Hellgate:London Subscription details......

"According to the details reprinted by Hellgate Guru, Hellgate: London online players will have the option of paying a $9.95 monthly fee for an Elite subscription, which confers a number of advantages over the standard free online membership. For their payment, Elite subscribers will receive 12 character slots rather than three, access to a Diablo II-esque Hardcore mode, the freedom to bypass server queues, account-wide storage for 40 items (as opposed to 20 items for non-Elites), permission to create guilds and attain officer status, distinguishing Elite features, in-game VIP shuttles, and 24-hour customer support. Elite and non-Elite players may interact fully within the game world, and non-Elite players may join guilds.

Flagship plans to support Hellgate: London with regularly released additional content, potentially as frequently as twice a month. Studio CEO Bill Roper has noted that Flagship has always planned to add content to the game on a regular basis, but would need an appropriate financial model to do so.

"What you're getting with that service is you're getting 24/7 customer service, secure servers, databases, and the biggest thing is that you're getting continuing content," Roper explained to Shacknews in January, prior to the pricing finalization. "We'll have a full dev team that's on the project from day one. Actually, right when you buy the game, when it launches there will already be content available that you can't get in the single-player--additional monsters, areas, all the community and economy things, you'll be able to form guilds, auction houses, all those things you expect from MMOs."

http://www.shacknews.com/ 

My concerns for non-elite:

Server queues?  

No hardcore mode...

New content for Elite only?

Are there going to be separate servers for Elite and Non-Elite? I don't want to face people with godly items I can't get.

How's the Customer Support for Non-Elite?

I am going to wait a while now and see how things turn out. 

Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support?  These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P  Server queues, pfah.MyopicCanadian

does dell give out free technical support just because you buy a computer from them?  they sure don't.  tech support costs money, even if it's crappy.

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"]Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support?  These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P  Server queues, pfah.eitremn

does dell give out free technical support just because you buy a computer from them?  they sure don't.  tech support costs money, even if it's crappy.

And they don't make money from selling the game...?

Some more info an what all the single player entails would be helpful. Such as, am I going to be limited to three characters period, or is that just a limit for multiplay? Are queues tied to the whole game? E.I. I'm going to have to queue up to log into one of my three characters just to play single player?

Well at least they're finally putting some real info out there for us to see, although I don't know how much I'm liking what I'm seeing.

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"]Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support? These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P Server queues, pfah.eitremn

does dell give out free technical support just because you buy a computer from them? they sure don't. tech support costs money, even if it's crappy.

Agreed, ntm WoW still had long server queues even though everyone is paying, and who the hell is giving free 24 hour tech support, I don't think any game does really. I would like to see mroe details on how the online is structured, I would honestly rather have it be more like diablo 2 than a modern mmorpg. I'm completely burned out on MMO's I can't even get into them now. I don't play games to join some social network I just want it to be easy to play with my real friends. 

[QUOTE="eitremn"]

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"]Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support?  These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P  Server queues, pfah.MyopicCanadian

does dell give out free technical support just because you buy a computer from them?  they sure don't.  tech support costs money, even if it's crappy.

And they don't make money from selling the game...?

sure they do if enough units sell, but tech support will be ongoing, game sales wont.  well not at a steady rate anyway after everyone already has there copy.  you have to realize that this is a business that is trying to make profits, and as many of them as they can, to ensure that they can continue to make video games in the future.  if they spend all their profits on free tech support and free servers yada yada, then that does nothing for the R&D department and doesn't extend the longevity of the company.  not to mention they are going to have to cover the costs of an eventual expansion provided the game does well.

Does anyone actually care anymore? The lack of news and now subscription prices pushed H:L way off the chain. I don't think this game will actually sell lots of copies. Just for the hardcore who have followed this game fanatically.

It got shoved over by the landslide of other new PC games, like SupCom, CnC3, STALKER, WoW: BC, etc...

why dont they just say pay 10 dollars to play instead of doing this whole elite thing...s1lentHomer

It seems like a good deal. I'll only get pissed if elite users get access to high powered items that normal users can't get. Everything else about the differences seem fair and really won't affect the gameplay that much. onemic

Just sickening, why not just charge for every game now. People have obviously been brainwashed to believe this nonsense about huge maintenance costs, servers tech-support, yadda yadda yadda. All i have to say Guildwars has no fees, it survives so have thousands and thousands of games before that. All get patches all have tech support and also guess what some even have free bonus content, UT anyone?

Wake up people most companies are corporations meaning they HAVE to make money for shareholders. In fact I GUARANTEE it woun't cost 10$ a month to maintain especially since more users = less cost per user (economics 101 for our uneducated brainwashed masses).

Just say its to make money and be done with it, I have no problem with paying for something I enjoy, I know its an industry and I know it wants to make money. Sad thing is all these "elite users" are eating up the slop big companies throw at them, truly a sad state for gaming.  

IMO 

People have obviously been brainwashed to believe this nonsense about huge maintenance costs, servers tech-support, yadda yadda yadda. All i have to say Guildwars has no fees, it survives so have thousands and thousands of games before that.concord9

More Bad News:

* Multiplay will be free!
* Elite Multiplay will cost you $9.95 a month
* Secure, closed servers hold your characters, even if you're not Elite
* Elite players get 24/7 phone and online support; plebs get basic online support as with any other game
* If there are queues to get on a server, Elite players go to the front
* Elite players can have 12 characters in total; plebs get 3
* Elite players can store around 40 items in "lockers" spread throughout the world; plebs can have 20. Elite players can also transfer these items to characters on other servers; plebs cannot
* Elite players get unique gear and can wield the most powerful weapons in the game. Said weapons can also be emailed by the Elite to others of their kind
* Elite players can board shuttles that transport them quickly to hard-to-reach corners of London
* Elite players can become officers of guilds and own, enter, or operate player housing and guild buildings; plebs can be members of guilds, but will not be allowed to enter said buildings, or purchase property for themselves
* Elite players get access to more gametypes; plebs not allowed into servers or areas where those gametypes are operating
* Elite players will get new content each month, such as new monsters, new gametypes, new items, and so on 

http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29616

Thanks GAF for the info. 

* Elite players get unique gear and can wield the most powerful weapons in the game.

bigmit37

Well. Looks like I'll only be playing with my friends then.

More Bad News:

 

* Multiplay will be free!
* Elite Multiplay will cost you $9.95 a month
* Secure, closed servers hold your characters, even if you're not Elite
* Elite players get 24/7 phone and online support; plebs get basic online support as with any other game
* If there are queues to get on a server, Elite players go to the front
* Elite players can have 12 characters in total; plebs get 3
* Elite players can store around 40 items in "lockers" spread throughout the world; plebs can have 20. Elite players can also transfer these items to characters on other servers; plebs cannot
* Elite players get unique gear and can wield the most powerful weapons in the game. Said weapons can also be emailed by the Elite to others of their kind
* Elite players can board shuttles that transport them quickly to hard-to-reach corners of London
* Elite players can become officers of guilds and own, enter, or operate player housing and guild buildings; plebs can be members of guilds, but will not be allowed to enter said buildings, or purchase property for themselves
* Elite players get access to more gametypes; plebs not allowed into servers or areas where those gametypes are operating
* Elite players will get new content each month, such as new monsters, new gametypes, new items, and so on

http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29616

 

Thanks GAF for the info.

bigmit37

Okay now I 100% take back what I said before. This whole subscription thing is complete BS. You basically have to be elite if you want to play competitively. Plus the get new game content while normal users don't? WTF is up with this? I'm still buying hellgate: london, but I'm just disappointed at the devs for even attempting to pull something like this. Like someone else said guild wars is free and it's a whole lot closer to becoming an MMO than hellgate: london will ever be. Not only that but GW2 will be persistent and have no subscription fees.  

[QUOTE="concord9"]People have obviously been brainwashed to believe this nonsense about huge maintenance costs, servers tech-support, yadda yadda yadda. All i have to say Guildwars has no fees, it survives so have thousands and thousands of games before that.Makari

Not successful means not enough profit for the risk in developing the game. Does not mean it's loosing money cause if it was Guildwars would be dead a long time ago. And last I Heard there's no monthly charge in Guildwars 2 either so there is hope :) 

Well in light of this new information, I'll most likely be passing on this game unless it gets phenomenal reviews. Charging for expanded multiplayer content is fine by me, but if you're going to nerf the single player experience for people that don't want to pay the extra fee, you can stuff it.Alaris83

You have no limit to the amount of characters you can have in singleplayer. Everything you get in the box when you buy it is avaliable for single player and multiplayer at no charge.

A clarification. The elite items do NOT have any difference in stats. They only change the appearance of the character. You can get these pretty looking in single player too if you pay the subscription.

Not sure by what you mean they are "nerfing" single player. Free online just gets a few more things. Theres no need for auction houses and guild halls offline.

I also havent heard anything about player housing. I dont know wher Evil Avatar got that from. 

[QUOTE="Alaris83"]Well in light of this new information, I'll most likely be passing on this game unless it gets phenomenal reviews. Charging for expanded multiplayer content is fine by me, but if you're going to nerf the single player experience for people that don't want to pay the extra fee, you can stuff it.XaosII

You have no limit to the amount of characters you can have in singleplayer. Everything you get in the box when you buy it is avaliable for single player and multiplayer at no charge.

A clarification. The elite items do NOT have any difference in stats. They only change the appearance of the character. You can get these pretty looking in single player too if you pay the subscription.

They said you get the best items in the game if you get elite. That sure doesn't sound like it's purely cosmetic to me. Plus only elite users get new content, which is absolute BS. Even a money grubbing company like EA gives out new modes and features to their games for free.(i.e. battlefield 2)  

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="Alaris83"]Well in light of this new information, I'll most likely be passing on this game unless it gets phenomenal reviews. Charging for expanded multiplayer content is fine by me, but if you're going to nerf the single player experience for people that don't want to pay the extra fee, you can stuff it.onemic

You have no limit to the amount of characters you can have in singleplayer. Everything you get in the box when you buy it is avaliable for single player and multiplayer at no charge.

A clarification. The elite items do NOT have any difference in stats. They only change the appearance of the character. You can get these pretty looking in single player too if you pay the subscription.

They said you get the best items in the game if you get elite. That sure doesn't sound like it's purely cosmetic to me. Plus only elite users get new content, which is absolute BS. Even a money grubbing company like EA gives out new modes and features to their games for free.(i.e. battlefield 2)

Maybe this will ease your mind:

http://hellgateguru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=80908&postcount=208

The Flagship Community Moderators tend to joke around a lot, but its official. Dont have anything more to say about the updates and whether or not its also updates for the free multiplayer. Of course, everyone get balancing patches, but theres not info on what the updates even are - whether its even worth the price.

EDIT: Another reply from the CM. A bit of a mrketing spin, but at least its in touch with its fanbase:

http://hellgateguru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=80946&postcount=234 

You have no limit to the amount of characters you can have in singleplayer. Everything you get in the box when you buy it is avaliable for single player and multiplayer at no charge.

A clarification. The elite items do NOT have any difference in stats. They only change the appearance of the character. You can get these pretty looking in single player too if you pay the subscription.

Not sure by what you mean they are "nerfing" single player. Free online just gets a few more things. Theres no need for auction houses and guild halls offline.

I also havent heard anything about player housing. I dont know wher Evil Avatar got that from.

XaosII

Well as long as I don't have to queue up and log in just to play single player and I'm not limited to 3 characters in single player, I'm fine with it. That was just the impression I got from the info above. If that's not the case, I'm glad to hear it.

[QUOTE="onemic"][QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="Alaris83"]Well in light of this new information, I'll most likely be passing on this game unless it gets phenomenal reviews. Charging for expanded multiplayer content is fine by me, but if you're going to nerf the single player experience for people that don't want to pay the extra fee, you can stuff it.XaosII

You have no limit to the amount of characters you can have in singleplayer. Everything you get in the box when you buy it is avaliable for single player and multiplayer at no charge.

A clarification. The elite items do NOT have any difference in stats. They only change the appearance of the character. You can get these pretty looking in single player too if you pay the subscription.

They said you get the best items in the game if you get elite. That sure doesn't sound like it's purely cosmetic to me. Plus only elite users get new content, which is absolute BS. Even a money grubbing company like EA gives out new modes and features to their games for free.(i.e. battlefield 2)

Maybe this will ease your mind:

http://hellgateguru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=80908&postcount=208

The Flagship Community Moderators tend to joke around a lot, but its official. Dont have anything more to say about the updates and whether or not its also updates for the free multiplayer. Of course, everyone get balancing patches, but theres not info on what the updates even are - whether its even worth the price.

Thank you. That has eased my mind quite a bit, although I'm still disappointed with the whole elite exclusive updated game content. People normally get that kind of stuff for free. If both types of users get it with elite users getting special types of DL game content then I won't mind.  

Well as long as I don't have to queue up and log in just to play single player and I'm not limited to 3 characters in single player, I'm fine with it. That was just the impression I got from the info above. If that's not the case, I'm glad to hear it.

Alaris83

I dont want to sound like a corporate shill for these guys.

But yeah, i can see how may have been a bit confusing. Thers no logging in or authentication for singleplayer, and no limit for characters offline. Its 3 characters stored server-side for free multiplayer in order to prevent hacking and stuff. For singleplayer its exactly like Diablo.

[QUOTE="concord9"]People have obviously been brainwashed to believe this nonsense about huge maintenance costs, servers tech-support, yadda yadda yadda. All i have to say Guildwars has no fees, it survives so have thousands and thousands of games before that.Makari

Bottom line though: GW 2 will have no monthly fees, thats a fact.

[QUOTE="Makari"][QUOTE="concord9"]People have obviously been brainwashed to believe this nonsense about huge maintenance costs, servers tech-support, yadda yadda yadda. All i have to say Guildwars has no fees, it survives so have thousands and thousands of games before that.AFBrat77

Bottom line though: GW 2 will have no monthly fees, thats a fact.

the monthly fee is for the more serious player, if you want to be 'competitive' then to be better you obviously can't just play casually. Of course, if you're playing mmo's for competitiveness, you're in the wrong gaming genre, its called a fps.

Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support?  These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P  Server queues, pfah.MyopicCanadian

And new content packs every 4 months, exclusively for subscribers - read the Bill Roper Interview at Gamespy...

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hellgate-london/786714p1.html

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"]Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support? These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P Server queues, pfah.Netherscourge

And new content packs every 4 months, exclusively for subscribers - read the Bill Roper Interview at Gamespy...

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hellgate-london/786714p1.html

[QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

[QUOTE="MyopicCanadian"]Wow.. 9.95 a month for the privilege to bypass server queues and actually receive 24-hour customer support? These things should be a given for simply purchasing the game :P Server queues, pfah.Makari

And new content packs every 4 months, exclusively for subscribers - read the Bill Roper Interview at Gamespy...

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hellgate-london/786714p1.html

Wait a minute....Now PVP is only for elite players? Just when I was okay with the whole pricing thing, the devs have gone and done it again.....First no content updates for non-subscribers and then this.....

I'm just dissapointed right now, especially when this game isn't even a damn MMO.  

Absoultely rediculous and insulting for them to ask for people to pay them a monthly fee for a non-mmo game. That is actually highly frustrating and I personnally will be very causous about picking this one up because I for one do not enjoy funding lame ass companies who would pull some sh*t such as this. The fact that they are asking for payment for something that multiple other games of the same genre have freely offered to the public is disgusting.

Edit: LOL just read that article, there is no god damn way I will touch this game now. Greedy sons of b*tchs want everyone who wants to play the game competitively to pay them for some pos 2002ish multiplayer options, great philosphy scum bags. 

Absoultely rediculous and insulting for them to ask for people to pay them a monthly fee for a non-mmo game. That is actually highly frustrating and I personnally will be very causous about picking this one up because I for one do not enjoy funding lame ass companies who would pull some sh*t such as this. The fact that they are asking for payment for something that multiple other games of the same genre have freely offered to the public is disgusting.

 

Edit: LOL just read that article, there is no god damn way I will touch this game now. Greedy sons of b*tchs want everyone who wants to play the game competitively to pay them for some pos 2002ish multiplayer options, great philosphy scum bags.

GG_No_Re

What's wrong with just playing the single player?? That's what I will most likely be doing. MP is just an afterthought.... 

thing is, people tend to compare their experience with one another. there's a feeling of someone feeling shortchanged(?) just because there are others that just happens to afford a subscription. New Classes, new locations.. And you see someone running around and you just drool at them because you can't afford to pay subscription. if you remove the subscription, you won't have anything to drool about. everybody feels equal. that makes people feel better. but hey, in the real world, more money means more power. and that also applies to games now.. so Elite players, rejoice, there are tons of contents waiting for you. for basic, sorry you have to make do what's there right out of the box, coz you don't have the money. but hey again, they're a company. the main purpose is to earn money, not please the customers. pleasing customers comes second. you dn't please people without earnign something right? that's the way the world works.kerwinramos

Except that everything Elite users get is meaningless. The better gear just looks better....doesnt have better stats.

And the new areas dont make a difference. Every player can hit level 99 since you'll just restart in a higher difficulty. Elite players just had more content to go throgh before restarting, but they arent going to get better gear from it, since anyone can level to 99.

You are making the assumption they are offering double what the regular game does if you are elite. And your justification for pirating this game is becase other people have gear - with the exact same functionality - that looks a little cooler is making you feel like you are inadequate. Very cute.

If you'd actually bother to look and realize whats being offered, a lot of people dont feel like its worth paying for it because it doesnt offer much. Extra content doesnt mean they'll be higher leveled. Elite gear isnt better. No one care about premium customer support. Extra character slots are nice, but few are ever going to fill all 12 slots up, you have infinite character slots in singleplayer, and it'll take time for alot of players to even make a 2nd character. Guild housing and officer status is only of interest to a few dedicated players.

Let me ask you this: What in that list of Elite things that being offered you think is worth paying for on day 1? What of those things you think you'll benefit from on the very first day of playing? Even the free mode is still offering more than what Diablo 2 is.