DLP

Uh, cause I'm cool, clearly!

I am going to play . . .

And do very little else!

For a self-professed entrepreneur and businessman, you need to bone up on Economics. I recommend a 101 class! In the mean time, google the terms "demand curve" and "price discrimination" and read up a bit before commenting on the ignorance of others.

In short, Subscription-only MMOs have only one set of customers they are addressing. Those who value their product enough to pay 12-15 USD per month for it. That may sound like nothing to you, but to many there simply isn't a very good value proposition there. Maybe they don't get to play that often, in which they are wasting the time they've payed for. Or maybe they don't value grouping that highly, and can therefor buy numerous large, open-world, single player games for notably less financial commitment. What ever their logic, they aren't wrong! It is there value basis and they are entitled to it.

I expect that MMO companies have come to realize this and have begun looking for other value propositions that allow them access to more area under that demand curve than a single line at $15. Of course, most of these companies are cognizant that game balance is still a must and, the one area where you are generally correct, they are aware how much consumers don't like "pay-per-hour" models. Hence pay-points like pay walls around content, convenience items, vanity items, etc. These are all very effective ways of segmenting the population, as you can essentially spend whatever you feel is appropriate to play the game at your own pace.

And the fact is that most free-to-play MMOs have "all-you-can-eat" subscriptions IN ADDITION TO the other models. They actually get to capitalize on both models at the same time, capturing people who value their product along the entire curve, from subscription price down! That sounds good for both customers and the company to me.

Businesses actually love subscription services, because they are guaranteed income you can plan your business around. Look at Tivo (an actual subscription service) or Gillette (blades are, in fact, a subscription). Thousands of companies have very good businesses in the subscription space. If these models were truly a poor value to the company, you would see them going away completely.

Interestingly, while the F2P model focuses on the lower half of the value curve, Blizzard has recently figured out that 15 USD per month is too cheap for some of their more rabid customers. Enter the Sparkle Pony!!! Again, this is just an attempt to capture a bit more profit under that demand curve, only on the other end. With millions currently forking over $15 per month, Blizzard clearly sees no major benefit in chasing the group beneath that point. They are, in fact leaving that segment to Turbine, Sony, et. al.

And Sony took one of the most imaginative stabs at price discrimination last month when they announced that if you already have an account you can get another one with limited monthly playing time. This could likely be used to capture the hardcore (multi-boxer) as well as the more casual (spouse, child, etc.). All with one new model! Pretty smart.

In conclusion, while I appreciate that this is a blog, intended more for entertainment than information, I do wish you would strive to educate and inform a bit on a topic like this. I think it would serve your readers better, and make you sound much more rational and aware.

Thank you.

This would be a very nice finish to my year. Pick me please.

Thanking you in advance.

sign me up please

Yes please.

Yes, please

with suger on top!

Anyone have any idea what kind of dog that is? He's great!

You beat me to it.

Pretty great how they note that Gore is in Bali for the UN climate change summit and, perhaps, THAT'S where the announcement will take place. These guys are making so much progress saving the world that they can't keep the announcement venues straight!

It's a bit ridiculous to think that the launch date of something so, apparently, significant didn't bother to register with such smart people. Millions of fanboys the world over manage to figure out to within 31 seconds the impending launch of every new iPod!

Frankly, I struggle with why these people, all of them, continue to host "swanky" events to announce break-through's of any sort. With respect to Global Warming, it smacks of hypocracy. How many of those people flew to the venue, how much power will they consume, how much food is wasted, how many harmful chemicals will be dumped into the environment to clean the dishes, table clothes, etc.???

The internet is the perfect disemination tool, that's what it was created for. As it's inventor, Al should know that.

Just kidding with that last bit, Gore fans!

The point is, if you've got something great, pull together a good web page and GET IT OUT THERE! Let the peer review begin. Hello, Mr. Steorn? Are you there?