Time to vote with the all mighty dollar ? - Page 7

Caswydian · 12-19-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheya

You aren't serious, are you?

It certainly seems there is a segment of the MMO population opposed to any change in the industry, and the sooner that segment gives up and walks away, the better.

aduros · 12-19-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswydian

It certainly seems there is a segment of the MMO population opposed to any change in the industry, and the sooner that segment gives up and walks away, the better.

I'm all about change, just the positive kind tho. But maybe thats just me. I'm sure you'll have fun purchasing your way through the game, with the massive waves of people this will bring in.

TANGARTH · 12-19-2007, 12:33 AM

Casasucksoedick, You act like change is always without a doubt good. Widem just proved you wrong and you're still spouting the same shit.

People play games for fun, lots of people with 20k a year incomes worry about money, is worrying in a game a fun thing?
Will people play a game if it isn't fun?

(hint the answer to all of these is no)

Caswydian · 12-19-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aduros

I'm all about change, just the positive kind tho. But maybe that just me.

Positive change is relative. For some, the move away from subscription based games to virtual item purchase or some other form of payment is a very positive change.

When looking at why MMOs tended to have such small market penetration compared to other video games, one of the biggest barriers was the subscription. There are lots of people who would likely be MMO players, but they are unwilling to pay a monthly fee. A free game supported by virtual item sales would be a tempting alternative.

Caswydian · 12-19-2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TANGARTH

Casasucksoedick, You act like change is always without a doubt good. Widem just proved you wrong and you're still spouting the same shit.

People play games for fun, lots of people with 20k a year incomes worry about money, is worrying in a game a fun thing?
Will people play a game if it isn't fun?

(hint the answer to all of these is no)

Will it cost more that the $15 a month people are paying now? If MapleStory is any example, then no. Most players spend less than $15/month on the game, so the money argument is not particularly valid.

A game company would be foolish to expect people to pay more than they would with traditional subscription methods, so overall the argument about money is not particularly well supported.

aduros · 12-19-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswydian

Positive change is relative. For some, the move away from subscription based games to virtual item purchase or some other form of payment is a very positive change.

When looking at why MMOs tended to have such small market penetration compared to other video games, one of the biggest barriers was the subscription. There are lots of people who would likely be MMO players, but they are unwilling to pay a monthly fee. A free game supported by virtual item sales would be a tempting alternative.

There are lots of people that will stay away from MMOs if they have to pay RL money for items to compete. The moment I find myself worrying about my ability to compete not because of my proficiency as a player, or the time I've put into the game, but because the guy next to me has 10x the money I'm willing to throw away, I'm gone.

Guess what, you may have more money than me in RL, but when you log in I will continually pwn your ass. Regardless of what tax bracket you fall under. But wait, now all of a sudden your excess of income has become a factor in the game? Thats bullshit.

I remember playing Street Fighter back in the day at the arcades. Do you think the game would have been half as fun if your opponent could continuously add tokens to make his character stronger? I can't think of anyone I know who would be interested in a game like that. maybe some of you lazier guys, who don't have the time nor the desire to go out and earn their items, would jump at the chance to be able to buy their way to greatness.

I see this as poison for the MMO genre. Your killing what made these games so attractive in the first place: the ability to join up with anonymous people online to complete greater tasks, and the social interactions that follow. Not 'insert a CC# a purchase your achievements here'.

If this is the direction all MMOs eventually take, I'll just avoid the genre entirely.

aduros · 12-19-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswydian

Will it cost more that the $15 a month people are paying now? If MapleStory is any example, then no. Most players spend less than $15/month on the game, so the money argument is not particularly valid.

Your not understanding the issue here. I don't give a fuck about the subscription. What I do care about is someone being able to purchase their way through the game. Now all of a sudden your RL income has become a factor in your toon's proficiency. That's poison for a game like this.

Caswydian · 12-19-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aduros

There are lots of people that will stay away from MMOs if they have to pay RL money for items to compete. The moment I find myself worrying about my ability to compete not because of my proficiency as a player, or the time I've put into the game, but because the guy next to me has 10x the money I'm willing to throw away, I'm gone.

Guess what, you may have more money than me in RL, but when you log in I will continually pwn your ass. Regardless of what tax bracket you fall under. But wait, now all of a sudden your excess of income has become a factor in the game? Thats bullshit.

I remember playing Street Fighter back in the day at the arcades. Do you think the game would have been half as fun if your opponent could continuously add tokens to make his character stronger? I can't think of anyone I know who would be interested in a game like that. maybe some of you lazier guys, who don't have the time nor the desire to go out and earn their items, would jump at the chance to be able to buy their way to greatness.

I see this a poison for the MMO genre. Your killing what made these games so attractive in the first place: the ability to join up with anonymous people online to complete greater tasks, and the social interactions that follow. Not 'insert a CC# a purchase your achievements here'.

If this is the direction all MMOs eventually take, I'll just avoid the genre entirely.

Why do you assume that is the direction the developers would go? They want to make successful games, and that means making things fun for players. If you could simply buy your way to the top, you're right, that wouldn't be much fun for anyone, and is not a sustainable business model. So, we can safely assume that such things will not be allowed.

aduros · 12-19-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswydian

Why do you assume that is the direction the developers would go? They want to make successful games, and that means making things fun for players. If you could simply buy your way to the top, you're right, that wouldn't be much fun for anyone, and is not a sustainable business model. So, we can safely assume that such things will not be allowed.

Have you seen Station Exchange?

Caswydian · 12-19-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aduros

Have you seen Station Exchange?

Yes, and having read the white paper, your fears do not seem well grounded. By and large, purchases were made by a large number of players in small amounts, which suggests that players are using RMT to supplement gaps in their characters or get a bit of a boost here or there. Of course, there are exceptions, but the norm does not suggest that people are buying their way to the top as you fear.