Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
General: NCcoin Unveiled
Stradden
Managing EditorMember CommonPosts: 6,696
NCsoft has unveiled the new NCcoin system that will allow players to purchase in-game items with real world money. This new program will make its debut with the mech fighting game Exteel.
Austin, Texas, April 16, 2008 – NCsoft® Corporation, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, unveiled today the details of a new micro-transaction system called NCcoin™. This system will allow customers to use real-world money to purchase in-game items and upgrades.
NCcoin, debuting in the action-packed game Exteel™, was designed so that each dollar spent (US$1) equates to 100 NCcoin, which can be used to acquire in-game items and for upgrade purchases. NCcoin is part of NCsoft’s continuing efforts to offer a variety of business models while giving customers easier access to NCsoft games.
“NCsoft’s goal is to bring more and more people into the online gaming market, and part of achieving that goal is to continue to diversify how customers can pay and play,” said Chris Chung, NCsoft North America’s president. “This system will offer our customers much greater flexibility and convenience in paying for content. Micro-transactions are a growing part of the online gaming industry and NCcoin will allow us to support micro-transaction based games efficiently, allowing developers and players to quickly enjoy the benefits of those systems. We will soon be rolling out more contents that leverage the flexibility of NCcoin.”
In addition to Exteel, NCcoin is expected to be incorporated globally into many of NCsoft’s existing and upcoming games.
NCoin is currently available in 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 denominations for $1, $5, $10 and $20 amounts, respectively. For more information about NCcoin go to: http://www.plaync.com/us/nccoin/.
Quotes from Chris Chung, President of NCsoft-North America, regarding NCcoin:
ON IMPLEMENTATION
“With the release of Exteel and NCcoin micro-transaction system, we at NCsoft North America are taking this opportunity to really focus on improving our game infrastructure, service and overall customer experience.”
“NCsoft has grown its game catalogue to the point where we are now not just offering individual products, but a service. NCcoin will serve as an important part of making NCsoft’s service easier to use by our customers and more efficient for NCsoft to add new content.”
ON WHICH GAMES FIT NCCOIN
“NCcoin will not be retrofitted in games that have business models that do not work with a micro-transaction system. We will, however, work to have NCcoin incorporated in as many of our games as possible, and what role NCcoin will play with our future console offerings have yet to be determined. NCcoin does fit perfect for some of the free-to-play and download games we are developing, and gives players choice on how they want to play these games.”
ON SAFE USAGE
“We have built redundant systems to help make NCcoin as safe and secure to use as possible. We are fully aware that any time a new system is put in place that there will be those who will try to cause problems. The good news is that we have been using NCcoin in Exteel and it has proven to be quite secure.”
ON REVENUE
“We don’t really know how much NCcoin will generate, but we do know that this sort of system has been successfully proven overseas. We also know that NCcoin has been well received by players in Exteel and is generating revenue for the game that has put it on firm footing. NCcoin will be a valuable source of development funds for our free games, and will help support the creation of new content.”
ON NCSOFT BUSINESS MODELS
“NCcoin is just one of many elements that make up the variety of business models NCsoft has to offer. We have grown to the point where if you are a MMOG player and you like the traditional subscription-based game, we have those. If you are an MMOG player seeking a free to play and download game with microtransactions, we have that. If you just want to pay for software and have lifetime play, we have that too. The bottom line for NCsoft is that we want to be able to offer a variety of business models to meet the needs of the different customers out there. NCcoin is another way to make it easier for customers to access the kind of game they want to play.”
Read more here.
Cheers,
Jon Wood
Managing Editor
MMORPG.com
Comments
Absolutely disgusting,
-Jive
I will never play a MMOG that approves of RMT.
Sigh.
LOL
If you can't beat the farmers...join them. Nothing like being able to print your own money though.
I am so very disappointed
"One word, Thundercougarfalconbird."
NCsoft has and always will suck.
The only good thing they have ever done is Guild Wars.
And if they touch GW1 or 2.....that would rly rly rly rly be sad that I would have to stop playing one of my hands down fav. mmo's of all time
I play all ghame
Excellent! This makes it a lot easier to know which games to never play: look for the games which use NCcoin!
Exteel is a great game to play for 15 minutes at the end of the work day. You can play for free, but NCcoins get you some extras. These extras aren't really necessary, but I decided that buying $10 worth of NCcoins was a good way to contribute toward the game's development. That was a couple of months ago and I still haven't spent them all.
Ohneos...not such a good idea.
Given a choice between $15/mo and *optional* micro-payments for the same game, I'd prefer the micro-payments, especially if I didn't play the game all the time.
It may really chap your butts that they're doing this. But now players who like the game, and are not necessarily K-RAD KEWL ELITISTS!, and are willing to drop some of their hard earned real coin on a game they love, can now do so! Without fear of some kind of retaliation by NCSoft! Some of us like to play at our own pace, and if this helps us do so, I'm all for it!
Yes, this will allow the rich kids who have Daddy's/Mommy's money at their command to one up everyone else (at least in terms of raw spending power) but who cares! In a real test of skill the poorer players are gonna stall where they are with their superbly equiped but poorly led heros!
I would also like to mention that people trade up all the time. I knew one player who got a killer build for destroyer cores in EoTN and he would sell the cores to players who had a lot of cash out of EoTN, but didn't want to work for the build that allowed him to get the cores (and all this to get a bloody bandana!). How, ethically, is this different from being able to buy coin that would allow you to rune out your troops and get them good weapons? None, nada, zip, zilch!
Plus, dammit, if it's a game I play. I WANT to have the option to drop real money on it, if I see fit to do so. Also I'm well aware that this probably won't be instituted for GW; but it may be for GW2. And if it is, you've just got another sale, NCSoft!
Again, I also want to point out that if I buy weapons that are far above my level in GW2, I won't be able to use them until I (presumably) level grinded my way up to do so. So it won't really be an advantage until I've gotten to the point where I would have gotten (presumably) a drop that amounted to pretty much the same thing! (Either that or saved up enough plat to buy the weapon from another player which still amounts to the same thing!)
I see that I've gone into diatribe mode. Sorry 'bout that. Whining brings that out in me.
Nacon4
GW-Finished Prophecies, Finished Factions
"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule." Neitzsche
The exact opposite has proven to be true which is why more and more companies are adopting this model.
I can agree with the principals of micropayments, ONLY if the game itself is free to play...
If NCSoft attempt to charge us a monthly fee AND micropayments for games such as CoH/CoV then I shall cancel my account immediately...
NCSoft didn't make Guild Wars... ArenaNet did, NCSoft is just the publisher and takes care of the billing and that sort of thing.
- - "What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?" - -
....c'mon NCsoft, there are better ways to pay for rocketfuel
The exact opposite has proven to be true which is why more and more companies are adopting this model.
It has proven to be true in ASIA.The entire payment model is different in Asia. The way people play is different. The reasons people play are different.
This is a bad idea for a game that wants to be successful in North America.
I know I certainly won't play a game with micro-transactions. Ever.
By doing this, they are only driving more and more people to WoW.
omg seriously your FREAKING ME OUT
If they implemented this is GW2 the game will be ruined PERIOD
IT RUINS THE POINT OF WORKING FOR SOMETHING
NCsoft just turned into a pathetic company, they really hurt themselves on this one.
Im rly hoping arenanet changes publishers ASAP
Please people encourage them to find a new publisher, otherwise our beloved GW2 might be ruined
I play all ghame
NCSoft didn't make Guild Wars... ArenaNet did, NCSoft is just the publisher and takes care of the billing and that sort of thing.
That is true Raunu, I guess im just freaking out
I play all ghame
The exact opposite has proven to be true which is why more and more companies are adopting this model.
Actually, you're wrong. The model has only been successful in places like Korea and the Far East, but has proven unsuccessful in the Western markets, which include, N. America and Europe (It may also include other areas, but I'm not absolute on that).
So you may ask why would an MMO company want to go this route? Because a few companies who have tried it, and the biggest Western name SOE, have proved that although there is a small market for it, the players who do play and pay for items, actually pay more money than a $15 per month subscription fee. Just Google the John Smedly interview on the Station Exchange and you'll see what I'm talking about.
You are so correct, Cheating is so kewl, actually playing a game is so yesterday. Lets spread this further, Counter Strike, you get a Haubits for 20 bucks, then you can join the world championships. Heck, the Olympics, you can buy the medals, then you don't have to train anything. Yeah. You are right... You really seem like a guy with character and priniciples. I really listen to you now... "I spend money because I don't want ot waste my time playing... " You sound like a fat person: "I spend my money on eating because I don't want to waste my time on working out.. I am still a bodybuilder, right?!! right?! hello...?"
"This is not a game to be tossed aside lightly.
It should be thrown with great force"
Take a look at the MMORPG.com polls which have to do with microtransactions and you'll see how THOUSANDS feel about this system. I for one will most likely NEVER support this kind of system... not even if BioWare created the most incredible MMORPG ever, I'd rather stick to my regular monthly fee LOTRO or perhaps by then Age of Conan sub.
It's only recently that this idea is catching on in the west as it's quite popular in the east... but no offense meant here, I'm not at all interested in the eastern MMORPG market [99% utter boring mindless droning farm crap imo] or their business models. What works for some people, won't work for all people.
I won't support a system which allows those who spend more money advantage. When it's just a 'cosmetic' difference only and provides no real 'edge' over standard customers, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth but it's not AS bad.
First Stargate Worlds, now 'Ncoin'... soon the '$oE'?
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
I agree with most about the micro payment system being the wrong model for NA and mayber Europe.
I am interested in the Sony game The Agency but will have to wait and see what the prices and costs are. They have already stated that content is going to have to be purchased to play. Lots of pieces to that game are going to have to be bought. What if each content bundle is $10 each and they release 3 a month because they are more of just a long quest that they only need to reprogram little things to have new bundle to release. That is way more than a subscription and that does not include the other items that will only be available through micro-managing the money the customer spends. What happens when the content bundles are linked together then that provide bonuses for playing in certain order? Does the customer just suck it up and spend the money? How much are the extras going to cost me that keep me up with the competition? I haven't read any recent news about The Agency but when I first read anything there was statements that made it seem the best items cost real money. That seems to happen in a lot of these games. You can play the game free but to really get to play with everything then you have to spend cash. I much prefer paying a monthly fee because generally I just jump into the game and go.
I can cancel the sub at any time and restart whenever. What happens if I take a 3 month break from a micro-transaction game and return to see there is $125 worth of content and items to buy to get back up to speed? Just suck it up and do it? North America I know runs through all the content and then wants more. From most articles and a few interviews I have seen for the Asian part of the world, it seems that they go and play through the content over and over while waiting for more. That part of the world seems content to grind. Most US people I know and talk to get bored and go play something else if grinding is all there is. Grinding is not fun to most and is why I could see micro-transactions working for some and being the bane of others. I have tried many such games and enjoyed them till I realized that I would need to spend cash to get things needed to do well in the game. One I thought I might try offered me nothing I really wanted except for extra quests at $10 (or more for ultimate package) for 28 days. I did not want the package. I just wanted the access to storyline. I would have paid for a content package but not a game package that I would have to renew if I did not finish the storyline in that 28 days. I am still playing a game that in over 8 months still have not done all the content and have missed quite a bit as I am maxxed level. I am just curious to see how the system will have to be implemented in North America and Europe for it to be successful here as different people have different needs and plays games differently.
I'm sure that you're built, alright.
N4
"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule." Neitzsche
I believe you are missing the point here. They will NOT use NCcoin for games such as GW,L2 ,CoH, etc which are "business model". The only games where they will use NCoin's are the acutaly Exteel & the Dungeon Runners and some of the upcoming games which they will SPECIAL be made for NCcoin.
I am sure they will not use this service for GW2 , Aion or L3 because are "business model". They now have all 3 options for subscribers : P2P , Life Time Pay , F2P with cash option
So what's wrong about it ? How they can handle the costs for a F2P game such as Exteel ?
Good job NCsoft, keep up the good work
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy?
Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
Can't wait to see how they will implement NCcoin in Guild Wars and CoH!