Can free-to-play MMOs really be played for absolutely free? A few weeks ago, we were posing this question for the very first time, which set the beginning of our new F2Pmeter series as we tested the TERA’s free-to-play-ness. Today, we’d like to continue with Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR). So fasten your seat belts as we’re up to a bumpy ride.
Remember that our testing candidates begin with a 100% of free-to-play-ness, and depending on how our questions have to be answered, this percentage will change. Ready?!
When launching, SWTOR attracted 1 million subscribers within 3 days; in the following months, however, a large portion of its subscriptions were cancelled, which ultimately resulted in the introduction of a free-to-play business model with an optional subscription. It’s a quite popular MMORPG these days and we therefore decided to put the current model to a test with our F2Pmeter.
No. Originally launched with a pay-to-play model, SWTOR formerly required a monthly subscription fee after purchase. However, the game didn’t manage to maintain this business model for even an entire year before introducing a free-to-play option. Gamers are now able to register for an account for free and play up to level 50 with some restrictions but without be forced to pay a penny.
Yes (optional) ― -15%. In addition to the ability of playing for free, the MMO still sustains a subscription-based system with different options, e.g. a non-recurring 60-days membership ($29.99) as well as regular monthly/ quarterly/ six-monthly subscription ($14.99/ $13.99/ $12.99 per month). Subscribers are faced with fewer restrictions and provided with higher login queue priority, better customer service support, ways to level up more quickly, and access to more content.
By making any purchase of at least $4.99 at the cash-shop, players additionally have the chance to upgrade their free player status to Preferred.
Yes and No ― -10%. That’s quite a delicate question, as only subscribers get free access to The Rise of the Hutt Cartel, the game’s first digital expansion, whereas other players have to pay a regular price of $19.99. In contrast, other expansion packs, which are released at a regular basis, are obtainable for free by everyone (at least for the time being), with early access for subscribers and Preferred status accounts.
Yes ― -5%. SWTOR incorporates the so-called Cartel Market that allows players to trade their Cartel Coins, which are only available with real money, for unlocks and items as, for instance, vanity items, gear, item packs of rare goods or XP boosters.
No, but... For any purchase of $4.99, your free-to-play account is upgraded to Preferred status, which provides players with access to 6 instead of 2 character slots, a raised in-game currency cap, bank storage, enhanced chat, mail and trading options, and more. The items sold as such may only serve as time-savers or may even be acquired through other means/ purchased with Credits, the in-game currency. Due to the Credit cap for free-to-play users and Preferred account holders, it is arguable if they can afford them.
Yes ― -5%. In contrast to subscribers, who have unlimited access to UI customisation and can have up to 6 quickbars, Preferred accounts are restricted to 4 and free players to only 2 quickbars.
No ― -15%. While free player are granted access to all available classes, the races available for each class are restricted.
Yes ― -10%. Subscribers are allowed to simultaneously post up to 50 items on the Galactic Trade Network (GTN) while owners of a preferred status account and free-to-play users may only post a total of 5 and 2 items respectively.
Yes ― -10%. Bank storage is accessible for free-to-play users only via Cartel Coin purchase or the in-game market GTN. Preferred status account holders have bank access and the option to purchase additional slots with Cartel Coins while subscribers may expand their bank storage with either in-game credits or Cartel Coins. The same restrictions apply to the expansion of inventory slots.
No ― -15%. As free-to-play users are unable to level their characters past level 50, they don’t have access to zones or dungeons designed for players above that level cap. Moreover, players with an F2P or Preferred account may only enter 5 Warzones a week and have to purchase a pass to unlock additional entries with Cartel Coins whereas subscribers’ access to Warzones is unlimited. Ranked Warzones are completely unavailable for non-paying users.
Yes ― -15%. As already mentioned above, the free-to-play option doesn’t allow players to level their characters past level 50, which means they are unable to access end-game content.
Yes ― +10%. Despite all those restrictions applying to non-paying players, it’s possible to enjoy SWTOR. You are able to play all the main class story quests, which is probably the best element within the game. This feature makes SWTOR a real treat and provides players with hundreds of hours of fun for free.
Nevertheless, the free-to-play option appears to rather be an appetizer to lure players and then seduce them to spend some money in order to be able to fully enjoy the MMO.
Our F2Pmeter test of SWTOR results in a feeble 15% of free-to-play-ness.
IMO, non-sub/pref SW:TOR is basically an time-unlimited trail and NOT a free to play mmo game at all. It’s shame Star Wars has been controlled by such greedy, selfish, dishonest people for so long, because it’s shows in the price and character of all Star Wars branded products.