Free-to-play MMO that isn't Pay-to-Win?

[diesbudt]

Guess diablo 3 isn't mmo either by your definition.

It isnt...

action RPGs can't have a MMO aspect to it? News to me.

Massive Multiplayer Online.

Not talking about MMORPGs here.

MMOs have a persistant world, in which you can run into other people and play with 100+ at once if you desire/convince them all to play with you. Such as World PvP or raids on cities.

-Diablo 3 limits to 4 people a game. (Unless your definition of Massive Multiplayer is 4 or less people)
-Has no persistant world.
-Only play with others if you want to, no running into people that may also be playing same act/area.


Again it is not an MMO.

 

[ShintaiDK]

If initial price aint a problem. Buy Gw2. Subscription based MMOs are dead.

 

[imaheadcase]

Well its interesting that it holds the Guinness World Record for Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server.

Not to mention the following awards:
"Best Free MMORPG" according to the MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards.[45]
"Most Anticipated Free MMORPG" according to the MMORPG Center’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards.[45]
"Most Anticipated MMO in 2010" according to the MMOSITE's Reader's Choice Awards 2010
"Favorite Strategy MMO in 2010" according to the MMOSITE's Reader's Choice Awards 2010 [46]

Then anandtech forums is a MMO because so many people are connected to it at any given time. Hell, any game out with multiplayer is a MMO.

Seriously you are talking about a game with a matchmaking system. Its not a MMO by normal people standards.

Let me guess, you ask if people have a Iphone instead of asking if they have a phone anymore to. Just because something labels itself as a MMO does not mean it is.

Quote: "A massively multiplayer online game (also called MMO and MMOG) is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and feature at least one persistent world. "

World of tanks is not a persistent world.

To recap:
World of Warcraft = MMO
Warcraft 1-3 = Not a mmo. even though you can multiplayer on them.

 

[quakeworld]

DDO is solid.

Great game. Not pay to win, but you can unlock Classes/Races with money. Highly recommend it.

Another vote for DDO. You can actually unlock all the Adventure Packs if you have a lot of patience to grind for favor. I haven't done it yet but there's a post on the DDO forums on how to do it.

Champions Online is decent too. Just gotta build the right archetype for it to be fun and almost be on the same level as freeforms.

 

[thespyder]

It isn't 'Strictly' speaking an MMO, but maybe the OP would be interested in trying some of the Persistent worlds in NWN2? or even NWN? Ok, so there might be an investment in the original game (assuming that they don't already have them), but beyond that the Persistent worlds are all free to play. And there is some incredible content out there. Plus, with the worlds being smaller instances, it is easier to get to know and be involved in the communities. And the worlds tend to evolve in much different ways than on MMO (which can be a good thing or a bad one).

 

[Ns1]

Then anandtech forums is a MMO because so many people are connected to it at any given time. Hell, any game out with multiplayer is a MMO.

You're seriously only focusing on one single aspect of the game.

we level our tanks, we level our crews, we buy gear, etc. shit sticks around.

 

[diesbudt]

You're seriously only focusing on one single aspect of the game.

we level our tanks, we level our crews, we buy gear, etc. shit sticks around.

That gives it RPG elements.

Not MMO elements.

 

[slugg]

It isn't 'Strictly' speaking an MMO, but maybe the OP would be interested in trying some of the Persistent worlds in NWN2? or even NWN? Ok, so there might be an investment in the original game (assuming that they don't already have them), but beyond that the Persistent worlds are all free to play. And there is some incredible content out there. Plus, with the worlds being smaller instances, it is easier to get to know and be involved in the communities. And the worlds tend to evolve in much different ways than on MMO (which can be a good thing or a bad one).

I actually played the original NWN. Cool game. I tried NWN2... It just didn't appeal to me. That style of psuedo-DND kind of lost its thrill. It's not so much that the sequel was "bad," I'm just saying that the game style doesn't appeal to me anymore.

I'll give a few of these games a shot. Thanks, all

 

[Ns1]

That gives it RPG elements.

Not MMO elements.

aint like any rpg I ever played.



but it's okay, I don't need to get in an e-peen fight. I'll keep calling it an MMO you keep calling it an RPG.

 

[diesbudt]

aint like any rpg I ever played.

Leveling = RPG.
A game can have RPG elements with not being an RPG.

An MMO doesn't have to be RPG either. So you cannot say if something fits the RPG element, then MMO must fit it also.

No epeen here, just stating your misinformation about a genre.

Next you will tell me that the Aladdin movie from Disney is a reality horror film, because of whatever reason. When in reality it is an action, adventure romantic animation movie.

And you can call it whatever you want, I dont care. But this isnt an opinion, but an actual fact. So the name you are going to call it, is in fact wrong. Whether you want to believe it or not.

 

[thespyder]

I actually played the original NWN. Cool game. I tried NWN2... It just didn't appeal to me. That style of psuedo-DND kind of lost its thrill. It's not so much that the sequel was "bad," I'm just saying that the game style doesn't appeal to me anymore.

I'll give a few of these games a shot. Thanks, all

I'd be curious what element of pseudo-DnD you didn't like. The only reason I am saying that is, playing in the Persistent worlds is worlds different than the single player game experience. And a fair number of the PWs that I have played felt VERY MMO like. Yes, you built a character, but only one (at a time). You only control your character, not a party. And you interact with the other players in much the same way as an MMO. It is a very different experience than the single player.

but to each their own. Just saying that, when I want to play an MMO like game, I fire up NWN2 and sign on to one of the PWs. It isn't quite the same, but I find it much more satisfying as I know most of the people on the server. And the content changes based on player interaction (most times), not based on marketing analysis of what sells best. And I never have to be concerned about 'Pay to win'.

 

[Craig234]

Leveling = RPG.
A game can have RPG elements with not being an RPG.

An MMO doesn't have to be RPG either. So you cannot say if something fits the RPG element, then MMO must fit it also.

No epeen here, just stating your misinformation about a genre.

Next you will tell me that the Aladdin movie from Disney is a reality horror film, because of whatever reason. When in reality it is an action, adventure romantic animation movie.

And you can call it whatever you want, I dont care. But this isnt an opinion, but an actual fact. So the name you are going to call it, is in fact wrong. Whether you want to believe it or not.

Levelling is an attribute nearly all RPG's have; it's not required. Games that are not RPG's can have levelling.

Heck, if you go back to Galaga, if you call your spaceship 'level 2' and 'level 3' as it gains powers, that could be 'levelling', and it's not an RPG.

What if an MMORPG released that started everyone at 'end game level' so there's no levelling - just gaining faction, gear, etc. It's still an RPG.

These definitions aren't in stone. Go listen to the song Cantaloop by US3 (really, it's a great song). Is it Jazz? Rap? It's a hybrid.

There was a huge battle over whether Diablo was an RPG, or just an 'action game'.

 

[aigomorla]

Even Star Trek Online is similarly said to be fine playing for free.

until u get to pvp..

where pay to win ships are for the WIN!

Or gamble to win ships.. like that new thoran carrier which is WAYYYY TOO OP.

 

[slugg]

I'd be curious what element of pseudo-DnD you didn't like. The only reason I am saying that is, playing in the Persistent worlds is worlds different than the single player game experience. And a fair number of the PWs that I have played felt VERY MMO like. Yes, you built a character, but only one (at a time). You only control your character, not a party. And you interact with the other players in much the same way as an MMO. It is a very different experience than the single player.

but to each their own. Just saying that, when I want to play an MMO like game, I fire up NWN2 and sign on to one of the PWs. It isn't quite the same, but I find it much more satisfying as I know most of the people on the server. And the content changes based on player interaction (most times), not based on marketing analysis of what sells best. And I never have to be concerned about 'Pay to win'.

You make some good points. I do believe I may even have NWN2 somewhere... I'll look for it. If I have it, it can't hurt to try, right?

 

[thespyder]

You make some good points. I do believe I may even have NWN2 somewhere... I'll look for it. If I have it, it can't hurt to try, right?

Hey, if it's free, why not at least try?

I would recommend a server called The Sword Coast chronicles. it is a low magic world, but it is well fleshed out and generally populated by people who are serious about role playing. And it doesn't require a password, so it is easy to jump in and try.

Good luck.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you don't care about PVP, the PVE space combat in Star Trek Online is a lot of fun. Ground combat is so-so (generally too easy) but some of the story content is decent. It's interesting to run into people like the daughter of Tom Paris and Belanna Torres, as well as a few characters from TNG and TOS.

I've only paid for a few convenience features like extra bank space. You can play 2 characters through all of the content without needing to spend a penny.

 

[aigomorla]

I've only paid for a few convenience features like extra bank space. You can play 2 characters through all of the content without needing to spend a penny.

You can only do so much PvE on it.
And also your serverly cap'd from the exchange, and the amount of energy credits you can hold.

Not to mention having only 2 characters mean at most u can farm 16000 dilithum per day, and ships on average will cost 350x2000 dilitiums if u dont pay for them.

So is it fair? to a certain degree, and then it becomes grossly unfair once u step into the area the pay for win people are at.

Also the impossible mission scenario is possible if u do pay to win.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've played through all of the episodes in Star Trek with the free ships and loot drops, without paying any cash for gear. I've also done the easy mode group stuff (STF and event, not the fleet actions).

You'll probably get bored with it eventually whether or not you buy things, but you can definitely have a lot of fun and play through all of the story content for free.

 

[KeizerCookie]

...

 

[ThinClient]

I'd say world of tanks is good for that, as long as you are happy to play lower tier tanks.

There can still be some advantage for those who spend, but it's not too bad.

I can only give an impression, haven't played them much, but also Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons and Dragons Online have pretty good reputations.

Even Star Trek Online is similarly said to be fine playing for free.

LOTRO is pay to play. They call it F2P, but 90% of the quests are locked down in all but a few select zones unless you buy that zone or are a subscriber. It makes mid through late game very difficult unless you want to brainlessly farm for 50 times longer than necessary for enough xp to progress.

 

[ThinClient]

....

Nice cheesy referral link, there, buddy.

 

[JeffMD]

Arise from your grave!

As not to post empty handed, Rift actually does the best job IMO of being a f2p MMO. You can pay silly amounts of money to buy end game gear, but the rate (and types, boss drops ect) of gear acquisition is that of a subscription based game. I don't want to say it is totally free, you will want to pony up the $5 (minimum credits purchase) so you can unlock the account. The game locks down some chat features as well as access to the auction house for basic accounts to stave off gold farmers. The $5 in credits will make your life much easier as you can buy your mounts using the credits as you level up, no need to make sure you have enough money.

 

[shortylickens]

Necro aside, I also like Rift.

Paying money gets you pretty outfits, but for the most part theres no real advantage. Anybody willing to grind away for levels (completely free) can compete equally well.

Also, I recommend not getting it thru Steam. Download directly from Trion Worlds website. You have one less thing you need active. Either way you have to be online of course.

 

[Craig234]

Jeff, I agree.

 

[futurefields]