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You might want to have a look at this:
http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/06/09/2038248/How-Much-Money-Do-Free-To-Play-MMOs-Make
and the linked article at
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4046/what_are_the_rewards_of_.php
not directly applicable, but the info might be useful and there are some interesting ideas on how to increase revenue.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/06/09/2038248/How-Much-Money-Do-Free-To-Play-MMOs-Make
and the linked article at
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4046/what_are_the_rewards_of_.php
not directly applicable, but the info might be useful and there are some interesting ideas on how to increase revenue.
NO NO NO NO NO NO FUCKING FREE TO PLAY VENDETTA ONLINE NO FUCKING NO NO NO
if you cant afford $10 you may need to sell your computer cause you could use the money it'll save ya in electricity each month to buy yourself some food to eat cause your problems must be exceptionally grave
You mean like pey pey having to stop playing twice in the last few months because he apparently didn't have $10? And hey, I'd be cool with the devs doing this if they were sure it'd generate them more than they make now. I'd hate to see the game collapse because an idea like this failed.
The problem with micro-payments (as I see it) is that the items you can buy either give you an unfair edge over the players who play for free, or they're worth zilch as far as gameplay goes and only prove you have money. A middle-ground is difficult to find.
Both do not seem (at all) desirable to me. I'd be fine with GSW putting up ads in-game (using the already existent neon signs), to increase revenue, though. We're inundated with ads anyway (IRL), and this would be a fairly minor price to pay, especially since product placement is pretty normal nowadays.
Both do not seem (at all) desirable to me. I'd be fine with GSW putting up ads in-game (using the already existent neon signs), to increase revenue, though. We're inundated with ads anyway (IRL), and this would be a fairly minor price to pay, especially since product placement is pretty normal nowadays.
I've posted links in other threads, dating back a couple of years, with the same or similar financial information. There is no question that the business model of FTP and hybrid games has some merit. The issue is that I can't really fiddle with our business model at present. Which I've also discussed elsewhere in greater depth.
In theory, I have no particular problem with a "hybrid" approach that allows free play to a level cap (perhaps with geographic restrictions as well) that eliminates most of the higher-level interesting gameplay. But then keeping pay-to-play for areas above that. But again, not in a position to experiment right now.
I would definitely not do an "I can purchase badass items" thing, or anything that would allow someone with more money to be the bestest. That's just entirely against my design principles for this game.
I would consider something like "pay to get the awesome special paintjob version of X ship, that has no actual specific benefits". That would probably not be very popular, unless people really wanted to differentiate.
In theory, I have no particular problem with a "hybrid" approach that allows free play to a level cap (perhaps with geographic restrictions as well) that eliminates most of the higher-level interesting gameplay. But then keeping pay-to-play for areas above that. But again, not in a position to experiment right now.
I would definitely not do an "I can purchase badass items" thing, or anything that would allow someone with more money to be the bestest. That's just entirely against my design principles for this game.
I would consider something like "pay to get the awesome special paintjob version of X ship, that has no actual specific benefits". That would probably not be very popular, unless people really wanted to differentiate.
Put me down as one would pay an extra monthly fee in order to differentiate myself visually from other people. Hell, people pay mad money in real life for useless trinkets that do nothing else but make them look less (or more) like everyone else. I would certainly be one of these people, given the chance.
Interesting. Would anyone else be into that kind of thing?
Sure.. although I'd prefer one time payments. Most of the stuff you can buy in puzzle pirates is also just for show.
Like 1$ to attach a custom name to a class of ships per char,
Guild image tags ..or even for players if it wouldn't cause too much hassle.
Rent a channel for a day ... only invited people can join. It'd be like a group without the limitations.
Buy a tag gun that is only good for one shot and paints "<name> was here!" or a bunch of other presets onto a rock. The tag shows up when the rock is targetted and lasts for a month.
Like 1$ to attach a custom name to a class of ships per char,
Guild image tags ..or even for players if it wouldn't cause too much hassle.
Rent a channel for a day ... only invited people can join. It'd be like a group without the limitations.
Buy a tag gun that is only good for one shot and paints "<name> was here!" or a bunch of other presets onto a rock. The tag shows up when the rock is targetted and lasts for a month.
I am pretty sure yoda would pay to be "unaligned" as I would pay to be "akanese", every active guild would probably pay to get a guild station with its own defense turrets and station guards, custom paint and insignia on their ships, etc, etc.
The thing is... you don't have to change your established model but you can make a hybrid model that includes some "custom" ordered/purchasable options that has no actual benefits in-game.
The thing is... you don't have to change your established model but you can make a hybrid model that includes some "custom" ordered/purchasable options that has no actual benefits in-game.
I would pay to get a tag gun for sure! The trick is to balance effort, price and earnings for it though.
Micro transactions? Fuck no. I've played games like that (space MMO, in fact.) It wasn't fun. It REALLY wasn't fun. Because all the people who flew the real-cash ships and real-cash items pwnzored everyone else. That would be the only way to make micro transactions work, of course. If It's just as balanced as any other item (as it is, or supposedly is, in VO), then why would anyone pay for it?
I guess items, like the tag gun, or just the visual modifications would be relatively harmless. But no micro-trans ships or weapons or anything of the sort.
NO ON MICROTRANSACTIONS
I guess items, like the tag gun, or just the visual modifications would be relatively harmless. But no micro-trans ships or weapons or anything of the sort.
NO ON MICROTRANSACTIONS
Was that game called Dark Orbit by any chance, Spedy?
I also do not think micro-payments should yield items that would give a definite edge over others in combat. But if it helps to generate revenue, I'm all for custom paint jobs etc., contrary to what I said before. I just won't like them.
I also do not think micro-payments should yield items that would give a definite edge over others in combat. But if it helps to generate revenue, I'm all for custom paint jobs etc., contrary to what I said before. I just won't like them.
VO for Free; No, never
As for the idea of paying for custom paint jobs, (and as some others have suggested, names, etc) I would probably do, depending on the costs associated with it.
I also think that if GS ever put it out, or licensed someone to put it out, I think there is a market for VO fan stuff, like travel mugs and the like. I know I'd buy one for work...
As for the idea of paying for custom paint jobs, (and as some others have suggested, names, etc) I would probably do, depending on the costs associated with it.
I also think that if GS ever put it out, or licensed someone to put it out, I think there is a market for VO fan stuff, like travel mugs and the like. I know I'd buy one for work...
Dont they already have VO mugs? Im sure I saw a picture of one of the devs (John I think?) pointing at a mug with a corvus ship painted on it somewhere around the forums.
Yeah, Shadoen, I think Screwball made those mugs with cafepress for the devs.
I would pay more to be immune to flares. MUCH MORE.
Seriously, though, I would pay a BIT more to be able to have a cool icon or logo or whatnot, especially if I could work up the design myself. I might also trust Gavan to make me a logo, but probably not anyone else.
I would pay more to be immune to flares. MUCH MORE.
Seriously, though, I would pay a BIT more to be able to have a cool icon or logo or whatnot, especially if I could work up the design myself. I might also trust Gavan to make me a logo, but probably not anyone else.
I'd pay an extra $5 a month (scaled down for the bulk packages) for the ability to slap custom paint/decals on my ship. Pirate logos would be key.
I'd be willing to pay $1000 dollars extra a month if I could bitch slap someone through the monitor.
A black valk x-1? Really? I'll take 50 :D
toshiro: I'd be fine with GSW putting up ads in-game (using the already existent neon signs), to increase revenue, though. We're inundated with ads anyway (IRL), and this would be a fairly minor price to pay, especially since product placement is pretty normal nowadays.
The problem is that you can't get rid of GTS! Maybe you could have the text stay in GTS for anyone who knows it (I like to spend time broadcasting random imaginary ads from translated GTS signs on 100 when I'm bored already, anyways) but keep the logos. For example a Coke bottle sign with "Koka-kola" (using available phonetic symbols) on it. "Buy Large And Prosper" (again, available pictograms). But for the non-GTS readers, the Coke bottle and the color scheme is enough to remind them of Coke.
BTW, down with Gorn! Up with Srokis!
The problem is that you can't get rid of GTS! Maybe you could have the text stay in GTS for anyone who knows it (I like to spend time broadcasting random imaginary ads from translated GTS signs on 100 when I'm bored already, anyways) but keep the logos. For example a Coke bottle sign with "Koka-kola" (using available phonetic symbols) on it. "Buy Large And Prosper" (again, available pictograms). But for the non-GTS readers, the Coke bottle and the color scheme is enough to remind them of Coke.
BTW, down with Gorn! Up with Srokis!