Possibility of Premium Servers for PS2?

Sifer2 · 2011-12-19, 04:05 PM

So I have been thinking ever since it was confirmed PS2 is going full F2P. Mostly about how I don't like it. It seems to have obvious downsides like opening the door to hacking, and possibly too much of a reliance on item shop transactions for revenue. Which for a game of this scope I don't thinking selling different armor colors is going to pay the bills. I would be worried of them having to resort to selling power down the line.

But then I was also thinking maybe they could go back to the old Premium Server concept. Where you have to pay monthly to play on it but may get extras like more customer service reps. They could also remove the shop completely from the premium server an just let you customize your character with any of the available items, and disable any pay 2 win type things. Such as faster leveling or whatever.

Personally I would be on board for such a thing an would prefer to play on a Premium server an not have to deal with the item shop, and hackers. Might also give SOE a more consistent revenue stream as well if enough other players feel the same way. Then maybe they wont need to sell power as much.

Captain1nsaneo · 2011-12-19, 04:08 PM

Splitting the player base between the haves and have nots is never a good idea.

Sifer2 · 2011-12-19, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Captain1nsaneo

Splitting the player base between the haves and have nots is never a good idea.

And how does the Item Shop not do this?

Crator · 2011-12-19, 04:10 PM

If the amount of people that actually subscribe to the game is massive and there are enough people who would buy into a premium subscribtion to play on their own server, without the F2P options, I would be all for it.

may get extras like more customer service reps

I LOLed, you know this is SOE we are talking about right?

CuddlyChud · 2011-12-19, 04:11 PM

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.

Captain1nsaneo · 2011-12-19, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Sifer2

And how does the Item Shop not do this?

Because I can still shoot and play with people who do/don't use the item shop.
This would break the community up similar to how MW's map DLCs broke up their player base based on who bought them and who didn't.

HELLFISH88 · 2011-12-19, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Crator

If the amount of people that actually subscribe to the game is massive and there are enough people who would buy into a premium subscribtion to play on their own server, without the F2P options, I would be all for it.

I LOLed, you know this is SOE we are talking about right?

Premium server players get to swap Cell number's with DanB for prompt service.

Sifer2 · 2011-12-19, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by CuddlyChud

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.

I dunno about the hacking but I think they are definitely more tolerant of the latter. I have noticed pretty odd cultural differences like that in gaming. Russians love to hack lol.

If there are not enough people willing to pay for the Premium servers then SOE could shut them down. But no item shop, less hackers, an maybe some other extras could make them popular. I think its worth a try.

What you mention at the end there about not walking away with any items. Personally i'm totally ok with that. I would rather pay a set rate an have full access to all the content for as long as i'm subscribed. Rather than needing to buy this an that all the time to stay competitive. I'm used to the subscription model, and simply prefer it over shops.

Hamma · 2011-12-19, 04:36 PM

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.

SKYeXile · 2011-12-19, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by CuddlyChud

I think F2P has gotten a bad rep because it was implemented poorly in a lot of western games. But it must be a workable business model, since its the preferred model for MMOs in Asia. I can't believe that Asian gamers are somehow more tolerant of hacking and pay-to-win gaming.

On topic, I don't think enough players would be willing to pay the monthly fee to justify a separate server. I mean, the subscription fee was one of the major killers of the original game. The idea of premium subscription seems weird to me since if you decide to stop paying the subscription for whatever reason, you walk away without any items, whereas on a regular server, whatever items you buy you probably get for a long time.

it works in asia because they dont really beleive in subscriptions, they pay for what they use, also, they dont mind grninding. westerners do so they will spend more money to bypass the grind or they simply wotn grind or wont pay.

Sifer2 · 2011-12-19, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Hamma

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.

The first one you can maybe make a case for. Though like I said if enough people are willing to subscribe to keep the server active I see no problem with it. Unless SOE has grand designs of everyone in the world playing on the same single server. You don't hear people complain in other games that split PvE servers from PvP or Roleplay.

As for two different gametypes. How would it be different? Game balance would be exactly the same just with less hackers and all cosmetics usable. A switch can't be that hard to program since SOE has done this in the past with Everquest.

Crator · 2011-12-19, 06:15 PM

Just an FYI, DC Universe online does utilize paid subscriptions along with F2P subs all on the same server... SOE is probably going to do something similiar....

DCUO Gameplans: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/

basti · 2011-12-19, 06:25 PM

Let those who want play by themself on a premium server. The cool kids will all be with the rest of the guys, having fun in massive battles, with new faces every day, new noobs to train, new outfit members to recruit, and new enemys to kill.

acosmo · 2011-12-19, 06:26 PM

how about a big NO to op.

Tasorin · 2011-12-19, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Hamma

This will not work - not only does it split the player base it also means that the team needs to maintain two different server gametypes. I doubt there would be a big red switch for F2P or not F2P.

I am going to have to disagree on this one. F2P model with the Cash Store enabled vs Premium with the Cash Store disabled. Same game, same client, the difference being no cash store interface on the premium servers. Now would or could this be a freaking nightmare to manage internally. Of course it could be, and why would SOE expend the additional overhead to support two business models? The answer is anyone worth their BS in Business is going to take a giant steamer all over this business case.

Here is the thing, every competitive PvP based gamed that has tried the Cash Store F2P model has failed miserable. I mean absolutely miserable, to the point that quite frankly I can't trust the bean counters at SOE to not fuck this up once they get a chance too sell the revenue potential to someone far enough up the food chain that it just happens and there isn't a damn thing Smed's can do about it.

Then lay over the top of the Cash Store slippery slope the fact that SOE's track record is not the greatest and they have crapped the bed more then once due to downward pressures from Sony Entertainment their parent PL.

Personally I would prefer a paid monthly subscription even if it was only $4.99 a month. It would significantly cut down on the hacker accounts and the ability to easily have multiple F2P accounts and being running multiple instances of PS2 having someone logged into the other faction(s) and watching troop movements as a spotter.

Did you think about that Higgles in your F2P business model with no cost for the client and the ability to speed up game play with beach heads? I know I will personally be running multiple clients if you are going to let the game be free and will be spotting for my faction on a 2nd and/or 3rd account...