Smedley at GDC Online 2012

[Neurotoxin]

I just got an update email about GDC Online.

TRACK KEYNOTE: Free-to-Play: Driving the Future of MMOs
John Smedley (Sony Online Entertainment)

SOE's recent company-wide transition to the free-to-play model has allowed them to adapt their games to better suit their audiences, while maintaining a steady revenue stream. Free-to-play is the future of online gaming and SOE has valuable insights to share. Attendees will learn how SOE transitioned its entire line-up to see record high-numbers both in player and revenue growth, and what the future holds for free-to-play MMO design. President John Smedley will speak to both market and player trends and provide insight on their new line-up of titles releasing later this year, including the highly anticipated MMOFPS, Planetside 2.

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Even beyond interest in PlanetSide 2, I'd go to this if I was going to GDC Online. I've been following the transition to free-to-play for many years, and the notoriously subscription-based giant known as SOE has moved that direction in a big way. That is pretty huge.

[Duckforceone]

sweet.. would love to hear their insight on FTP games...
hope someone video's it...

[PoisonTaco]

When is this happening?

While Planetside 2 will certainly be a focus there, but I'd really like to hear Smedley talk more about MMO's in general. Almost all of SOE's games are free to play however many of their games have been converted from the subscription model into the free-to-play and microtransaction model. I don't think converted MMO's are truly free to play as it's hard to get anywhere without spending some kind of money.

I have a suspicion that SOE has another MMO in the works. Hasn't Everquest Next been hinted at for the last few years? I want to see them make a more traditional MMO, but completely nail the free to play aspect. Maybe they'd go after the Guild Wars 2 model, or maybe they'd have their own take on it.

Either way, I'll be looking forward to reading up or listening to this once it's all said and done.

[ArcGuard]

Originally Posted by PoisonTaco

I have a suspicion that SOE has another MMO in the works. Hasn't Everquest Next been hinted at for the last few years?

They're actively hiring/talking about it on twitter.
http://www.soe.com/careers/

[Novice bot]

Can someone get a video or even a text version of what Smed said? That seems to be an interesting topic, and in my profession, that actually could be valuable information to read.

[Hamma]

It's just up the road from me in Austin I'd love to go if I had a grand to spare

Stupid Trade Shows. It's in October btw week before SOE Live.