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[MMOGology: What will microtransactions mean for SWTOR?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/mmogology-what-will-microtransactions-mean-for-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/mmogology-what-will-microtransactions-mean-for-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/mmogology-what-will-microtransactions-mean-for-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Who's afraid of the big, bad microtransaction? Me. Count me with the skeptics when it comes to a microtransaction-based business model for Star Wars: The Old Republic. In case you missed the flurry of news surrounding the announcement, Shacknews reported that Star Wars: The Old Republic would use a microtransaction payment model in place of or in addition to a subscription model. After the article's release EA issued a brief response that, "no [official] statements have been made about the Star Wars business model." It's a story that's been covered and critiqued several times already on Massively, but I just can't leave this dead horse unbeaten. I've got to get a few licks in myself.

Continue reading MMOGology: What will microtransactions mean for SWTOR?

MassivelyMMOGology: What will microtransactions mean for SWTOR? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesmicropaymentsmicrotransactionsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicMon, 22 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game economy grows with micropayments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/game-economy-grows-with-micropayments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/game-economy-grows-with-micropayments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/game-economy-grows-with-micropayments/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As was recently discussed in a similar topic here at Massively, the idea of micropayments for our MMOs and virtual worlds is growing in popularity among game developers, but is it the best option? According to several highly-successful companies such as Nexon and MindArk, it's not only the best option, it's the future of online business models.

A spokesperson for MindArk, maker of Entropia Universe, says that over $400 million in U.S. funds has changed hands in their game's four year lifespan. While some companies have strict rules against the interchange between real world money and virtual credits, there are plenty of others who swear it's the only way to go these days. A perfect example of this, as cited by a PCworld article, reminds us that the downloadable album from Aerosmith's Guitar Hero ventures have earned them more sales than all other album sales combined. "Who would have thought ringtones, wallpaper screensavers, and non-game mobile entertainment would be a $250 million business?", adds Joseph Olin, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.

MassivelyGame economy grows with micropayments originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsentropia-universemicropaymentsmicrotransactionsmindarknexonpcworldsubscriptionThu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A not-so-niche market?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/a-not-so-niche-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/a-not-so-niche-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/a-not-so-niche-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

micropaymentsHow much do you have to spend a month on your games? There are doubtless those of you that run several at once, but here at Massively we've just had a straw poll and most people run 2 or 3 games actively. World of Warcraft appeared on more than half of the lists - but perhaps surprisingly nowhere close to all of them.

Acclaim is building their appeal on the basis that everyone will have one game they're relatively faithful too (call it WoW for the sake of argument, they do!) and a number of other games that they will dip into. If you set up a system where you can choose from a multitude of games and pay a small fee for playing it now then you can make a living from this. Five million people paying 1c each day on average, is still $50,000 a day after all. There are other things this philosophy leads them to.

Continue reading A not-so-niche market?

MassivelyA not-so-niche market? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Acclaimcomplex-gamesgames-arraygames-on-demandmicropaymentssimple-gamesWed, 12 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST