A possible subscription model for MMOs occured to me and I wonder a) if people think it's a good idea and b) what are the reasons no MMO companies may have utilized it yet?

It's very simple, and not at all an uncommon way of paying for things.  Basically, you're charged per hour of gameplay at the end of the month up to a maximum amount of money.  A minimum fee would probably be included to cover the fact that you're still a registered user and can hop on the game whenever you like.

For example: A game charges 50 cents an hour with a cap of 15 dollars a month.  You pay the first dollar (and two hours of gameplay) no matter what.  In this case, if a person were to play for 30 or more hours in a month, they pay the flat (and completely acceptable) fee of 15 dollars.  Any less, and their fee decreases accordingly.  A person who only got a chance to play for 10 hours would only have to pay 5 dollars.

The card's charged at the end of the month, and those who became busy that month didn't just waste 15 dollars.

When I am subscribed to an MMO, I almost go crazy because I don't have the time to play every single moment.  If I'm paying for ANYTHING I try to get as much as I can out of it.  And if I can't chage the fact that I'm going to pay 15 dollars this month, then I feel like I HAVE to make as much use of that money as possible.  Were I able to know that, if I only got the chance to play for 4 hours an entire month, I would have only to pay 2 dollars, I would be much more willing to subscribe.

But, why hasn't any MMO done this?  Are there many negatives that I'm not noticing for the company?

Thoughts?

I guess there's no passing up a giant thread like this!

;)

Activity has seen a huge increase!  Loads of people trying out games as they prepare to make their final decision.

[Mod Edit - Please don't quote the spammers! :)]

Official voting for the guild game has begun!  Join our website now and be a part of this project!

The contenders are Dark Age of Camelot, Everquest I, Everquest II, Final Fantasy XI, Saga of Ryzom, and Vanguard!

Website.

Originally posted by Palebane

Waiting for you guys to pick a game and server (if applicable).

Go ahead and join us on the website, too!  That way you'll be up to date.

Thanks for joining, guys!  I hope you're all enjoying the guild website.  We have plenty of forum activity and have already been extensively delving into game discussion and trialing.

It's never too late to join us!

Yep.  Consider discussion here at an end!  Please head over to our forums.  All information is on the first post.  I'll probably drop by and bump this now and then so we can reach out to as many people as possible.

Originally posted by CactusmanX

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by CactusmanX

I like the concept I am not so keen on the game choices though, I haven't played Everquest II or Vangaurd but I have played Eve, Pyzom and Final Fantsy XI and didn't like those games much, especially not enough to play them again.

 

What would you recommend, then?

 

Games I have not tried but may want to
Dungeons and Dragons Online
Lord of the Rings Online
Asheron's Call 1 or 2
EverQuest II
Vanguard
Istaria

Games I have played and liked
City of Heroes/Villians
DAoC
WAR
AO

So really any of these would be good.
 

Awesome.  I suggest get Vanguard and EQII's trials and test them out a little bit over the next couple days, discuss with us, and then be ready to cast your vote!  And now, off to the new forums guys.

Originally posted by garbonzo

I'm not familiar with all of our game choices, but I suspect at least some have factions that don't get to play wtih each other (like WoWs horde/alliance.)  There's also the issue of realm choice.  Ideally we'll play races that can group, and on the same realm, so should we designate at least realms, and possibly races, now?  I don't particularly like the idea of limiting race choices before we even start since exploration is the general idea, and rerolling after a couple weeks isn't so painful if we find we're too spread out.  But, two weeks is two weeks, and maybe we could save some redundancy by preplanning.  When forums are up, we can at least let each other know where we're starting each game (or if we already have higher level characters, let each other know where/who they are.) 

Anyone care to state whether any of these games have faction issues?  Anyone have good realm recommendations?  (Would be best to save this info for our forums, but I might start one tonight before the forums are up.) 

(Oh, and Vanguard is looking better and better to me for some reason.  Played it twice and was uninspired, but with this group it would be a completely different game.)

I don't believe Goronian wishes to have a full two week period.  Thus, with even less time commited, I'm not horrible worried about having to reroll.  As for whether or not you already have characters.  The goal here is freshness.  I think we're leaning towards everybody starting from the beginning.

I think this kind of planning will be best on the new forums.

Originally posted by skydragonren

When is the final vote thing on the final game decision being done?

I have played extensively all the top 5 but eve, so if it happens to fall to eve, Ill give it a go.

If not ill have to pass as the other 4 on the top 5 are not so great :-/

Basically, we're flipping over to a new forum as soon as it's created.  From there, we'll have a few days for everybody to try out any games they wish and to debate on the forums.  After that, we'll have an official vote.  So, if you really want Eve, you could definitely be a part of the discussion and cast your vote.

Originally posted by ghettobooste

hey guys,

Depending on which game you all choose, I would like to join in the fun. I think EQ2 would be fun, but I've been there done that.  Eve would be something I would love to get into with a good group of folks.

Welcome!  And I hope you find what you're looking for here.  If you'd like, join in the soon to start trial/debate period on the new forum that is being set up now and help vote for the game of your choice.

Originally posted by different

Sorry about the gruff post earlier, i was using my mobile phone. Anyway I'm not really worried about the name but the Path Ahead is refreshing but I'll certainly go with the flow.

Once the forums are up and running I think it would be a good idea to let each other know what games we are trialing and if possible when so we group up during the trial as that will surely have some influence on whether the game is worth pursuing or not.

My 2 eurocent

I completely agree.  I've been thinking a lot about a good way to set up the forums.  We could have a single thread for each game and its discussion.  Or (and this is what I prefer) we could have a forum dedicated to each game.  That way people can bring up new topics about any game and also have topics specifically about grouping and coordinating.  There should then be two other forums.  One for general talk - just chit-chatting.  And then one for the debates!  Where you can come in and say "I think this game should be our choice because of blah" and we can go at it for a few days.  This last forum is where the final voting would eventually take place.

Originally posted by Devour

Originally posted by Goronian

 I like Pathfinders, but... Again, it might be taken in a liot of games. Most one-word names are.

http://eu.wowarmory.com/search.xml?searchType=all&searchQuery=Pathfinders&selectedTab=guilds

Eh, not taken up on that many servers in WoW.

If we're going for a Latin name: Sol Invictus ( Unconquerable Sun )

EDIT: Either that or just try and get Invictus.

Damn.  That sounds awesome.  I think that Goronian has gone ahead and settled on The Path Ahead, though.  Very simply.  Very neutral.  And room for the RPers.

Originally posted by chrisleko

...I know voting is done, but I'm down to join you guys in any of those top five games.  Great idea!  (my vote goes for Vanguard though).

Welcome!  And the OFFICIAL vote on the final game will come after a few more days so that everybody can say their piece and try every game they wish.  So just hold on there. ;)

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by Alamor0

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by Alamor0

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by Alamor0

Originally posted by Crispin

I like the path ahead. 

 

Oh don't we all.

 

In all seriousness, The Path Ahead is fine.  I think "The Road Goes Ever On" would be a good reference!  Whatcha think of that?

 

Uh... What should I think? I am a geek, but I'm still Russian.

Welcome to the team, garretth!

So... It's settled then. I like the name, people like the name. Onwards! To glory!

 

Are you to tell me that Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' is lacking from your life experience?  The Road Goes Ever On is a poem/song from his work.

I've only read the butchered Russian version. Sue me.

LOL.  It's alright.  I don't think less of you. :P

Al, let's decide on the name, once and for all, since, seriously, I want to work on the forums.

The Path Ahead
 

Pathfinders

Wordplay with Adventurers

Some weird foreign word

Someting in Latin

Those seem to be the most popular variants.

How about LAZERPEWPEWPEW?

No.  The Path Ahead.  Go for it!

Well, we're about to get our own guild forum started.  So, keep an eye out for that information and it should be easy enough to jump in.

Originally posted by garbonzo

The Path Ahead.  Very good.  Thanks for working on getting the forums set up, Goronian.  I know this sort of thing takes a lot of out-of-game time to manage.  If things take off, I'm happy to chip in however I can.

I as well...  Which may be evident by my current involvement!

Originally posted by CactusmanX

I like the concept I am not so keen on the game choices though, I haven't played Everquest II or Vangaurd but I have played Eve, Pyzom and Final Fantsy XI and didn't like those games much, especially not enough to play them again.

There's no necessary commitment.  If you give it a whirl and feel you simply can't cope with the game, I think we'll understand.  However, I'll let you know that there seems to be a lean towards Vanguard.  Since you haven't played it, that might be fun.

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by Alamor0

Originally posted by Goronian

Originally posted by Alamor0

Originally posted by Crispin

I like the path ahead. 

 

Oh don't we all.

 

In all seriousness, The Path Ahead is fine.  I think "The Road Goes Ever On" would be a good reference!  Whatcha think of that?

 

Uh... What should I think? I am a geek, but I'm still Russian.

Welcome to the team, garretth!

So... It's settled then. I like the name, people like the name. Onwards! To glory!

 

Are you to tell me that Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' is lacking from your life experience?  The Road Goes Ever On is a poem/song from his work.

I've only read the butchered Russian version. Sue me.

LOL.  It's alright.  I don't think less of you. :P

Originally posted by Goronian

I'm choosing guildportal (since it seems less weird, than guildlaunch). They require a game and a server to be put in, so I'm randomly putting Ryzom, for ne real reason (hardy-hardy-har...). Anyone objects?

No.  But did you see some of the other guild name suggestions?  I thought some were rather good.

Join us?

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/261008/Having-an-adventure-again.html

Our entire goal is starting a wonderful new community in a PvE game with a lot of other things to do.  Take a look and see if this is for you!