Originally posted by maakaatuu

Why did they do this? Are server populations dropping?

OMFG DUH! LOL. Of course they are, and pretty soon because of server implosions we are going to see another exodus of players, because of the bullshit Craig Morrison has set this game up with for mechanics and fix & feature priorities.

Originally posted by ste2000

Avery can you tell your friends over at Funcom that if they want to attract players this long term subscribtion will be perceived again like a clumsy attempt of marketing?

What's the problem in cutting the subscription rate of the monthly subscription.

You are not going to get more people like this, what you will achieve is to make players feel more suspicious towards the product, meaning that you only cut the long term subscription so people will be tempted to subscibe for 3-12 months and even if the game is still rubbish they will have to pay the rest of the contract.

If Funcom is sure about the quality of the game, they should cut the monthly subscription rate to start with.
Funcom needs talented marketing people, the old team is still lurking around the offices after sinking the game, get rid of them............

Excellent ideas, start with Lord Onion himself. In fact don't just fire him, behead him. Film it, and post it on U-tube, don't worry about unlawful repcussions. They Crucified Jesus and nothing happened, ok well that isn't exactly true but Erlning E. isn't exactly Jesus and we want his head. Do you hear us Funcom? We want his head, his portly porky swine flu causing facehead. On a pike. Yes put it on a pike.

Originally posted by Boddah

Originally posted by ste2000

Avery can you tell your friends over at Funcom that if they want to attract players this lo Funcom needs talented marketing people, the old team is still lurking around the offices after sinking the game, get rid of them...........

ng term subscribtion will be perceived again like a clumsy attempt of marketing?

What's the problem in cutting the subscription rate of the monthly subscription.

You are not going to get more people like this, what you will achieve is to make players feel more suspicious towards the product, meaning that you only cut the long term subscription so people will be tempted to subscibe for 3-12 months and even if the game is still rubbish they will have to pay the rest of the contract.

If Funcom is sure about the quality of the game, they should cut the monthly subscription rate to start with.

 

Unless you're educated in proper marketing your statement is worthless.

AOC has improved alot since it's release, and even though there are still flaws, the game is a better product than it was a year ago.

Now, low subscription fees tend to attract both the F2P players and those who have played the trial a chance to experience the game and all of its content and still have some money left in the pocket. It will also benefit the current players as they will now have to pay even less to play a game they like. This is a common and smart move. And yes, I've been educated in marketing and sales techniques.

What marketing school was it that you were intersted in? Funcom has never had a marketing problem. They have an outright credibility problem and a product that nobody wants to buy even after trying to play for free. Clearly if you put all your eggs in the marketing basket you will have none left for the business basket.

The only benefit will be to current players who choose to buy into a longer term plan and Funcom who is artificially inflating their revenue by doing this by and reducing the slide of subscriptions which they won't admit are occuring clearly. However, the real problem will crop up when people a significant number of existing players simply stop playing or reduce their playtime as this will lead to server implosions. Though Funcom already has the subscription money in the bank most of the remaining players are intelligent enough to not take a 12 month plan from this company after what they have done to their previous customers.

F2P players are not attracted by a lower than standard fee, free and pay are two mutually exclusive markets, if you didn't learn that in marketing you should go back to school and get re-certified.

You argument is also flawed because roughly 90-95% of players who tried the free trials also did not pick up a subcription. So there simply is nobody in that market, i.e. the players who have some money left in their pocket. What would be a smart move would be fore AOC to start firing people and bringing in new blood, new ideas from the community, get rid of marketing, and make a move to bring this game back from the brink by involving the community in marketing and in development.

Age of Conan is too much of a failed product and Funcom is a failing company. The market has already decided their fate for their actions.

Alot of MMO gamers are ready to pay alot (and even more) for a good product.

Very few gamers are ready to pay less for poor quality game. 

Populare MMO game would not be offering these kinda deals.  We all know it - and it pretty much shows what is happening at Funcom. 

The Hyenas are barking but the prey is far from dead so they will have to move ahead barking anywhere else...

I will through out the notion that was it not Anarchy coming it at a higher sub rate that normal at the time and people cried foul? and now in another game FC reward players by reducing the price (which is still more expensive than other popular games)

. There is nothing in current announcements where this is aimed at new subscribers. Obviously it applies but the "marketing" is diffferent than some in the thread try to make it out to be in the official forum posting. (no doubt in future may see something)

As for the initial LOTRO comment I made it was simply that Turbine is persistent in offer's it also reduced the monthly sub rate when signing up for multi months play too quite a few times during it's history.  (I am not talking about differences in game just in price plans)

All I am pointing out is:

• This is nothing new
• I think the perception that because a discount is available there is something wrong, IS wrong.
• Why is this so sensitive to the non playing AoC readers? (can't get my head around why trying to make a fuss about....?)
• Are people saying that because they lowered the price it fails in some way? then what about other games where it is cheaper and they have more subs... price has nothing to do with it.
• This benefits current players more than before today so it is good news.

---

Originally posted by AmazingAvery
I will through out the notion that was it not Anarchy coming it at a higher sub rate that normal at the time and people cried foul? and now in another game FC reward players by reducing the price (which is still more expensive than other popular games)
. There is nothing in current announcements where this is aimed at new subscribers. Obviously it applies but the "marketing" is diffferent than some in the thread try to make it out to be in the official forum posting. (no doubt in future may see something)
As for the initial LOTRO comment I made it was simply that Turbine is persistent in offer's it also reduced the monthly sub rate when signing up for multi months play too quite a few times during it's history.  (I am not talking about differences in game just in price plans)

     Lotro offers:

• 12-Months - $112.99
• 6-Months - $59.94
• 3-Months - $29.97
• Monthly - $14.99 Lifetime - $199.00 (when available)        Age of Conan offers:
  • 12-Months - $98.93
  • 6-Months - $62.96
  • 3-Months - $35.98 Monthly - $14.99
  No lifetime sub option    All I am pointing out is: This is nothing new I think the perception that because a discount is available there is something wrong, IS wrong. Why is this so sensitive to the non playing AoC readers? (can't get my head around why trying to make a fuss about....?) Are people saying that because they lowered the price it fails in some way? then what about other games where it is cheaper and they have more subs... price has nothing to do with it. This benefits current players more than before today so it is good news.

 

---

Avery, I can see your point but there is a major difference in comparing LOTRO and AOC.
LOTRO has a stable playerbase that has been constant for a few years now. AOC is slowly bleeding away it's subscription due to whatever influence.
LOTRO has reached it's plateau but AOC in still in a declining mode.
Funcom needs to steal away players from other games and frankly, CASH is a major driving force on this planet. If 2 games are simular but one costs $9.99 and the other costs $14.99, a fair amount of players will play the $9.99 game simply because they are cheap or poor.

As to why it is soo hard for AOC to win back it's old players even after they have improved the game some much since launch.....
If you went to a restraunt and ordered a sandwich and when you bit into that sandwich you found a bug, would you eat there again? How about if the restraunt manager offered you a free sandwich?
Most people wouldnt just because of there first bad experience has jaded their view of that restraunt.
However, if the restraunt manager told you that he was very sorry about the bug in the first sandwich and that instead of selling you a sandwich for the normal price of $8.99, he would sell you a sandwich for only $1.99 each time you come to his restraunt.
Eventually you will become brave and try out the sandwich for $1.99 and you might enjoy it and start eating that that restraunt more often and even tell your friends about it.

That's the worst analogy I've seen. I quit this game because of the bugs back when it launched. It all depends why you quit the game in the first place. If you hated the gameplay I don't think you will enjoy the game today. I enjoyed the gameplay and hated the constant crashing and crappy bugs everywhere.

Coming back in November it was an entirely different experience for me and I've subbed ever since. So this price drop is a win win for me. I plan to get the 6 month sub. If Funcom is hurting for subs and money that's their problem not mine. This offer is money saving to me because I very much enjoy the game and plan to be here awhile till it is not fun anymore.

Im glad it is saving you money but guess what, you are already a subscriber. My focus was more of getting people BACK into AOC and Im not that concerned with current players. If people are currently playing AOC even after all the shit that went on then they are die-hard players and they have no plans on leaving.
Changing the monthly subscription is more for potential players and not as much as current players. Yes, current players will benefit from a monthly subscription fee decrease but it will also bring in new subs, something that a 3,6,12 month contract wont do nearly as well.

Originally posted by Vespers

 

 

Avery, I can see your point but there is a major difference in comparing LOTRO and AOC.
LOTRO has a stable playerbase that has been constant for a few years now. AOC is slowly bleeding away it's subscription due to whatever influence.
LOTRO has reached it's plateau but AOC in still in a declining mode.
Funcom needs to steal away players from other games and frankly, CASH is a major driving force on this planet. If 2 games are simular but one costs $9.99 and the other costs $14.99, a fair amount of players will play the $9.99 game simply because they are cheap or poor.

As to why it is soo hard for AOC to win back it's old players even after they have improved the game some much since launch.....
If you went to a restraunt and ordered a sandwich and when you bit into that sandwich you found a bug, would you eat there again? How about if the restraunt manager offered you a free sandwich?
Most people wouldnt just because of there first bad experience has jaded their view of that restraunt.
However, if the restraunt manager told you that he was very sorry about the bug in the first sandwich and that instead of selling you a sandwich for the normal price of $8.99, he would sell you a sandwich for only $1.99 each time you come to his restraunt.
Eventually you will become brave and try out the sandwich for $1.99 and you might enjoy it and start eating that that restraunt more often and even tell your friends about it.
 

Hi Vespers, I can see your point too, honestly.

Approx 1 year after release I had an email from Turbine which I see have offering me 9.99 p/m, this was still 6 months before the expansion and a lot of things were changed. I am only making comparison because at that time, that game was not what it was today with subsequent changes. Yes it was a good game and yes it was better received in public opinion I think on the whole compared to AoC, possibly due to stronger IP. And it still is a good game. There is no doubt that before the expansion released this offer further increased subcriptions which might of been aided a game where Age of Conan and Warhammer releases were coming and subscriptions possibly were not as growing as the company would of liked. Now we have Aion and more offers from FC/WAR/Turbine. Rest after that is well documented.

Point is a particular offer like this is one seen before at a similar stage of development and also without fact one can not say either game had X amount of subs at this point in the games life as no official announcements were made.

Furthermore we are potentially looking at Age of Conan's expansion within the next year - most likely within the next 7 months. (I think) There is a commonality between the two games and what they are offering the difference as you point out is that right now between the two one is fairing better than the other.

As I re-iterate my point that a discount in period subscription does not mean that a game = fail. Something which how many people in this thread are trying to put together? Doesn't work.

At the same time I will say that AoC does need more subs, and not in any way that from what I am seeing now on the servers I play on, saying this detracts from my own personal experience with the game in terms of population. I will also say that things like this that may be beneficial to a new subscriber in looking would also not be the main factor in them choosing to sub to a game based on price. Rather than on the quality of experience had with the game maybe through free trials beforehand.

In summing up, I do not consider this a bad thing as it really benefits those people playing more so right now who wish to continue to play, has been thus approached in this direction to the public, and that any new subscribers from subscribing from a price drop can not even be measured in any way yet at all. Lastly I don't think it is hard to win players back. In my real life job if I speak with someone who has had a bad experience and the customer is interested in going with someone else, my conversation with said customer to either retain or re-introduce them is sucessful based on similar approaches by Funcom / Turbine and other companies in this market place. It is also good to point out that this is not a "winback or Welcome back" deal. There are more people out there that have not played AoC then there are than have.

This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. I haven't played AoC since June of last year, but I know the game has improved tremendously from that time. I've been earnestly awaiting another subscription discount like the one in the 'welcome back' offer.

Unlike many other individuals I do not feel 'butt-hurt' over the empty hype and a premature launch. I recognize that AoC offers gameplay that no other fantasy mmorpg does, in a setting that is more attune to my tastes. I can put past disappointment to rest and recognize a good solid mmorpg when I play one, so I'll be putting in a year subscription.

There is no game out that is better than AoC at overall and so i decided to go for a 1-Year-subscription even b4 the price drops.

I am glad i have to spend even less money now :)

The only thing is that customers that have renewed a 6 or 12 month subscription recently should get a compensation - some more months maybe...

Maybe FC can call for a competition who hates AoC the most with the most fantastic arguments and the winner gets a lifetime account ;)

Its funny how Avery always brings up LotrO when trying to defend AoC...

The big difference is that LotrO/Turbine have one of the best reputations in the industry while AoC/Funcom have one of the worst reputations.

I wonder why that is!

The release Aion/Champions/Fallen Earth/DDO:EU have naturally caused a decrease in all MMOs population. The expansions are the key to get people back into the game and I personally hope that Godslayer is going to be good for the AoC fans.

they should drop the mouthly one to. were i am from in the eu aoc is the most expensive mmorpg to subb to for a mouth,

aoc =£10.50

aion =£8.99

and same with wow etc funcom games are expensive in the eu to any other on the market and it puzzles me to no end why.

I would rather games put up prices and compete on quality and speed of content addition rather than cut htem and try to cost cut and ride outs its slow demise..

Funcom needs more money to develop and maintain profits..but then most MMOers are just cheap and want a whole lifetime of enterainment for 10 bucks a month

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

NA: forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php

EU: forums-eu.ageofconan.com/showthread.php

 

New Subscription Offers!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We’re happy to announce increased reduction on the longer subscription plans.

As of now the 3 month subscription offers a 20% discount,

6 month subscription yields a 30% discount and

12 month offers a 45% discount vs the regular one month plan.

This is more than twice the discount than before.

In addition, it is now possible to purchase additional gametime and immediately get the veteran points. Veteran points is a system where players are rewarded for each month they have subscribed, and can be used towards a variety of items. Veteran points will launch with the coming patch which is due very soon, and will work backwards in time towards all gametime you have purchased.

Please log in to your account page to see the upgraded pricing and offers

---

Excellent news!

Believe it or not this helps.

I have SOME demand for aoc, and the cheaper it gets the closer I am to buying it.  Really though if the price wasn't the reason I left, and I'm not doing anything in game anyway it doesn't matter how cheap it gets I wont be playing it.

Maybe a big problem is that free trials aren't long enough to enjoy ---> ?

Honestly I haven't heard much good news as to what I can do at 80 (not gonna reroll!)

Honestly even if it was a penny I wouldn't want the responsibility of having it on my credit card.  I'd much rather deal with annoying advertisements with free to play.

Originally posted by PharaDar

I would rather games put up prices and compete on quality and speed of content addition rather than cut htem and try to cost cut and ride outs its slow demise..

Funcom needs more money to develop and maintain profits..but then most MMOers are just cheap and want a whole lifetime of enterainment for 10 bucks a month

I agree that this price drop was a good idea. Most gamers don't consider AoC to be top-10 MMO (not even close) so dropping prices might be something they could differentiate themselves fromt other games.

I'm guessing this price drop is the first step towards going free-to-play (which also would be a good idea).

 MMOs in general is quite good value for money, and this makes it even better :) Good for us.

far as funcom being more expensive in eu.. id guess taxes .just a guess. same as ordeing something online from a state you live in their tax on it. where as order from a difrent state odds are theirs not.

soon ill sub for a year to aoc because of this deal.had to cancel due to money cruch (should not have bought champions that made it worse).the argument that if their sure quality of their product they should drop monthly..most other games dont do that yet they claim quality to...an if  they did it be a sign of desperation by most.

this seems more reward for those intrested in aoc for the long term.not desperation.

intresting troll posts in this thread tho.surprised x fire fanboys not drug out their funny numbers.no one that i played aoc with was intrested in aion /shrug. but some of us did play warhammer.which im hopeing turns it around .like to go back an play it someday.

Originally posted by Sabradin

Maybe a big problem is that free trials aren't long enough to enjoy ---> ?

 

Well I have a feeling the welcome back trials will be coming again soon (bump up on regular ones)

We should have to see if the length has been improved.