Free to play, pay for perks. - Page 2

Lartnev · 2011-02-12, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rbstr

(I know I bring up EVE too much, but they're constantly expanding the game, and never charging you more than the monthly fee for it...I think that's why it doesn't exhibit the typical peak-bust cycle of MMOs)

Well EVE also has PLEX, EON, and their online merchandise store for a little extra income, but CCP is awesome for what you get for your subscription.

Bags · 2011-02-12, 01:03 PM

So why do you guys want to have to pay for outfit features anyway? Sony owes us big time.

Jonny · 2011-02-12, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Bags

You're joking right? You do know how many servers Blizzard has and how much they and their upkeep cost, right? Maintenance, upgrades, utilities, salaries etc. Sorry if you're poor enough that $15 is a criminal amount for 30 days of video game access.

I'm interested, can you tell me how much money Blizzard makes from WoW, since you're so well informed? I'm not talking about sales revenue.

No i'm not really joking...because they have loads of subscribers they're probably making more than the GDP of a small country. I doubt paying staff and keeping servers going needs that kind of money.

I'm not saying im well informed, but from a quick google search: "With more than 12 million subscribers as of October 2010,[11] World of Warcraft is currently the world's most-subscribed MMORPG,[9][12][13] and holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG by subscribers." - thats from wikipedia.

So this could be wide of the mark, but 12 million (subscribers) x £8.99 monthly subscription is over 100 million pounds a month.

To me, thats kind of criminal as players can end up spending hundreds - to maby a thousand on one game. That game's also known for being very addictive due to its leveling and strong identification with the forms of weapons, character upgrades etc that seem endless. An online ego fest.

Bags · 2011-02-12, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Jonny

No i'm not really joking...because they have loads of subscribers they're probably making more than the GDP of a small country. I doubt paying staff and keeping servers going needs that kind of money.

I'm not saying im well informed, but from a quick google search: "With more than 12 million subscribers as of October 2010,[11] World of Warcraft is currently the world's most-subscribed MMORPG,[9][12][13] and holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG by subscribers." - thats from wikipedia.

So this could be wide of the mark, but 12 million (subscribers) x £8.99 monthly subscription is over 100 million pounds a month.

To me, thats kind of criminal as players can end up spending hundreds - to maby a thousand on one game. That game's also known for being very addictive due to its leveling and strong identification with the forms of weapons, character upgrades etc that seem endless. An online ego fest.

First off -- almost half of those 12 million are from China, who do not pay using the same $15/month model as the rest of us.

Secondly, you forget that a lot of people buy their subscription in bulk. IE; they don't pay $15/mo, but more like $14 - 12/mo.

Thirdly, you don't have any proof to back up your assumptions. For all you know they break even with $15/mo from each player.

And lastly, $15/mo is an amazing deal for the entertainment value of MMOS. Or do you not see movies?

Jonny · 2011-02-12, 02:44 PM

Yeah but still, cut that 100 million in half, then say 10 million less from people buying subs in bulk, and thats still 480 million a year from people just playing a game.

Entertainment value is great if your playing all the time i guess, but some people only want to play afew hours a week and not pay for that in a game they've already bought. Anyhow, why do MMO's require this monthly fee jazz when there are shooters out there with loads of servers that don't?

morf · 2011-02-12, 03:02 PM

If there is no subscription then what is their motivation to continue development? Microtransactions will inevitable be either near useless, or they will create a divide between haves and have nots. I want a game to play for years to come. Subscription gives soe an incentive to work to keep my business.

Aractain · 2011-02-12, 03:19 PM

Lets remember the core issue: Players. They want them. Other players want them. All of them. All the time.

The lack of internet connections (I signed up the day I got my broadband installed) and the sub fee killed planetside (I think more people played beta than actually bought the game at release?).

The sub fee is STILL a big issue with several groups. Obviously the COD crowd are not okay with it (they are okay with buy map packs - not okay with subs). The 'casual' crowd (this is big money in other MMOs) generally hop in a few times a week but often have stretches where they don't play for a month. Having that sub knawing at thier mind will often lead to a cancel and resubbing is a high barrier of entry without a promotion.

Free 2 play gets players and well designed systems keep players. It has the added benfit of people never really quitting so big patches can often bring people back to check it out since its 'free'.

Just don't do an Aglagon (whatever).

Bags · 2011-02-12, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jonny

Yeah but still, cut that 100 million in half, then say 10 million less from people buying subs in bulk, and thats still 480 million a year from people just playing a game.

Entertainment value is great if your playing all the time i guess, but some people only want to play afew hours a week and not pay for that in a game they've already bought. Anyhow, why do MMO's require this monthly fee jazz when there are shooters out there with loads of servers that don't?

Servers are hosted by communities in most shooters.

bjorntju1 · 2011-02-12, 06:27 PM

I'd like a monthly subscription the most. If they keep supporting the game like EVE i'd gladly pay €15,- a month for it.

Sirisian · 2011-02-12, 06:37 PM

If anything the system I'd prefer would be 15 dollars a month credit card only. Then free trials that are tied to a credit card with a limited battle rank and not CR. Simple and works for everyone.

morf · 2011-02-12, 11:16 PM

I don't understand people saying high box price and microtransactions. The last thing we need is a high box price. The threshold to owning this game should be as low as possible to encourage people to try it out. You can't reel in a fish until you get the hook in. And microtransactions will either A. Screw up game balance or B. Be so useless that no one buys them. People are naysaying subscriptions but the bottom line is SOE's job is to make the game so compelling that we feel like we are getting a good deal for our sub fee. That's what I want to see: a game that is so good I will gladly pay 15 a month without thinking twice.

CutterJohn · 2011-02-13, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by morf

That's what I want to see: a game that is so good I will gladly pay 15 a month without thinking twice.

Thats my worry though.. Obviously it will probably be worth the sub fee for the first months or so, but as you keep playing, it will eventually get stale, and you'll play less. This is inevitable. No game will have you wanting to play forever. And subsequently you'll play little enough that you question the sub fee. And then you're in the position that you want to play occasionally, but not at $15 a month, so you just drop it and put the game aside.

How many people would still boot up PS and play it occasionally if they didn't have to pay the sub because the money was coming from other things? I know I would. I'm sure lots of others would be as well.

I dunno. Maybe they could work out a system of, in addition to subs, prepaid minutes or something. That could work. I still think the most ideal model is one that doesn't involve a subscription based service.

Bags · 2011-02-13, 01:25 AM

I played the original planetside fairly steadily for two years. Even if you only get on five to ten hours a week it's still some of the best $ / entertainment value.

I really don't know anyone who is as cheap as you, John. (no offense) A few years ago I would have agreed with you but WoW has 12 million subscribers, many of which have FPS backgrounds (thought not quite as extensive as a lot of PSers). People are more willing to pay microtransactions and monthly subs in this day in age. (Just look at how popular $1 apps are)

Playing 24/7 isn't the only way to get your $15's worth.

CutterJohn · 2011-02-13, 03:43 AM

I wasn't talking 5 or ten hours a week. More like 5 or 10 hours a month or less. Its not that I'm cheap(your skills at judging peoples attributes are subpar), its that I'm open to different ideas of making the game work. I just feel that subscriptions don't particularly fill the needs of an fps, and wanted to use this thread to explore ideas for maintaining the game in a nontraditional manner. Then it got derailed on if its even a good idea or not.

Aractain · 2011-02-13, 03:52 AM

Another thing to remember is that people play different games. If they need to put down a sub for say WoW which they play with thier friends they probably won't also have another MMO subscribed (and PS is exactly the sort of fun diversion a WoW type player needs when they get burnt out on progression raids or farming for air).

For any game that aims to be less than the conerstone of your play time, Free to play is perfect. Yes.. bad things can happen - but did a subscription stop BFRs? Flails?