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EVE Online hits 500,000 subscribers, heads into second decade

Brendan Drain — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Culture, Events (Real-World), Lore, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Dev Diaries, Sandbox

Most modern MMOs launch to an initial flurry of sales followed by a steady decline in player activity, but sci-fi MMO EVE Online has lived life in reverse. The game initially failed to secure a large number of launch sales but has since grown organically into one of the most successful subscription MMOs on the planet. EVE developer CCP Games told Massively today that the game has now officially broken the 500,000 subscription barrier.

Subscription numbers hit the 450,000 mark following the relaunch of EVE's Chinese server Serenity in December of last year, and they have continued to climb ever since. This new subscription milestone is attributed to the success of EVE's recent Retribution expansion and the anticipation building over upcoming console MMOFPS DUST 514, which is set on actual planets in the EVE universe. EVE is due to hit its 10th anniversary this year on May 6th, and developers have been taking the opportunity to look forward at what the coming decade will bring to the game.

We caught up with CCP for a quick peek at the studio's plans for the future and to find out what kind of announcements we can expect from EVE Fanfest in April of this year.

Continue reading EVE Online hits 500,000 subscribers, heads into second decade

EVE Online hits 500,000 subscribers, heads into second decade originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free for All: Justifying the subscriptions I maintain

Beau Hindman — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Business Models, Opinion, RuneScape, Free-to-Play, Browser, Casual, Community Q&A, Free for All, Miscellaneous, Sandbox

Subscriptions are a funny thing. For as long as I can remember, they've represented a level of quality to many gamers. To those players, only those funny Eastern MMOs didn't have a sub. Granted, I loved a lot of those funny Eastern games and didn't care how a game monetized itself. Watching Western players spin on a dime about subscriptions has been a pretty weird experience. The Western developers have changed as well, providing tiered services and other models that would have been seen as suspicious only years ago.

I've been known as a free-to-play guy for a while. Heck, I was originally hired here at Massively to cover free-to-play games. Now that there are more free games than not, this column has spread out a bit, covering multiple topics. Payment models do still come up, as they did this week. I thought it'd be cool to examine the subs I do maintain and why -- not press accounts or accounts from long before I began working at Massively, but accounts that I choose to pay for with my own money.

Continue reading Free for All: Justifying the subscriptions I maintain

Free for All: Justifying the subscriptions I maintain originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do you still subscribe?

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

Even in an era of extreme free-to-play proliferation, the subscription model isn't dead. There are still plenty of sub-only titles chugging on (EVE Online, RIFT) and many of the so-called "F2P" titles are really hybrids that also allow the option to subscribe.

Subscriptions are what many of us MMO gamers grew up on, and for some they're still comforting to use. For $15 or less a month, players can bypass F2P restrictions, earn additional store currency, and access the game's full content without a care in the world. Studios are now treating subscribers better, almost like royalty, because the subscribers represent loyalty and a steady income in an increasingly competitive market.

So do you still subscribe to an MMO, and if so, what? Do you feel like you get your money's worth every month?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: Do you still subscribe? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Is the subscription justified?

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

I wonder whether the folks at Trion Worlds feel as if they're on an ever-shrinking island, holding fast to the subscription-only model while the world erodes into the sea of free-to-play. It's got to be an unsettling feeling, particularly as the competition continues to press in from all sides.

Is clinging to RIFT's subscription worth it? When even Star Wars: The Old Republic flinched and buckled to F2P, what chance does RIFT have to stay its course? Is Trion hurting or helping this game by holding fast to the business model?

It's a tricky question that's made trickier by the scarcity of facts. Trion's expressed strong confidence in the way it's steered RIFT so far, and I wonder whether that's a genuine confidence based on numbers that I don't see or a brave front for a duck that's paddling furiously under the calm pond surface.

So is RIFT really so good that it justifies a monthly subscription, and if so, what makes it OK to stay above the F2P waters on that tiny island?

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Is the subscription justified?

Enter at Your Own Rift: Is the subscription justified? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the best business model?

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Free-to-play MMO business models come in all shapes and sizes. There are those that are completely free, those that sell only cosmetic items and nothing else, those that nickel-and-dime you to death with cash-shop barriers, and those that offer VIP packages so players can still sub and get everything that a normal subscription game would offer.

With so many existing MMOs making that F2P conversion, it's safe to say that the market hasn't really figured out the perfect business model yet. Or has it? Let us know which MMO has the best business model in your opinion, be it subscription, free-to-play, or any combination.

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the best business model? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArenaNet dev says Guild Wars 2's business model will result in a more diverse playerbase

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business Models, Interviews, Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2 Lead Producer Chris Whiteside has a pretty straight-forward opinion of MMO business models: He says that subscriptions are "a huge barrier to entry." He says that Guild Wars 2's model, which has no subscription but does charge a one-time fee for the client, each campaign, and optional microtransactions, is far more accessible to gamers.

Whiteside also thinks that free models have an added benefit for players: "The interesting and ironic thing about it is when you do more free-to-play games, it becomes more competitive, which is even better for the consumer."

ArenaNet expects a more diverse playerbase due to its business model, Whiteside said. He also addressed the difficulty of balancing an MMO for both newcomers to the genre and longtime vets: "As an industry, we could all do a better job of teaching the player how to get to the point where these more complex systems are in the game and then having more enjoyment by understanding what they are, rather than kind of feeling like an outsider."

ArenaNet dev says Guild Wars 2's business model will result in a more diverse playerbase originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Global MMO spending to top $12 billion in 2012

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, Miscellaneous

Number-crunching services SuperData Research and Newzoo released reports today forecasting strong growth in the MMO industry. According to the analysts, worldwide spending on MMOs will top $12 billion this year, and that's not all: The companies also predict that this number will increase to a whopping $17.5 billion in 2015.

Other facts released in the reports:

Yearly MMO market growth increased by 14% in the U.S. and 24% in Germany.
The number of MMOs in the field has doubled since the start of 2011.
Twenty-three of the 50 million U.S. MMO gamers spend money on subscriptions or microtransactions, a 3% increase from 2011. The yearly average amount spent is $127.
More German players spend money on MMOs than in the U.S. -- 13% more, to be exact.
Free-to-play revenues in the U.S. now account for 50% of the market, up from 39% in 2010.
Science-fiction MMOs make up to three times as much money as their fantasy counterparts.

SuperData CEO Joost van Dreunen says that the race for gamers' wallets is only getting started: "The current market saturation forces MMO publishers to compete over a finite gamer population."

[Source: SuperData Research/Newzoo press release]

Report: Global MMO spending to top $12 billion in 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic has 1.3 million active subs, new content packs coming

Matt Daniel — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, News Items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

We all know that the Star Wars: The Old Republic galaxy is a huge place, but thanks to some new numbers from EA's 4th quarter financial reports, we now know exactly how huge it is. According to the report, SWTOR is home to 1.3 million active subscribers (down from 1.7 million as announced in March).

On top of that bit of information, the report also reveals that two new content packs will be available for players sometime in the first financial quarter. We don't know a thing about these content packs yet, except that they're (at least tentatively) titled Legacy (presumably the current Legacy patch) and Allies, so conspiracy theorists, start your engines. Let the speculation begin!

Star Wars: The Old Republic has 1.3 million active subs, new content packs coming originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RuneScape increasing subscription prices on February 1st

Matt Daniel — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Economy, MMO Industry, News Items, RuneScape, Free-to-Play, Browser

In a new post on the official RuneScape site, the game's vice president Daniel Clough has announced that, beginning in February, RuneScape membership prices will be rising from $5.95 US per month to $7.95 US per month. If you're already a member, don't worry! Anyone who is a registered member prior to February 1st will still be able to subscribe to the game at the current fee of $5.95 US per month, and the rate will not rise as long as the subscription isn't cancelled. So if you were thinking about shelling out for a RuneScape membership, act before the end of the month in order to lock in the current, lower pricing model. For the full details, click on through the link below to the RuneScape official site.

[Thanks to Sean for the tip!]

RuneScape increasing subscription prices on February 1st originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gods & Heroes crucifies subs and slashes box prices

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, Real-Life, Business Models, Free-to-Play

Two business models entered Gods & Heroes' colosseum, but only one walked out alive. The crowds cheered their approval, and for a moment their bloodlust was sated. Subscriptions in the game would be no more.

Today, Heatwave Interactive announced that the subscription model wasn't working out for the underperforming Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (perhaps it did not sell enough fancy helmets) and as of today subs are a thing of the past. Instead, players can enjoy the game without a fee while the team works on creating a true free-to-play plan.

In addition to making gameplay completely free, Heatwave has cleaved the price of the client in twain, reducing the cost to $9.99 for those who have yet to get it. If you've previously purchased the game, whether you were currently subbed to it or not, your account is now flagged for unlimited free play.

Gods & Heroes crucifies subs and slashes box prices originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT introduces 3-month, 6-month, and yearly subscription plans

Matt Daniel — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, News Items, RIFT

It's a new year, and the folks at Trion Worlds want you to spend it in Telara. In order to entice players to stick around, the studio has announced three new subscription plans for those who are tired of dropping $15 US every month. RIFT players can now subscribe for three months for $12.99 US per month (that's $38.97 US, billed every three months), six months for $10.99 US per month ($65.94 US every six months), or one year for $9.99 US per month ($119.88 US every year).

But wait, there's more! For a limited time only, Trion is offering players a discount on the yearly subscription package. Instead of paying $9.99 per month, players will pay $8.25 per month for a total of $99.00 per year. So if you're one of the many RIFT players who have been waiting for multi-month subscription options, all you have to do is head on over to your account page and make the switch. For more details, check out the game's official subscription information page.

RIFT introduces 3-month, 6-month, and yearly subscription plans originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare Mythic isn't playing favorites with free-to-play and subscriptions

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Business Models, MMO Industry, Warhammer Online, Free-to-Play, Star Wars: The Old Republic

BioWare Mythic says that the market is big enough to support both free-to-play and subscription models -- and everything else in between. Talking with Gamasutra, GM Eugene Evans said that the company has to acknowledge that there are people who don't like F2P and those who do, and it's important to reach out to both groups.

With Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes in beta testing, BioWare Mythic is testing the waters of free-to-play while preparing for Star Wars: The Old Republic's massive subscription launch. "We often got asked about taking our old games free-to-play, and in the case of Warhammer, we felt there was a different way of doing it," he opined, going on to say that the Mythic branch was learning a lot about polish and quality from the BioWare team.

Evans commented on the observation that the widening global market means that no one business model is guaranteed to work in every country: "We're all still figuring out what free-to-play means, what the best way to monetize is, and how to run it as a business and engage players in ways they're prepared to accept."

BioWare Mythic isn't playing favorites with free-to-play and subscriptions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square-Enix announces end of Final Fantasy XIV's free play and roadmap for next year

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, News Items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

The latest patch for Final Fantasy XIV brought some major changes with it, but there are more coming. In a new series of announcements, Square-Enix announced that the unbilled period of the game will be coming to a close between late November and early December in recognition of the large-scale work done by Naoki Yoshida and the game's team. But the announcement was more far-reaching than that -- no, the entire game is going to undergo a major process of changes well through next year, including a graphical engine and UI overhaul as well as major changes to the game's maps.

Several design documents have been posted along with this update, making it clear that the changes will be observed and influenced by players taking part in content during this time period. And these changes will be massive -- the new UI will not only look much cleaner but also be able to support player add-ons. With a promised redesign of maps, changes to the landscape, the upcoming PlayStation 3 version, and major updates to the battle system and armoury system, it's going to be very busy over the next few months as Final Fantasy XIV moves toward version 2.0.

Square-Enix announces end of Final Fantasy XIV's free play and roadmap for next year originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare's Doctors: 'We have an aggressive post-launch plan'

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Business Models, Interviews, Launches, Star Wars: The Old Republic

With the question of "When will Star Wars: The Old Republic ever launch?" finally answered, inquiring minds have turned to the future of the as-of-yet unreleased MMO. In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk covered many topics, including the studio's plans following December 20th. "We have a really aggressive plan post launch to build content and take the feedback to heart that we're getting from players and what they want for continued expansions, and use that feedback to build new content," Muzyka promised.

The conversation also included a probing question about the decision to limit initial sales of the game. Muzyka says that stability and service are high priorities in the company: "You have to build the infrastructure to support a certain size launch and we're also thinking really long term at Bioware EA for this, there are going to be many, many consumers coming to the game over time and we're going to be expanding it out."

Other topics covered include the funny exploits that players have discovered in beta, the challenges and joys of working on the Star Wars IP, and the issue of free-to-play business models versus subscriptions. In regards to the latter, Zeschuck isn't worried that SWTOR decided to go the sub route. "The trend for free-to-play doesn't supplant great top quality premium games that support a subscription," he said, while going on to laud the flexibility of F2P formats.

BioWare's Doctors: 'We have an aggressive post-launch plan' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO subscription dollars in decline for the first time since 2002

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, MMO Industry, Miscellaneous

With all of the free-to-play MMOs coming onto the market and the F2P conversion of formerly subscription-only titles, it should come as no surprise that the subscription model is losing its grip on the industry. Eurogamer reports that starting in 2010, the money brought in from MMO subscriptions has actually gone into decline for the first time ever since analysts began tracking it in 2002.

2010's subscription revenue added up to $1.58 billion, a respectable amount but still 5% less than 2009. 2009 saw a 10% bump in subscriptions, and 2008 witnessed 21.6% growth. Connect the dots, and subscription revenue has most likely peaked and begun a downhill slide. Analysts predict that by 2015, revenue from subs will be as low as $1.33 billion. However, with the popularity of RIFT this year and the coming storm of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the subscription model may see a resurgence.

On the flip side, microtransactions from F2P models are rising exponentially, jumping 24% from 2009 to 2010 to account for $1.13 billion. With the two models combined, the industry saw a very modest 5% increase last year in revenue.

Screen Digest analyst Piers Harding-Rolls sees the writing on the wall: "The focus of many PC game operators has clearly shifted to micro-transaction‐based models -- in part due to competition in the subscription market especially in the high‐end MMOG segment, but also because of the flexibility micro-transactions offer operators in monetising gamers."

MMO subscription dollars in decline for the first time since 2002 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion extends RIFT's Founder Pricing options

Jef Reahard — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, RIFT

Trion Worlds has great news for RIFT fans who plan on playing the game for months at a time. The company is extending the availability window of its Founder's Pricing options for a further two weeks. The deal was originally slated to expire on March 15th, but subscribers can still select $9.99 six-month and $11.99 three-month plans if the purchase is made by March 31st.

The discount pricing is valid as long as you maintain an active subscription, and your payment method will be charged on a recurring basis as per MMO industry norms.

RIFT is a high-fantasy MMORPG featuring an ever-changing landscape, a unique Ascended Soul class system, and the ability to fight as a Guardian protector or a technomagical Defiant.

Trion extends RIFT's Founder Pricing options originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Are multi-month subscriptions worth it?

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

When Trion Worlds offered RIFT pre-order packages, all of them granted players the option to buy into special "Founder's Subscription Plans." While pre-orders players could opt for the normal $14.99/month pricing, by purchasing multiple month subscription packages, they could get a decent discount. So if you pay $35.97 for a three-month package, you're effectively getting a $11.99/month subscription price; likewise, a $59.94 payment for a six-month block translates into a $9.99/month fee.

RIFT is hardly the only MMO that offers discounts on multi-month subscriptions. DC Universe Online and Warhammer Online tempt players with discounted fees when game time is purchased in bulk, for example. While the studios stand to lose some revenue from these discounts, they can come out ahead by enticing customers to purchase time they may or may not actually use, especially when you consider that the average retention rate for an MMO is around six months.

So what do you think: Are multi-month subscriptions worth the cost up front in exchange for the discount? Or is it a risky proposition that locks you into a game you may not be interested in after a few months just to save a few bucks?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: Are multi-month subscriptions worth it? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What do you think about lifetime subscriptions?

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, MMO Industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Champions Online made a bit of a splash when the development team announced that lifetime subscriptions would become available once again... albeit at the rather steep price of $299, right as the game is preparing to go free-to-play. It's not that it's a bad reward for players, but the price is a bit steep for many, and requires quite a bit of expected playtime for one to make back the investment. On the other hand, permanent access to a game is always tempting, and lifetime subscriptions always carry some weighty perks.

Not many games offer a lifetime plan, but those that have done it have received mixed reviews. The up-front investment is a bit daunting, but the result is never having to worry about how you'll pay the subscription fees. Of course, some players prefer having that fee in their minds to help ensure they make the most out of their in-game time, rather than knowing the game is always there for whenever. Would you purchase a lifetime subscription to your favorite game? How much would you be willing to pay?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: What do you think about lifetime subscriptions? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guestimating MMO subscriber numbers

Shawn Schuster — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, Economy, MMO Industry, Education

Subscriber numbers can get thrown around all day with little to no meaning. For example, did you know that 87% of all statistics are made up right there on the spot? It's true! In the case of MMO subscription numbers though, they can sometimes become obsessions for critics and fanboys alike. Some publishers release numbers readily, while others keep them under lock and key. So what are we to do since there is no officially-regulated organization to act as a trusted source for our subscription numbers?

In a recent article at T=Machine, Adam Martin takes an in-depth look at the mechanics of subscription numbers and provides us with a detailed rundown of the existing organizations and websites in an attempt to make sense of the numbers. He even explores the avenues of East vs. West and subscription vs. free-to-play in a separate analysis. Check out the complete article for more charts and comparisons than your left brain can handle.

[Via Broken Toys]

Guestimating MMO subscriber numbers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take-Two Interactive considering subs and microtransactions for top titles

James Egan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, Expansions, MMO Industry, News Items

Subscriptions have been the bread and butter of MMOs since the days of Ultima Online, but subs may be coming to some popular standalone PC titles from Take-Two Interactive, presumably the Grand Theft Auto franchise and BioShock. Brian Crecente of Kotaku reports that "at the BMO Capital Markets conference, Take-Two head honcho Strauss Zelnick seemed very up on the idea of downloadable content, micro-transactions and even... subscriptions."

This falls in line with their business model of periodically offering downloadable content to either extend the storyline of a game, or to simply offer varied gameplay experiences. Downloadable content and microtransactions could solve some of the issues game publishers have with their titles being re-sold, allowing them to have a continuous revenue stream, and perhaps dissuading many consumers from reselling that game in the first place. Regular content refreshes could ensure that these games don't go stale and end up relegated to a dusty bookshelf. Zelnick implied that this business model, should it come to be, would likely only affect Take-Two's biggest titles. This implies changes to the business models for Grand Theft Auto and BioShock, although the words "Midnight Club Online" also seem apt.

But do you feel that adding the trappings of the MMO business model, namely subs and microtransactions, would enhance your experience with a standalone title, both as a gamer and as a consumer? Are more MMO-like PC games a good thing, or are you more of an MMO purist?

Take-Two Interactive considering subs and microtransactions for top titles originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Age of Conan expands subscription options

Matt Warner — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Business Models, New Titles, News Items

Were you ever busted paying off your favorite MMOG subscription with your parent's credit card? It was all worth it if that subscription didn't run out the next month. Well, whatever your reasons for not wanting to pay for Age of Conan with a credit card Funcom has expanded the payment options by partnering with PayByCash. This service provides over seventy different payment methods which get your cold hard cash into the right hands. AoC's subscription rate is comparable to other MMOGs, a full listing on subscription rates from various regions can be found on the official site.

Still can't get enough Age of Conan news? Check out Massively's ongoing coverage.

[via Warcry]

Age of Conan expands subscription options originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Q4 2007: NCsoft's subscription numbers & Tabula Rasa's financial flop

Matt Warner — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: City of Heroes, City of Villains, Guild Wars, Lineage, Lineage 2, Business Models, MMO Industry, News Items, Opinion, Tabula Rasa, Academic

NCsoft crunches their numbers every financial quarter and releases this information in the open since they are publicly traded company. With all this information it provides a fantastic insiders look at one of the biggest MMOG publishers in the world. Another Massively writer already reported on the gist from the latest round of numbers, but with all the recent hoopla surrounding Tabula Rasa, let's take a closer look at NCsoft's subscription numbers across the board, and come up with a subscription number for Tabula Rasa.

Lineage
[Worldwide]: 1,049,763 subscriptions (down 93,936 from Q3)
[North America]: 6,414 subscriptions (down 585 from Q3)

Lineage 2
[Worldwide]: 926,570 subscriptions (down 4,693 from Q3)
[North America & Europe]: 79,986 subscriptions (up 943 from Q3)

City of Heroes/Villains
[North America & Europe]: 136,250 (-3,063 subs from Q3)

Guild Wars
[North America & Europe]: 4,878,000 boxes sold (+378,000 from Q3)

Subscriptions continue to decline, but the impact isn't very noticeable unless you look at the loss over a greater period. Over a million subscriptions have been lost since the Lineage franchise peaked. No exact subscription numbers are given for Tabula Rasa, but an educated guess is discernable with the available projections given by NCsoft's CFO Lee Jae-ho. Tabula Rasa's given projection stands at 16 million for 2008. Its subscription fee is the standard $15 a month, added up for the year that amounts to $180. 180 into the projected 16 million and you get 88 thousand users.

Continue reading Q4 2007: NCsoft's subscription numbers & Tabula Rasa's financial flop

Q4 2007: NCsoft's subscription numbers & Tabula Rasa's financial flop originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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