Lifetime Account Members Thread

[OLRINN]

I have 2 lifer accounts that I bought when SoM released. So far I have mixed feelings that started off as being really pissed off.

But I love the idea of getting more friends to play because of the F2P. I also beleive this will increase subscriber eventually that translates into new content money . I also like the idea of using points for new expansions but this is still up in the air as without knowing how many points an expansion will cost.

I also would feel better if once we rolled into the VIP system that us lifers get an additional say 100 - 250 points a month over someone who pays the monthly $14.99 or multi-month discounted VIP price. Look at it as 500 points = $7. They need to get us lifers closer to a $9/10 a month value in points. Anyone else agree?

[Mines_of_Moria]

I agree with the OP and many others, as recently as 2 months ago I returned from Iraq and purchased a lifetime membership so I could PLAY the game again with my 60 cap. Now I come to find out that the game is being offered for free and I might as well as flushed my 200 dollars down the toilet

Why the gloomy faces lifetime account members?! Your going to enjoy wonderful perks like unlimited gold and more servers, but what that's not all! You'll have access to more skirmishes and more back packs, the same ones you currently enjoy! and If that wasn't enough bang for your 200 bucks were going to give you some points to send on cosmetics!

I could understand if you've had a lifetime membership for a few years and you've really got your moneys worth on the 200 dollars, I wouldn't be so irate. But I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick here. I've essentially payed one hundred bucks a month to play the game and they drop this bombshell on me. Let me tell you, for 200 bucks those better be some DAMN good cosmetics.

I purchased a membership because at the time it beat paying 15 bucks a month and you needed to pay to play. I would never have paid that much for ridiculous cosmetics and the ability to have bags and unlimited gold. I highly doubt that buying the unlimited gold, additional servers, extra bags etc etc costs more than 200 dollars anyways. You cant help but feel taken advantage of. I'll continue to play since I've invested, but you've lost my trust as a company and I will not make the mistake of purchasing another one of your products again.

You still get your money's worth. After all, there will still be a regular $15/month subscription; except you won't have to pay that. You get access to everything, plus they pay you points every month.
Win-win stuation.

Of course I wouldn't mind if they gave us lifers a super-duper cool cosmetic item

[Lohi]

This raises a great deal of business legal and ethical issues,

Everyone got what they paid for - no monthly subscription fees. That's all that was promised, and it is not changing. They never promised how long the game would live, they never promised free expansions, and they absolutely have the disclaimer that you can never miss about "online game play subject to change".

Maybe your own perceived value of the product has changed, but that has no legal or ethical implications. This is like some clothes you purchased going out of style perhaps because a newer fashion line was introduced. Lack of future enjoyment does not negate past enjoyment.

[Khafar]

Now I come to find out that the game is being offered for free and I might as well as flushed my 200 dollars down the toilet

If you only look backwards, I can understand why you might feel that way. However, lifetime subscriptions have never looked like a great deal 2 months in. It's never having to pay for content updates where it really shines, and if LOTRO has the same sort of cash influx that DDO did... we'll be seeing a good deal more of those in the future than we have in the recent past. You, as a lifetime subscriber, won't have to pay a nickel for any of it. The F2P people will, because that's how Turbine will make their money.

In that VIP chart, did you see the line which says that new people will only start off with quest packs for Bree-land, Ered Luin, and the Shire? That means they can go to Evendim, Forochel, Lone Lands, North Downs, etc... but nobody there will give them quests unless they buy "quest packs". They'll have to buy Moria to get entrance and quests for that, and Mirkwood for those.

Moving forward, you'll get Enedwaith and all of its quests for free. They won't. You'll get other updates with new quests in them for free. They won't. So 2 years from now, all you'll have spent any money on will be expansions and any "extras" from the Turbine Store. But you won't have spent any money for the regular updates. It'll very likely look like a good deal in hindsight, even if it doesn't at the moment.

Khafar

[LordWeaver]

Everyone got what they paid for - no monthly subscription fees. That's all that was promised, and it is not changing. They never promised how long the game would live, they never promised free expansions, and they absolutely have the disclaimer that you can never miss about "online game play subject to change".

Maybe your own perceived value of the product has changed, but that has no legal or ethical implications. This is like some clothes you purchased going out of style perhaps because a newer fashion line was introduced. Lack of future enjoyment does not negate past enjoyment.

All my thoughts are really is that even though lifers did have that whole "how long the game would live," etc that maybe they could at least as good will look at the more recent lifers (<12 months).

The deal lifers get is awesome and I am happy with it and wouldnt expect more. However, at least myself feel that maybe these guys should get a little bit more considering that they may not have come as close to breaking even and enjoying the benefits as much.

[Sigram]

If you only look backwards, I can understand why you might feel that way. However, lifetime subscriptions have never looked like a great deal 2 months in. It's never having to pay for content updates where it really shines, and if LOTRO has the same sort of cash influx that DDO did... we'll be seeing a good deal more of those in the future than we have in the recent past. You, as a lifetime subscriber, won't have to pay a nickel for any of it. The F2P people will, because that's how Turbine will make their money.

In that VIP chart, did you see the line which says that new people will only start off with quest packs for Bree-land, Ered Luin, and the Shire? That means they can go to Evendim, Forochel, Lone Lands, North Downs, etc... but nobody there will give them quests unless they buy "quest packs". They'll have to buy Moria to get entrance and quests for that, and Mirkwood for those.

Moving forward, you'll get Enedwaith and all of its quests for free. They won't. You'll get other updates with new quests in them for free. They won't. So 2 years from now, all you'll have spent any money on will be expansions and any "extras" from the Turbine Store. But you won't have spent any money for the regular updates. It'll very likely look like a good deal in hindsight, even if it doesn't at the moment.

Khafar

This is a great post.

Overall I think this move to F2P is a good idea. I think it'll put more life into the game.

[Anubias]

Have I missed something? What is the community so upset about?

[RvLesh]

I have to say that I was at first angry, then dismayed, then came here and read the details, and I'm now cautiously optimistic.

I'd just like to point out that everyone who paid for a Lifetime, even those who just paid for a Lifetime last February, will have been pretty well compensated by the time F2P launches.

Had I taken advantage of the $10/mo pricing at launch, I would've spent $360 by now maintaining my account. Full-price, I'd be up to $540. Turbine has given me a steep discount. Those who Lifetime'd last February have, by this month, saved about $30.

I'm upset because I know that there will be an influx of morons but, at the same time, I know that Turbine stopped owing me anything after the first two years.

I've gotten my $200 out of LOTRO. While they might be reducing the future returns on my investment, the only way they could devalue it completely would be to shut the game down.
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WRT the "ethics," I bought in to a Lifetime with the full knowledge that the game might not even last a year. I bought in to a Lifetime without having touched the beta, because I trusted Turbine to not completely screw things up. I was rewarded handsomely.

Even disregarding common sense, the Lifetime subscription agreement clearly stated that there was no guarantee of a month of service or a millenium.

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WRT the Lore, I'd like to point out, as so many have, that S-Z will happily rip up whatever contract binds them to Turbine ne WB should the bounds be overstepped beyond a certain point. S-Z and MEE have *FAR* more people to answer to, after all.

[atruth]

I look at it Biblically and semi-borrow the vinyard parable, in reverse.

I paid for something, I am getting it, I am also going to get some extra benefits.

So, the Vintner decided to give some work away to others, who am I to question the generosity they are showing?

Am *I* out anything, no. I get to share the 'labor of love' with more people. I am happy.

[Toranoga]

How much do you want to bet? Because that is a bet you will lose! Going Free-to-Play doesn't mean that the team suddenly has carte blanche - they'll be just as respectful of the lore, within the bounds of gameplay, that they always have been.

Yeah? Well I bet we'll get over sized weapons and characters that shoot lightning out of their... uhm... Hands!

Oh, wait. We already have those.
Move along, nothing to see here...

[warriorpoetex]

pretty poor show by turbine,but with wb wanting there grubby hands on our cash its not a surprise,after the last microtrasaction that was mirkwood,most knew it was coming,i just dont know why they lied about it,although there track record is dont let the truth out at any cost,if anyone is in any doubt about how badly treated lifetime subs are , read the posts at ddo,pretty sad day really

Your a dope. We lifetimers get all the perks ... free points, no payments. So what if we have to pay for expansions, we already do. Free players only get to roam around a few areas- so I really do not see any problem with going Free To Play; it is a more successful business model. More money generated means more development for the game. Look at the major bucks WoW put into advertising their game, while things are not F2P there, they have a huge merchandising market that soaks up money; there is little difference. Basically, Free players are just like trial players just with no time limit, but with other limits instead, like areas they can travel, gold they can have, no shared storage, etc etc etc etc. And remember, even if TURBINE said they will probably not go F2P ... Warner Bros owns them now and Turbine will follow the format THEY lay out. DDO model rakes in prob as much if not more than the current LOTRO model ... so it is really a win/win regardless. Don't like it, quit ... pretty simple.

[Talthantis]

If you only look backwards, I can understand why you might feel that way. However, lifetime subscriptions have never looked like a great deal 2 months in.

Thanks for the information Khafar, you made some very valid points. When you put it in that light it does make sense and I'm thankful I did make that purchase lol. I just got off work and read the news and immediately had a "***" moment. I've deleted my hate rant after thoroughly reading the info and returning here to read your post as well lol. After reflecting on the information your probably right, it will most assuredly be a good purchase since lifers wont have to purchase quest packs among other things. I hope the new players breath life in to the game, and in turn the dev's release frequent patches and content as you believe they will. I just hope they give something unique to lifers, nothing god like, just a unique cosmetic item or something as a small nod of appreciation. Even if they don't, it seems the lifetime sub is a screaming deal and Ill be looking forward to enjoying free content for years to come. Anyways thanks again for the enlightening post Khafar, I for one will be staying the course and enjoying middle earth. The change gets my approval as I'm sure it will others too when they come to understand it. I

[Akaara]

I have a small kinship because I wanted the house. How does this affect my small kin and my house?

[Devildoc]

I for one am pissed.

I absolutely despise macro transactions. I quit EQ and moved to LoTR(lifetime) when Sony rolled them out.

Now I'm stuck with a lifetime subscription to a game I will probably never play again due to the new model.

Yay.

[Ayrolen]

I think everyone needs to read this and go to bed early tonight!

[Serenityrose]

I am a Life-time player and spent good money to become one why would I throw that away now when for Life-timers nothing is changing I still get everything I have now Plus some cool stuff and I don't have to pay any more. If you are worried you wasted your money now that this change has happened, leaving would just solidify that opinion.

[Devildoc]

1. I could of used that money for a vacation.
2. Why pay for something when it is free, even if it is limited.
3. I would of bnever played this game if it was free to play
4. A decision like this is made years prior to release, so they lead people on thinking they would keep the high standard that was established at release.
5. WHy would I waste my time on a game that uses an item shop when there are hundreds of thousands of the same featured games in the Korean theme market.
6. IF you can't see the reasoning, don't even ****ing type back to me, cause yo are simply a shilling for Warner Bros.


Here we go people, up the ****ing pooper with the Big Idea market bull**** that all big companies like EA , Activision , Sony and now WArner Brother, **** this, I am playing Age of COnan.

I'm having too much fun with this

[gildhur]

I'm a lifer. I'm not happy about this.

Why, exactly? What changes for you?

[Devildoc]

And the Tolkien estate will promptly revoke their License to the property.
Cats and Dogs will marry.
The skies will rain fiery lava.
Armageddon shall come upon the backs of the Four Ponymen of the Shire (might have to crane your neck to see them)
The depths of Mount Doom shall freeze over and become a skating rink...

And people will continue to come up with off the cuff theories that have no basis in reality.

Reminds me of Ghostbusters.. "What he means is Old Testament, real wrath of god type stuff, fire and brimstone coming out of the sky! Rivers and seas boiling! Earthquakes, tornados! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats, living together.... mass hysteria!"

[Patience]

Okay folks, please keep it civil..

[Faewolf]

I'm a Founder Lifer and am very happy with this deal. I dont have to do anything at all and Turbine is still giving me free stuff ala Turbine Points? Whats not to like! lol

Ofcourse one always questions what the influx of the new players will have on the community but i think we will prevail.

Obviously F2P must have been working with DDO and Turbine saw that. Anything that keeps Lotro around for longer makes me happy.

[SaintBass]

Why, exactly? What changes for you?

The community... apparently, once the game goes F2P, we will be flooded by an army of D-Bags that will lower the communal discourse and IQ of "real players." Of course, I don't necessarily disagree, but I believe that it has already happened. The irony of today is something that I will savor for years.

[Ainaur]

I'm a lifer. I've read what's changing.

I'm happy enough. I get "paid" turbine points for what is, now free play.

[lonesail]

What's this, the Armageddon of 2012 coming two years too early? Nah, I'm actually optimistic about this change. free 500 points a month and more people to group with. Sounds like a good deal

[Saesa]

I'm a lifer. I've read what's changing.

I'm happy enough. I get "paid" turbine points for what is, now free play.

Interesting way to look at it - it's still pay-to-play for Lifers. Turbine is paying US to play.