We wanted to cover the F2P model coming to ORION in Version 1.6 (August 2016) as in depth as possible. If you find that you still have questions once done reading this, feel free to contact us directly at:
[email protected]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woVwB0Zps7w
YOU'RE STILL SPECIAL
So the most important thing to convey is that ALL existing owners, aka ANYONE that Plays or Logs Online *before* August 25, 2016 - will be automatically upgraded into a PREMIUM model member. We have a variety of new models coming to the game, including the F2P model, all launching with Version 1.6.
F2P EDITION IS SEPARATE
The Free-2-Play edition of ORION is a brand new model and does not replace the $1 version. The Free-2-Play edition of ORION only features one starting Guardian, while everything about the $1 version remains the same.
THANK YOU
In addition, the $1 Premium Model will have content *added* to it in order for us to say thank you for your support. We are creating a Premium Armor Set and Premium Helmet which will be rewarded FREE to ALL Premium Model Members, including ALL owners of the game prior to August 25, 2016.
THE EDITIONS OF ORION (AUG 2016)
Here is a breakdown of all editions of the game scheduled to launch in Version 1.6/August 25, 2016:
FREE (F2P) EDITION · 1 Starting Guardian (Assault) $1 PREMIUM EDITION · 3 Starting Guardians (Assault, Support, Recon) · Premium Armor Set · 500,000 ION $10 ORIGINS EDITION · 5 Starting Guardians (Assault, Support, Recon, Tech, Demo) · Premium Armor Set · Premium Helmet · Origins Helmet · 1,000,000 ION $25 GOLD EDITION · Access to 10 Guardians · Premium Armor Set · Premium Helmet · Origins Helmet · Gold Helmet · Gold Armor Skin · Gold Weapon Skin* · 3,000,000 ION $50 PLATINUM EDITION · Access to 15 Guardians · Premium Armor Set · Premium Helmet · Origins Helmet · Gold Helmet · Platinum Helmet · Gold Armor Skin · Gold Weapon Skin* · Platinum Armor Skin · Platinum Weapon Skin* · 5,000,000 ION $100 ELITE EDITION · EliteXP/Elite Loot Crates (Unlock focus instead of microtransaction) · Access to 20 Guardians · 50% Store Discount (For Life) · Exclusive Elite Armor · Exclusive Elite Helmet · Exclusive Elite Trench Coat · Exclusive Elite Pet (T.O.D) · Premium Armor Set · Premium Helmet · Origins Helmet · Gold Helmet · Platinum Helmet · Gold Armor Skin · Gold Weapon Skin* · Platinum Armor Skin · Platinum Weapon Skin* · 10,000,000 ION * - Weapon Skins coming in FPS Module 2, alongside Weapon Attachments, Weapon Customization, Weapon Skins, ADS (Aim-Down-Sights) and more. Scheduled for 2017.
To add to this, if you already own the ELITE EDITION or are a FOUNDER or are a FOUNDER ELITE - nothing changes for you. You simply also get the new Premium Armor Set and Premium Armor Helmet for FREE as well. In addition, with us increasing focus towards the store (without hampering core game focus) you will now have even more players to play with and more store items to use your 50% eternal store discount on.
So to sum it up, absolutely nothing changes for ANY existing user, whether $1 or Elite/Founder. You are in fact receiving MORE and we are simply offering new ways for NEW players to get into the game.
WAS F2P ALWAYS THE PLAN?
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.
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.
We've been testing a potential F2P model all the way back to 2013 with ORION: Dino Horde. We've been seeing what events can do, price changes, sales/discounts as well as in-game stores. After 3 years of tests we are happy to say that we believe that ORION will not only survive F2P, but that it will thrive.
WHAT ABOUT PAY-2-WIN?
Never. Nothing about the game model is changing, other than new entry points with differing content. We are still 100% behind PLAY or PAY with the current system setup and this will only improve as we grow the store and ways for you to earn credits for the store through playing.
We will never go Pay-2-Win. That is a promise. If things ever got to a point where it was so bad, I would simply revert back to a premium game ($1) before ever making a ♥♥♥♥♥♥, greedy, f2p/p2w game.
WHAT ABOUT PAY WALLS?
Nothing is changing, including our stance on Pay Walls. There will never be a wall between you and friends, no matter which versions of the game you're on.
In addition, if one friend owns a Raid Mission they can invite non-owning Friends to play. No Pay Walls, at all.
WHAT ABOUT A POTENTIALLY TOXIC COMMUNITY?
Rest assured, our $1 model was used to test this. $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.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE CREATING "SMURF" ACCOUNTS?
Considering the game will be F2P, this is of course possible. However starting with Level 0 Guardians and no gear, especially 2-3 times will break down any sort of troll very fast.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/407840
Want more information? Read the FULL F2P FAQ:
http://steamcommunity.com/gid/103582791440487256/announcements/detail/814405855455318273