems to complain about the cost of fan faire, which considering what you get is highly over priced, but they complain about the cost reduction of a monthly fee. Gotta love the irony.</p>

[Barx]

<p>Seems pretty obvious to me... by dropping SA to $20/mo they hope to attract enough folks to those games and get them buying enough SC stuff that they make up for whatever losses there were in anyone already paying $30/mo.</p><p>As for the non-expansion future of EQ2... they may put it in happy terms of more continual releases rather than content-glut expansions but the bottom line is as a company you don't do it unless you expect to make a profit off it, meaning you'll be paying more. Instead of $40 for an expansion it'll probably be $15 four times a year or even more split up to nickle and dime you. But worse than the likely net increase in cost per year is the potential for content fracturing -- having to buy each dungeon a la carte.</p><p>I honestly hope that's not their plan, and instead that they keep somewhat to the expansion concept (where you pay basically once a year for all the real content for the year, or something close to its equivalent). But they've shown their colors before and ot's the green of money that talks. If they think they'll make more money in doing it, they will.</p>

[Elorah]

<p>Has there been a date set for the price drop yet? </p>

[Peogia]

<p>I hope they bring down the regular subscriptions to like 10$ or 7$ or something tired of paying very high prices for 20 year old out of date servers while others get branew state of the art servers and a 8 year old broken graphics engine is no fun either</p><p>Also I think Everquest II should get a medel or reward or something for the all time worst performance ever!</p><p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=501694" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=501694</a></p>

[Thraxarious]

<p><cite>Peogia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I hope they bring down the regular subscriptions to like 10$ or 7$ or something tired of paying very high prices for 20 year old out of date servers while others get branew state of the art servers and a 8 year old broken graphics engine is no fun either</p><p>Also I think Everquest II should get a medel or reward or something for the all time worst performance ever!</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=501694" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=501694</a></p></blockquote><p>   Well, if you are looking to play more than one, why not upgrade to station access. It sounds like you're the perfect canidate for that!</p><p>   Oh and Performance is pretty good for me, even on my laptop, which I raid with. There is a reason that "Extreme quality" has a warning blurb, its really going all in. I would not likely expect much out of it on only a GTX460. Its not a bad card, but not a card to turn all the settings to max. ya gotta tweak things and find the ballance.</p>

[drakkenshie]

<p><cite>1anaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It will only cost you more if you CHOOSE to purchase it. There is no requirement or law that says you have to do so. And let me guess the argument there....waaah, some people cannot afford to buy what they want.</p></blockquote><p>We are already CHOOSING to purchase the game, so obviously yes we made that choice and can choose not to. You are arguing against a point that no one made.</p><p>My point point is that it is likely that CHOOSING to purchase the game is going to cost more now, if they follow their own historical patterns. That's not a complaint that someone won't be able to afford it or whatever other arguments you fabricated yourself. Its just an observation that runs counter to some of the fanboy-gaga over the price drop.</p><p>Its probably going to be subsidized by price increases somewhere, unless they are really doing it for customer retention. I just wonder if its not too late for that.</p><p>Two years and thousands of customers ago, it would have been more effective, just my opinion.</p><p>Anyway, if you play two or more of their games, then its a nice price drop.</p><p>If you did it for the character slots, then its cheaper to just buy more slots for the one time cost.</p>