ArcheAge, an MMO with sandbox elements, is currently being ported from the Korean market to the European market, and with patch 1.2, it is undergoing its first major change. The process shows the difficulties that the concept of a “paid” alpha brings.
Even in “normal,” already released games, a patch triggers debates among players:
- “My class was nerfed, what’s up with that? That wizard over there is much stronger than I am?”
- “What? Now the Epics are much easier to get, which I just fought hard for last week, what is this nonsense?”
- “That you are nerfing my playstyle is just typical! Why am I paying 12 euros a month? Subscription canceled!”
However, changes during the lifecycle of an MMO are often only marginal and usually do not turn the entire gaming experience upside down. Fine adjustments take place. Major upheavals in most games do not happen overnight, but over years.
Players in ArcheAge, however, are facing a much harsher fate. Because here, Trion Worlds is twisting the wheel of time, skipping entire stages of development that the game went through in Korea, and brings the game to Europe with 1.2.
This changes the gaming experience for many significantly: It will be harder to obtain coveted items, the stats scale differently, elaborate trade routes are introduced, and timers prevent quick progress. Additionally, with the “Patron” status, new hurdles for non-payers are introduced, and a lot of adjustments are made to the balance: In short, the world is turned upside down – or vice versa, depending on your point of view.
Players who have already played the Korean ArcheAge say that the 1.2 patch is quite sensible and responds to many developments in the meta-game that haven’t even occurred here in Europe yet. But for other players, it is clear: This is no longer the ArcheAge I signed up for.
And here, a problem with the founder package issued by Trion Worlds emerges. For 135 euros, one could buy access to the alpha. An exorbitant sum, which also now has repercussions on player complaints. Because while normally the whining in pay-to-play games leads to “What am I actually paying 12 euros a month for?”, players are now shouting, “What did I spend 135 euros on if I no longer like the game?”
Mein MMO thinks:
Even though the situation with ArcheAge is now extreme with such significant changes, every player should be made aware: No matter how much money one spends on an alpha or beta, such changes can come at any time. The amount paid does not buy you a voice in the matter.
