To afford the ongoing service of a bank of servers which hosts the game, the players have become accustom in paying a monthly subscription fee to their games. Another form to pay is micro transactions, which allow the player into entering the game for the cost of the initial Software package and the feature an in game or out of game market place to purchase upgrade items. Related but different is related side games of chance that will also allow players to obtain inquire items and advantages.

 Being one of the players for a long time using the monthly subscription model, I have been skeptical of micro transactions model but with Star Wars: The Old Republic (SW: TOR) announcing that they will use the micro transactions model on launch I rethought the process and come to the realization that its a wise business move. Since most of the customers that SW: TOR are vying for are already paying monthly Subscription fees for other games it will be easier for those to try a free to play game and then make the decision of awarding the game with micro transactions. It is my belief that this game would be worthy of those micro transactions.

 Those who know me know that I have been an outspoken opponent to SOE management of their MMOS. They have a history of using multi layers of extorting money from their customers, Starting with monthly subscription fee with an ongoing policy of charging for expansions. For example to date their flagship Everquest franchise have had over 20 expansion usually costing more then $30.00 each, SOE also have used micro transaction in one form or another over the past five years as well as related trading card games offering a gambling aspect. The most recent micros transaction addition to the Everquest franchise has been met with resistance from players. SOE does appear to be greedy with their current customers and due to that reason their former customers and those they have advised are steering clear of doing business with SOE.

 MMO companies should wisely chose their path of revenue and stick with it. Double or triple dipping is great for an ice cream cone but not with the MMO customers wallets.

say what you want about too many expansions and having to pay for all of them

but SOE's EQ and EQ2 are the only p2p mmo   (that I am aware of)

that gives you all past retail expansions when buy the latest expansion

- very helpful for newcomers

TOR is not using micro transaction model.

They havent released anything official.

I'm sure the guys at Bioware know if they go for this type of model it would mean instant death.

Seriously why would they want to create a MMO for the F2p crowd? that community is terrible and imo second class MMO citizens.

Originally posted by metalhead980

TOR is not using micro transaction model.

They havent released anything official.

I'm sure the guys at Bioware know if they go for this type of model it would mean instant death.

Seriously why would they want to create a MMO for the F2p crowd? that community is terrible and imo second class MMO citizens.

I want to try TOR. The moment I find I need a new light saber, and the best way to get one is pay $1.95, and then I need some armor, so I should to the cash shop and pay 75 cents, and then I see some decked out player with all they items they bought from the cash shop, that's it, I'll delete the game from my hardrrive.

They want my $14.95 a month, they got it.

Originally posted by Nadia

say what you want about too many expansions and having to pay for all of them

 

but SOE's EQ and EQ2 are the only p2p mmo   (that I am aware of)

that gives you all past retail expansions when buy the latest expansion

- very helpful for newcomers

 NOW  they are free , but are time of release players had to cough up the money or be left in the dust.

Its my hope that newcomers are few and far between and handing them all of the expansion at once just  shows  that SOE is pulling out all the stops to find another poor soul to fleece.

Originally posted by JestorRodo

 MMO companies should wisely chose their path of revenue and stick with it. Double or triple dipping is great for an ice cream cone but not with the MMO customers wallets.

 

Agreed. Pick a model and go with it. Don't try to hit customer swith multiple methods.

The MMO industry really has to get away from the subscription model. People would like to be able to play more than one, but there is not enough time to play multiples enough to justify multiple subscriptions.

Originally posted by Ihmotepp

Originally posted by metalhead980

TOR is not using micro transaction model.

They havent released anything official.

I'm sure the guys at Bioware know if they go for this type of model it would mean instant death.

Seriously why would they want to create a MMO for the F2p crowd? that community is terrible and imo second class MMO citizens.

 

I want to try TOR. The moment I find I need a new light saber, and the best way to get one is pay $1.95, and then I need some armor, so I should to the cash shop and pay 75 cents, and then I see some decked out player with all they items they bought from the cash shop, that's it, I'll delete the game from my hardrrive.

They want my $14.95 a month, they got it.

    As I have mention , I am use to a subscription model myself  but I would not curse the game if it was microtransaction as long as they stick to it instead of making it a Subscription once the shops have been bought out. ( Only one company would have the nads to pull a stunt like that - ).

Originally posted by JestorRodo  

The Old Republic (SW: TOR) announcing that they will use the micro transactions model on launch.

Link please. 

And yea...one model to focus on would be enough.  I for one am happy for a Micro-Transaction system that eliminates the baiting tactics of Developers and Publishers for products that aren't as promoted or that are overly-hyped and misleading.

Keep drinking the kool-aid of false fear if you’re not liking the though, but it can work. With the right game and implementation of a Micro-transaction system that involves mostly cosmetic items, like non-stat vanity clothing, mount, a travel scroll, or allowing players to pay a monthly fee to keep their in-game housing, it rewards players at their discretion that contribute, it actually puts the consumer in the seat of control for paying for content and well-designed games, I think. But I am still thinking about it.

After having played Atlantica Online and Runes of Magic that are core-free, other than cosmetic and slight experience pots or teleportation scrolls, etc. from a micro-transaction system, I've come to the realization that having a free-content business model with micro-transactions that don’t include high-stat gear and weapons are very acceptable.

I'll take a well-designed and content rich game that is in-development like Runes of Magic any day where there's an active development team, accessible customer service, player-driven economy and conflict, a wide array of skills and professions, housing, story-line, quests, community, etc. and take the core content for free while I get accustom to the game and develop an appreciation for it, over EQ or WoW or WAR or AoC where Im not getting anything more other than having to pay up front for a $50 box and $15/month.
I will say that the RoM quest system is too auto-pilot and game-play dumbed down for me, but the game was nice to play for a while.

As well, Micro-transaction have been there for 20 years as their called gold-sellers, and for anyone to be soooo frightened by them or so turned off to the point that you wont play a game with them enabled is hypocrisy, really....because you are...you always have been.

Originally posted by Cik_Asalin

Originally posted by JestorRodo  

The Old Republic (SW: TOR) announcing that they will use the micro transactions model on launch.

 

Link please. 

 

   www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php

 there you go - allow me to quote

The tantalizing hint Jon Riccitello offered about the future business strategy for BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic may be the strongest indicator of Western microtransaction adoption yet. Though EA tried to take back the comment, though they may not have 100 percent solid plans for the title yet, even the indication that one of the West's biggest publishers is considering that kind of market strategy is a sea-change in MMOs.  ENDQUOTE

Okay - so its a business model consideration.  No yes or no, but it will be a business model consideration kicked around or placed on a project board for most, I'd suspect.

Originally posted by Cik_Asalin

Okay - so its a business model consideration.  No yes or no, but it will be a business model consideration kicked around or placed on a project board for most, I'd suspect.

  My Buddies at SOE love it , from their failed Station store to their Livegamer partnership and don't get me start about the reused Trading card games.  

Originally posted by Ihmotepp

Originally posted by metalhead980

TOR is not using micro transaction model.

They havent released anything official.

I'm sure the guys at Bioware know if they go for this type of model it would mean instant death.

Seriously why would they want to create a MMO for the F2p crowd? that community is terrible and imo second class MMO citizens.

 

I want to try TOR. The moment I find I need a new light saber, and the best way to get one is pay $1.95, and then I need some armor, so I should to the cash shop and pay 75 cents, and then I see some decked out player with all they items they bought from the cash shop, that's it, I'll delete the game from my hardrrive.

They want my $14.95 a month, they got it.

Not only that, but don't forget to include the paid staff who get the full set of gear for free and are paid to run around the game world and put down players who haven't purchased the set of gear. Yep, just what I want in my game, a self-esteem gutter trap. I will never play a micro transaction game.

Originally posted by metalhead980

TOR is not using micro transaction model.

They havent released anything official.

I'm sure the guys at Bioware know if they go for this type of model it would mean instant death.

Seriously why would they want to create a MMO for the F2p crowd? that community is terrible and imo second class MMO citizens.

    You cant stereotype like that lol.......Ive played several f2ps and yes some of them had terrible communitites, but some of them had very solid communities (RoM and Atlantica to name a couple)....... The worst coomunity ever is Runescape and look at how many players they have...........Liek the OP said its not a bad business model, especially when you consider that alot of your potential customer base is already paying for a MMO.......By going f2p with MT you open the doors for alot more people than you would going p2p......

Originally posted by Glamis

Agreed. Pick a model and go with it. Don't try to hit customer swith multiple methods.

 

The MMO industry really has to get away from the subscription model. People would like to be able to play more than one, but there is not enough time to play multiples enough to justify multiple subscriptions.

Probably the best model would be F2P with Membership. Meaning that a player can play when he wants, where he wants without thinking about paying a membership BUT if he feels like it, become a member and receive many advantage (Runescape, Dungeon Runners, Dofus/Wakfu etc use this model and it works really great)

Originally posted by MadnessRealm

Originally posted by Glamis

Agreed. Pick a model and go with it. Don't try to hit customer swith multiple methods.

 

The MMO industry really has to get away from the subscription model. People would like to be able to play more than one, but there is not enough time to play multiples enough to justify multiple subscriptions.

 

Probably the best model would be F2P with Membership. Meaning that a player can play when he wants, where he wants without thinking about paying a membership BUT if he feels like it, become a member and receive many advantage (Runescape, Dungeon Runners, Dofus/Wakfu etc use this model and it works really great)

    The F2P with Membership is good way to go. It allows players to give the game a fair trial before committing . AdventureQuest  has this model as well.

Imo, a microtransaction game will never get as popular as the subscription based games.

Micro games will always just come down to who's willing to shell out the most cash.  Great for the companies, terrible gaming quality for the players.

Originally posted by Malvolentia

Imo, a microtransaction game will never get as popular as the subscription based games.

Micro games will always just come down to who's willing to shell out the most cash.  Great for the companies, terrible gaming quality for the players.

  I agree , I am too use to the subscription model ( as long as one doesn't not pay to far in advance)  

If the Microtransaction model caughts on , it may take some wind out of MMO Gold farmers.

I agree, these days the trend in games seems to be to explore every possible revenue stream to generate the maximum amount of revenue.  I'd prefer they pick one and stick to it, however knowing how business works, I expect the trend to continue with more games having a hybrid payment model.

And I'll keep playing regardless.