The future of F2P

[Asiaine]

On a somewhat related topic.. more or less. How would the community feel about there being an 'enhanced' subscription? The meaning behind that, if/when they release a XIV test server, such as what XI has currently (I dont know how the actual usage works there, havent paid enough attention) would you all be willing to pay an additional, oh lets say.. 5$ to your normal subscription to have access to the test server, to try out new areas, instances and skills, etc before they make it released to the general public who remain on the normal subscription plans? Just curious.

Pay... to test someone else's software, so they can sell it with less bugs and make more money? I just heard a bunch of game testers cry.

[Nixius]

I swear to god if FFXIV goes free to play I'm unsubscribing.

As would I

[Fear]

The best option in my eyes is to keep this game P2P and just add some optional paid extra's, such as Server Transfers, Character recustomization, Name changes?

[Viritess]

I honestly think the real movement in gaming will be B2P with a mostly Cosmetic/convienance store. then B2P Expansions etc. Cash up front! Trickle in till next expansion = More cash up front then more trickle in.

The usual issue with F2P is the general low quality of game in part due to having to wait till the cash shop pays out. Which means moving a large amount of "needed" items. Coupled with the "free" expansions (patches) that don't pay out either.

Buy and sub seems to be fading in part because F2P can be a low cost "cash grab" (somewhat opinion there ^^ ) But also because with a monthly sub after buying the box expectations per dollar are high. And it can lock some people into a single MMO, or make people feel like they HAVE to get their moneys worth because they are paying.

The other is Strait Sub with no Box price. which i would say worked fairly well with Eve-online. They offered expansions free, but the game's skill system worked on a time based skill up, which helped keep people paying for a longer term.

Part of the reason i think B2P with consmetic shop is likely to be in the end, the most favored option is because you bypass many of the total issues with the other billing methods while still generating income. Box sales will = upfront money, which means if you have a % playerloss, you still have their cash.

And a cosmetic cash shop because alot of people like to customize their characters, and some will spend extra (some will spend alot extra) on little things. But this also bypasses some of the $ = advantages issues.

[Ganbachi]

if it's F2P then pay more for:

1. Bigger bags or more retainers.
2. More character slots.
3. Free company services:
a. Airship
b. Recruitment banners around the city

I hope they don't touch anything else though.

[Viritess]

if it's F2P then pay more for:

1. Bigger bags or more retainers.
2. More character slots.
3. Free company services:
a. Airship
b. Recruitment banners around the city

I hope they don't touch anything else though.

F2P would never stop there. You get income from Shop sales and possibly ads. I honestly don't belive for a second that list would bring in the cash they would want.

[Synthesis]

I swear to god if FFXIV goes free to play I'm unsubscribing.

yep, this.

[Ganbachi]

F2P would never stop there. You get income from Shop sales and possibly ads. I honestly don't belive for a second that list would bring in the cash they would want.

I just realized that lol. Another idea I think would be:

The game could be F2P till level 50 and with the main story line only but monthly subscription for the endgame content.

[rina_inverse]

I just realized that lol. Another idea I think would be:

The game could be F2P till level 50 and with the main story line only but monthly subscription for the endgame content.

so we have to pay for all the good thing? those sparky bad ass gear?
yea.. nope

[Atoli]

would you all be willing to pay an additional, oh lets say.. 5$ to your normal subscription

Personally, I wouldn't.
Not that I'm against the idea, but there's just a limit to how much money I can spend on a video game.


Now to all the people who say F2P would be great to draw new players in:
There are many other ways of doing that. SE could for example provide a 14 days-F2P-trial like any other P2P MMO does and like they do themselves with FFXI.
It's a great way to figure out if you like the game or not, even if you are limited to 2 characters, 100k Gil, etc.
Most people aren't against F2P trials, they just don't want permanent F2P