The Daily Grind: What do you think of the subscription model?

Most F2P games I've played have been a grindfest, and then you've got the whole cash shop thing as well. Its not entirely bad, but it kind of cheapens the experience in my opinion.

Subscription based games -are- geared toward keeping you in game longer, but on a whole the quality of the content, and the amount of content available is better than in F2P games.

Then on the other hand you've got games like GuildWars, where you have awesome content and quality for a one time fee. I'd love to see more games follow this model, but I know that might no be financially feasible for other developers. (GW's heavily instanced structure makes it very cheap to run)

Personally, I think the article linked to in yesterdays report said pretty well. The two models really go after separate audiences.

I too fall for the idea that f2p games are not as good. I have nothing to base that on, I've not played any but it's the perception of the market that tells me that.

It's also a bit like going I a buffet dinner. Many times we're willing to spend $15 on an all-you-can-eat meal, when had we purchased the meal on it's own, it would only have been $10. We have this perception that the all you can eat is a better value, becuase we get one charge and can eat as much as we want. Really though, if we looked at it we could save money buying a la carte, and enjoy the meal just as well. I feel that a similar situation to monthly am f2p games.

I like the Guild Wars model over all other models even though it's not my favorite game... It allows the customer to have control over what we want to spend. It allows me to take a break from playing and not feel like I'm locked in (to get my money's worth).

The cash shops for "f2p" games are probably making those devs ridiculous amounts of money for bonus content. As long as game balance isn't thrown out the window by offering the best loot for real $$ cash shops are fine by me.

My experience with those games is lesser quality and weirder community.

I'll keep my stance simple: make me feel compelled to pay per month, and I will.

I just can't take most F2P MMO's seriously.

Hi all,
Given the limited time I have to play MMOs, I end up paying not to play! I have a subscription to LOTRO, and I'm not playing it. How smart is that?

Now with Guild Wars, a game I really like, I play when I can. I've bought the boxed versions of Guild Wars, but I have to buy the boxed versions of subscription games, so I'm fine with that. I'm finding there's a lot to Guild Wars. I like it so much I'd probably even pay for a subscription, but it makes me and my budgeting happy that I don't have to. I haven't payed for any additional stuff in Guild Wars. So far there is so much stuff there for me that I don't need to pay for anything.

Speaking of instancing, instancing is the intermittent player's friend - but that's for another post.

Regards,
mszv

my biggest problem with pay to play is that im not sure if it works all that well why would i say that eazy with micro transaction you get money lots of it.

forevery thing you produce with pay to play you dont also another big problem with pay to play and free base is where they are at.

most western country's have sub while most eastern country's have free hard to say which is better when you can only play a limited number of games.

but with all that said i will still play sub untill free is better

I like both types of MMOs just because they both have their pluses and minuses. I've played Gunbound and Maple Story and I've played mmos like LOTRO and WoW. I'd say that big mmos are fantastic because you can really get into the universe and really roleplay while f2p mmos are easy access.

But there are some definate flaws in both models. Subscription MMOs cost so much to develop that each game that comes out HAS to be a home run or else the entire company goes under (see Tabula Rasa or Hellgate London.) This means that companies are going to be more gunshy to fund original and innovative MMOs. Another flaw about Subscription MMOs is the fact that you can't just pick up and play the game after not playing for a couple months without having to pay another subscription. For example, I stopped playing WoW for awhile and then one day, I had the urge to pick it up again just to see my character but I didn't feel like paying an entire month just for 10 minutes of nostalgia. I actually have a lot of characters which I would like to play with for a little bit but that have probably been deleted by now and which I'll never see again. :(

F2P MMOs on the other hand are designed to be pick up and play. And they usually offer fun gameplay but the game itself is not that deep. The world is not deep, the gameplay takes about 5 minutes to figure out and master and you never really feel like the character you are playing really represents you.

I think a better model for MMOs would be similar to Hellgate London's model where you would pay 30-40 dollars for a full single player game which you can always play and a subscription to play on an online world. This would allow someone to "try" out the game for awhile and if they really like it, they can choose to play the game in the online world with other people.

I've always had an indecent hope that some company would eventually release a free MMO engine that normal people would be able to make mods for similar to when the original Quake engine. There are so many universes I would love to make into an MMO like a Naruto MMO, a Heroes MMO, or even a Pokemon MMO.

I don't like either model.

I'd prefer something more like a daily billing or prepaid. I find the subscription model limits me to one game at a time .

I have no problem paying $15 a month, but paying for several games is getting pricy. I'd be happy to pay like $15 for 20 days play time, and everytime I login to a server for that day I pay, regardless of playtime.

Currently I'm playing WAR, yet like a lot of people when WoTLK releases I'll have to choose since I simply can't afford two accounts (well four since my wife plays also).

I'd love to login to WAR and play with some mates on night doing what WAR does well - PvP, and on another night login to WoTLK to do what Warcraft does well - PvE raiding. That way I may pay for two x $15 = $30 and be able to play for 40 days, or around 2 months.

I know this may not be popular with some players - i.e. the everyday gamers, but then just let the everyday gamer continue with the subscription model.

It really depends on the game and the audience you want to capture.

The Guild Wars model works very well for that specific game. They've tapped into the huge casual PvE market that likes lore or grind, preferably solo or in a small group, and sell the various chapters to them as content. The dedicated PvPers grab the chapters (or the electronic shortcut options) to obtain all the skills that make them more flexible and synergetic. And it's all available retail and digitally. They sell a lot.

However, I'd argue that the majority of these are not playing at any one time. They jump in and out of Guild Wars as the mood takes them. Result: The average in-game community isn't strong at all, PUGs are often a mess. It caters to lots of soloists or small groupers, who are often not around in game, but their $$$ in turn supports the fewer hardcore guilds that are in GW. Very clever. But doesn't work for everyone.

One thing about a subscription-based model. You're always aware you're paying for it. It's not a 'paid-for-already-so-let's-forget-about-it' kind of thing. One feels obliged to play. To get one's money's worth. Part of the whole 'investment' deal which makes it so hard to leave. So the MMO collects a dedicated bunch of players who log on often, forming a tighter community. Also a more passionate one, caring deeply about the game, the "I'm paying good money for this!" type - which leads to the wonderful flame-filled forums. But hey, at least they really give a damn.

Of course, if for whatever reason, one feels the money paid for is no longer worth the experience, then the subscription fee model is a good push to leave and save some dollars.

There's pressure on MMO developers following a subscription model to make sure the game functions well and is competitive with similar priced alternatives - because one is bound to compare the value of what they get with some other game.

One can only afford so many subscriptions a month. So most players probably juggle 1-3 subscription MMOs at a time. Very few will subscribe to 6 at once, I bet. Very tough fight for that wallet space, but if you're there, that player is probably going to be quite dedicated to your game unless you screw it up somehow and piss him off.

Microtransaction models differ. Some that stick to cosmetic improvements and limited bonuses are on the right track, in my opinion. It still offers a fair playing field for everyone, but capitalizes on greed, collectability and vanity to score a player's cash.

Those that are essentially crippleware without opening your wallet and paying for something that gives you an edge are dangerous. Goes down the slippery slope of 'the more real money I throw at the developers, the more powerful I become' sort of gold-selling affair. Still, you can hook some people who love this sort of thing and are rich enough to pay oodles of money for it, plus some more who get attracted enough to invest for a while.

And pricing appropriately is very important. If it's not 'worth' the real world dollars to them, people won't pay for it.

I just thought I'd chime in here as I think I may be different from most. Since this is a site that is only about MMOs and heavily favors (in their own words in this article) the P2P ones, I thought a differing perspective might be in order.

I think the model that succeeds is what is going to stick around; and for the time being, that model is $15/month + retail. Devs build that because they know that if they can get a sub base, they're going to be profitable. However, with the overwhelming success of WoW, I think it's very possible that this being the predominant method of subscription is going to go the way of the dodo. The simple truth is that MMOs are going to continue coming, but without a large enough sub base, they will disappear, eventually. This is how the so-called F2P model began - to try to come up with a new way to win over players, while making money in the process. Make no bones about it - they are free... initially. The lack of depth in the game is made up for with cheap, seemingly inexpensive content.

My background - I played WoW briefly, (2 months) and have tested pretty much every MMO that has offered a trial. I have GW and an expansion, and have logged about 20+ hours into it, before getting bored of the grind. I'm currently playing Rohan and Perfect World International, to see which one I'd prefer to spend a few hours off and on in. Rohan is currently winning, though I believe they're both quite good. Especially since they've so far cost me not a red cent.

I really think a new model needs to arise, imnsho. :) I think MMOs are frankly, kind of boring. I want them to be more than they are - which is why I keep testing them, looking for one that gives me that spark. But the trouble with the payment model is this; once you've gotten pretty far into any of these games, you're paying monthly for what? To run into yet another dungeon with yet another bunch of people who are also glued to their monitors, wearing out the print on their 1-0 keys? That's why I'm leaning towards SOME sort of F2P model at the moment.. for those weeks that I don't feel like/am too tired to spend on an MMO, I don't want to feel guilty about the money I'm spending. But at the same time, when I DO spend time playing, I want to feel interested and excited about doing it. I want it to be FUN.

You know what game I found FUN in the past little while, when testing? Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Crazy, hey? Yeah, it's for kids. But it was fun cause I actually had to CLICK my mouse on things. And I had to time it. Hey, maybe I'd love AoC. Who knows? But they really made me realize that something in gameplay model is crazily broken... I simply don't have enough fun just sitting there occasionaly pressing number keys without actually INTERACTING with the game.. and I sure don't want to pay for that.

Oliver

ps. sorry for the rambling rant..