RuneScape Forum Archive | F2P Trial Expansion

OsrsNeedsF2P

Posts: 536 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Hello. Whether or not this will be read, I really want a Jmod to try the following to get their heart broken by these poor F2Pers who play.

First off, they don't UNDERSTAND why they only have 2 weeks, they don't get anything really. I was speaking to one noob in particular who was heart broken saying his main was banned. I asked why, and he said he didn't know but he had to pay to get it unbanned. It seemed rather weird, and I knew he misinterpreted it so I asked him to try and log on again. He said it says he was banned. So I broke the rules and asked if I could log in and examine it, he said sure and gave me the details and I found out his F2P trial was over.

He was completely broken over it, he thought it was the end of the world or something and he started asking "why would they not let me play" and he started taking it personally.

Everywhere I went on these F2P worlds people were experiencing the same thing.

They literally don't understand the things we do on these forums. They don't read it properly because they don't know why they should. Everyone was a clueless noob at one point, and you Jmods really need to understand it better, because I don't know if you take them seriously enough.

These noobs don't know anything even after you tell them what's going on. So you, please, just let them keep playing... It makes me tear up thinking about these noobs who go "my accounts keep getting banned why should I play anymore?"..

It will be a lot more touching if you experience it yourself. Go try, Jmods. Useful clanchats:
[07 Altar] - Gilded Altar Hosting || [ffdn36] - Nature Rune Running || Leech BA - Barbarian Assault leeching || [W 385] - F2P Competitive Community || [Ironman CC* - Ironman Help and Support || [OsrsNeedsF2P] - Chatting Channel || [05 skills] - F2P Friends Chat

24-Jul-2014 16:03:19

1EyedOwl

Posts: 858 Gold Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Given how serious the matter is, and how much ftp effects the game I think the way you're going about this is horrible. In my interpretation, the game is clearly designed around there being both ftp and p2p options. (example:rune essence) Its not a matter of being something players want, its a flaw in the game we all have to work out. The only thing I have a problem with, is the idea that its being put down because of financial reasons that would effect the games future. In my opinion, the decision to take a bite of cake with salt on it should be the people who play the games decision, not jagex's. However, given there reasoning I doubt this decision was made by someone who works on the game specifically or will say read this at some point.

24-Jul-2014 16:43:48

FapTilliCrap

Posts: 59 Iron Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I'm happy with the overall attention that is being brought to OSRS. The games economy is going great and having a trial period for people to experience F2p OSRS is a definite plus. I'm seeing some of the community come back and as OSRS plants it's roots it's bound to have to be pulled a few different ways before it's perfect! Everyone needs to sit back relax and realize that OSRS is back (we wanted that) and it's going to need some tinkerin' before it's just right. Patience!

Baseline:::: For a small fee of $5.00USD-$8.00USD (Var. Memb Prices & Payment Styles) you can play EoC, EoC Legacy, OSRS /w updates and content + future. We have nothing to complain about here.

Thanks,
THC.

24-Jul-2014 18:41:40

zencia

Posts: 48 Bronze Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I just want to start by saying I frequently read old-school RuneScape update discussion forums, but rarely post.

I only do so now because I feel that I can add something to the discussion...

In regards to the success of the trial, you (Mod Mat K) said that newly created accounts saw an immediate 30% reduction in membership.
Unless I've misunderstood something, that means an astounding 70% of newly created accounts with access to the free two-week trial chose instead to forgo the trial, and subscribed without even so much as sampling what the game has to offer.

That's phenomenal! Unless these numbers are somehow obfuscated by accounts created for the main RuneScape game (legacy or whatever) in a way that I fail to comprehend, this, to me would indicate that the players creating new accounts have immense faith in the quality of old-school RuneScape. (Another possible explanation might be that for some reason many creators of new accounts were ignorant to the existence of the free trial)

(sorry, this post is long)

The F2P trial expansion news post on July 23 confirms that the trial was a success, specifically, the increase in paying members every day since the start of the trial, and the best F2P to P2P conversion rate RuneScape has experienced in the last five years.
(This makes me happy, as I'm sure it does you) The team also observed something they found surprising, the number of players subscribing old existing accounts after playing the trail on a newly created account.

(As a side note: In regards to what the school team noted about many players reporting that their "friends didn't want to return to the game and start a new account" I think it is very important to differentiate between 'account' (which could be interpreted as login information i.e. username/******** OR their previous character's gained experience in skills, money, quests etc.)

And now, finally, I am getting to my main point. But I have run out of space, continued in part 2

24-Jul-2014 18:53:26 - Last edited on 24-Jul-2014 19:07:55 by zencia

zencia

Posts: 48 Bronze Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

It will be interesting to see if what changes, if any, occur after opening the trial to the pre-existing accounts of players who have not been a member for 90 days (this might be confusing to some - the trail is still 2-weeks long)... I cannot imagine it will result in a negative outcome.

But it fails to address a large problem.

New accounts doesn't necessary mean new players.

While I loved the full F2P option back in 2007, and years prior, I concede that it cannot exist in the same form today. However, the two week trial is insufficient as a replacement. (despite its apparent success thus far)

What I think the two week trial succeeds to do so well is remind returning veteran players who experienced the game long ago of the fun they had, and re-assure them that it still has the same appeal it held to them long ago. This to me seems like it is obvious looking at the data which indicates that nearly 40% of the new accounts that entered the trial, and later subscribed, subscribed within the first day, and the average time played by accounts who later subscribed was 23 hours.

I realize what I'm about to say is a bit anecdotal but I still think it has value:
I do not think I know a single RuneScape player (particularly those who played in 2007 or the years prior) who did not spend extensive amounts time wandering the forests of Lumbridge completely lost, dying at the hands of the dark wizards south of Varrock, killing cows, chickens and picking cabbage. Hell, I thought that I had discovered an amazing money making method by camping the bronze med helm spawn in Draynor Manor.

And yet, somehow, I eventually defeated Evlarg.

It takes a long time to master the basics of runescape, but that's what makes it good. I've been playing more than half my life and I'm still learning.

I think I speak for many when I say I wasn't ready to pay a recurring membership fee two weeks after creating my first account.

It probably took me two months just to get my bearings.

24-Jul-2014 18:54:43

zencia

Posts: 48 Bronze Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

If this game is going to see long term success, some form of F2P must exist to draw in new players. In my mind, the best way to achieve this would be to offer a one time fee at the end of the totally free 2-week trial, $10 or something, that would let users continue to access their account of f2p worlds, indefinitely, or for a long enough time to get more comfortable with the game... Perhaps a year, this could provide a sunset provision or clause of sorts, in this way jagex could provide a long term limited experience to those who aren't ready to commit to a monthly subscription with members benefits.

Perhaps it could be called "Fee to Play"

If anyone reads this whole thing, thank you, your awesome*

**;DR new accounts =/= new players, and old-school-runescape needs more noobs

24-Jul-2014 18:59:39

Dutt

Posts: 5 Bronze Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

We need F2P for this games future, F2P will bring new players to the game. And if F2P is a money problem why not have adds on the runescape browser for F2P players. If adds dosent work make players buy F2P for a unlimited time or something.

F2P Pking is the thing i enjoy to the most on this game and the ondly way to bring F2P pking back is to make it open for everyone. I hope u can make changes and in**duse F2P permenently!

Much love <3

24-Jul-2014 19:14:17 - Last edited on 24-Jul-2014 19:14:47 by Dutt

Voxmore

Posts: 3 Bronze Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Have I misunderstood or is it possible for a new account to try out the F2P trial? I wanted to see if I had ever played Old School before on an another account of mine, but I couldn't log onto an F2P server.

Help, please?

24-Jul-2014 21:12:23

Bow To Wali

Posts: 404 Silver Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Jagex being Jagex...Beating around the bush at any possible chance. Making 07 permanently f2p wasn't a difficult task at all. Neglecting niches like the f2p pking community is what continues to keep your game stagnant. OSRS will not last, I guarantee it. Seems like you guys are making a great transition to your terrible transformers game and milking what you can out of both EoC and OSRS before it ends. Good luck with that

25-Jul-2014 01:37:40

Ostmumten

Posts: 1,030 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Original message details are unavailable.
Have I misunderstood or is it possible for a new account to try out the F2P trial? I wanted to see if I had ever played Old School before on an another account of mine, but I couldn't log onto an F2P server.

Help, please?

I am in the exact same situation.

25-Jul-2014 02:07:31

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F2P Trial Expansion