Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The benefits of a subscription]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/05/eve-evolved-the-benefits-of-a-subscription/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/05/eve-evolved-the-benefits-of-a-subscription/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/05/eve-evolved-the-benefits-of-a-subscription/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
In last week's EVE Evolved opinion piece, I tackled the question of whether it would be possible to make EVE Online free-to-play and then devised a viable hybrid freemium business model based on other apparently successful free-to-play conversions. While this was largely a thought experiment exploring the viability of a conversion, the fact that other subscription games have made the change recently makes it more than just theoretical. The possibility that executives at CCP Games have investigated the same options makes this debate an important one to hash out in a public forum.

We've established that a free-to-play EVE could potentially be viable, but this week I'd like to take the debate one step further and ask whether EVE is actually doing the right thing with its current subscription model. Subscriptions may no longer appear to be the dominant business model in the MMO landscape, but they have some major advantages that are rapidly becoming apparent as more and more games drop their monthly fees. The sale of cosmetic enhancements will only net so much money, and if a game expands into selling convenience items that circumvent grind, there's a strong financial incentive to develop grindy gameplay and then sell shortcuts. This produces a conflict of interest between developing fun games and making money that isn't present with the subscription model.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the benefits of the subscription model, the unique position CCP is in with its PLEX system, and the hidden dangers of convenience-based microtransactions.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The benefits of a subscription

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The benefits of a subscription originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdebateeqeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iif2pfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-play-conversiongame-designincarnammo-industryopinionplexsandboxsci-fisubsubscriptionSun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Downtime deployment debate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/eve-evolved-downtime-deployment-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/eve-evolved-downtime-deployment-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/07/eve-evolved-downtime-deployment-debate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Earlier this week, an explosive argument broke out in the EVE Online community. Following an extended server downtime, it became known that Reddit-based alliance Test Alliance Please Ignore had used the server downtime to protect the deployment of 14 territorial claim units. Ordinarily, these claim units are vulnerable to attack for eight hours while they start up. The owner may choose to either commit a fleet to defend them for eight hours or leave them unguarded and hope nobody decides to knock them down.

This mechanic is designed to ensure that a force can't claim or attack a large number of systems simultaneously against opposition, as an alliance can't reliably defend several TCUs at once. By anchoring the structures just before the extended downtime occurred, Test Alliance made them invulnerable for their entire deployment time. A controversial debate then ensued, as GMs stepped in and Test pilots began making accusations of corruption, collusion and favouritism.

In this opinion piece, I weigh in on the latest debate to shake New Eden. I look at whether downtime deployment really is an exploit and whether there's any substance to the accusations made against EVE's Game Masters.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Downtime deployment debate

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Downtime deployment debate originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-of-brothersbugbugsccpccp-eveccp-gamesdebatedowntimeeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexploitexploitsfeaturedgame-mastergmit-alliancepetitionpetitionspvpreddittest-alliance-please-ignorewarfarewarfare-and-tacticsSun, 07 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sometimes it seems as though the entire MMO industry is moving toward microtransaction-based pricing schemes. With the success of free-to-play titles like Runes of Magic and Free Realms, it's clear that microtransactions are becoming a popular alternative to the standard subscription model. Famously, Dungeons and Dragons Online also proved that a hybrid model with both subscription and microtransaction options could be a great success. Even World of Warcraft has hopped on the microtransaction bandwagon with its infamous sparkle pony and cosmetic pets.

With the industry moving firmly in one direction, questions have been raised over whether EVE Online will ever implement any kind of microtransactions. Believe it or not, the first steps toward doing just that have already been taken. It was discovered some time ago that the Incursion expansion this winter would give players the ability to buy extra neural remaps with PLEX. Neural remapping allows players to re-assign a character's attributes using a points-based system. As attributes are only used to determine the speed with which skills train, remaps allow players to max out the stats required to train a particular branch of skills.

In this opinion piece, I look at the microtransaction debate currently raging in the EVE community and weigh in with my opinions on this controversial issue.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions

MassivelyEVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdebateeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedforumincarnaincursionmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsneural-remappingopinionpilot-license-extensionplexrmtSun, 10 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The pros and cons of free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-pt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-pt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-pt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The cons of the whole switchover

Item malls that offer players the ability to purchase items or item upgrades degrade the gaming experience. We've been over this before -- letting Mr. Moneybags deck out his character at level 1 so he's 10x more awesome than everybody else is a major downer to people who don't have the money.

While I've pored over the text that Turbine is released, it doesn't appear that they will be offering items like weaponry or armor. They will be offering "items of convenience" to the players. My best guess is things like potions, perhaps portals, resurrection scrolls, things such as these. Even though these are low powered items, they can still annoy you when Moneybags can teleport all over the place and you're left walking and taking the slow route.

This con is, however, offset by the fact that points can be earned by actually playing the game. It sounds like they are attempting to make the cash shop available for everyone, not just the Moneybags of the world. This will be interesting to watch, as no other developer as truly tried this in the American market.

"I could easily see some players offering up items in the auction house above the amount that a free player's wallet could hold."
The big con to this is the limited play that free players get. Limited auctions and limited mail are two nasty inconveniences in their own right, but limited gold storage and limited chat seem to be the features that take the cake. How would you like it if you couldn't chat in all of the chat channels, or were restricted to how much you can say in game? Even worse, limited gold storage may mean that you might not be able to purchase the best items from the auction house simply because your wallet just doesn't hold enough.

I could easily see some players offering up items in the auction house above the amount that a free player's wallet could hold. This is going to inconvenience the player further because it's going to restrict how the player can interact with the auction house and interact with the vendors in the world.

Another two bites out of the pro pile are the fact that free players rank lower than DDO VIP subscription players in the login queue and free players don't get access to customer support. This means that a constant influx of DDO VIP players could easily keep bumping free players back in the login queue, should the server become overpopulated. While I don't exactly see this happening, it could become problem should the lines really get backed up. I know I wouldn't like to see that my place in line as number 27 get jacked backward to 30 or 35 just because a few subscribers chose to log in.

Lastly is the fact that free players are stuck with the online knowledge base and the forums as their source of aid should they encounter problems. I can foresee some free players attempting to play the game, getting stuck on some odd technical problem, and then becoming unable to solve it simply because the knowledge base doesn't have their problem on file. You're going to inevitably lose some people over this, just because they don't want to deal with the frustration of attempting to make a free game work. It's a free game, so if it doesn't work, just move onto the next game.

The bottom line?

The final thoughts for all of this is you should weigh it for yourself. If you want to save some cash and you like Dungeons and Dragons, then this might just be the experience for you. If you're looking for a second quality MMO to have as a side-game, then this might also be what you want to pick up.

If you're someone who's easily frustrated by limitations, however, then you might not enjoy this experience. Some of the stuff, like decreased auctions, gold storage, and chatting capabilities might hamper gameplay just enough to turn off some people.

But, don't take my word for it. Judge the game for yourself when it hits free to play status later this summer.
Turbine has just announced that Dungeons and Dragons Online will be moving to a free-to-play business model, and we have the inside scoop. Be sure to read our complete coverage of the changeover, and look for more info as DDO Unlimited approaches launch.

MassivelyThe pros and cons of free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consddoddo-storedebatedecisiondnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeberron-unlimitedfree-to-playitem-mallitem-shoplevel-20module-9prosturbineWed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The pros and cons of free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-pros-and-cons-of-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Dungeons and Dragons Online going free to play is undoubtedly an awesome announcement. But exactly how awesome of an announcement is it?

Yesterday we were all over the announcement, covering the basics of what can be expected with this changeover from subscription based to free to play. But now, I'd like to break that down even further, and really look at the changes in an in-depth manner.

Certainly not everything about the new version of DDO has been defined by Turbine, but we're going to take a look at the basics of what this new version offers and compare the ups and downs of what's being offered. By the time we're done looking over the new system, you'll be able to answer that one burning question that's plaguing your mind.

Is free to play DDO worth it for you?

Continue reading The pros and cons of free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online

MassivelyThe pros and cons of free to play Dungeons and Dragons Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consddoddo-storedebatedecisiondnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimitedeberron-unlimitedfree-to-playitem-mallitem-shoplevel-20module-9prosstormreachturbineWed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The WoW vs. WAR debate makes Top 10 list of video game rage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/the-wow-vs-war-debate-makes-top-10-list-of-video-game-rage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/the-wow-vs-war-debate-makes-top-10-list-of-video-game-rage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/the-wow-vs-war-debate-makes-top-10-list-of-video-game-rage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Alec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun recently put a new twist on the 'top 10' lists that are cropping up at year's end -- a sort of top ten of gaming rage as expressed on the intertubes. Much of this list is focused on single-player titles and the industry itself, but Meer's 'Orc vs Orc' (#8 on the list) caught our attention.

Meer writes, "We've already talked today about the absurd, insane fanboy fallout from our own comparisons between Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft, but in truth it was a torrent of poison that briefly gripped MMO sites the world over. Notably, MUDfather Richard Bartle endured character assassination by a raft of WAR fansites after an interview in which he apparently stated the two games were very similar." That interview in question was actually Dr. Bartle's talk with our own (master) Michael Zenke back in June.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

Continue reading The WoW vs. WAR debate makes Top 10 list of video game rage

MassivelyThe WoW vs. WAR debate makes Top 10 list of video game rage originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alec-meerargumentscontroversydebatefantasymichael-zenkeragerichard-bartlerockpapershotgunwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 19 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster on whether torture in videogames is evil]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/raph-koster-on-whether-torture-in-videogames-is-evil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/raph-koster-on-whether-torture-in-videogames-is-evil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/raph-koster-on-whether-torture-in-videogames-is-evil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Debate over what is considered 'right' and 'wrong' in terms of behavior in a videogame has become commonplace in recent years. Virtually any mass media commentary on the myriad evils of Grand Theft Auto or the 'Debbie Does Dallas in Space' view of Mass Effect drives this point home -- everyone has a different mindset in terms of what's acceptable to them. While gamers easily dismiss many of these notions as being uninformed and taken out of context, now and again something comes to light within the gaming community itself that sparks debate. A good example has been the recent (and heated) discussion of torture in games, stemming from the views expressed by Dr. Richard Bartle. He argued his points on the questionable existence of torture in "The Art of Persuasion" quest in World of Warcraft, which set off a flurry of responses from gamers and peers.

MMO industry luminary Raph Koster weighs in with his own views on the matter in a post titled "Are games about torture evil?". Specifically, Koster addresses this comment at his website: "... please explain to me again why killing NPCs in games is fine but sticking them with a cattle prod is evil." However, Koster seems less concerned with arbitrary notions of right and wrong as he is with the game design that leads us down this path in the first place.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

Continue reading Raph Koster on whether torture in videogames is evil

MassivelyRaph Koster on whether torture in videogames is evil originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversydebateevilfantasymmo-industryopinionquestsraph-kosterrichard-bartletortureworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 13 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock, Paper, Shotgun discovers that WoW is a "dirty word"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/rock-paper-shotgun-discovers-that-wow-is-a-dirty-word/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/rock-paper-shotgun-discovers-that-wow-is-a-dirty-word/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/rock-paper-shotgun-discovers-that-wow-is-a-dirty-word/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today we return to a debate that simply will not die. Gaming blog Rock, Paper, Shotgun -- a very smart blog that is a combination of progressive and traditionalist, if that makes any sense at all -- felt the need to defend itself after it previewed Warhammer Online and made numerous comparisons to World of Warcraft. It even inserted a WoW screenshot as a joke.

If you've been following this debate (which already reached a raging napalmic inferno of internet vitriol when Richard Bartle compared the games in an interview with us) then you know that RPS was just asking for trouble. And trouble it got, in the order of more than 200 comments.

The latest development: RPS blogger Alec Meer wrote a personal, diplomatic, and even impassioned post in which he attempted both to defend the comparison and to defend WAR in the face of said comparison. He also tried to explain why the connection infuriates WAR fans so much. The money quote: "Telling a WAR player that his game is similar to WoW is like telling a goth that he's emo." Needless to say, it's worth a read.
Warhammer Online Coverage Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out all of our previous Warhammer Online features, and don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

MassivelyRock, Paper, Shotgun discovers that WoW is a "dirty word" originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's a person out there who claims that all they need to know about business can be learned from World of Warcraft. A fine sentiment, to be sure, but I take issue with its accuracy. Today we are discussing the first of their eleven business topics: value chains - and why they don't work.

In brief, value chain analysis states that for any good requiring multiple stages of production (meaning you don't just rip it out of your backyard and eat it), value is added at each level of refinement. Therefore the price should increase along its path to becoming a finalized product.

Continue reading Making/Money: My value chains are broken

MassivelyMaking/Money: My value chains are broken originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-houseblacksmithingcrafted-itemscraftingdebateeconomicseconomyfeaturedgatheringgoodsmaterialsmoneyproductionprofessionsvaluevalue-chainsworld-of-warcraftSun, 27 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mark Jacobs rails against official forums]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/mark-jacobs-rails-against-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The issue of whether major MMO releases should be accompanied by official forums is a hot topic in the industry these days. While some recent games like Tabula Rasa have opted to without official forums, to mixed results, others like Lord of the Rings Online have shown that they can still be a valued resource. It seems like discussions on the topic are ever-present. We've known for a while now that Warhammer Online was opting out of official forums, but general manager Mark Jacobs chimed in on the Warhammer Alliance forums to reiterate Mythic's position on the subject.

He lays out a mock-schedule for the way player (mis)behavior would develop as the game moved closer to release, poking fun at the schizophrenic nature of official forums - how the community as a whole can be both loving and hateful, cynical and naive, reactionary and... well, usually just reactionary. He also says that he doesn't want to have to put himself or any of his community team through that kind of hell, and that's what informed their decision to stay away from official forums. It's not like it stops people from flaming the game though, and community reps still need to wade through community forums anyway, so why not put it all in one place? I almost wish they'd just admit it was the money...

MassivelyMark Jacobs rails against official forums originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>debateea-mythicforumsmark-jacobsmythicofficial-forumswarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineSat, 15 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The epic fight: Retail vs. Microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/the-epic-fight-retail-vs-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/the-epic-fight-retail-vs-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/the-epic-fight-retail-vs-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This past week's DICE event had several head-to-head events pitting warring concepts in the gaming industry against each other. The ongoing struggle between subscription fees and RMT/microtransactional business models was represented at the event by an excellent debate. And topical, considering that it appears questions over the business model may have in some way scuttled the Marvel comics MMO.

On the side of retail/subscriptions was Kelly Flock, a veteran of THQ and Sony. Min Kim, the director of operations for Nexon America, carried the banner for microtransactions. Most of their sparring centered over the economic benefits both sides offer. Kim focused on the cheap production costs of free-to-play games, as well as the appeal to casual gamers. "Once people start playing games for free, I don't know why they're going to start paying for one.", he said. Flock, meanwhile, offered evidence of a strong retail market and possible customer mindset problems in the US.

Both of them had some compelling things to say on the subject, but it seems from the writeup that Kim and RMT won the day. A sign of the times?

MassivelyThe epic fight: Retail vs. Microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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