The Daily Grind: Would you like to see more lifetime subscriptions?

by Seraphina Brennan on Jan 7th 2009 8:00AM

Business models, Economy, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Yesterday's grind concerned the very real problem of having to let one of your subscriptions lapse due to the state of the economy. When the times are tough and money is tight, sometimes you need to find what will ultimately pay off in the end for you. So, today's question is ultimately derived from yesterday's question -- would you like more games to offer lifetime subscriptions, like Lord of the Rings Online?

For those unfamiliar with the system, Lord of the Rings Online offers subscribers the ability to pay a fee, about 299 dollars, and then that's it. No more paying a monthly fee for the rest of the lifetime of the game. While it's an extremely high upfront cost, the benefit is that you will never pay again to keep your account active. Instead of worrying about lapsing subscriptions, you can play when you want, whenever you want.

The downside to this, besides the upfront cost, is the problem that may occur if your game doesn't do so well. Hellgate: London lifetime subscribers are currently feeling this problem, as their game is leaving them high and dry. The lifetime subscription is only good if your game survives long enough to make it worth your while -- the one downside to this type of payment plan.

But, we leave the final judgment to you, readers. Would you like more of your games to offer this type of subscription plan? Comment away!

Tags: hanbitsoft, hellgate-london, lifetime-subscription, lord-of-the-rings-online, lotro, subscription, the-daily-grind, turbine

Reader Comments (23)

HELL YES.

While 12-18 months equivalent may not be a lot if someone stays with the game for years, I think a game publisher will also make a lot of sales of lifetime subs to people who wouldn't normally subscribe regularly. Oh, and it means people can readily drop into MMOs with out an ongoing subscription, which should help build the community.

Sure, I would like to see more MMO's offer the life time sub option. However, I think there should be some sort of guarantee with that if you launch with that option and you go dark within a year or two. Something on the order of a refund of time not used or game time cards for the MMO of your choice, etc.

Honestly at the rae these newer MMO's are failing though, it would be foolish for consumers to invest in that kind of plan.

I would enjoy lifetime subs for WOW, WAR and probably Darkfall when it comes out. Maybe even EVE so that my months here and there randomly playing it would be a more pick up and go type of thing.

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