Is 'free' the right word?

[Tinnel.4369]

I see the word 'free' being thrown around a lot recently in regards to the content we receive. ANet, obviously, emphasized it in the announcement last week and many players have used it as a rationale for why other players' expectations are out of line, "It's 'free', what do you expect?"

However, it's not free and both the community and ANet know this. ANet doesn't fund content out of the goodness of their hearts, that money comes from the community by way of transactions through the BLTC. The nature of this makes it a bit of a socialist environment; some contribute more than others, but 'everyone benefits'.

Of course, for some players the content is, literally, free. They bought the game and never make purchases through the BLTC, or do so strictly with gold they earned in game. I don't believe it's far fetched, based on the continued 'success' of the game and delivery of 'free' content, to say that these people are a minority of the community population.

It likewise shouldn't be too far fetched to assume that the majority of the community does contribute and while arguments can be made over which mode does or doesn't contribute more, I believe it's reasonable to say that the majority of the community in each mode does contribute. For these people, the content isn't 'free'. That the displeasure some of these players experience, and express, with what is delivered on what time scale is met with "It's free, what do you expect?" is pretty distasteful. They did pay! Some may try and make the argument that this part of the community got what they paid for in the form of whatever shiny they bought and ANet is square with them. I would hope that common sense knocks this argument down fast.

If you look around the forums you'll find an overwhelming abundance of suggestion threads, investments by the community playing the game to stimulate conversations and relay to ANet what they'd like to see or what may be helpful. They're not all good or feasible ideas, but a plethora of ideas no less. ANet, to their credit, has acted on some, but has also blatanly ignored some of the most frequently mentioned.

If you look at the top of this sub forum the top two sticky's are related to the BLTC. One is what can we make that you'll buy and the other is what can we do to keep you buying trouble free. Does this strike anyone as odd? That these are the two most important things? There are no stickied, moderated, and guided discussions in any of the sub forums for different modes or professions where content and balance and the quality with which they're functioning can be discussed. Despite many attempts by players to generate them and represent them.

Content isn't 'free', it's very much funded, and ANet goes to great lengths to ensure it's funded. Is it really out of line that those funding it, at any level, want a say in what it is or isn't? Is there any indication I'm missing that ANet is actively engaged in understanding what it is or isn't different players want?

[Mewcifer.5198]

Free in this case means "for no additional purchase" which is true, someone could never spend money on the gem store and they will still get the new content that is released.

[Tinnel.4369]

@"Mewcifer.5198" said:Free in this case means "for no additional purchase" which is true, someone could never spend money on the gem store and they will still get the new content that is released.

Which I clearly addressed.

[Blocki.4931]

You don't have to buy episodes as they come out. You have multiple months time getting them for free. Expansions aren't as expensive as some other games make them either (HoT on release was, I suppose). Of course some people are spending money and funding the game, but it's still free content for everybody to enjoy.

[Tinnel.4369]

@Blocki.4931 said:Of course some people are spending money and funding the game, but it's still free content for everybody to enjoy.

Hrmmm.

[Ayrilana.1396]

Subsidized content may be a better phrase for it than free content from a high level perspective. When looking at it from a player perspective, they’re going to see it as free.

[Mewcifer.5198]

Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

[Tinnel.4369]

@"Mewcifer.5198" said:Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

Why does it have to be breakthrough or mind blowing?

If it's well understood, than 'free' might not be the right word and since it's not 'free', expectations are ok.

[Tanner Blackfeather.6509]

Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free to the customer.

[Mewcifer.5198]

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@"Mewcifer.5198" said:Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

Why does it have to be breakthrough or mind blowing?

If it's well understood, than 'free' might not be the right word and since it's not 'free', expectations are ok.

Are you under the impression that no one is ever critical of the living story? Or that people say that people aren't allowed to be? Because I have no seen anyone say "it's free, don't complain" about living story. Only about things like the small gifts they give for things like anniversaries.

[Tinnel.4369]

@Tanner Blackfeather.6509 said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free to the customer.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

[Tinnel.4369]

@Mewcifer.5198 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Mewcifer.5198 said:Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

Why does it have to be breakthrough or mind blowing?

If it's well understood, than 'free' might not be the right word and since it's not 'free', expectations are ok.

Are you under the impression that no one is ever critical of the living story? Or that people say that people aren't allowed to be? Because I have no seen anyone say "it's free, don't complain" about living story. Only about things like the small gifts they give for things like anniversaries.

No, yes, I never singled out Living Story. There's no shortage of posts here and on reddit recently about misguided expectations.

[MachineManXX.9746]

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Tanner Blackfeather.6509 said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free

to the customer

.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

Your argument makes zero sense. Free is free. It doesn't matter what you purchased before. If you spend money in the game, you are already buying something for that money. It does not mean you are pre-paying for any future content.

[Inculpatus cedo.9234]

It's absolutely free, and players do get whatever they purchase in the Gem Store, and nothing more...or less.
It's nice that Gem Store purchases help subsidize the game, but no one is forced to purchase anything from the Gem Store. And, the fact that everything in the Gem Store can be acquired at no real money cost is a consideration, as well.

[Mewcifer.5198]

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Mewcifer.5198 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Mewcifer.5198 said:Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

Why does it have to be breakthrough or mind blowing?

If it's well understood, than 'free' might not be the right word and since it's not 'free', expectations are ok.

Are you under the impression that no one is ever critical of the living story? Or that people say that people aren't allowed to be? Because I have no seen anyone say "it's free, don't complain" about living story. Only about things like the small gifts they give for things like anniversaries.

No, yes, I never singled out Living Story. There's no shortage of posts here and on reddit recently about misguided expectations.

Misguided expectations and "it's free so you are not allowed to complain" are not the same.

[Tinnel.4369]

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@"Tanner Blackfeather.6509" said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free

to the customer

.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

Your argument makes zero sense. Free is free. It doesn't matter what you purchased before. If you spend money in the game, you are already buying something for that money. It does not mean you are pre-paying for any future content.

As I said, "Some may try and make the argument that this part of the community got what they paid for in the form of whatever shiny they bought and ANet is square with them. I would hope that common sense knocks this argument down fast."

Are you saying that BLTC isn't the major source of revenue for the game and its development? Because that's pretty much the basis of the micro-transaction model.

[Tinnel.4369]

@Inculpatus cedo.9234 said:It's absolutely free, and players do get whatever they purchase in the Gem Store, and nothing more...or less.

It's nice that Gem Store purchases help subsidize the game, but no one is forced to purchase anything from the Gem Store. And, the fact that everything in the Gem Store can be acquired at no real money cost is a consideration, as well.

If it only helps subsidize the game where does the rest of the money come from?

I covered the fact that gold can exclusively be used for purchases from the Gem Store. If this were the only, or even remotely near the major, mode of transaction on the BLTC......

[Tinnel.4369]

@Mewcifer.5198 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Mewcifer.5198 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@Mewcifer.5198 said:Saying "this game is actually funded" isn't some breakthrough statement that will shock people or blow people's minds.

It's pretty well understood that the game isn't made on thin air. That doesn't change the fact that you do not have to buy the new content as long as you are active in the game.

What are you trying to accomplish with this thread?

Why does it have to be breakthrough or mind blowing?

If it's well understood, than 'free' might not be the right word and since it's not 'free', expectations are ok.

Are you under the impression that no one is ever critical of the living story? Or that people say that people aren't allowed to be? Because I have no seen anyone say "it's free, don't complain" about living story. Only about things like the small gifts they give for things like anniversaries.

No, yes, I never singled out Living Story. There's no shortage of posts here and on reddit recently about misguided expectations.

Misguided expectations and "it's free so you are not allowed to complain" are not the same.

You're right, the latter is used to justify the misguided part of the former.

[Inculpatus cedo.9234]

Did I say 'only'? I can't find that. Even though, it's not the only thing that brings in revenue.

Regardless, Living World Episodes are free to those that log in while live, and have made the requisite purchase(s).

[Tinnel.4369]

@Inculpatus cedo.9234 said:Did I say 'only'? I can't find that. Even though, it's not the only thing that brings in revenue.

Regardless, Living World Episodes are free to those that log in while live, and have made the requisite purchase(s).

What else brings in revenue? Who does that revenue come from?

[MachineManXX.9746]

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@"Tanner Blackfeather.6509" said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free

to the customer

.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

Your argument makes zero sense. Free is free. It doesn't matter what you purchased before. If you spend money in the game, you are already buying something for that money. It does not mean you are pre-paying for any future content.

As I said, "Some may try and make the argument that this part of the community got what they paid for in the form of whatever shiny they bought and ANet is square with them. I would hope that common sense knocks this argument down fast."

Well, common sense does not seem so common coming from someone who does not understand the word "free". You already know it's free, yet you want to continue to argue semantics for whatever reason.

[Tinnel.4369]

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@"Tanner Blackfeather.6509" said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free

to the customer

.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

Your argument makes zero sense. Free is free. It doesn't matter what you purchased before. If you spend money in the game, you are already buying something for that money. It does not mean you are pre-paying for any future content.

As I said, "Some may try and make the argument that this part of the community got what they paid for in the form of whatever shiny they bought and ANet is square with them. I would hope that common sense knocks this argument down fast."

Well, common sense does not seem so common coming from someone who does not understand the word "free". You already know it's free, yet you want to continue to argue semantics for whatever reason.

What is semantical? You understand that this whole game revolves around micro-transactions, right? And that those transactions are made by players, playing the game? No money, no game, no content. Not no money, lots of game and content. Free is a misnomer that is appropriately applied to only a minority of the community.

[AgentMoore.9453]

Having the ability to purchase things doesn't invalidate the things that are free of cost. That's like saying air isn't free because oxygen bars cost money. Literally all the store sells are toys, cosmetic options, and storylines (most of which can either be gotten for free at release or their stories viewed for free on YouTube).

Anything paid for in this game is a convenience, and even then, it can be paid for with in-game currency. Free isn't just the right word, it's the only word.

That said, free doesn't mean people aren't allowed to critique aspects of the game. If I get a free sample of something at a grocery store, I may still spit it out and suggest they change their recipe.

[Inculpatus cedo.9234]

Not worth arguing over if not agreeing with someone means those with a different opinion have 'no common sense'.

Also, you might want to look at the Stickies, again....particularly the 'Libraries'.

Good luck on your suggestion...whatever it is.

[MachineManXX.9746]

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@MachineManXX.9746 said:

@Tinnel.4369 said:

@"Tanner Blackfeather.6509" said:Except, the fact that something is subsidized doesn't change the fact that it's free

to the customer

.

The customers that didn't put anything into the game, I would agree. Do you think these are a majority or minority of the community?

Your argument makes zero sense. Free is free. It doesn't matter what you purchased before. If you spend money in the game, you are already buying something for that money. It does not mean you are pre-paying for any future content.

As I said, "Some may try and make the argument that this part of the community got what they paid for in the form of whatever shiny they bought and ANet is square with them. I would hope that common sense knocks this argument down fast."

Well, common sense does not seem so common coming from someone who does not understand the word "free". You already know it's free, yet you want to continue to argue semantics for whatever reason.

What is semantical? You understand that this whole game revolves around micro-transactions, right? And that those transactions are made by players, playing the game? No money, no game, no content. Not no money, lots of game and content. Free is a misnomer that is appropriately applied to only a minority of the community.

Of course this game revolves around micro-transactions. That still does not change the fact that LW episodes are FREE. Answer this ... Do you have the option to buy the episode during its release? It is not even possible to do so. They are FREE content.

You can't change the definition of a word to suit your agenda. By the way, what even is your agenda here?