The Black Gold folks at Snail Games have pulled the cover off their monetization model for the upcoming steampunk MMORPG. Read on for exactly how it will work. It's a bit unusual, so take a minute to chew on it before commenting:
Snail Games today announced new monetization details for the North American version of its upcoming steampunk fantasy MMORPG, Black Gold Online. Following a recent Chinese announcement for the model, the company provided additional information on its Optimal Time-Based File Save Model, which acts as a feature to supplement normal game progression.
To maximize player experience, Snail Games' new save system replaces the cash shop, providing players the opportunity to gain items that they can use or sell. In an effort to focus on refining the game itself, the Optimal Time-Based File Save Model presents the value of time and places the initiative in players' hands -- allowing them to decide if their time spent in game is actually worth paying for. Players will no longer have to spend time shopping for items; instead, they will be able to dictate their own gameplay progression using the new model, hence only purchasing worthwhile items.
Using the Optimal Time-Based File Save Model, Snail Games pushes the free-to-play boundary even further, so players don't have to spend anything to enjoy the game to the fullest. While all the content is available through normal game progression, players who want to experience the content at their own pace can do so through in-game paid options.
Read more about the model at the official site:
Choice in players’ hands
With every vial creation, players will have two options on how to deal with their save:
1) Receive for free or pay with credits and loot all the content within
2) Traded on the Time Exchange for credits(normally acquired through real-life currency)
As the industry pioneer with this monetization model, Snail Games aim at pushing the Free-to-Play boundary further, players don’t have to spend anything to enjoy the game to the fullest. All the content is available through normal game progression. For those that want to experience content quicker, the option is always there.
