Compromise: Just Charge $5 For Now. Once 2.0 is Out, Then Charge $12

[Alerith]

They definitely could have taken the game offline and just started from scratch or scrapped the project all together like so many MMOs do when launch doesn't go well. The fact that they didn't shows how much SE wanted to support the community that was still supporting them in regard to XIV. It's really sad that after all they have done to make amends to us, people turn around and smack SE across the proverbial face as soon as they learn SE is turning back on payment. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Aye, but that doesn't apply to everyone on that side of the fence. Some people legitimately feel the game isn't ready to be payed for or some simply can't afford to do so. I think that's fine and I hope those people return eventually.

The problem are the people who are only playing because the game is free and feel SE is "all up in their kool-aid" by bringing in subscriptions.

For some people, the game is worth a subscription. For others, it isn't. Either way, it's SE's choice on the direction they go, and it they choose full subscriptions, they will still have a playerbase which generates at least a little revenue.

[Betelgeuzah]

Will they be able to have twice as many subscribers if the fee is halved?

That's the important question.

We could also ask how many of the people left behind when SE takes full fees will come back for 2.0?

Although that's a bit silly, as there's little reason not to if you have been playing the game this long as-is. I very much doubt the majority of these people would not return.

[Starlord]

Will they be able to have twice as many subscribers if the fee is halved?

That's the important question.

By the way.. 5 bucks is $1.50 less than half. Half of 13.00 bucks is $6.50. Not 5 bucks.. I thought I clear that up for everyone.

[Wynn]

Aye, but that doesn't apply to everyone on that side of the fence. Some people legitimately feel the game isn't ready to be payed for or some simply can't afford to do so. I think that's fine and I hope those people return eventually.

The problem are the people who are only playing because the game is free and feel SE is "all up in their kool-aid" by bringing in subscriptions.

For some people, the game is worth a subscription. For others, it isn't. Either way, it's SE's choice on the direction they go, and it they choose full subscriptions, they will still have a playerbase which generates at least a little revenue.

Yep, I agree with this fully. And I don't fault anyone for feeling it is not worth their money come 1.20, if that's how they truly feel. Just don't rage about it, troll the forums because "u mad," make boycott requests/threats. Simply don't pay and play something else.

Problem is... the people behaving this way still want to play without having to pay for it. At least a good majority do which is why all the gnashing of teeth. The people who just won't pay because the game isn't "good" in their eyes aren't playing right now anyway. The ones that are still playing are full of you know what.

[Betelgeuzah]

By the way.. 5 bucks is $1.50 less than half. Half of 13.00 bucks is $6.50. Not 5 bucks.. I thought I clear that up for everyone.

5 just sounds like an odd number. I think they'd be charging for half if that's what they end up doing.

There's of course the positive image factor. The change would obviously resonate well within the community. However, it would also emphasize the notion that they don't see the game as something worth paying for- further embracing the image of XIV as a half-baked product, even after a year.

They could also offer packages, such as "-30% off if you subscribe until 2.0" etc.

In the end I don't think it has to be a black-and-white situation, and I think they will come up with an offer for a middle-ground that makes the situation a bit easier for us but doesn't hurt their bottom line too much (which I think charging for half would do).

[Ava]

With the Blizzcon announcements I'm not sure if I want to pay for FFXIV right now. If they gave some kind of incentive it would be a lot easier to continue playing and paying for this game, but just saying "we'll give you cool events" is not the kind of incentive they need to offer.

So unfortunately, as of now -1 person that thought they would pay. It's just not worth it with so many great games out there right now.

[Starlord]

5 just sounds like an odd number. I think they'd be charging for half if that's what they end up doing.

There's of course the positive image factor. The change would obviously resonate well within the community. However, it would also emphasize the notion that they don't see the game as something worth paying for- further embracing the image of XIV as a half-baked product, even after a year.

They could also offer packages, such as "-30% off if you subscribe until 2.0" etc.

I just don't see the people that say they are going to leave are actually " going to leave" Its a Gamer's Threat. I have seen this before. but when they charge anyway.. If they enjoyed it to begin with they will pay for it just to get the enjoyment again. However if they succeed in getting it half price.. go for them they get a pat on the back. Win a Pumpkin Cookie?

In anyrate, in order for this " half-price" thing to work the games population would have to decline above 50% in order for half subs to be even worth it to SE

[AmyRae]

No, I don't believe that SE is a not-for-profit organisation, because that would be ridiculous. The reason I have for stating that the introduction of the fees is not for revenue is that it's given in the previous posts by Yoshi everywhere. If they needed money to fund V2.0 it wouldn't be happening at all, so it's obvious that they don't. This means they're relying on the re-release of the game. The subscription fee is for the content between now and V2.0 is to ensure that the current player base feels they have a reason to stick around, it's been said many times that they want to gain our trust.

If they didn't need the money, they wouldn't charge anything. Much better to have people using your service free than scaring them off with unnecessary fees (Facebook? Google?). Don't misinterpret Yoshida's positive face on the returning subscription fees. He mentioned his poor, starving staff of 250 for a reason. The underlying motivation is to raise funds.

[AmyRae]

You're under the mistaken belief that SE is a stupid company. They're very aware that they'll lose people no matter what they charge. And you can go ahead and speculate that "most" people will leave if they charge full price, but you don't have any real evidence for it. If you think that they should charge half price give your reason and stop speaking for everyone else.

If you're arguing that charging half price will make SE more money, then you're saying that over double the number of people will sub to a half price fee for the entire year. With no one coming back after a patch or two, and no new people joining. Oh, and "70% of our users that voted in the poll were very against being charged a fee" doesn't mean they won't pay it, and no number is given for that "most" they claim were fine with a half-price fee. But even if the speculation on those results was accurate, it's just one fan site, and far from representative of the whole community.

Bottom line, if you think the game is worth $5 and not $12, then say why - speaking on behalf of other people with no real numbers just isn't going to cut it. And I'm very interested to know how the game isn't worth a $12 fee, but is somehow worth a 55-page debate. Not to mention all the time you've spent playing the game. You must not value your time at all.

Everyone makes mistakes.

You were there for the launch of FFXIV, weren't you? Do you really want to call SE a smart company for doing that?

I think rigidly sticking to the $12 is a mistake. I don't buy the "if it's worth $5 it's worth $12" argument. Because even more people would drop off if they said, "if it's worth $12, it's worth $50." Everyone draws the line somewhere.

You could buy an iPhone game for a dollar. Is FFXIV worth $12/month or would you have more fun buying 12 iPhone games a month, especially when you consider 1.0 is getting thrown in the trash heap as soon as 2.0 is done? Even if you're still convinced it's still worth it, many people don't.

Even if you want full price, you stand nothing to lose if they lower it. You'll pay less, there will be more people online to play with, and if the price point is just right, SE will make more money to feed their starving engineers. What's not to like about this plan?

[Alerith]

Even if you want full price, you stand nothing to lose if they lower it. You'll pay less, there will be more people online to play with, and if the price point is just right, SE will make more money to feed their starving engineers. What's not to like about this plan?

That plan isn't guaranteed to work. If they cut the price in half, they would need double the amount of subscribers than if they charged a full subscription just to make the same amount.

Charging full is actually "safer" in a way because even if more people stay with a half cost subscription, there is no certainty that it will be enough (in this case, double) to break even, let alone make more.