Would You Pay for a Premium Server in Neverwinter?

Last week I stumbled upon the news that Trion World’s Rift will introduce so called “Prime” subscription based servers for their players. Here’s the relevant quote from their state of the game post:

[su_quote]We have the opportunity to experiment with this fresh RIFT server using an oft-requested subscription model and progressively unlocked content. Our goal for RIFT Prime is to provide the experience that many of you have requested: no lockboxes, a significantly reduced store with more of the current store-based items obtained through gameplay (or removed entirely) – plus the excitement of sequential progression through RIFT’s content with monthly milestones and achievements.[/su_quote]

So what does this have to do with Neverwinter you may ask? Well, Rift is a free-to-play competitor that obviously adds a fresh approach to their monetization strategy. So it’s not too far-fetched to discuss whether something similar would make sense for our game as well.

Competitive PVE Progression?

There are two interesting aspects to the whole thing. The first one obviously is that most of the store items will be obtainable elsewhere, since you’re already paying a monthly subscription fee. I guess in all free-to-play games there is a decent amount of players claiming that they would much rather sub and dodge the lockbox madness. With such a model, they can prove it.

What’s even more interesting however is what additional purpose the server will serve. It’s not simply a lockbox free environment, but apparently a time-limited competitive mode. Granted, it’s not really clear what “sequential progression” and “monthly milestones and achievements” could mean, but it certainly smells like a PVE race of some sorts.

Could This Be Interesting for Neverwinter?

[blog_subscription_form]I really like the idea for Neverwinter to be honest, because this game lacks a competitive PVE mode. Since the audience around here is mostly casual, the difficulty has to reflect that. It means the latest endgame dungeons are normally already bested on the preview server by elite groups. The PVE “race” for Cradle of the Nine Gods lasted one day. A true thriller! In other words, those that are interested in hardcore PVE content are usually already too well geared to find the latest additions challenging.

A separate server would be a great solution to this issue. Let folks pay to rank up toons for a limited time and let them try to beat the Temple of the Spider first. Then Fangbreaker Island, Svardborg, Spellplague Caverns, Tomb of the Nine Gods. It could work like a ladder season for Neverwinter. And since all items are obtainable through gameplay on a subscription server, you would need to figure out what item are required to beat the content and how to gear up in the most efficient way.

Hardcore Mode And Team Play

You could even think about a hardcore mode. Teams that wipe at the end boss of the current progression would need to completely start over. Such an environment would enforce strong team play and require deep knowledge of the game from the live server.


I get it’s unlikely to happen, but it’s still fun to think about the possibilities here. So what are your opinions on a PVE ladder, subscription based server or other competitive PVE models? Share your thoughts and opinions on our social channels, in the comments below, or visit the corresponding thread on our message board!

Neverwinter UN:Blogged is always looking for writers to contribute to the blog. If you are an active player and search for a way to spread your opinions, analysis, diaries or reviews to more than 40,000 regular visitors, then don’t hesitate and get in touch with us on our contact page or message board! We are currently especially looking for console and PVP content, but that’s not exclusive. There is no frequency requirement, you post how often you want.

j0Shi

j0Shi plays the Neverwinter MMORPG since the open BETA in 2013 and is a regular contributor to the blog and the whole UN:Project. Originally a Guardian Fighter, he has built up ALTs of all classes and plays on BIS/near-BIS level.

11 thoughts on “Would You Pay for a Premium Server in Neverwinter?

  • January 24, 2018 at 11:27 am
    Permalink

    “In other words, those that are interested in hardcore PVE content are usually already too well geared to find the latest additions challenging.”
    Yet,they cheer up for the broken OP items that mod13 will introduce to the game.
    +3% meleee chest armor + 3% boots,+11% weapon damage,+5% tiger comp,+5 serpent artifact set…
    This community is as hypocrite as it can be.
    I guess in a few months from now,the same players that want their broken toys,will complain in the forums that “game is too easy”…

    • January 24, 2018 at 1:26 pm
      Permalink

      I see where you’re coming from, but have to disagree. You can’t blame players to progress as much as they can. They are not the ones that introduced the discrepancy between possible power levels and content difficulty.

  • January 24, 2018 at 12:56 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t know much (ie anything) about Rift, but Neverwinter has become entirely lockbox progression oriented in terms of being BiS, maxed out, etc… I can’t see them redesigning the progression to that extreme… nor do I have the confidence that they are capable of doing so. The team that is currently working on the game continues to create glitchy, progression halting, content and updates. There are an incredible amount of bugs that have never been addressed. If they have to use words like “many components” as a reasoning for not being able to successfully push out an update, they’re a long way from being able to transform anything major.

  • January 25, 2018 at 3:14 am
    Permalink

    I dont blame them ,for wanting to progress their toons:
    I blame them for defending this broken mod 13 coming,and then chatting in discord and in forums “we want difficulty!”
    How you want difficulty when with one icy ray you onehit everything?nvm… 🙂

  • January 25, 2018 at 3:58 am
    Permalink

    A premium server is an option but then there would need to be some form of implementation of getting epic loot and the legendary items, like a login system and are rewarded on milestones. This rate of reward progression needs to be compared to how current players can earn astral diamonds which are used to buy the lootbox goods or convert to ZEN towards VIP and/or keys. Hopefully it won’t be based on the same values as the trade bar store as the prices are a joke.
    If the game became premium as mandatory then I would be leaving. Players who contributed to the game would most likely leave as all their investment have to be on a subscription to still use their account. I have paid over £100 ($140 approx) to this game and I think that is sufficient for me to pay the devs.
    A better suggestion then a temporary season ladder for a hardcore/competitve mode would be to create a separate permanent mode for default characters with basic gear but customisation only with power loadouts and preset companions. For example to do Fangbreaker Island at the minimum item level of 11000 with the rewards of 1/2/3 lockbox keys, you can even through in the random dungeon rewards.

  • January 25, 2018 at 5:14 am
    Permalink

    I guess I’d pay for a European (less laggy) server, if that is possible to set up anyhow :>

  • January 25, 2018 at 11:13 am
    Permalink

    Progression is one thing. Exploiting broken mechanics and then complaining about the lack of difficulty is another. That is the pure hypocrisy of the matter.

  • January 25, 2018 at 3:45 pm
    Permalink

    I agree with this and they never support other players from the community when complaining about those broken stuff but instead running in preview to test new trials etc!

  • January 25, 2018 at 3:49 pm
    Permalink

    Also i have a question to uncensored team i see you everytime to report and point out how some things are ridiculous overpowered but only to this site i see. why not in official forums . You dont use bad language to get ban or something or bashing devs.

    • January 26, 2018 at 3:50 am
      Permalink

      There are multiple reason because of the history of this site with some members of the dev and community teams. But first and foremost, Perfect World does not officially support this site. So we’d rather have users come to us than posting our content elsewhere.

  • January 26, 2018 at 7:51 am
    Permalink

    At least to support some poeple they suggest good things since you read official forums..
    Most of the threads appearing the guys the described above defending anything make content less challenging.

Comments are closed.