Currently writing a FAQ regarding the F2P model approaching ORION with Version 1.6 (August 2016).
Everyone is encouraged to post ANY questions they have relating to it so I can do my best to answer any concerns, confusions or comments.
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Q1 - SO ORION IS GOING FREE-2-PLAY?
Yes.
Q2 - WHEN?
August 25, 2016. That is ORION's 16th (public) birthday. The original version of the game, previously known as INCOMING was originally announced on August 25, 2000. More detail on the history here:
Q3 - WHY IS ORION GOING F2P?
It was always the long term plan. We first started testing this model/idea/foundation with our first game, ORION: Prelude (Dino Horde/Beatdown) and later with The ORION Project and it's heavily improved store/customization.
In short, we simply want a no-risk entry for ANY gamer to play our game. We are proud of ORION, we are passionate about it and we believe you will love it, now or in the future as we continually update and grow the game.
Q4 - SO YOU TESTED WITH THE $1 MODEL?
Initially we tested out the $1 model but also a minor version of a cosmetic store model as well. It proved successful. It still is a success to this day and we are very proud of ORION: Prelude. The $1 was to act as coverage to ensure at minimum things were being covered. We have been running tests now for over 3 years.
Q5 - ARE YOUR TESTS COMPLETE?
Not fully. We wanted to test out and get information regarding the Elite Edition during the Steam Event but this information was of course affected. However from the results I have seen I am confident that ORION will not only survive on a F2P model, but thrive.
Q6 - I HEARD THERE IS FREE CONTENT IF YOU BUY BEFORE F2P?
Yes, this is true. This is called the Premium Period.
Q7 - WHAT IS THE "PREMIUM PERIOD?"
This is the duration of time that the game has costs any monetary value at all. From Dec 1, 2015 - August 24, 2016. Whether you paid 50 cents or $20 (Founder), you're part of the Premium Period.
Q8 - SO IF I AM ELITE, I AM PREMIUM?
Yep!
Q9 - IF I AM A FOUNDER, I AM PREMIUM?
Yes!
Q10 - IF I AM FOUNDER ELITE, I AM PREMIUM?
Correct!
Q11 - WHAT DOES PREMIUM GRANT?
Upon going F2P, you will receive a custom, exclusive PREMIUM ARMOR SET as well as 10,000,000 ION currency.
Q12 - SO YOU CANNOT BE PREMIUM IF YOU ONLY PLAY THE F2P VERSION?
That is correct.
Q13 - WHY DOES PREMIUM GRANT THE SAME ION AS ELITE?
10,000,000 ION is just one of many rewards available and exclusive to the Elite Package. That is a dynamic package and will grow over time.
Q14 - WILL THERE BE ANY CONTENT UNAVAILABLE TO F2P USERS?
Only cosmetic. Such as the Elite Edition exclusives. You'll ALWAYS be able to join your friends, no matter what version of the game you're running.
Q15 - SO NO PAY WALLS?
Correct.
Q16 - ANY CHANGES TO THE BUSINESS MODEL?
We plan to offer other editions of the game, at $25 and $50 to supplement the Elite Edition at $100. This is purely a choice, same as Elite with cosmetic incentives as the focus.
Q17 - ANY NEW TYPES OF STORE CONTENT?
We plan to grow in the existing areas. We will add more helmets, armors, guardians, skins, pets and things you've all already been enjoying.
Q18 - ARE STORE ITEMS THE FOCUS NOW?
No not at all. In fact we have the same amount of people focused on the same amount of stuff, both before and after F2P. We will continually add new content to the game as we have been. If we want more store content, we will add members to focus on that - not hinder existing developers or actual core game progress.
Q19 - WAIT, YOU'RE SAYING YOU'LL BE ADDING NEW ITEMS FOR ELITE EDITION OWNERS?
Yep! That is already confirmed. We will regularly add new content for Elite Edition owners, FREE - most of which will be premium/available to other members (Founders/F2P).
Q20 - I LOVE ORION, BUT I DON'T LIKE COSMETIC ITEMS?
That is okay. We understand this. Trust me, a very low percentage of gamers invest in stores for other F2P games. We know this, we understand this. If you love the game but don't want to buy anything, don't! The best way you can help us is by simply telling someone you know about ORION, if you genuinely think they would enjoy it.
Q21 - WAS THIS THE ORIGINAL PLAN? (2015)
When we initially approached very early versions of ORION, in the form of Guardians of Orion (when it was just a top-down, twin-stick shooter) we initially were simply going to create a standard game, with the ability to transform it into what we really wanted which was a project many have known about for years - The ORION Project, or ORION for short.
Q22 - WAS THIS THE EVOLVED PLAN? (2016)
We ended up getting motivated to expand and announced that and it's associated name change in early 2016. Once it became that larger, longer-term experience we always knew it would go towards at least the $1 model. Guardians of Orion was even considered to launch as F2P in some early designs, but ultimately we didn't want to have a store focus early in development and instead wanted to focus on REAL game content. Something that still remains a priority.
Q23 - WITHOUT THE $1, WILL THE COMMUNITY BECOME TOXIC?
That is not true at all. In fact our $1 model should prove this to you. $1 is a lot easier for people to get (or 50 cents for that matter) than $60 and we have one of the best communities I have ever seen, across both ORION and ORION: Prelude - both of which are $1 titles. What that means is that it is EASIER for our games to have a toxic community, just on entry alone. But that is NOT the case and that is courtesy of work and things we do to ensure it.
That won't change, we will continue to ensure we curate an amazing community and the Galactic Council will help ensure this. Community is very important to me.
Q24 - WILL YOU EVER GO PAY-2-WIN?
Never. That is a promise. If things ever got to a point where it was so bad, I would revert back to a premium game ($1) before ever making a shitty, greedy, f2p/p2w game.
Q25 - WILL THERE BE PAY GATES?
Nope - same as before. No paywalls between friends - ever.
Q26 - ANYTHING ELSE?
The most important thing to remember is that I am Orion's biggest fan. Nobody wants to see the game completed faster, or experience all the future modules more than I do. That alone will maintain the focus on the core game rather than the store and it's why we produce so fast.