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

TimUK · 11-14-2008, 11:11 AM

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.

But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose

Karlen · 11-14-2008, 11:16 AM

>>>Why do i pay more money for an expansion<<<

Everyone pays the same price. New players get a bonus free month of play.

Rolande' · 11-14-2008, 11:30 AM

TimUK wrote:

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.
But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose

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.

Keyh · 11-14-2008, 01:16 PM

How do you figure they're charging extra because of that?

Illine · 11-14-2008, 01:31 PM

exactly. Since they add content in some other expensions, they need to give them to new players so they can enjoy the game completly.

For me it's not we pay more, it's they have the other expansions for free.

in the end it's the same ... except for the price.

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.

valkry · 11-14-2008, 01:42 PM

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.

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.

Karlen · 11-14-2008, 02:05 PM

>>>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.<<<

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.

feldon30 · 11-14-2008, 03:18 PM

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

Althena · 11-14-2008, 03:31 PM

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?

Zhern · 11-14-2008, 03:31 PM

feldon30 wrote:

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

Good one.

I guess it 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.

Dreyco · 11-14-2008, 04:31 PM

Simplicity.

What are they saving themselves?

-The Need to print more than one retail copy for lesser prices, which would cost them more.

-The Need to weed through the dozens of "I bought the wrong disk where's my real deal?" complaints.

-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.

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?

It's ten bucks. I'm only working contract while going to college of all things, and I can afford ten bucks.

Andok · 11-14-2008, 06:45 PM

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

Thunndar316 · 11-14-2008, 07:51 PM

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.

It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it.

Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion.

EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1

Total Accounts - 1

Armawk · 11-14-2008, 10:18 PM

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.

And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are.

LordPazuzu · 11-15-2008, 01:52 AM

Thunndar316 wrote:

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.
It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it.
Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion.
EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1
Total Accounts - 1

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.

A more accurate assessment would be(assuming you bought box copies):

EQ2 original: 1
DoF: 1
Kos: 1
EoF: 1
RoK: 1
TSO: 1
Sets of decorative yet ultimately worthless EQ2 themed drink coasters: 15

Not that it makes you feel any better about spending $40 bucks an expansion...

Thunderthyze · 11-15-2008, 08:17 AM

Sploit · 11-15-2008, 01:37 PM

Holymoly@Runnyeye wrote:

QFE. This has been beaten to death in another topic.

Wingrider01 · 11-15-2008, 02:49 PM

TimUK wrote:

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.
But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose

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.

Look at the economics

World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95

Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95

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.

Lethe5683 · 11-15-2008, 04:19 PM

TimUK wrote:

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.
But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose

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.

Abekongen · 11-15-2008, 08:30 PM

shaunfletcher wrote:

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.
And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are.

QFT! im on trial atm and im really happy with this!

ke'la · 11-15-2008, 09:56 PM

Wingrider01 wrote:

TimUK wrote:
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.
But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose
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.
Look at the economics
World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95
Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95
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.

A better exsample is this

EoF WITHOUT previous content at launch = 39.99

EoF WITH previous content at launch = 39.99

KoS WITHOUT previous content at launch = 29.99

KoS WITH previous content at launch = 29.99

What is the differance between KoS and EoF? 1 expainsion per year instead of 2 expainsions per year.

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.

And yes the new WoW expainsion does not included the previous content for Free... LotRO's however does, and it also costs 39.99.

Mentalep · 11-17-2008, 11:14 AM

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?

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.

NardacMM · 11-17-2008, 04:36 PM

The more new players they are, the more people we can find to group with (especially after recent xp changes.)

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.

newRokan · 11-17-2008, 08:17 PM

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...

Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too.

The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value.

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.

Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now...

Wingrider01 · 11-17-2008, 08:38 PM

newRokan wrote:

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...
Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too.
The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value.
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.
Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now...

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.

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.

Cynic, probably, no very likely. Realist, definately. Smart Aleck, yup and proud of it.

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.

Renpatsu · 11-18-2008, 04:17 AM

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.

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.

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.

Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players.

Oh · 11-18-2008, 05:18 AM

Ceneen@Lucan DLere wrote:

Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players.

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.

soibit · 11-18-2008, 07:53 AM

joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward SMILEY

Solaran_X · 11-18-2008, 10:30 AM

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.

A) It makes launching a second account (alts? boxing?) easy.

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?

Beandip · 11-18-2008, 10:36 AM

soibitum wrote:

joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward

Or at most the six month reward...

11-14-2008, 11:11 AM	#1
TimUK Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 52	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. But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose __________________

11-14-2008, 11:30 AM	#3
Rolande' Loremaster Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 160	TimUK wrote: 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. But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose 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.

11-14-2008, 01:16 PM	#4
Keyh Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 294	How do you figure they're charging extra because of that? __________________ If they ever come up with a swashbuckling school, I think one of the courses should be laughing, then jumping off something.- Jack Handey

11-14-2008, 01:42 PM	#6
valkry Gnombie!! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 1,321	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. 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. __________________

11-14-2008, 03:18 PM	#8
feldon30 Fansite Staff Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,424	EQ2 is $15 a month + $40 a year. It's a built-in Christmas bonus scheme. __________________ .. EQ2Wire.com \| EQ2U - Character, Item, Spell, and Guild Data

11-14-2008, 11:16 AM	#2
Karlen Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,513	>>>Why do i pay more money for an expansion<<< Everyone pays the same price. New players get a bonus free month of play.

11-14-2008, 01:31 PM	#5
Illine Server: Storms Guild: Apocalypse Rank: Honorifique Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: storms Posts: 870	exactly. Since they add content in some other expensions, they need to give them to new players so they can enjoy the game completly. For me it's not we pay more, it's they have the other expansions for free. in the end it's the same ... except for the price. 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.

11-14-2008, 02:05 PM	#7
Karlen Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,513	>>>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.<<< 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.

11-14-2008, 03:31 PM	#9
Althena Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 73	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?

11-14-2008, 03:31 PM	#10
Zhern Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 167	feldon30 wrote: EQ2 is $15 a month + $40 a year. It's a built-in Christmas bonus scheme. Good one. I guess it 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. __________________ If it was that easy, everyone would do it.

11-14-2008, 04:31 PM	#11
Dreyco Archive of Ik Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,485	Simplicity. What are they saving themselves? -The Need to print more than one retail copy for lesser prices, which would cost them more. -The Need to weed through the dozens of "I bought the wrong disk where's my real deal?" complaints. -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. 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? It's ten bucks. I'm only working contract while going to college of all things, and I can afford ten bucks. __________________ Grand Historian of The Archive of Ik

11-14-2008, 06:45 PM	#12
Andok Loremaster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,039	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

11-14-2008, 07:51 PM	#13
Thunndar316 Loremaster Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,681	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. It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it. Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion. EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1 Total Accounts - 1 __________________ Sleight of Hand is USELESS

11-14-2008, 10:18 PM	#14
Armawk Server: Everfrost Guild: Nos Es Rutilus Rank: Tirones Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,240	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. And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are.

11-15-2008, 01:52 AM	#15
LordPazuzu Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,157	Thunndar316 wrote: 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. It's a total rip off but there's not much we can do about it. Lets see how many copies I will own after the new expansion. EQ2 Original - 6DoF - 5KoS - 4EoF - 3Kunark - 2TSO - 1 Total Accounts - 1 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. A more accurate assessment would be(assuming you bought box copies): EQ2 original: 1 DoF: 1 Kos: 1 EoF: 1 RoK: 1 TSO: 1 Sets of decorative yet ultimately worthless EQ2 themed drink coasters: 15 Not that it makes you feel any better about spending $40 bucks an expansion...

11-15-2008, 08:17 AM	#16
Thunderthyze Loremaster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 2,050	__________________

11-15-2008, 01:37 PM	#17
Sploit Server: Splitpaw Guild: Synergy Rank: Inactive for over 30 days Loremaster Join Date: May 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 21	Holymoly@Runnyeye wrote: QFE. This has been beaten to death in another topic.

11-15-2008, 02:49 PM	#18
Wingrider01 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,999	TimUK wrote: 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. But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose 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. Look at the economics World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95 Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95 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. __________________ Fixing computer issues, one SOC7 at a time. Yes Jim, the user has experienced the dreaded PICNIC error

11-15-2008, 04:19 PM	#19
Lethe5683 Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5,351	TimUK wrote: 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. But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose 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.

11-15-2008, 08:30 PM	#20
Abekongen Lorekeeper Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 9	shaunfletcher wrote: 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. And there will be plenty of new players (or players who missed one or more previous expansions). there always are. QFT! im on trial atm and im really happy with this!

11-15-2008, 09:56 PM	#21
ke'la Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,445	Wingrider01 wrote: TimUK wrote: 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. But thats a matter for a different topic i suppose 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. Look at the economics World of Warcraft Wrath of the LichKing - 39.95 Everquest 2 Shadow Odyssey expansion - 39.95 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. A better exsample is this EoF WITHOUT previous content at launch = 39.99 EoF WITH previous content at launch = 39.99 KoS WITHOUT previous content at launch = 29.99 KoS WITH previous content at launch = 29.99 What is the differance between KoS and EoF? 1 expainsion per year instead of 2 expainsions per year. 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. And yes the new WoW expainsion does not included the previous content for Free... LotRO's however does, and it also costs 39.99. __________________

11-17-2008, 11:14 AM	#22
Mentalep General Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 149	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? 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.

11-17-2008, 04:36 PM	#23
NardacMM Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 319	The more new players they are, the more people we can find to group with (especially after recent xp changes.) 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. __________________

11-17-2008, 08:17 PM	#24
newRokan Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	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... Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too. The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value. 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. Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now...

11-17-2008, 08:38 PM	#25
Wingrider01 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,999	newRokan wrote: 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... Your reply posts will show who you are, now I wonder if you will confirm it too. The fact that some of us have played this game since November, already says we like it and it has value. 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. Thank you SONY for the game but, how about some debt relief for your loyal long time players now... 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. 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. Cynic, probably, no very likely. Realist, definately. Smart Aleck, yup and proud of it. 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. __________________ Fixing computer issues, one SOC7 at a time. Yes Jim, the user has experienced the dreaded PICNIC error

11-18-2008, 04:17 AM	#26
Renpatsu Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 188	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. 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. 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. Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players. __________________ Ceneen, Warden of Elysium on Lucan D'Lere

11-18-2008, 05:18 AM	#27
Oh General Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,516	Ceneen@Lucan DLere wrote: Overall it's a very good approach by SOE from my view, as it lowers the hurdle for new players. 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. __________________

11-18-2008, 07:53 AM	#28
soibit General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 167	joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward __________________ If we are all gods children, then why is Jesus so special? Twitches Mcgee - Ratcromancer of Lucan Callan Flowers - Warden of Lucan Brice - Monk of Lucan

11-18-2008, 10:30 AM	#29
Solaran_X Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 396	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. A) It makes launching a second account (alts? boxing?) easy. 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?

11-18-2008, 10:36 AM	#30
Beandip Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 38	soibitum wrote: joe shmoe that goes out and buys the exp pack bundle today isnt gonna log in and get my 5 year vet reward Or at most the six month reward...