This is a really good thread with some interesting arguements, I agree with the original poster that the MMO developers are mainly ignoring what is likely to be the future of the industry. The subscription model is fatally flawed for a number of reasons, mainly that you can't rely on an MMO player to be able to afford or physically play 3 or more MMO games - we all know it's impossible. Therefore a system that allows a player to access the world for free and further allows them to contribute more if they wish to have certain advantages will be the preferred revenue model for the future.
The current set-up means that the game developer loses out on the revenue they should recieve and instead a few e-bay macro kings get $000's that go straight to their pocket instead of going back to the developer who can continue to enhance the game.
The problem is balancing this type of virtual currency system, I've been particualry impressed by the explanation of Roma Victor's answer to the subscription model. The economy is index linked and therefore can be tweaked to ensure a balanced economy. I've linked the RV revenue model page below, and it would be good to hear your educated feedback.
Any company officially saying ebaying is ok would get a severe cut in revenues I think, EULA often says NO, but they never ever enforce it. If there is little or no farming possibility in the game were the ebayers could disturb the "real" players, like lineage, then I dont see how this would affect anyone at all.
And I am sure more game like PE will show, PE was first and allthough slitgthly good it has one overwhelming flaw, aside from the lotto content were you kill nd hope for a big loot the game has less content then anything seen on the mmo scene, I do not think there is a single quest in game. Even worse they made ammunition their sole source of income, meaning every shot you fire WILL hurt your wallet and bugged mobs will kill it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Originally posted by Jerek_
I wonder if you honestly even believe what you type, or if you live in a made up world of facts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think before you see companies adopting an in-game cash market for merchandise, you are more likely to see them having in-game trainers where you can take your character to and for real-cash, level your character up at the trainer. Having trouble grinding level 30 to 31? For $3.00 you can get that level.
I think they would probably see more revenue this way than seeing it in the form of merchandise because it will limit any kind of liability really. I think you are more likely to lose an item in a MMORPG due to a bug than lose a level due to a bug. Granted, you could lose that level due to a rollback, however, since it was a financial transaction, it requires a paper trail which could easily be verified and the level gain re-instated.
Originally posted by Umbrood Any company officially saying ebaying is ok would get a severe cut in revenues I think, EULA often says NO, but they never ever enforce it.
You are absolutely correct in the fact that they never enforce it, however, you left out the most ironic part:
It's usually the players of the game who wind up suing the gaming companies over this policy as opposed to the gaming companies going after the players for it.
I just find it amusing that these companies make these rules for games they produce and people sue them over it. That's like someone suing a company for putting artifical coloring in their product.
"What gives them the right to choose what color juice I drink? I'm the one drinking it!"
With regards to the whole "not monitoring cash trading", I have to say, yes, they don't really monitor it now a days, but if their monitoring was a decision between making money or not, I think they would. If they did have real cash auctions, I think they would hire people or just ask their GMs or something to hunt down people who trade for their items that is not involving the auction in-game. Perhaps, perhaps not.
Comments
This is a really good thread with some interesting arguements, I agree with the original poster that the MMO developers are mainly ignoring what is likely to be the future of the industry. The subscription model is fatally flawed for a number of reasons, mainly that you can't rely on an MMO player to be able to afford or physically play 3 or more MMO games - we all know it's impossible. Therefore a system that allows a player to access the world for free and further allows them to contribute more if they wish to have certain advantages will be the preferred revenue model for the future.
The current set-up means that the game developer loses out on the revenue they should recieve and instead a few e-bay macro kings get $000's that go straight to their pocket instead of going back to the developer who can continue to enhance the game.
The problem is balancing this type of virtual currency system, I've been particualry impressed by the explanation of Roma Victor's answer to the subscription model. The economy is index linked and therefore can be tweaked to ensure a balanced economy. I've linked the RV revenue model page below, and it would be good to hear your educated feedback.
http://www.roma-victor.com/verm
Marca
"My grass is always greener on the other side"
Any company officially saying ebaying is ok would get a severe cut in revenues I think, EULA often says NO, but they never ever enforce it. If there is little or no farming possibility in the game were the ebayers could disturb the "real" players, like lineage, then I dont see how this would affect anyone at all.
And I am sure more game like PE will show, PE was first and allthough slitgthly good it has one overwhelming flaw, aside from the lotto content were you kill nd hope for a big loot the game has less content then anything seen on the mmo scene, I do not think there is a single quest in game. Even worse they made ammunition their sole source of income, meaning every shot you fire WILL hurt your wallet and bugged mobs will kill it.
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Originally posted by Jerek_
I wonder if you honestly even believe what you type, or if you live in a made up world of facts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think before you see companies adopting an in-game cash market for merchandise, you are more likely to see them having in-game trainers where you can take your character to and for real-cash, level your character up at the trainer. Having trouble grinding level 30 to 31? For $3.00 you can get that level.
I think they would probably see more revenue this way than seeing it in the form of merchandise because it will limit any kind of liability really. I think you are more likely to lose an item in a MMORPG due to a bug than lose a level due to a bug. Granted, you could lose that level due to a rollback, however, since it was a financial transaction, it requires a paper trail which could easily be verified and the level gain re-instated.
You are absolutely correct in the fact that they never enforce it, however, you left out the most ironic part:
It's usually the players of the game who wind up suing the gaming companies over this policy as opposed to the gaming companies going after the players for it.
Everquest
Red Moon
Dark Age of Camelot
I just find it amusing that these companies make these rules for games they produce and people sue them over it. That's like someone suing a company for putting artifical coloring in their product.
"What gives them the right to choose what color juice I drink? I'm the one drinking it!"
i never ever would play a game where u would have real life money as currency.... never
Too many 13 year olds with allowance to buy uber items.. takes the skill and hierarchy out of a gaming world. I don't support it.
Time is a commodity. Those who have more money than time will always find ways to exchange with those who have more time than money.
This is basic human nature and is embedded in the inherent laws of economics. There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to stop this.
From my point of view, it's not even an ethical issue. This is purely economic self interest in the exchange of commodities between people.
painfully true.
With regards to the whole "not monitoring cash trading", I have to say, yes, they don't really monitor it now a days, but if their monitoring was a decision between making money or not, I think they would. If they did have real cash auctions, I think they would hire people or just ask their GMs or something to hunt down people who trade for their items that is not involving the auction in-game. Perhaps, perhaps not.