Free Can Only Get You So Far.....

Hey Guys,

I got thinking and actually came up with a real post; you know, the kind where I ask yall to consider something and look at game content and such. I usually post about random stuff I'm surprised you actually read (Not that i'm complaining...). To get to the point of my post I have to get through a couple little things first. So bear with me.

I announced on Twitter I was in the final steps of creating a podcast with Jordan Sunflame. I am curently still working on the final parts for the website. I cannot wait for the first episode and hope yall enjoy it! I will have dates and times as Jordan and I wrap things up.

I made a DDO account some time back after my father (Hard core D&D player in college) found the game. I had been telling him for years to play the games I played with me, and over and over I was rejected. SO, needless to say I was eager to play with him, I made an account and downloaded the game (took four hours). I liked it but we didn't have enough computers to go around for my family. We have the chance now that I have my new laptop. I got on this weekend, and with some minor kinks, got my step brother set up and caught close to where my family currently is. I love the game but havent gotten very far. I will however start reading Stormreach Sentinel (Friendly's DDO blog). I am finishing up Korthos on Krylidia, then will continue with my other character, Markalumn, once my family catches up to him. I play on the Khyber server, incase you want to look (stalk) me. 

If your a Serious Sims 3 player you know Showtime is on its way. I have learned that you can share your characters with your friends to throw concerts, though it is early to mention this, if you want any performers, just ask me! Showtime is what I've been waiting for!

I would like to Thank @LadyofBlades for the fabulous Game card Prize! I entered her Laughter is the best medicine Contest and finished with Elder_Wizard. I never thought I'd win but knew I had a story that would bring a couple laughs. If you need a laugh or two, read her post HERE to get some good stories!

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Now to my point of posting.....Ive played a coiple MMO's in my time, both popular and unpopular. And constantly I reach the brick wall. This wall is the point where the fun stops and the business side of the Game shows up, you reach the Level cap and they say: pay now and get blah blah blah! Most of us have run into that before. So, which game does the best job of keeping the game free the longest? I'm going to disect a few popular titles and see what You think.

1] Club Penguin: Say nothing, I absolutely adore Club Penguin and will not let you mock it. I will however, tear it to pieces on its membership. CP has always been one of those games with a very distinct line of memberships. For free you can play most games and buy select items to customize your character. You can attend parties for the most part, but do not always get to enjoy the entire party. If you are a member, you can play games, have an upgraded igloo, AND decorate it. You can also  buy things from any catalog. Since Disney bought CP things have only gotten worse, now at parties there are entire Mamber rooms and most games are locked at some point for free players. I DO NOT like CP's membership options, however, they are affordable when compared to some games. A one Month membership is 7.95. That is a lot to me though, as when I started playing CP back in 2007, it was 6.25 a month.My opinion-   :[ Give us a bit more!

2] https://www.wizard101.com/start" target="_blank">Wizard101: Wizard101 is one of those newer games that has a couple options, to start with, you get a decent hunk of Wizard City to try the game out, if you like it, buy a membership or use Crowns to buy individual areas. Crowns have had some ill effects on the game, such as beggars and people who spend ALL of their Crowns on Hoard Packs, only to be extremely disapointed they didnt get annything good. You must however, buy a membership or Crowns to continue past Krokotopia. My Opinion-  : D I play AND Blog for it, I have to love it!

3] Free Realms: Free Realms was a bit of a disapointment for me. It looks really fun but once you get into it you get locked out around level 3 and can't do ANYTHING. It has good graphics and interesting game play, but not a lot of features for free players. My Opinion- You could give us more stuff and up the lvl cap!

4] Runescape: I played RS like I play W101 Now, that's how much I loved it. My friend got me started and I just couldn't stop, Ashley and I were soon playing it together and having a blast. There is a good portion of free area, but fear not, when you upgrade, you get a slew of more skills, 4x more land to quest, houses, pets, and a bigger bank! Free is fun but if your reverting back from member it can be difficult. I don't play simply because I see all of my member stuff and get depressed (I miss my Purple Cat). All in all, it's a fabulous game! My Opinion- played it and loved it, wish the free area was bigger and I could have my cat!

5] POTCO: Pirates of the Carribean is off to a bad start, It's owned by Disney, like CP, so you know they're similar. You can get started with 2 characters and play a bit. there are only 2 boats for free players and you get locked out of the game level wise around 3. There is no house OR boat customization, or any customization for that matter. The graphics suck and it's really not worth the money unless you simply LOVE the story plot and Pirates theme. My Opinion- Ehh, MORE please!

6] Minecraft: I know it's not MMO but it's popular. So i'll rate it on money. Minecraft has two versions, the old, online FREE version i'm not covering, and the Full in-Browser and Download version. The paid version gives you animation and a character to customize, as well as animals, gameplay, and crafting! I bought it in Beta so I got a discount. It now runs for $26.95. It sounded a bit simple and stupid to me and then I tried the free version. I was INSTANTLY addicted. I bought it with Birthday money and have NO regrets. It is totally worth the money if you have it. I have yet to try multi-player but am working on it. My opinion- This game will go far, and they have already been a big success. I wish them luck and hope they do't screw up!

**Before you Hate-Comment me for trashing any of these games, remember that I've played ALL of them to an extent, I liked them enough to play them didn't I? I am just voicing my opinions on how money can meddle with a good game! Have a great week yall!

Thanks for Reading!