Comments on: Why we don’t want two MMO’s at the same time…

By: Beset

Beset — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:27:31 +0000

It’s a real shame that the realism of this happening is slim to none, but I agree wholeheartedly that being able to play two MMOs without breaking the bank would be great.

I’d suggest more of an option to ‘suspend’ a service, where the remaining days of the current paid month are frozen until resumed. As a player who tends to ‘hop’ between games every two weeks or so, it would be fantastic to know that I can still get my whole months worth!

By: NeuroMan42

NeuroMan42 — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:31:33 +0000

Fricking brilliant idea… seriously pass this on.

By: EricR

EricR — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:27:11 +0000

We all seem to agree that Blizzard isn’t about to drop the $15/mth fee to $5/mth fee just to be nice to 10 million people. However, with two more major properties coming on-line in the next 6-18 months, and the blizzard.net account conversion complete, I would love to see some sort of $15/mth for one game; $20/mth for all games arrangement.

For reasons of time alone, I don’t know how quickly I’ll pick-up either D3 or SC2 if it means another $15/mth to play. However, could I justify another $5/mth? That’s much easier to consider, especially if I think I’m getting ‘double’ the value.

As for new games getting into the market, I think the way to do it is market the MMO for $45/box — cheaper than some games, but not so cheap as to appear like a throw-away title — and include 1-2 month(s), or 20-60 hours of play-time, etc., with the purchase. Make it so people can go home, install, and log on… get them hooked without having to dip into their wallets/purses again. If you’re not sold on a title in the first month, it’s probably not going to hook you ever, regardless of the price-to-play.

Now, all this said, how exactly are games like Team Fortress 2 managing to survive when they cost NOTHING to play each month? Or, heck, the entire PS3 on-line environment (I say, as an xBox owner…)? For me, TF2 is my “I need a break from WoW” title because it’s always there, waiting for me, but costing me nothing in-between sessions. If I don’t play for 2-3 months, it doesn’t matter. I’m sure that the overhead and technology is different between TF2 and WoW, but $0/mth and $15/mth seems like a very large gap.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:45:35 +0000

.I played EvE before I started playing WoW. I recall being a bit peeved that Blizz had the nerve to charge for the client AND a monthly fee, because CCP didn’t. But I enjoy the game, so I paid. I still enjoy so I still pay.

I think its quite possible for decent games to thrive on the monthly fee.

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:39:02 +0000

I recently picked up Eve. So I am now playing Eve and WoW. I’m on the first month, and so far things are going well. Enjoying both games and maintaining social life, grades, etc.; however, I am 17 and enjoy playing many games other than mmo’s, so money may become a problem. We’ll see.

I do like your proposed solution though. It would be great; don’t think it’s happening though.

By: Eric Fullerton

Eric Fullerton — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:12:58 +0000

Brilliant idea. I’m all for this solution!

Personally I would play a little more Conan if they adopted this method.

By: Matt Agnello

Matt Agnello — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:12:55 +0000

I would actually be willing to pay more up front for a rollover plan. I would easily pay $20 for more flexibility in my playtime.

I think this is a very viable business model, and although it would be a riskier proposition for game companies, it would bring in more casual players over time. It’s a great thing to do after your game has gained some traction, after the early adopters and hardcore players have bought into the game, and WoW is in a perfect position for this type of pay as you go system.

By: WiggyboyChris

WiggyboyChris — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:10:21 +0000

I think you have a good point, Scott. Would be fantastic if we could get some of these other MMO’s on board. However, what motivates “most” of these companies, is MONEY. The pursuit thereof, often puts customer service a distant second. If I recall correctly, (dont hold me to it) only one of the cell companies is doing the “roll over” thing. I think they should all do it, but they’re not.

The motivation should be getting new players. I think that when one brave company steps forward, with ANY plan, yours included, that allows for simultaneous play, without being out that $100 and $30/month, they might be surprised at how many more players they might get playing their MMO. The content of any such MMO better be spot on in any case, or no radical new plan to move players away from WoW will work.

By: Pwnagin

Pwnagin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:04:41 +0000

I agree with Rathwirt in the fact that there is no reason for an MMO company to do this as it would encourage people to play the competition’s games. As much as I wish there was some possible solution, I don’t think anything can be done to solve this problem short of companies lowering their monthly cost (Also a stupid solution from the companies perspective because if people will pay $15, then let them!)

World of Warcraft is really the indirect problem here. I love the game and have been playing for a little over a year now, but with Blizzard monopolizing the MMO market, people with little spending funds (Like myself) have to just play the best game, or the game that all of a players friends plays.

The sad truth is that if you are a normal person who is conservative with his gaming money and spending habits, you are essentially stuck with one MMO forever… You end up picking one, getting attached the game and your friends, and then you never really develop a motivation large enough to completely switch over to another game…

Thank you Blizzard and World of Warcraft for completely ruining/completing my MMO experience… I love/hate you!

By: Mary Varn

Mary Varn — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:58:22 +0000

I agree that the money is one of the main reasons people don’t try new MMOs. I play WoW, and just bought the lifetime sub for STO so I didn’t have to think about how I’m not wasting $15 on those months that I don’t play as much, like I am with WoW all the time. But lifetime subscriptions are expensive and not for everyone.
I don’t understand the economics behind MMOs, but they seem like they must be so expensive to start up. Another possible solution is that they keep the subscription model but get cheaper over time, once the game has some legs and money behind it, like a loyalty program. Still, I can’t see how would it be in Blizzard’s interest to do that. Ah well. Conundrum!