APB: Finally, I Can Be A PUNK!

[Modern Angel]

Nah, it wasn't that cool.

[LK]

I thought it was interesting to watch the built up bitching and bullshit come out in a torrent once the NDA dam was broken. Now it's a healthy trickle compared to before.

[Mrbloodworth]

Or, most of who wanted to discuss a game we will be actively playing with others, regardless of its faults, realized we were not aloud to do so, and stopped posting.

[taolurker]

Or, most of who wanted to discuss a game we will be actively playing with others, regardless of its faults, realized we were not aloud to do so, and stopped posting.

Do you mean allowed?

Also no one is stopping you from voicing things, just mocking you for being a fanboy.

My opinion:
Spoilered for late to the conversation, but no Blood I don't agree with you that this game is worthy of money (at least mine).

[Furiously]

I'll buy the box, play for a month or two and say, "I got my money's worth."

[Mrbloodworth]

I'll buy the box, play for a month or two and say, "I got my money's worth."

That was my plan as well, unless I happen to make some point on the marketplace. I am interested in seeing where they go from here.

[TripleDES]

Entering a district is going to trigger an advertisement over VoIP... 

[EvilJohn]

Yes, that is true - however, the maximum frequency of a single 5-15 second ad being played as you enter a district is once every 3 hours. Therefore, you should not hear an ad in the VoIP system unless you zone and it has been more than 3 hours since your last zone/ad play.

If 3 hours is too frequent for your tastes, the options listed above can ensure that you don't hear any ads.


We also offer voice fonts for 40 points for 90 day use per font - that's $1.00 per 3 months of use.

[Malakili]

Yes, that is true - however, the maximum frequency of a single 5-15 second ad being played as you enter a district is once every 3 hours. Therefore, you should not hear an ad in the VoIP system unless you zone and it has been more than 3 hours since your last zone/ad play.

If 3 hours is too frequent for your tastes, the options listed above can ensure that you don't hear any ads.


We also offer voice fonts for 40 points for 90 day use per font - that's $1.00 per 3 months of use.

No offense, but regardless of the pricing, it just feels iffy.  This wouldn't come close to flying in any other game with VOIP, but because its a subscription based game/MMO suddenly you can start charging for things that are otherwise free.  Frankly, it just FEELS like nickel and dimeing.   Do I care personally? Not really, I wasn't planning on playing the game anyway as my gaming plate is way over full as it is, but when I can eventually get this for 10 bucks on Steam sale, this sort of thing is going to remind me, "oh yeah, don't bother."

Its really a marketing issue more than a price issue In fact, I'd probably be less likely to feel it was a big deal if it was something like 14.95 per month with no voip, or 15.25 per month with voip (roughly the same pricing, but whatever would be equivalent is fine).  


Don't take it as a personal insult, but you are posting on these boards, so take the feedback if you want it, or ignore it otherwise.

[EvilJohn]

?

I was attempting to ensure that all the information was present. If it came across as anything other than that, it was not my intent.

Feedback and your (being the forum) viewpoints are important, and I appreciate it regardless of its conclusion or if my opinion differs.

Edit (the above is unchanged) Addition:

Since being identified as in the industry, I consider myself a guest here and have no intention of doing much more than answering the questions that I can and observing/recording feedback (good or bad).

If it is ever felt that I am schilling (as in pushing my or RTW's viewpoint as a defense of criticism or feedback), then please by all means call me on it - but it has not been my intent nor will it be my intent. I have plenty of avenues of trying to publicize or market the game - I've been lurking here for years because I enjoy the discussions.

I'd prefer not to be red-named, but after a discussion with Schild, I felt it was more appropriate as I would be tempted to answer questions about APB and not identifying myself would feel disingenuous.

[Koyasha]

Well, after consideration I went ahead and ordered.  I had enough fun with the key to the city thing that I expect I will be able to get at least $50 worth of entertainment out of this.

Looked around some and I can't really find many guides with equipment/upgrade listings or what you need to do to get them, so if any of you find some, would be nice to see.  The official forums don't seem particularly helpful at all.

As far as the ads go, I really don't see why anyone would have an issue with an ad every couple hours on zoning.  As long as the ad doesn't delay my zoning, or interrupt me while I'm trying to do something, I see no reason to complain about it.  Advertisements are bad only when they get in my way.  That said, is there any actual benefit to the VOIP premium thing?  Or is it just removing ads for no particular reason?

[Kageru]

The advertising is bad because it shows the games desperation for a revenue trickle and a disrespect for its users.

Still, I hope those playing will keep us informed how it goes... Even those of us eagerly awaiting the crash would probably be happy to find out we were wrong.

[EvilJohn]

I'll check when our Game KB site is up and running which includes all the progression planning, more league information, and character(s) information - if it is delayed, I'll look into getting some of the information you're requesting posted (either here or on our community forums).

As far as the no-ad options, they are simply there as options for those who really abhor ads and would rather avoid them no matter the frequency.

It plays during loading or initial spawn point selection from my experiences.

[Malakili]

?

I was attempting to ensure that all the information was present. If it came across as anything other than that, it was not my intent.

Feedback and your (being the forum) viewpoints are important, and I appreciate it regardless of its conclusion or if my opinion differs.

Edit (the above is unchanged) Addition:

Since being identified as in the industry, I consider myself a guest here and have no intention of doing much more than answering the questions that I can and observing/recording feedback (good or bad).

If it is ever felt that I am schilling (as in pushing my or RTW's viewpoint as a defense of criticism or feedback), then please by all means call me on it - but it has not been my intent nor will it be my intent. I have plenty of avenues of trying to publicize or market the game - I've been lurking here for years because I enjoy the discussions.

I'd prefer not to be red-named, but after a discussion with Schild, I felt it was more appropriate as I would be tempted to answer questions about APB and not identifying myself would feel disingenuous.

As I said, no offense to you intended, I realize that you were just being clear, I wasn't commenting on what you said qua what you said, but rather the policy in general.  I think the policy of pay for no ads reflects poorly on APB, rather than your attitude which has seemed perfectly reasonable.

[Furiously]

What he said. It reeks of nickle and dimeing to have them and also have a point ability to turn them off. It makes me ask why I am going to pay a sub fee.

[LK]

Turning something like long load times into a positive.

or

Because what you need to make loading screens more interesting are ads.

[Ghambit]

or... load times were intentionally long so that ads could be placed

[SnakeCharmer]

It reeks of Nicole

I thought she smelled quite nicely.

[Margalis]

This game and revenue model seems designed to test the goodwill of gamers.

[Hoax]

So Global Agenda is now a 1-time purchase for full game?

How could that possibly be relevant to this game?

The revenue model will change on this one but I hope its before they have already lost the chance at having the big sub numbers they need for the game to be interesting.

[Ghambit]

Actually, since servers are only 100 people per district, sub. numbers really are pretty transparent to the populace. 

[Chinchilla]

Yes, that is true - however, the maximum frequency of a single 5-15 second ad being played as you enter a district is once every 3 hours. Therefore, you should not hear an ad in the VoIP system unless you zone and it has been more than 3 hours since your last zone/ad play.

If 3 hours is too frequent for your tastes, the options listed above can ensure that you don't hear any ads.

Personally 3 hours span for a 5 - 15 second ad?  I could careless.  Its called... take headphones off while I zone or listen to the ad if its a clever ad that can give ma chuckle.

We also offer voice fonts for 40 points for 90 day use per font - that's $1.00 per 3 months of use.

What are voice fonts?

[Chinchilla]

So let's see... a short 5 - 15 second ad and the sub price for unlimited is $10 where the norm out there is average $13.95-$15.

Hmmmmm... Where the hell do you sign me up?!

Hell... every MMO I have played can happily put in ads to save me $$ every month for as much as I care as long as it doesn't interrupt my gameplay like Koyasha said.

or... load times were intentionally long so that ads could be placed

I don't know much about load times being intentionally long for ads because my laptop isn't top of the line so just about anything takes a little bit to load.

[Mrbloodworth]

So Global Agenda is now a 1-time purchase for full game?

How could that possibly be relevant to this game?

The revenue model will change on this one but I hope its before they have already lost the chance at having the big sub numbers they need for the game to be interesting.

Yeah, GA at least has the fall back of having PvE, APB needs population, or the domino affect will kick in and dry up the population/game/fun, "tiny" fee or not, the whole VOIP thing is another consideration point I think that tips people to "no thanks". I personally don't care, I think its reasonable in delivery and won't affect me much (No more than I cared about it in Planetside), but we are talking about unreasonable gamers. I do find it odd, if they were looking for revenue streams, why not, in this setting, go ahead with the real world ads, it would have been less obtrusive, most would never have noticed. I find it odd to make gamers activity knowledgeable about ads and making them think about them and do something to turn them off, than simply adding them to the world and having them just be part of the atmosphere and out of mind with no action required ETC..

MMOFPS (MMG/MMOTPS, whatever) are an infant form of MMG, they have a lot of ground to cover to be as popular as RPG's, price point is a huge consideration for people, its sad to see this becoming more of an added hurdle to acceptance than the game and its style of play (shooter) itself that for many is already a hard nut to swallow for many.

I'm going to go ahead and assume RTW is not paying for the VOIP service, and its provided by VIOX, in exchange for the revenue from playing the ads.

[Chinchilla]

Maybe I missed the answer, but...

We also offer voice fonts for 40 points for 90 day use per font - that's $1.00 per 3 months of use.

What are voice fonts?

[Ghambit]

Maybe I missed the answer, but...

We also offer voice fonts for 40 points for 90 day use per font - that's $1.00 per 3 months of use.

What are voice fonts?

I believe you can mix your voice into something else... like a female, or a chipmunk.   
I use a voice mixer called screaming bee... does the same thing, for free or very small fee.

Honestly, woulda been better to just include it instead of charging extra.  It's one of those techs. that deserve a real push into a game, rather than a slight shove.

[Nija]

I hope that if this game bombs the ridiculous tricklestream marketing crap is blamed for it. I really don't look forward to other games adopting these ideas in the future. Voice ads when you zone? Nothx. I'd rather have 12 year olds on XBL calling me a (insert the racial slur of the week).

[Ghambit]

I dont mind ads, but they have to be fictional satire stuff... like Bubba Gump Shrimp or something (which ended up an actual brand post-movie).  There's no reason why large popular games cant spinoff viable business from fictional ads.  I liken it to popping a minis market for avatars or latex repros. of gear.  I this case, a fictional ad on APB might generate aftermaket tuner or detail kits for cars, clothing, and so on.

(sigh)

And remember, the fictional ads in the GTA franchise were extremely well received... to the point many foresaw RL adaptations.  Just like the radio stations.
But in APB's case, it's like RTW is trying their best to totally destroy all that was good about the GTA series - largely taking the "easy road" to development rather than putting a bit more effort into something and producing genius, which in turn produces more money in the long term.

[Rasix]

I dont mind ads, but they have to be fictional satire stuff... like Bubba Gump Shrimp

To pick a nit, these restaurants exist.  Mostly in tourist traps.

[Morfiend]

I dont mind ads, but they have to be fictional satire stuff... like Bubba Gump Shrimp

To pick a nit, these restaurants exist.  Mostly in tourist traps.

I went to one once. It was pretty damn tasty. The best part being, a shrimp and fish restaurant right across the street from the Lone Beach Aquarium. Nothing like looking at ocean life all day to make you hungry for some Shrimp. 

[Ghambit]

I dont mind ads, but they have to be fictional satire stuff... like Bubba Gump Shrimp

To pick a nit, these restaurants exist.  Mostly in tourist traps.

They also had/have an entire line of frozen seafood.  It was a craze at one point.

[Kageru]

So let's see... a short 5 - 15 second ad and the sub price for unlimited is $10 where the norm out there is average $13.95-$15.

Hmmmmm... Where the hell do you sign me up?!

Hell... every MMO I have played can happily put in ads to save me $$ every month for as much as I care as long as it doesn't interrupt my gameplay like Koyasha said.

I think it is more trying to have the sub price accurately reflect the amount of content the game has to offer. In which case, compared to something like WoW, APB with its mighty two zones and repetitive gameplay right from the start is almost certainly drastically over-priced.

[HaemishM]

What he said. It reeks of nickle and dimeing to have them and also have a point ability to turn them off. It makes me ask why I am going to pay a sub fee.

Yeah, this. I work in advertising, and I think VOIP ads are pretty shitty, no matter how infrequent. But I guess I know why zone loading times are so long.  

There aren't really distinct lines for what is acceptable and what's not, but this one tickles my spider-sense.

EDIT: A better, more organic way to handle it would have been putting the ads into the radio stations that play when you are driving.

[LK]

When Star Wars: The Old Republic comes out with its massive, massive amount of PvE content, it may very well destroy this game.

[Lantyssa]

I don't think they are catering to the same audience.  I wouldn't even look beyond Real Time Worlds on whether this succeeds or fails.