No one logged in today because of Lost Ark

[Xaruko_Nexume]

A lot of mmorpg players like to use their character as an extension of themselves, especially FFXIV players. Granted, customization and player choice is a valid reason to dislike genderlocks. It's less of an issue for players that don't mind playing either.

I'll try the game - free - I am not paying money for it. I'll start downloading it. Not like I have much to do in FFXIV, at the moment. Aside from grinding for gold saucer mounts, capping out weekly tomes, and doing the weekly raids. I have heard this game becomes quite grindy and pay to win later on - sounds like a typical Korean mmorpg, so not really surprised if it's the case.

The pay to win element has already reared its head for me in the prologue/tutorial. Technically, no one ever has to spend a dime but its clear thats going to put one at a huge disadvantage. Again feeling a lot like a typical phone game.

A lot of influencers who are typically very anti-pay to win seem to be loving this game. I suspect many of them are getting paid behind the scenes or people are willing to overlook the pay to win for a game that good.

[Driavna]

...

Some Korean games, like LA or BDO, instead of pick a race you select a champion, that's why "gender lock" is a more common thing. It's like a hero from Overwatch or a LoL character.

Anyway, by my personal definition, yes, LA is P2W. Just happen to be PvE game so, why even care? In FFXIV people can swipe for Ultimate clears and... who cares?. For what I know the game gets grindy once you hit Tier 3, at that point gearing upgrading cost are high and the process can fail (20% chance of success I think it is), items don't downgrade and the system has bad luck protection. Problem is, you can use alts to feed your main or/and swipe, so if you want to be part of the elite can be a massive grind and money sink. For a casual the usual daily routine is very similar to FFXIV (up to two hours of daily stuff seems to be the norm, but some mention as less as 30m per character).

Monetization is very similar to Guild Wars 2 so you can trade in-game currency for shop currency and get anything you need (like more inventory space and similar stuff) + login rewards and events. Also (at least in Korea) others players can sell cosmetics for in-game currency so you can benefit from whales. I do that in Black Desert and I have more than 320€ in cosmetics I acquired with in-game currency... on EU, NA is whale land so it's even easier.

However, anyone be warn, at least the Korean version, LA have some FOMO predatory loot boxes with the good looking cosmetics behind 5% and each box can cost up to 8€ (and costumes are compose from various pieces and I'm not sure you get the full thing in one box). Not sure if NA/EU will have that, but for anyone susceptible to that kind of crap, please, stay away from the game.

[Conundrum]

The pay to win element has already reared its head for me in the prologue/tutorial. Technically, no one ever has to spend a dime but its clear thats going to put one at a huge disadvantage. Again feeling a lot like a typical phone game.

A lot of influencers who are typically very anti-pay to win seem to be loving this game. I suspect many of them are getting paid behind the scenes or people are willing to overlook the pay to win for a game that good.

The shear volume of streamers and youtubers gushing over this game leaves no question in my mind that they are being compensated one way or another.

[GrizzlyTank]

On the topic of Korean MMO's... I miss maplestory 2.

It was a charming game that didn't need to be an mmo.

[GrizzlyTank]

The shear volume of streamers and youtubers gushing over this game leaves no question in my mind that they are being compensated one way or another.

It's just the latest fomo mmo.

Though considering it's renown it will probably stick around a lot longer that others.

[Padudu]

On the topic of Korean MMO's... I miss maplestory 2.

It was a charming game that didn't need to be an mmo.

Joddy dies.

Nexon did MapleStory 2 so dirty, it was just bound to fail after they made 0 effort to have any endgame content to retain players. I liked the MMO aspect of it though, the server-wide minigames were fantastically fun to do.

Personally my game was Mabinogi and Vindictus, that was my jam for years up until Nexon did its usual thing of being Nexon and ruined it

[DBriggs304]

It will blow up quick.
Then fizzle just as fast.

[Driavna]

...

I find funny how some posters quickly forget a lot of shady stuff SE pull with FFXIV.

- Cash shop in a monthly sub with payed expansions.

- Rented retainer space. (Only MMO I know that do this).

- You have to pay if you want to change certain details from your character. Some olders MMO allowed this for free, like SWG.

- MSQ skip, class boost and retainer boost. (According to some posters here this is already P2W. Or at least if others games do it... hehehe)

- Instead of bringing back cosmetics from old seasons to be earned in-game they are throw at the cash shop. You member when games like Rift/WoW allow you to earn pass items with seasonal currency? I member!

- FOMO with pre-order bonusses and early access.

- Is the subscription for FFXIV APP still a thing?

- Want to keep your house? Stay sub every other month even if you don't feel like playing. Does not matter if their intention never was this situation, right now is a thing.

Sure, FFXIV still has one of the best monetization but is still bad, the whole idea of a sub game with payed subscription is that no additional monetization should be require. Probably will be worst if not because Yoshida and FFXIV team has fight against SE worst impulses.

Right now for most MMO's is a "pick your poison" situation.

[MidnightEquinox]

Gender locking doesn't belong into MMOs or otherwise expressive social games.

[LittleImp]

- Is the subscription for FFXIV APP still a thing?

Oh you just reminded me of possibly the most insane monetization thing SE has attempted.

You have to pay premium currency per transaction to use their remote market-board app, despite requiring an active subscription.