SWTOR Free 2 Play later this year!

[Twyst]

http://www.swtor.com/free
http://www.swtor.com/free/features

Before anyone gets in a knee yerk reaction I'll say is this a GOOD thing.
In a nutshell - subcribers going forward are as we currently are. Full access.
F2P has limited access such as N FP's and WZ's per week but you can buy more access.
F2P cannot do operations or the latest WZ.
Subscribers come first in the login queue.

There is no play to win feature.

This can only expand the playerbase.

[Grimnar]

This doesn't really come as a surprise.

We might indeed see an increasing numbers of people and lets hope the reward system is worth it to stay a subscriber and even a few more ops players thanks to it etc.

We will see how it is going to work out

[TheDvEight]

http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?36112-F2p <---- see post here....

[Twyst]

I started a new thread mainly because the links in there were to very slow loading and non official sites. :sideways:

[voyak]

Yeah, for me it's kinda good as well. I dont have to spend millions of credits for legacy perks, as they'll be paid with Cartel Coins which will flow every month.

And as a Collectors Edition owner and active subscriber (to remain) i'll get:

6*150 (previous paid months) + 2*200 (paid months till F2P, i'm guessing September/October) + 250 (active subscriber from this day) + 1000 from CE

= 2550 Cartel Coins at launch of F2P B-)

[voyak]

As the first step towards adding the new Free-to-Play option this fall, in August at retail Star Wars: The Old Republic will go on sale for $14.99 USD, including one-month of free subscription.
Current and former players will also find additional benefits as part of this program. BioWare will be increasing the frequency of game content updates, with the first of many new releases coming in August. In addition, current subscribers will receive Cartel Coin grants and qualify for access to special in-game items. Even former players who re-activate now will qualify for special benefits. To learn more about these rewards, please visit www.StarWarstheOldRepublic.com/FREE.

FAQ:

• What happens if I decide to change from being a subscription player to a Free-to-Play member? What will happen to my credits, inventory, bank items, and characters?
  

Your account will automatically be downgraded and it will operate under the Free player restrictions. You will need to choose what items to keep with you within the restriction levels of the free access. Furthermore, you will be able to see, but not use, your excess credits, inventory slots, bank tabs, and extra characters.

• I had a Free Trial account but never purchased the game. Will I be able to use my account when the Free-to-Play option goes live as a Free player and will the restrictions be the same as before?
  

Yes, you will absolutely be able to use your previous account. All Free Trial accounts will automatically convert to Free-to-Play accounts. Restrictions will be different, so be sure to check out www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE/features.


 

• If I redeem a Game Time Code or subscribe to a recurring Game Time Plan, what will happen to my account when the game transitions to the Free-to-Play option?
  

If you redeem a Game Time Code or subscribe to a recurring Game Time Plan, then you will be entitled to the subscription account until your game time expires.

• What is Free-to-Play?
  

With the Free-to-Play option, no subscription will be required! You will be able to download and play Star Warsâ,,¢: The Old Republicâ,,¢ all the way up to level 50 for free, with gameplay restrictions that limit access to advanced features and group content. However, we will be offering the option to purchase services, items, and content to customize the gameplay experience. These purchases will be made available via the new Cartel Market and will allow you to choose the way that you want to enjoy the game.

• If I’m a current subscriber, what will happen to me?
  

The addition of a Free-to-Play option will not change your current subscription unless you choose to change your account. Subscribers will continue to have unlimited access to The Old Republic, including new, more frequent content updates that Free-to-Play members will have to buy.  Subscribers also receive rewards in the form of monthly Cartel Coin grants, which can be spent at the Cartel Market on new gear styles, consumables, and specialty items.
 
The Free-to-Play option is designed with restrictions that will limit content for free players. For more information on these limitations please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com /FREE/features.  If you are a player that wants unrestricted access, it is unlikely the Free-to-Play option will be appealing.

• What are the benefits of a subscription account?
  

In addition to unrestricted access to the full game and features there will be several benefits to the transitioning from a subscription to a Premium Level account, including:

• Unlimited access to regular Game Updates such as new Nightmare Mode content, a brand new Operation on the planet of Asation, a new Heroic mission series on the prison planet of Belsavis, and a brand new Warzone for our PvP lovers.Automatic monthly grant of Cartel Coins for use in our new Cartel Market.
  

• The Cartel Market will offer a variety of in-game items including cosmetically customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience. Subscribers will receive Cartel Coin rewards for every past and ongoing month of subscription.
  

• Subscribers will receive a special bonus “Fan Favorite” reward item, based on a Facebook poll.  Vote now at www.facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic (voting ends August 15, 2012).  You could receive one of these  three great rewards:
  

• Rancor Holoreplica.
  
• Carbonite Hibernation Capsule
  
• Party Jawa
  

For more information visit: www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE.


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• Will I need a credit card to play?
  

You won’t need a credit card to play. However, should you wish to purchase Cartel Coins from the Cartel Market, you will need a valid credit card or PayPal account.

• What is the Cartel Market?
  
  

The Cartel Market is a brand new feature that will be introduced with our Free-to-Play option. The Cartel Market will offer valuable in-game items including customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience.

• What are Cartel Coins?
  

Cartel Coins will be the new in-game virtual currency used for the Cartel Market. Cartel Coins may be used to purchase specialty items that allow you to customize and equip your character cosmetically.  With Cartel Coins you will be able to purchase in-game items including customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience. Cartel Coins will also be available for purchase from our website in various price packs.


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• What are the restrictions to the Free-to-Play option?
  
  

The Free-to-Play option is designed with many restrictions that will limit content for free players. For more information on these limitations please visitwww.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE/features.

• Will updates to the game be affected by the addition of a Free-to-Play option?
  
  

We are planning to deliver more frequent Game Updates.  We remain committed to providing a high quality, dynamic, live service.  Our team is completing exciting new Game Updates including new Nightmare Mode content, a brand new Operation on the planet of Asation, a new heroic mission series on the prison planet of Belsavis, and a brand new Warzone for our PvP lovers, with more on the way.

You will also automatically earn rewards as you continue to play. We’re introducing a new virtual currency, Cartel Coins, which can be used in our Cartel Market. The Cartel Market will offer valuable in-game items including customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience. For more information visit:www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic/FREE.

• I bought the game, but have let my subscription lapse. What happens if I want to come back now?
  

Coming back now is a great idea, because we’ve created special rewards just for lapsed subscribers who have decided to return now, rather than waiting until fall.   As a former player, you will earn rewards as soon as you reactivate your account both for the current and prior paid months of your subscription.  Rewards will be paid to you in Cartel Coins, which you will be able to use in our Cartel Market to purchase new gear, consumables, and specialty items that allow you to customize your gameplay experience.  For more information on the rewards program visit: www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE.

• If the Free-to-Play option is not available until the fall, what are the benefits to buying the game now?
  

If you join The Old Republic now, you will start earning Cartel Coins for every month you are subscriber.  In addition, in August we will be launching new content and plan to provide more frequent Game Updates going forward.
For more information on Cartel Coins and the rewards program visit:www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE.

• Can I buy the game online? How much will it cost?
  
  

The game continues to be available online via digital download. For $14.99 (available on August 7, 2012) you can purchase the Standard Edition, which includes the game download and 30 days of unrestricted game time. Purchasing the game now means you may earn monthly rewards in the form of Cartel Coins.  Cartel Coins are a new virtual currency that may be used to buy gear, boosts, and specialty items from our Cartel Market.

Visit www.buy.swtor.com to purchase the game. For more information on the rewards program visit: www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE.

• Is the game really “free”?
  

The game will have the option to play free all the way to Level 50.  There will be some gameplay restrictions that limit access to advanced features and new content.  For more information on these limitations please visitwww.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE/features.
 

• I’m confused, how many Cartel Coins will I receive when the free-to-play option is offered?
  

Current/Former Subscribers: Receive 150 Cartel Coins for each paid month prior to July 31, 2012. For example: If you played 3 months, you receive 450 Cartel Coins.
Collector’s Edition Pack = 1000 Cartel Coins Special Appreciation Reward (Launch in Fall 2012)
Announcement Months = 200 Cartel Coins per Month (August â€" Launch in Fall 2012)
Launch of New Free-to-Play Option = 250 Cartel Coins Bonus (Launch 2012)

For more information visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE.

• Will Subscription players and Free-to-Play members be playing together on the same servers?
  

Yes, both subscription and Free-to-Play members will play together on the same servers.


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[Twyst]

I really support the F2P model. Done well it works for the customer and the company.

But as things stand now the way I see it is that all the old players will come back as casuals to finish storylines without a sub. Heck, I enjoy doing this a lot. Say what you want, the class storylines are epic.
Having limited FP and WZ access is also fine. I can see people paying for this via micro transactions.

However, I think they've dropped the ball on one thing - operations. By making it subscriber only doesn't help out current situation of not having enough people turnning up, let alone the right classes.
Now, if they make operations available for F2P via Cartel Coins (re in game real money) then it might help, but as things stand right now, it's looking good for SWTOR but not for DMW. I surely hope I'm wrong as I do love this game!

[Michelanio]

I really support the F2P model. Done well it works for the customer and the company.

But as things stand now the way I see it is that all the old players will come back as casuals to finish storylines without a sub. Heck, I enjoy doing this a lot. Say what you want, the class storylines are epic.

:withstupid: I also liked the storyline allot and I hardly ever did any flashpoints or operations while lvling my BH up so this might get me back just as social for the lvling experience that I found fairly good. now I just need to decide if I should move my BH over to the correct server or start a new one hmm.... :g:

[voyak]

You will be automatically transferred i assume but not anymore to the server of Your choice. If You end up on Nightmare Lands, cool! If not the'll probably release the paid transfer. But i assume, a fresh BH would be the way to go

[voyak]

Free To Play Community Q&A:


​ButeoRegalis: Are subscriptions the only way to gain Cartel Coins (CCs) in the future, meaning, aside from the bonus coins we're getting until the Free-to-Play option goes live? Can you purchase them without a subscription?Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): All players will be able to purchase Cartel Coins by purchasing them on our website and eventually in-game. These coins are used to buy various virtual items from the Cartel Market. Free-to-Play members can also use Cartel Coins to unlock certain game restrictions.

Samohnat: Will Cartel Coins be available via in-game mechanics?
Damion Schubert: Not initially. We may expand this in the future, but it’s not a goal for launch of the system.

Several players asked: Can you give us more detail about the restrictions on Free-to-Play members? If not, when can we expect more details?
Damion Schubert: Giving more information about these limitations is a core part of our communication efforts over the next few weeks. Our goal is to allow Free-to-Play members to play the game from levels 1 to 50 and encounter most of the class and world content along the way. However, it is equally important to us that the subscription members will have access to a significant number of convenience features that make the game easier to play - leveling speed, bank access, inventory size are all good examples. Once these details are published, I think that most players familiar with the game as it is now will agree that while Free-to-Play members will be getting a good experience andthe subscription members will be getting a substantially improved gameplay experience.

Alahnah: I am interested in more detailed comments about future content releases and how the Free-to-Play option will impact on current bug fixing efforts and the level 50 Operations / 50+ content expansion time frames.
Damion Schubert: We still have a significant portion of the development team focused on creating new content (Operations, Flashpoints, Warzones) - and we have plans to increase the cadence that we deliver new content. One of the nice things about this approach is that it should also speed up the cadence that bug fixes get out to you as well.

Tatile: It's said that content will continue to come, but will it be like the content we've already seen (Operations and Flashpoints in patches with class balancing and new gear) or will the content only be fluffy happy stuff, like speeders and mini-pets?
Damion Schubert: We definitely have plans in the works for more Flashpoints, Operations, Space Missions, and Warzones. Generally, we will have more frequent updates for the game.

Thorvath: So if I cancel/switch to the Free-to-Play option are you going to automatically delete all my Rakata/War Hero gear?
Damion Schubert: You will retain your gear.

LOWTHOR: What happens if all the characters I have already created while subscribed (before Free-to-Play announcement) are now restricted species?
Damion Schubert: Your characters will not be deleted and you CAN still use those characters in the active slots you have as a Free-to-Play member.

VulcanLogic: I have all 8 character slots used up. If I choose the Free-to-Play option, do I get to decide which character slots will be active?
Damion Schubert: Once we institute these limitations, players will absolutely be able to choose which characters are their active characters.

ChazDoit: I’m not much interested in Flashpoints and Operations but will I be able to purchase other features like full access to Warzones, purchase extra character slots, bank slots, and travel features?
Damion Schubert: Yes! When the Free-to-Play option goes live, players will be able to purchase key upgrades to their game experience allowing them to bypass some restrictions, and this list will expand as time goes on. We will have more information about some of these in coming weeks.

[Michelanio]

I've just managed to transfer my BH to Nightmare Lands so when it goes free to play I should be able to play a bit again

[BrotherTobious]

Great hope you do and if you'd liked to raid with as well that should be great too

[Twyst]

Great hope you do and if you'd liked to raid with as well that should be great too

Operations access is only for subscribers ....... sadly.

[BrotherTobious]

shh we could of drawn him in with promises and then build him up and in so deep he had no choice, and alas he will now see through this.