The latest instalment of our F2Pmeter will have a closer look at the free-to-play-ness of Star Trek Online. Set in the iconic Star Trek universe, this massively multiplayer online role-playing game was first released in 2010 as a subscription-based title but started out anew 2 years later with an F2P option, which will be examined here.

As players immerse themselves in the universe of the popular Star Trek fiction in this game, they will reach out to unexplored star systems, visit iconic locations and make contact with new alien species.

STO sports great customisation options for characters and ships, ground as well as space combat, and the mighty Foundry tool which allows users to generate their own stories and missions to then share them with other players.

Just like all testing candidates before, Star Trek Online begins with a 100% of free-to-play-ness, and depending on how our questions have to be answered, this percentage will change. So here we go then...

No. Since 2012, when Star Trek Online re-launched with an F2P option in addition to its formerly exclusively subscription-based model, it's absolutely free for everybody to register for an account in order to download the game and start playing it.

 

 

Yes (optinal) – -15%. STO still maintains multiple optional subscription plans that are available on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and lifetime basis ($14.99/ $13.99/ $12.99 per month / $299.99 once). Subscription-based membership provides customers with perks such as extra character/ inventory/ bank slots, access to more daily Dilithium refinement, monthly bonus premium currency and more.

 

 

No (but...) – -5%. The majority of new content the game receives with regular updates is freely available to all users, but there are also so-called DLC packs available for purchase with real-world cash via the official website, which include a variety of different starships, bridge offers, and so on. And we actually have certain doubts that it’s possible to obtain them by any other way than purchasing them with cash.

 

 

Yes – -5%. The in-game in STO has a wide range of premium items on offer that can be purchased with the Zen premium currency (only available for real-world currency). Customers are offered XP and recommendation gain boosts, additional bank and officer slots, ship equipment, officer bundles, cosmetic items such as uniforms and, of course, premium starships.

 

 

Yes – -15%. Most of the stuff offered to paying members of the community may only help them save time, make their in-game life more convenient or allow for aesthetical customisation; however, there are also things on offer that indeed do grant a certain gameplay advantage, as it is the case with superior starships and additional officer slots.

 

 

No. The UI customisation options the game offers aren’t that plentiful and only include things like resizing the chat box. However, the little that is available can be done for free by any player. There's nothing paying members could spend their money on in order to receive additional customisation options.

 

 

No – -15%. There are 3 classes all players may choose from without limitations when creating their character. The array of playable races is considerably wider and the majority is available for free, some, however, have to be unlocked by spending Zen.

 

 

No. The auction-house in STO is called The Exchange the use of which isn't restricted in any way.

 

 

Yes – -10%. Players are only able to expand their limited inventory (free-to-play accounts 60 slots/ Gold member accounts up to 96 slots) by spending Zen for additional slots. It's absolutely the same with bank slots (free-to-play accounts 60 slots/ Gold member accounts up to 132 slots).

 

 

Yes. Star Trek Online doesn't impose any restrictions regarding the access to specific areas and zones; everybody has free access.

 

 

No. Without any restrictions in place, non-paying community members also have access to all the available end-game content.

 

 

Yes – +10%. STO ultimately seems to be quite enjoyable and utterly playable without having to take out your wallet, although options to spend money on premium items through micro-transactions or subscription-based Gold membership actually exist. While it's absolutely possible to play and successfully accomplish all missions and other in-game content with officers and starships that are available for free, players will have to invest a considerable amount of real money in order to be competitive with the top players.

Our F2Pmeter test of Star Trek Online results in a 50% of free-to-play-ness.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2015 at 12:24 pm and is filed under Articles, MMO News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Puedes dejar una respuesta, o un trackback desde tu sitio web.