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@FrostPaw

Re: Offset costs/ Free gaming versus subscription:

This has always been my suggestion ever since UO poked its head out; just rely on ad revenue and make a game free to players instead of sub-costs.

But a few things pop-up and I think they pertain to online gaming. One of them is that if there are too many ads, you will drive players away. Since there are metrics now to see how many people see a particular ad and that generates revenue, you may lose those dollars from your advertiser(s) ig less people see them. There is a definite balancing act to having the right amount of ads that doesn't fit everyone and you can worsen a situation (and lose revenue both with ads) if people leave. Of course, I am not even mentioning sub-fees lost, which is a given and worsens the situation.

I would pull a figure from the air and say roughly 93% of all corporations, be they magazines or networks (Cable Networks, too, since you PAY for TV and yet there are now mmore ads than entertainment) are being greedy. To be fair, if I were in that position, I would not turn away the "extra money" ad-revenue could create on top of my subscription money (and maybe MT shop). IMO of customer, this is rather sad since I have to watch ads and gain no/little benefit from it. I have seen where ad-revenue works, but it does not have the constant/assured money flow. Advertisers can be a persnickety bunch and their contracts with a given company can be short (a year or two. Or only a few months).

There are creative ways to put ads in that can enhance a game and even fit within a theme, especially certain products, but presentation, too. Most don't do this, because advertisers want their ads to look a certain way and they hire outside ad agencies for it. If an department could be created within a fame/MMO to make such ads, maybe this would solve the problem a bit?

@madcartoonist oh but that is just another challenge, tehe casuals

@madcartoonist

But of course, they might.

I will just have to find another hobby if this creeps into all games. Enough already with the money grubbing in every little thing. When will there be a backlash?

@xBludx liaise-faire style american capitalism has spread like cancer into everything everywhere. This is what you get the cult of infinite greed.

@ndessell Are you sure you don't mean "One more reason not to die in my books"?

@Graill440

Well, to cover specific details (and my own observations) Adventure Quest and the similar games of this company are very, very lite. You can play them for short stints, during work time (SHAME ON YOU!) or whatever. They are nice in that way and I can see how he'd have 13 or so million, but I would not call them "devoted and signing in everyday" type of players.

It's typically a f2p game with some perks for subscription, but IMO, not game-breaking (although it may seem to be). Also a wee bit of MT in there. IMO, it kinda thrives better as a short, casual f2p than most other games. Plus, it's 2-D all the way.

@Silverangel

Yes, well, soon enough there will be ads inside your eyelids when you sleep, or maybe microwaved directly into your brain. Cool, huh?

@xBludx

Ads?

By the time that tech is around, it'll be motivational songs praising the people's republic and our eternal father, Chairman Mao.

I for one look forward to our Chinese overlords.