I was just reading the posts on the main page of STO.com and some weird wording caught my eye.

Under the What's Next For STO post, there's a sentence that reads:

"Engage!

These updates are entirely free to Star Trek Online subscribers. To begin your Star Trek Online adventure today, visit our retail page to purchase your copy. And check out our exclusive specials page to see what great deals we're offering on subscription packages.

We'll see you February 2, 2010!"

Are they really going to start making us buy these "patches" that other games offer for free?!!

Please not another thread on this topic

not sure what u mean, it says free in that message

That is his point. The fact that it even mentions the fact that it is free is what stands out. People would not expect otherwise, certainly not at this early stage.

It would suggest that to some extent.

I have paid for the game.

Mothly subscription payments are to develop the game further, including new content.

If I have to start paying for that new content, then what is my subsciption paying for?

Yes, there may be some exceptions with huge new patches and add-ons, but I would think those would happen once in a blue moon. If paying for patches becomes a regular thing, then many people will be unhappy.