Lifetime Account Members Thread

[KualaBangoDango]

If you're a founder you get 500 points for loyalty
If you're a lifetime account holder you get 1000 points for loyalty
You'll also get 500 points per anniversary that you've been playing (so 1500 if you're a founder)

If you are a founder with a lifetime account the bare minimum you'll get is 3000 turbine points, and you don't have to do anything to get those points they're on their way.

If you log in, that's all, just, 1 login, you don't even have to do anything, just enter your account name, password, and click log in, pick a character, enter middle earth, then log right back off.. one time per month starting June 1st..

You get 500 more points per month you do that until F2P goes live. After that, you don't even have to log in anymore if you don't want, you get 500 points a month just for being dope.

Say for instance, F2P launches December 1st.. a Lifetime founder who does so little as to just log in once a month, will get that 3000, plus another 3000 from the 500 per month.. that's 6000 Turbine points.. plus 500 a month every month ..

People who think they're getting shafted for their lifetime account are just out to lunch.

Yup, I did the math in this thread here, http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=335635 and what I concluded is that Lifetimers will probably be getting around $600 worth of free TP by the time the game ends in 2017 (if they don't extend it).

$600!!! For the price of a $2-300 purchase which most of us have either already broken even on, or will by the time F2P goes live.

As long as the game remains good you really CAN'T beat that.

[Lohi]

far as WB gets money from GS, they don't care

Maybe i am just paranoid; hope so...

Paranoia. The gold sellers will buy access to use the auction house; then get their accounts banned. Then they have to create a new account and buy access all over again. It's exactly how this works today - you can have a free trial account but not do much, and then spend some extra money to get a real account and spam non stop until you're banned. At some point it's too expensive to continue.

Best bet to shut them down is to kill the market. No on buys gold, or sees a need to buy gold, then sellers will pack up and leave.

[reality]

Loging in and playing the game at least once a month between now and launch is all you need to do to get the bonus 500 points per month. Your 30 minutes every few days would absolutely qualify.

This bothers me. Why do I have to login and play to get points I paid for as a lifetime subscriber? I am on a break right now and will be for some time but considering I paid $400 for 2 lifetime accounts I should be getting my points if I login and play or not. Before anyone says gee play for 30 minutes a month, no. I should not have to. I already paid my dues.

[Warmaker01]

You know... I'm a Lifetime Member x2. I drifted away for a bit trying out something else but ended up leaving that "new MMO." One of the complaints I had about it was being Sub-Based + Microtransaction form of business. I loathe anything related to F2P, M/T, etc. So I left that MMO to come back to LOTRO, relaxed with the fact that LOTRO is decent and I get my money's worth.

Now I come back to find out that this game is going F2P and seeks to nickel and dime me.

I've seen this form of business in another MMO that used to be sub-based but sold out to be F2P.

Not liking the fact that the business model will sell a very large number of gear / abilities / bonuses / buffs / etc. that are quite potent and integral to smooth gameplay. If you don't buy into all their doodads, your gameplay will be slow, tough, and most of all, subpar. Sure, those individual items cost maybe $2 bucks here, $1 there, maybe a $5 buff that lasts 1 month over here also. Then next thing you know, you're spending ALOT per month than you normally would with a normal sub.

That is the deceitful nature of "Free" To Play. There's no cost to get into and play the game, but if you want decent progress and access to more various benefits, you will be paying far more than you would than with a sub.

With a sub, the developers need to ensure the game and updates are worthy of your business. Alot of things can be done in a monthly update. I used to proudly bring up to my buddies how Turbine had brought massive updates every 6 or so months it seemed... FREE of additional charge, and as part of the standard package when you sub. Because of the pattern LOTRO had in development since I signed up in '07, I had no qualms about forking over good money for a Lifetime sub. Now I don't anymore. I felt like I got ripped off.

With F2P, they scatter the benefits here and there, and force you to pay for every single little benefit. "Nickel and Diming" was the phrase I used in complaint about another MMO I recently tried.

And now I come back to LOTRO, my Old MMORPG Refuge, and 'lo and behold, Turbine seeks to wring even more money from me despite the good faith I put into them by going Lifetime Sub.

Very, very dismayed and dissatisfied with this bit of news. Very disappointed my 'ol, reliable MMO that I could come back to is adopting the F2P "Nickel and Diming" business model.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

This bothers me. Why do I have to login and play to get points I paid for as a lifetime subscriber? I am on a break right now and will be for some time but considering I paid $400 for 2 lifetime accounts I should be getting my points if I login and play or not. Before anyone says gee play for 30 minutes a month, no. I should not have to. I already paid my dues.

You didn't pay for any points. You won't have to pay for any points unless you want to. These are BONUS points you can earn IF you log in once a month until launch. You will get a TON of other bonus points as well for being a lifer and how long you've been subscribed etc etc at launch.

THEN on top of that you get 500 points FREE every month just for having a subscription. you don't need to log in.

[Ehra]

This bothers me. Why do I have to login and play to get points I paid for as a lifetime subscriber? I am on a break right now and will be for some time but considering I paid $400 for 2 lifetime accounts I should be getting my points if I login and play or not. Before anyone says gee play for 30 minutes a month, no. I should not have to. I already paid my dues.

The points you get from logging in have nothing to do with being a lifetime subscriber.

Here are all of the extra points you can get:

1) Lifetime reward - if you have a lifetime account you will get 1000 points.
2) Founders reward- if you have a founder's account you will get 500 points
3) Anniversary reward - for every anniversary your account was active for you get 500 points
4) "Login" reward - for every month you log in at least once from now until the F2P release, you get 500 points.

In addition to these extra rewards, when F2P goes live your lifetime account will carry over in the form of a free VIP account which will earn you 500 points every month through no effort on your part.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

You know... I'm a Lifetime Member. I drifted away for a bit trying out something else but ended up leaving that "new MMO." One of the complaints I had about it was being Sub-Based + Microtransaction form of business. I loathe anything related to F2P, M/T, etc. So I left that MMO to come back to LOTRO, relaxed with the fact that LOTRO is decent and I get my money's worth.

Now I come back to find out that this game is going F2P and seeks to nickel and dime me.

I've seen this form of business in another MMO that used to be sub-based but sold out to be F2P.

Not liking the fact that the business model will sell a very large number of gear / abilities / bonuses / buffs / etc. that are quite potent and integral to smooth gameplay. If you don't buy into all their doodads, your gameplay will be slow, tough, and most of all, subpar. Sure, those individual items cost maybe $2 bucks here, $1 there, maybe a $5 buff that lasts 1 month over here also. Then next thing you know, you're spending ALOT per month than you normally would with a normal sub.

That is the deceitful nature of "Free" To Play. There's no cost to get into and play the game, but if you want decent progress and access to more various benefits, you will be paying far more than you would than with a sub.

With a sub, the developers need to ensure the game and updates are worthy of your business. Alot of things can be done in a monthly update. I used to proudly bring up to my buddies how Turbine had brought massive updates every 6 or so months it seemed... FREE of additional charge, and as part of the standard package when you sub. Because of the pattern LOTRO had in development since I signed up in '07, I had no qualms about forking over good money for a Lifetime sub. Now I don't anymore. I felt like I got ripped off.

With F2P, they scatter the benefits here and there, and force you to pay for every single little benefit. "Nickel and Diming" was the phrase I used in complaint about another MMO I recently tried.

And now I come back to LOTRO, my Old MMORPG Refuge, and 'lo and behold, Turbine seeks to wring even more money from me despite the good faith I put into them by going Lifetime Sub.

Very, very dismayed and dissatisfied with this bit of news. Very disappointed my 'ol, reliable MMO that I could come back to is adopting the F2P "Nickel and Diming" business model.

You won't need to pay anything because you're a lifer. You'll get free points to spend at the store if you choose. Stuff in the store won't be needed to play the game. I think it was Patience that said it best in another thread. The Turbine store is for convenience, not advantage.

[Patience]

This bothers me. Why do I have to login and play to get points I paid for as a lifetime subscriber? I am on a break right now and will be for some time but considering I paid $400 for 2 lifetime accounts I should be getting my points if I login and play or not. Before anyone says gee play for 30 minutes a month, no. I should not have to. I already paid my dues.

Because we haven't actually gone Free-to-Play yet, so these are a loyalty reward for those who are active between now and then. If you don't want the points, don't log in. Once F2P launches, you'll get the monthly 500 points whether you're logging in or not.

Additionally, as a Lifetime player you are getting even more points at launch.

Finally, you don't need to play for 30 minutes. You just have to log one of your characters in. Then you can log it back out immediately if you like, and you're done.

I hope that clarifies a few things!

Meghan

[ararax2]

Because we haven't actually gone Free-to-Play yet, so these are a loyalty reward for those who are active between now and then. If you don't want the points, don't log in. Once F2P launches, you'll get the monthly 500 points whether you're logging in or not.

Additionally, as a Lifetime player you are getting even more points at launch.

Finally, you don't need to play for 30 minutes. You just have to log one of your characters in. Then you can log it back out immediately if you like, and you're done.

I hope that clarifies a few things!

Meghan

Clarity should be your middle name! That is by far the best explanation I've seen from a Turbine Rep.

[Warmaker01]

You won't need to pay anything because you're a lifer. You'll get free points to spend at the store if you choose. Stuff in the store won't be needed to play the game. I think it was Patience that said it best in another thread. The Turbine store is for convenience, not advantage.

That is what they say now. But it will not be so when s**t hits the fan.

Powerful stuff integral to smooth gameplay WILL be sold in the "store" and nowhere else. And it will be sold in individual items in the store. Sure, we will get free points per month. But I promise you, it will not be enough. Not enough for the commitment... for the dues I paid by forking out and committing to be a Lifetime Subber.

You WILL be spending more than those points they give you per month. It's happened to me in past MMOs and it has soured my perception about anything to do with F2P.

It's like they're trying to get you with little slices all over the places to get you to bleed money to them. Not much per individual "purchase" but after a while, they add up to a whole lot more.

That is the deceit of "Free" to Play.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

That is what they say now. But it will not be so when s**t hits the fan.

Powerful stuff integral to smooth gameplay WILL be sold in the "store" and nowhere else. And it will be sold in individual items in the store. Sure, we will get free points per month. But I promise you, it will not be enough. Not enough for the commitment... for the dues I paid by forking out and committing to be a Lifetime Subber.

You WILL be spending more than those points they give you per month. It's happened to me in past MMOs and it has soured my perception about anything to do with F2P.

It's like they're trying to get you with little slices all over the places to get you to bleed money to them. Not much per individual "purchase" but after a while, they add up to a whole lot more.

That is the deceit of "Free" to Play.

You are very much mistaken. Look at the DDO store as an example. Nothing in there is "integral to smooth gameplay". Fluff isn't integral to gameplay, and that's pretty much what's going into this store. Honestly, why don't you try the beta or wait until F2P launches before jumping to conclusions?

[Warmaker01]

Because again, I've seen this business model before in other places and it has left me very much despising the notion of F2P.

Subtle deception and greed. That is the name of the game.

[KualaBangoDango]

This bothers me. Why do I have to login and play to get points I paid for as a lifetime subscriber? I am on a break right now and will be for some time but considering I paid $400 for 2 lifetime accounts I should be getting my points if I login and play or not. Before anyone says gee play for 30 minutes a month, no. I should not have to. I already paid my dues.

You paid for bonus points when you bought your Lifetimes? I didn't even know points existed back then. I thought Lifetime just meant no more monthly subscription.

I kid of course, but seriously now I do have to say that while I see what you're saying there is something you're missing. Turbine is under no obligation whatsoever to start awarding points BEFORE the game even goes F2P. Up until then all your Lifetime account guarantees you is no monthly subscription. They are offering these points as an extra bonus for any who want to take part, and they list the requirement.

They're already giving all Lifetimers a 1000 point bonus just for being Lifetime. That's what we get whether we log in or not. The extra monthly 500 points leading up to F2P is purely a voluntary bonus and the log-in requirement is probably to ensure most Lifetimers will stick around and be active up until then, thus ensuring more hype and support for the move to the hybrid model.

Again, until the game actually goes F2P, our Lifetime entitles us to ONLY a free monthly subscription.

Edit: Dang! Patience beat me to the punch.

[Ehra]

Because again, I've seen this business model before in other places and it has left me very much despising the notion of F2P.

None of those other F2P games were anywhere near as successful in the North American market as DDO has been. There's a reason it did so well.

Turbine knows just as well as you do that you (and plenty of other people) won't spend as much money on a game that makes you pay because the game is stupid hard otherwise as you would on a game that gets you to pay for it because it's fun and you want more.

[ararax2]

None of those other F2P games were anywhere near as successful in the North American market as DDO has been. There's a reason it did so well.

Turbine knows just as well as you do that you (and plenty of other people) won't spend as much money on a game that makes you pay because the game is stupid hard otherwise as you would on a game that gets you to pay for it because it's fun and you want more.

Runes of Magic is over 3 million players, DDO is 1 million. There is a few F2P that blow DDO out of the water in terms of revenue and player population.

[Ehra]

Runes of Magic is over 3 million players, DDO is 1 million. There is a few F2P that blow DDO out of the water in terms of revenue and player population.

Ok, I guess I jumped the gun a bit there

I don't play those other games, though, so I don't know what type of game they are and what kind of shop they run. I'm willing to bet that it's more similar to Turbine's model than the older free MMOs that are a huge grind and force you to buy from the shop to start enjoying yourself.

[Warmaker01]

DDO a success? Personally, I'm not sure about that judging by how frequently it gets brought up in other places.

I know LOTRO isn't the biggest name in MMOs out there, but it DOES get mentioned every now and then in other places, including chats in different MMORPGs. I've seen EVE get mentioned alot, and of course WoW. Even AoC and WAR gets brought up (in a negative fashion, however). I've seen SWG get mentioned quite a bit despite it being well past its prime days.

But during all my time in MMOs and various forums, I have yet to hear of someone leaving for DDO.

Only in the recent events over here do we all the sudden hear about DDO and it being a success.

Sorry man, I don't have that kind of faith, especially with talk about DDO over here and it being also a Turbine game.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

Because again, I've seen this business model before in other places and it has left me very much despising the notion of F2P.

Subtle deception and greed. That is the name of the game.

I played DDO before it went F2P and after.

It's better now.

I've bought ONE thing from the store, and had plenty of points to do it because I don't spend them on anything. I don't have to pay for any content, and I am not the only one.

The success of DDO is what spurred this change on, not the actions of some random F2P game. The business model you speak of is not the same as the LOTRO business model, because those games aren't LOTRO. There can only be similarities, not exact comparisons.

DDO a success? Personally, I'm not sure about that judging by how frequently it gets brought up in other places.

I know LOTRO isn't the biggest name in MMOs out there, but it DOES get mentioned every now and then in other places, including chats in different MMORPGs. I've seen EVE get mentioned alot, and of course WoW. Even AoC and WAR gets brought up (in a negative fashion, however). I've seen SWG get mentioned quite a bit despite it being well past its prime days.

But during all my time in MMOs and various forums, I have yet to hear of someone leaving for DDO.

Only in the recent events over here do we all the sudden hear about DDO and it being a success.

Sorry man, I don't have that kind of faith, especially with talk about DDO over here and it being also a Turbine game.

DDO is getting MUCH more content, more frequently (and it's good content too, I've played some of it) now than before it went F2P. There has been a huge increase in player numbers, not just F2P players, but subscribers as well.

If that's not success, I don't know what is.

[Lairdo]

I don't know... just taking the wait and see approach I guess. I too feel kind of cheated I guess.

People getting to enjoy something I paid a sub for, then bought a lifetime member ship for.... Sorry, I just don't feel good about the whole thing at the moment.

Yes, I know I get the points. Yes, I know nothing "really" changes for me. But, I PAID for all of this..... I PAID for the awesome community you all have provided over the years. I PAID to enjoy this game, and it was good enough for me to plop down the extra dough for a lifetime sub.

Now... things will change. Maybe for the better, but I really don't think so.

DDO to me is a less complicated game in some ways, LOTRO is more of a traditional MMO.

What's the effect of letting a bunch of NOOBS... (sorry for a lack of a better word) unleash themselves on some of our stable markets in the AH. What about Player Housing? I can already see empty homes bought with no body in them, and then the regular player base can't buy them.
What kind of items will be in this new store? Will the items be worth it? Or just flashy trash to wear?

Like some have already stated.... DDO, fine, that game was somewhat broken, released to early, bad reviews from press etc, etc. So F2P worked to "fix" that game, and get people to see what Turbine had done to fix it.

LOTRO was not broken, most...(if not all) server populations were great. I could always find a group. The game didn't need fixing, and it doesn't need new exposure. People know about the game, it's been around now for a long time. And players new to the game, could get a perfect taste with the 7-14 day trials. What more do you need.

To me, it's just a money grab by Turbine, and I don't really think the "game itself" is on the top of the priority list, and neither is the potential of ruining the community and player base.

My 2 cents ATM. I may change my tune later. We will see.

[Patience]

But during all my time in MMOs and various forums, I have yet to hear of someone leaving for DDO.

Only in the recent events over here do we all the sudden hear about DDO and it being a success.

http://www.vg247.com/2010/05/14/npd-...st-played-mmo/

http://www.massively.com/2010/05/13/...in-mmo-survey/

[ararax2]

Ok, I guess I jumped the gun a bit there

I don't play those other games, though, so I don't know what type of game they are and what kind of shop they run. I'm willing to bet that it's more similar to Turbine's model than the older free MMOs that are a huge grind and force you to buy from the shop to start enjoying yourself.

Mounts cost $10-20(norm vs flying), you keep it for life.
Housing is a big money pit.
Re build your chars looks $
cosmetic armor $
high end gear enhancements either buy off AH from those who spend $ or buy for $.
But nothing that prevents you from doing whatever you want in game really.

I think I blew $10 ish my first month for my horse but nothing since.

Gaia is another F2P but its browser based, but same idea, cosmetics sell like crazy.

Plus they run specials like 2x points for your money weekends or 1 time offers.

Some people on Gaia and RoM spend >$200 a month.
Some spend nothing ever.

Honestly F2P has gotten a lot better since it started.

[Ehra]

DDO a success? Personally, I'm not sure about that judging by how frequently it gets brought up in other places.

I know LOTRO isn't the biggest name in MMOs out there, but it DOES get mentioned every now and then in other places, including chats in different MMORPGs. I've seen EVE get mentioned alot, and of course WoW. Even AoC and WAR gets brought up (in a negative fashion, however). I've seen SWG get mentioned quite a bit despite it being well past its prime days.

But during all my time in MMOs and various forums, I have yet to hear of someone leaving for DDO.

Only in the recent events over here do we all the sudden hear about DDO and it being a success.

Sorry man, I don't have that kind of faith, especially with talk about DDO over here and it being also a Turbine game.

Well, it's not like DDO was released this way. It went through something similar to what's going on with LOTRO, it started out as subscription based then switched to F2P. The game went from being on its last legs to again being a competitive game in the MMO market with a million or so players and bringing in far more far more revenue than it did previously. Imagine what this'll do for something like LOTRO that isn't as empty as DDO was at the time.

[gildhur]

http://www.vg247.com/2010/05/14/npd-...st-played-mmo/

http://www.massively.com/2010/05/13/...in-mmo-survey/

[Carysta]

I'm out of rep to give out, or I'd have hit both Patience and you with some

I just want to say I'm happy I have a lifetime account, and a big big thank you to the community team, for being here responding to our OMG SKY FALLING at 10pm on a Saturday night. Kudos to you for the hard work!

[highlandgirl]

Mounts cost $10-20(norm vs flying), you keep it for life.
Housing is a big money pit.
Re build your chars looks $
cosmetic armor $
high end gear enhancements either buy off AH from those who spend $ or buy for $.
But nothing that prevents you from doing whatever you want in game really.

I think I blew $10 ish my first month for my horse but nothing since.

Gaia is another F2P but its browser based, but same idea, cosmetics sell like crazy.

Plus they run specials like 2x points for your money weekends or 1 time offers.

Some people on Gaia and RoM spend >$200 a month.
Some spend nothing ever.

Honestly F2P has gotten a lot better since it started.

This kind of system is kind of what makes me nervous.