Lifetime Subscription

[Roaran]

They would be wise to not give a singular lifetime subscription offer.

However, I see no reason that Square Enix could not offer the option for players to pay larger lumps of cash for larger periods of game play.

[Kirito]

They would be wise to not give a singular lifetime subscription offer.

However, I see no reason that Square Enix could not offer the option for players to pay larger lumps of cash for larger periods of game play.

They've done it before so I don't doubt they will do it again...

[Alhanelem]

They would be wise to not give a singular lifetime subscription offer.

However, I see no reason that Square Enix could not offer the option for players to pay larger lumps of cash for larger periods of game play.

As I explained before, it can be a good deal for them if the game isn't as successful as they were hoping to be. And even if it is more successful than they expect, giving out lifetime subs means people who quit can come back to the game very easily, which means a slightly stronger playerbase later in the game's life.

The same is true for many free to play games. The people who invested money in them are much more likely to keep playing, and come back if they quit.

[Mjollnir]

I have lifetime subs on a few MMOs. I don't feel the obligation to play them particularly, as I can log in whenever I want. However, if I've paid for a month of gaming, I'm more inclined to spend my spare time playing due to the restriction on access. For myself and perhaps others in the same situation, a lifetime sub is not much of an incentive to play. Sure, it's a financial bonus, but I like giving money to S-E so they can spend it on making/improving their games.

It's not so much about not wanting to try something new, more that S-E is high-calibre enough to attract players without needing to resort to offering a discount (and yes, the Legacy discount is appreciated, but I would have paid a regular subscription anyhow).

[AttacKat]

Just need to make a minor correction if I may.

I don't know why you guys keep using the $120/yr basis. To use this figure, it automatically assumes ONLY LEGACY members are allowed to sign up for the lifetime option, which of course, will bring on more whiners.

Therefore, the proper yearly cost should be $180.

BTW, as much as we like to see it happen to FFXIV, no one version of game is going to last 20 years. 20 years ago, we just started playing DOOM on 640x480.

jc

[Titans]

Just need to make a minor correction if I may.

I don't know why you guys keep using the $120/yr basis. To use this figure, it automatically assumes ONLY LEGACY members are allowed to sign up for the lifetime option, which of course, will bring on more whiners.

Therefore, the proper yearly cost should be $180.

BTW, as much as we like to see it happen to FFXIV, no one version of game is going to last 20 years. 20 years ago, we just started playing DOOM on 640x480.

jc

I would like to add that $180 for one year is a lot. Being that I am an Xbox live member the yearly fee is $60 dollars, and add the fact you can play any game for one year for that price. If they did a one year sub fee. It would have to be at least 60 or below.

[Starlord]

An apology is not owed just because it's demanded.

Common courtesy

Only, that's not what it is. And ALL companies benefit from large quantities of money dropped on them all at one time. No matter their solidity. Even more so publicly traded companies, as income attracts investment.

It's how I feel the term Lifetime Subs is to me. Opinions are wonderful .

[Abriael]

It's how I feel the term Lifetime Subs is to me. Opinions are wonderful .

Only when they're based on something.

[Kallivis]

It's how I feel the term Lifetime Subs is to me. Opinions are wonderful .

Two consumers purchase "lifetime subs" at $300 each. The total comes to $600. Square Enix now has $600 in revenue.

Standard option - $15/m

Month 1) $30 2) $60 3) $90 4) $120 5) $150 6) $180 7) $210 8) $240 9) $270 10) $300 ... ... ... 20) $600

1 year 8 months worth of subscription fees. It would of taken Square Enix 1 year and 8 months to collect the revenue matching those two lifetime subs. Square Enix can't even guarantee those two players will stick around that long. The likelihood those two players would of quit for any amount of time in between that is over 60%.

When someone has a lifetime membership to something they don't feel inclined to use it all the time, so they are more likely to take breaks from the game.

Furthermore, the average consumer is far more likely to leave the game early. Hardcore players that stick with a game for every single month of its life are few. Go look up statistics for any MMO.

In addition, Square Enix isn't creating furniture or selling food. To create furniture, you must purchase materials to build furniture with, so you have to at least break even on your materials cost. For food, all the ingredients and condiments associated with it along with packaging cost money. Square Enix is selling access/data. The only money directly lost is how much data that consumer is using (therefore the more often they play the more money they lose). Since lifetime subs are more likely to play the game less, and Square Enix already has a huge chunk of change from them, they are actually making more money.

It is going to be a VERY rare case that a lifetime sub will play every single month for 10 years. Even if that happens, Square Enix won't be losing that much money considering how many people would of bought subs and how many active subscribers they already have. Those very active consumers would probably be a positive force in the community and be assisting in maintaining an in-game economy and making other people stick around longer.

[Aloysous]

I would pay $200-$250 for a lifetime sub. That would be the the max I would pay though.