News

Bioware defends The Old Republic subscription model, teases free-to-play for older IPs
Posted: 28.12.2011 19:42 by JonahFalcon Comments: 40
Free-to-play Baldur's Gate?
BioWare founders Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk are once again defending Star Wars: The Old Republic's subscription payment scheme. During an interview with Joystiq, the pair tackled the entire subscription vs. free-to-play business models, while teasing a free-to-play model for some of their older IPs.

Zeschuk explained, "You look at the online space in general and it's fragmenting into all these different areas, but the core still works. The subscription model still works. We know a lot of people say, 'Oh, everything's just going free-to-play.' But that's just one slice. There's one slice that's free-to-play, there's one slice that's social, there's traditional subscription still going."

According to Zeschuk, a subscription-based MMO has the leeway to do things that a free-to-play MMO cannot, pointing out, "The free-to-play people can't invest to the level we can invest, and can't create something of the size and scale of something we can create." He then added that the idea all MMOs will follow the free-to-play model is "from a business perspective, ridiculous."

That's not to say that BioWare isn't above using the free-to-play model. One of BioWare's inherited MMOs from recent acquisition Mythic Entertainment, Warhammer Online, currently runs on the free-to-play model. In addition, Muyzka teased the tantalizing notion that some of BioWare's older IPs might go free-to-play.

Muyzka hinted, "You can re-imagine things and kinda envision (free-to-play) in different ways. We have some other stuff we haven't announced yet coming from our play-for-free team that I'm really excited about. It's gonna bring back some IP that people have a lot of fond memories around." Some of the older, unused BioWare properties include Baldur's Gate and Jade Empire, both of which would fit Muyzka's description.
Source: Joystiq

Comments

By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
djole381
A F2P "Baldur's Gate" or "Jade Empire" would be pointless as both games are seriously outdated and there's not a gamer in the world (console addicts excluded) that hasn't heard of or played them.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
JonahFalcon
It would be a new, browser-based game, I'm sure.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
SirRoderick
I've been saying this exactly all along. It's ridiculous how people assume everything is going F2P someday. Although I must confess, I find the 30 bucks per two weeks (and I haven't even seen a monthly option yet) a bit steep. Not to mention the fact that according to their own purchase site, there doesn't seem to be any playtime included in the 60 dollar game. I mean FUCK ME!
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
djole381
I think you're wrong Roderick. I'm positive there's gametime for the first month included and that you pay monthly fee afterwards.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
SirRoderick
Well that's a relief at least.

Still waiting for sale or comp :)
(If you're doing a comp for TOR, make sure to plaster it all over the place so I can't possibly miss it)
By The_Tingler (SI Veteran Member) on Dec 28, 2011
The_Tingler
I'm not against subscription models for MMOs, but I am against the current model that ties you to that game. I can't play The Old Republic enough a month to make that fee worth it, mostly because I want to play other games. Now a pay-to-play option that's based on HOURS rather than per month? Like, a batch of 20 hours I can play whenever I want? I'd be all over that.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
SirRoderick
I agree with that completely.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 28, 2011
djole381
Me to, though it would be better to charge subscription by days. You pay for, say, 10 days and the subscription ends when you actually spend 10 days of playing the game regardless of how much time passed between gaming sessions.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 29, 2011
herodotus
I personally have no problem with a subscription-based financial plan.
The one imperative that goes with that is that the game will be updated frequently, servers mainatined monthly at least but most importantly that new content is always in development and made available as quickly as plausible.
This is where "STO" ran into trouble at the beginning, with the most important opposing faction (the Klingons) barely even realised. Now that that title is going to F2P I am already seeing negaitive effects in game. There is no new content, simply the Winter events and the grinding with the DO's. The latter ranks you up very, VERY fast and I've topped my Klingon out in 2 weeks, where it took 2 months to get three ranks before this.
Aded to that is the promise of the rank of Admiral has not yet been delievered, and that Dilithium is the new economy, besides energy credits. Once I gained Vice Amiral rank I should have received the next evolution from my Assault Cruiser. Instae I must purchase it with Dilithium, that must be earned by grinding in-game. Also have a stockpile of Latinium that I have no idea what to do with. Hopefully when it goes F2P there will be an overhaul of the subs system.

It's an intricate process and if BioWare/ EA can work with the community, as well as for them (and not the other way around) it will be fine.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Dec 29, 2011
JonahFalcon
I'm betting SWTOR will go free-to-play in 2 years, after the series has doubled the cost it took to develop it.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 29, 2011
djole381
TOR going f2p is inevitable. It's just a matter of time.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 29, 2011
herodotus
That's a given. The Universe should be well and truly set up and running by then. I just hope they don't pour all of their resources into the transition then as "STO" has, to the loss of the subscriber.
By Xyfer117 (SI Core) on Dec 29, 2011
Xyfer117
Having played WoW in the past I've always wondered why MMO's don't charge for game session time as you guys are discussing, instead of real-time, it would make the fee's feel so much more worth it, and probably get companies who offer that type of sub-model more players.
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Dec 29, 2011
unsilviu
They don't do that because it would be a psychological incentive for players not to play, even if they would be willing to shell out the same amount in a fixed rate. The current system gets a lot of money from the casuals, and doesn't tax the hardcores proportionally. It's similar, I think, to why newspapers don't charge for number of read articles when subscribing.
By Xyfer117 (SI Core) on Dec 29, 2011
Xyfer117
Ah, I see your point.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 29, 2011
SirRoderick
Newspapers in effect charge for number of papers delivered, that's not an appropriate analogy!

Your point stands of course, not that the greed behind it makes it any more acceptable.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 29, 2011
herodotus
What "STO" does for game time (as opposed to real time) is add Bonuses (skills buff, 100 Day Subscriber Skills Bonus, Double XP, starship buffs etc) that last from 8 hours to (?)days. They only count down while in-game. Not sure about any other MMO as I haven't subscribed to any (though I haven't noticed any in the F2P of "DCUO").
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Dec 30, 2011
unsilviu
EVE Online has skills that are learned slowly in real time, letting you advance even when not online. WoW also has a system where, if you log out for a sufficient amount of time, you get double XP from mobs for an amount of time proportional to the time spent offline.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 30, 2011
herodotus
Well I acquired a Borg Tactical Console, and my ship is slowly becoming assimilated. I swear it's spread since I last logged on.
Of course the only thing that really occurs in real time is the Duty Officer Assignments. You can log on, set them tasks and come back later to collect the rewards. I really am becoming a lazy Admiral:)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 30, 2011
SirRoderick
You're being assimilated? I have to say I wouldn't be so cool about that situation xD
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 30, 2011
herodotus
Looks interesting on the hull of USS Longsword, my Sovereign-Class beasty. All those bright green metallic additions threading their way into my sub-systems (oooo, errr). I have a Borg Bridge Officer keeping an eye (a human one) on the situation (she's also my Chief Engineer). Rock on Commander FiveofSix:).
It seems the more missions you complete in the Gamma Orinos Sector (the Borg invaded one, accessed via a Transwarp Gate) the more chance you have of gaining borg-assimilated components. I've seen some very bizarrely transformed starships around me at times. Might look creepy, but the effect on weaponry and engine power is worth it.

So, is my overtly covert attempt to draw fellow members into the STO universe working yet?:D
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 30, 2011
djole381
Hero, you're driving me nuts... January 17th can't come soon enough. Where's the damn time machine when I need one XD
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 30, 2011
SirRoderick
I will join when it's F2P, but I don't think I will sooner.

EDIT
Oh and by the way, why is it called the USS Longsword? I've never gotten why Federation ships are being designated as "USS", which still stands for "United States Ship" where I'm from. Why isn't is an FS or alike? Can you change designations?
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 30, 2011
herodotus
No you can't, only the ship number. In the original series, USS was referred to as standing for either "United Space Ship" or "United Star Ship". "NCC" is the most common registry prefix, used by almost every known Starfleet vessel in the franchise, but is not used for the naming of the ship.
I randomly named the Tier 4 as "Longsword" and my T4 Klingon Battle Cruiser as the "I.K.S. Broadsword" as a sort of counter. I have plenty of ships for both characters at different rank levels, and can swap ships over at Space Dock to take say the original Enterprise out for a spin. You can swap in and out any weaponry, consoles etc. onto any ship you own at any time and select it as your current vessel.

In F2P this all changes, as the ships will become available to you at each rank but at a price (instead of given to you as they are now - except for T5 that must be bought with Dilithium).
I'll probably go F2P when the date rolls around as I really do not need the extras anymore. I've maxed-out my ranks, VA and Lt. General (until Full Admiral/General unlock), and I'm hoping to purchase my T5 Star Cruiser (a real brute) by then. I doubt I'll have enough for the Klingon T5 Orion Cruiser, though:(
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 31, 2011
herodotus
Here's a couple of snaps of the parially assimilated "Longsword". Took a while....heavy traffic around Earth Space Dock:)

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198001912496/screenshot/594706251546614562/?tab=public
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
SirRoderick
Assimilation looks awesome :)
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Dec 31, 2011
unsilviu
Well, you've convinced me too, I'm trying it out after it goes F2P :P
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 31, 2011
herodotus
The SDF missions are fun, and you get to pick up some great loot from the engagements (SDF are the special forces, for both Fed and IDK put together to fight the Borg - you must be invited to join, which is automated upon reaching flag rank).
If there were to be enough of us we could start the SI Fleet (calling it something cool), have our own Fleet name, badges, structure, bank etc. There members can deposit or withdraw items as they climb in rank and outside of the technical positives take part in Fleet events and actions.
You don't have to have many members to have a Fleet and I have loads of equipment for various levels/ranks and Energy Credits (in-game cash system) to share for beginners.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
djole381
That would be great hero. I'll PM you once STO goes F2P and I start playing.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
SirRoderick
Oh yes, the heroic SI fleet is a great idea! (Especially if he gives me lots of stuff...did I type that out loud? OH SHIT!)

:D
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Dec 31, 2011
herodotus
I'll take on some low level Klingons and Romulans in the Alpha Centauri/ Sirius/ Regulus Sectors as they drop many lower level weaponry and equipment (Mk.I upward). You can't use anything that's not the same level as your rank.
To think yesterday I destroyed 9 Klingon squadrons in an Enemy Encounter and got loads of Mk.I equipment....and sold it all. I'll take on some more of these chaps in the coming days and store the items in the general bank until you guys come aboard.
Then I can open my own Porn Shop (did I spell that correctly?:p).
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
SirRoderick
I knew having friendly relations with people on the internet could pay off :D

No seriously, that would be very appreciated indeed.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
djole381
I'll have to open a tab in that Porn Shop of yours hero XD
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Dec 31, 2011
unsilviu
Same here ;) And Happy New Year, hero! (It's 2012 in Australia already. Us Europeans have to wait a couple more hours.)
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
djole381
Happy New Year herodotus :)
By Xyfer117 (SI Core) on Dec 31, 2011
Xyfer117
Happy New Year everyone, for wherever you are and whatever time it becomes 2012!
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Dec 31, 2011
unsilviu
Happy new year for everyone indeed! (And me too now :D) It's 2012!!
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
djole381
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! MAY THIS BE THE BEST GAMING YEAR EVER FOR ALL OF US!
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Dec 31, 2011
SirRoderick
It ticked over here as well.

Happy new year, enjoy it, you know it's the last :D
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 01, 2012
herodotus
Happy New Year to all, and I trust 2012 (besides Woodly Harrelson's doom and gloom in the film "2012", thanks for the Mayan reminder Roderick) will turn out to be the best one yet.