fatjon
Caldari
EAGLE Independent Fleet Corporation
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Posted - 2006.08.30 16:39:00 -
[1]
Quite a heavy topic for my first post, but hopefully something constructive nonetheless.
I've noticed many threads complaining about time wasted while offline, claims for refunds, etc. and wanted to put the following out as my point of view rather than a catch-all to the questions/opinions as there probably isn't one.
What is the Subscription Model?
I believe that a subscription model differs from the one off fee because you expect on-going development.
Let me qualify that with a few examples:
Some games offer previously unseen features or content through patches, but that is largely code that hadn't made the release date.
Lets take the Quake series as an example of the one off fee model, there may be a few new player models, enhancements to network code, but nothing more fundamental than that.
New versions of the game came out with additional one off fee's for the purchase which I was glad to follow along with.
You have however got an in-between model like the Source based Halflife modifications.
Counterstrike was originally a fan/player produced game modification which got franchised. The developers subsequently released new versions and updates for free although you could argue that they were releasing a finished product in stages with the latest CS:Source version.
It remains a fact that the game engine behind it was also a one off fee game (Halflife/HL2) so again it doesn't really compare to CCP/EvE because you had the one off fee to be able to play the game in the first place.
EvE on the other hand uses a lower value (in comparison) but consistent monthly cost model. So, how does it differ?
I think this revenue stream effect allows CCP to gauge longer term the level of monetary gain and therefore the sustainability of an ongoing permenant development team.
Personally, I like this and therefore have no problem with spending more money annually than I would have had to on a one off fee game.
What does a Subscription Cost entitle me to?
I believe that the subscription model, is based on a provision of a service but whoaa!! to all those that are hearing me say that and assuming that means I expect 100% uptime, no it doesn't. Anyone that is literate enough to do so can read the T&C's and will know that CCP are not offering that.
I believe the "service" is development.
I don't think the ongoing patches and development is "free" as many have said, for purely this reason.
If we were paying in hindsight for development up to this point (a one off fee) then why have the ongoing subscription at all? (yes, the server costs are high, but I seriously doubt they take up the majority of monthly income.
On the other hand, if CCP wanted to release a finished game with a one off fee, they probably could, but the running costs of the single shard architechure, I doubt would be covered by a one off influx of cash.
I think this model is the future and arguably already is the only sensible choice for an MMOG unless development is geared towards large scale migrations to new and updated versions that require the entire player community to buy or quit.
I think CCP have got it right but fundamentally disagree with those who claim uptime is a right and that refunds are an option (within reason obviously) and I also disagree with those that claim new content is free.
~ Jon
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