Hotwingz

In addition to what others said, there's never really an "end". Maybe an "end" is set, but there can always be more unique content and objects, furniture, interaction possibilities, etc. And if someone has to work on it, payment has to be guaranteed each month.
 
We also do not know additional investments NQ might make later on, or if they branch out and want to create other games in the long run.
 
It might sound "ignorant" but I think NQ did some math at least (and constantly does it) and roughly knows with what model they can survive or keep operating in the long run, and I trust that (since I can also pay or obtain the game time by paying hard cash or utilizing DAC) calculation over the needs of users who'd prefer free access.
 
Of course, from an egoistic consumer POV, I also would not mind being able to play for free endlessly as the 10 to 15 bucks can always be utilized elsewhere. But that may not guarantee a long run of the game.

Servers cost money. 
Developing new content costs money. 
Paying people a decent wage to maintain and operate a mmorpg costs money. 
Saving a character state is just a small part of the overall picture. 
 
NQ has said on multiple occasions that the expansions will be free. So I don't get why you seem to think player generated content means that after the initial development NQ's job is done. Even if no new content is developed operating and maintaining servers cost money. 
 
I could write an endless post about why p2p is a more honest business model, why it's cheaper for the player who is invested and why "f2p" was invented and packaged as being "for the player" but I'm not sure if that would advance the discussion. 
 
I do think I answered your question. 

Excuse me? 
 
So the tools, models, music, art etc just come out of thin air? 
 
The systems count as content. 
Expansions are content. 
 

 
Edit: Expansions will introduce new elements and new ways to interact with the world. It needs to be created, it counts as content. 

Yes. 
Yes it does. 

With respect to the networking problem:-
 
1. Large Population Total
2. Population Density Problem
 
It seems DU is designed (design intention) to be around EVE. I can't think of any other MMOs that invested into networking technology to the same degree (with 3d graphics). Bear in mind the reason for multiple shards is primarily number 2 and even then many mmos deliberately partition Total population via levelling zones, instances, game modes, quest hub bread crumbs and so on. Bear in mind large crowds in mmo combat are often a zergy mess and poor quality gameplay irrespective of performance meltdown too. The main problem is MMO as a genre has a USP arounding CONNECTING PLAYERS in high quality social interaction ways: Think of liking or following on facebook or twitter for example for social network. Trade is a primary means of this "There's No Catholic Or Protestant When Trade Is Being Conducted" is an old saying from days of yore for example.
 
So that is exceptional category and the virtual economy is what will result if the game has:-
 
1. Enough social groups
2. Enough complexity in the sink-faucet of valuable resources
3. Distance/Scarcity dimensions
4. Politics and Territory above this.
 
A lot of "mmorpgs" don't really make any sense. If you have economic pressures and incentives this fuels a lot of gameplay behaviour by individuals and groups. And that needs a lot of SCALING UP. Eg EVE. I think this simulation is a key component of virtual worlds: They must have designs that make more simulacra in gameplay behaviours emerging as they might in say historic epochs of human history at a high level. Obviously DU is a "what if...?" with humanity in the future beyond Earth and our own solar system and in other solar systems within the galaxy. Interesting if the simulation follows some of what we currently know and assume about large scale drivers of human group motivations and patterns.
, then add voxels to that networking scale. I'm surprised how BLIND people appear to be
And the other thing: I don't see a lot of voxel games but when you do see them and you see how creative they are, then that's a huge dimension for mmorpgs. Not just that but look at the above COMBINED with voxels by comparing game world sizes:-
 
Ultima Online - 55.9 km²
World of Warcraft - 80mi2
Asheron's Call - 500mi2
Guild Wars: Nightfall - 15,000mi2
The Lord of the Rings Online - 30,000mi2
(NOT AN MMO) Elder Scrolls Online - 62,000mi2
WWIIOL online uses a ½ scale map of Western Europe with 52,000 km2 (20,077 sq mi) of accurate terrain (800 m resolution satellite data).
Life Is Feudal - 441km2
 
Now look at DU:-
 
Dual Universe - ALIOTH ONLY: 45,238.93 km2
 

 
Now add to this... (still only Alioth...): Volume of physical planet Total = 1,150,346 km3
 
Bear in mind the volume of the Atmospheric Belt surrounding this physical volume (some of which will never be used oc) and then the amount of volume above this in Space radiating out used too. Does anyone have some info on the atmospheric radius of Alioth? You can see a thin layer clearly in the latest backer portal video.
 
This is where the VOXELS really shake things up as you can see purely using the simple crude comparison of world size AREA vs Volume.
 
In most mmorpgs there's tiny amount of volume for starters: Limited free-form flight and interaction in this dimension or else gradient rise and fall. I think some mmorpgs have swimming deep in seas/lakes. But overall the ground is texture and hence area interaction mostly.
 
Not only can players go up and down in locomotion the actual physical layer is useful for resources and building structures too with voxels.
 
Then add the space around the other planets and the total solar system, then add more solar systems... And I barely mentoned what sort of huge data on the voxel manipulation changes to the world as well as the number and diversity of constructs multiplying changing the landscape or spacescape too.
 
You can see that in theory, DU is really something else. Again EVE compares, but it's "empty space" (I really liked the theory behind their dust game linking but sadly it did not work in practice).
 
Let's come back to the advantages of SCALING PLAYER NUMBERS (if it's possible):-
 
With so much space, there needs to be lot of players for that space to make a tiny impact on it. That is to say, most mmorpgs, they are not complex interaction systems at all: Neither socially nor in game world interactions either.
 
It will be interesting to see if DU achieves high physical interaction that itself drives further social interaction and that drives  more of each and so on...
 
It's still early days so that may explain why many don't seem to twig: Another NMS etc! But then... go back above look at those numbers, even add your own... did I already say people appear to be blind?

the devs are awsome does that count?

Minor correction, star citizens server structure does not even compare to DU. It splits the world in instances, with a maximum of 40 players per instance. I'm not sure if this is currently in the game or still on their to do list. This might improve over time but they can't do what DU will do or what EVE does. 
 
 
 

Hence the excitement. 

Minor correction, star citizens server structure does not even compare to DU. It splits the world in instances, with a maximum of 40 players per instance. I'm not sure if this is currently in the game or still on their to do list. This might improve over time but they can't do what DU will do or what EVE does. 
 
 
 

Servers cost money. 
Developing new content costs money. 
Paying people a decent wage to maintain and operate a mmorpg costs money. 
Saving a character state is just a small part of the overall picture. 
 
NQ has said on multiple occasions that the expansions will be free. So I don't get why you seem to think player generated content means that after the initial development NQ's job is done. Even if no new content is developed operating and maintaining servers cost money. 
 
I could write an endless post about why p2p is a more honest business model, why it's cheaper for the player who is invested and why "f2p" was invented and packaged as being "for the player" but I'm not sure if that would advance the discussion. 
 
I do think I answered your question. 

BOO has reached 300 Boobians !
Happy 300 members day \o/
 

"
I saw the purple tinted header and I loved it already. 
 
I appreciate that you created summarised headers: it helps with the visibility. 
 
However, I noticed the social media icons - save for Twitter - are missing in this new version. Why would that be so? 
 
Otherwise, the letter reads quite well: the spacing is much better than in the previous news letters. For some strange reason, I found the white text a bit too glaring to read - though this may only be me. Perhaps a faux white like #EFEFEF might be a little softer. 
 
Cheers on the progress and the redesign.
"

I'm on Android, I always read the newsletter on my phone. 
 
I see no obvious things that stand out, it still looks good and professional in my opinion. 

I share that opinion. 
 
But we have to admit that it's all a guessing game for now. 

I share that opinion. 
 
But we have to admit that it's all a guessing game for now. 

That has been and still is a very hot debate. 
 
I'm for lootable once you decide to sell it or once it changes hands. Because I don't think it makes sense to have a resource in game that is completely safe. Naturally there are many good reasons for and against. 
 
The thread about DAC being lootable linked earlier is a treasure of interesting opinions. Albeit a bit heated at times. 

Yup my question is answered. 
Me and my friend got confused with that info graphic picture. 
 
Thanks @Mod-Meldrik for that very detailed answer. 

If you are still left with questions after reading those threads, feel free to ask. 

Yup my question is answered. 
Me and my friend got confused with that info graphic picture. 
 
Thanks @Mod-Meldrik for that very detailed answer. 

That has been and still is a very hot debate. 
 
I'm for lootable once you decide to sell it or once it changes hands. Because I don't think it makes sense to have a resource in game that is completely safe. Naturally there are many good reasons for and against. 
 
The thread about DAC being lootable linked earlier is a treasure of interesting opinions. Albeit a bit heated at times. 

I don't do Starbucks, play Xbox, or any of that. 
 
I do have a life time subscription. 
But those are definitely some cuts you could make to play the game. 

Hi guys, just made a quick video going over all the news that was released in the 8th of March newsletter. Hope you enjoy https://youtu.be/vfJyAbzwOxY
 

As @Pleione does not have currently access to pre-alpha section, I'm not going to move this topic (else, he wouldn't get a chance to see this answer).
 
That being said, Falstaf is right: this question should happen in restricted area.
You will need to wait for a community manager to update your profile. Then, you will be able to head towards https://board.dualthegame.com/index.php?/forum/17-pre-alpha-feedback/.
 
I'm locking the thread to prevent distracted NDA'd reply, but feel free to reach me by PM if you need further explanations.
 
~ Merwyn

I don't do Starbucks, play Xbox, or any of that. 
 
I do have a life time subscription. 
But those are definitely some cuts you could make to play the game. 

well that's the idea. A DAC is worth more RL money - so if someone plays for free (in using DAC), someone ELSE had to buy the DAC first from NQ. That's why they make more money than with a sub