Where has Frontier promised it will not charge a subscription for ED?

ffr · Feb 17, 2015

Thank you.

Peter_Quill · Feb 17, 2015

They stated it several times in the forums and pre-release. You will only have to pay for the game once and for future expantions if you want them (planet landing, walking around and stuff)

tagos · Feb 17, 2015

In The FAQ

Will the game be free-to-play after the initial purchase?

We do not plan to make it subscription-based. Once you have purchased the game up front, you will be able to play thereafter for no further cost. Everything in the game will be purchasable with in-game Credits, earned from trading, bounty-hunting, etc. We will probably allow the supplemental purchase of Credits with real money, for those who want to accelerate their progress through the game.

We do plan to charge for additional updates, to be available sometime after the original release. These will offer additional content, features and gameplay.

Fian · Feb 17, 2015

They don't need to state it really - they sold the game to you without specifying that you would need to pay a subscription to continue playing, they would not be able to unilaterally "change the rules" now without offering a refund.

freehotdawgs · Feb 17, 2015

I think it's pretty safe to say that the subscription model for games is on its way out for good. Unless your game has been doing it for ages like WoW or Eve, it's probably not going to do very well. That's why most online games are going with micro transactions because it's optional for players and ends up making a lot more money anyway.

[VR] Mad Mike · Feb 17, 2015

Time also shows us that games tend to attempt monthly subs, and then have to ditch them and try for F2P.

I cant think of a single example of a game which successfully migrated from a pay once over to a pay monthly model.... and even if it did, I can only imagine it could only be for new gamers only, and not dumped on existing players of the game who bought a product without said fee!. Would it even be legal? (Genuine question, I have no idea) It certainly would not be moral imo

mono · Feb 17, 2015

Exactly. Why people would think otherwise (only twice in a day so far) is beyond me.

Fian said:
They don't need to state it really - they sold the game to you without specifying that you would need to pay a subscription to continue playing, they would not be able to unilaterally "change the rules" now without offering a refund.

Top Cat · Feb 17, 2015

Fian said:
They don't need to state it really - they sold the game to you without specifying that you would need to pay a subscription to continue playing, they would not be able to unilaterally "change the rules" now without offering a refund.

Unless they also included a section in the terms and conditions that allows them to vary any poart of the terms and conditions as they see fit. Then they can impose a fee.

Something along the lines of "reserves the right to modify, alter, amend, or update this EULA at any time in its sole discretion".

However, the EULA also caters for a monthly fee:

"These services and Online Features may, however, require payment of additional fees."

So it wont take much for them to be able to start charging, but being able to do something doesnt mean they will.

ffr · Feb 17, 2015

We do not plan to make it subscription-based

Plans often change when a company can't pay the bills.

Once you have purchased the game up front, you will be able to play thereafter for no further cost.

That's a promise to backers only, no?

Everything in the game will be purchasable with in-game Credits

A promise already broken on paint jobs.

Any firmer statement of the promise to be found?

Tox Laximus · Feb 17, 2015

They have not produced the game that people were expecting and now they have to find a way of getting more funding, there are two options.

1. Go with all out greed and rake in as much as possible by changing the game to p2p.
2. Make the game people want to buy and then they can get more money from console market.

I'm not sure changing a game to p2p is even legal, I would imagine it breaks the buyer contract, I'm not talking about the elite terms and conditions I'm talking about real consumer laws and they are quite strick in the UK.

Kayweg · Feb 17, 2015

Mad Mike said:
Time also shows us that games tend to attempt monthly subs, and then have to ditch them and try for F2P.

I cant think of a single example of a game which successfully migrated from a pay once over to a pay monthly model.... and even if it did, I can only imagine it could only be for new gamers only, and not dumped on existing players of the game who bought a product without said fee!. Would it even be legal? (Genuine question, I have no idea) It certainly would not be moral imo

Apart from the proverbial hitting the fan, i have my doubts about the legal implications too.

It would be interesting to hear from someone with actual knowledge of consumer rights on this topic.

Personally i'd immediately stop playing, not because i don't subscribe to games in general, but because i'd consider it "bait and switch"....and i don't even care if the term would fit legally or not, that's how i'd perceive it.

Storm in a tea cup anyway, it won't happen.

AnnuverScotinExile · Feb 17, 2015

tagos said:
In The FAQ

Will the game be free-to-play after the initial purchase?

Gosh a FAQ that is actually frequently asked. There's a novelty.

Viajero · Feb 17, 2015

ffr said:
Thank you.

I dont think they have ever promised that categorically.

FDEV current revenue model simply suggests it would not be their preference at the moment.

Welcome.

AnnuverScotinExile · Feb 17, 2015

Tox Laximus said:
They have not produced the game that people were expecting and now they have to find a way of getting more funding, there are two options.

1. Go with all out greed and rake in as much as possible by changing the game to p2p.
2. Make the game people want to buy and then they can get more money from console market.

I'm not sure changing a game to p2p is even legal, I would imagine it breaks the buyer contract, I'm not talking about the elite terms and conditions I'm talking about real consumer laws and they are quite strick in the UK.

Given all the noise about the peer to peer networking, using p2p to mean pay to play is likely to confuse a lot of people ...

Skip Intro · Feb 17, 2015

ffr said:
Any firmer statement of the promise to be found?

Yes, it's with all of the other secret documentation that David Braben is hiding from you. Just you that is, we all have a copy that we've promised to keep secret, coz lolz.

Will this be your latest nickpick that you'll bang on about ad nauseum, I wonder?

Jmanis · Feb 17, 2015

Where has Frontier promised it will not introduce microtransactions?
Where has Frontier promised it will not unfairly disadvantage any player?
Where has Frontier promised it will not support cage eggs?
Where has Frontier promised it will not take a negative stance on climate change?
Where has... oh dear, you get the drift.

If Frontier started making promises about everything it *won't* do we'd be here forever....

Titus Balls · Feb 17, 2015

In a way they already do, it's optional and via the MT store - what else do you think £10 for a digital skin goes to?

Hadron-Higgs-Boson · Feb 17, 2015

I'm curious is there something driving the 'subscription' threads, this is the second in as many days?

Quineloe · Feb 17, 2015

It would be illegal to start charging a fee. Not even refund offers would get them out of it.

Skip Intro · Feb 17, 2015

Hadron-Higgs-Boson said:
I'm curious is there something driving the 'subscription' threads, this is the second in as many days?

OP needs a new bone to chew after failing to get 'documented proof' on another topic. Next up is "David Braben killed my budgie. Prove he didn't."