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Alternative Distribution Schemes For The MMO?

Posted by simoniker on from the less-means-more dept.

Thanks to The Adrenaline Vault for its editorial discussing ways the MMO and online gaming industry can evolve beyond its current saturation levels. The author argues: "The structure of MMOGs all but requires consumers to choose one title to the exclusion of all others... so, how can game makers continue to use this business model without collectively suffocating?" Therefore, a solution is suggested: "Scale projects back and use episodic content instead. Under the drip feed model, users pay for gameplay in small chunks rather than a periodic access fee. For example, Resident Evil: Outbreak would have translated perfectly into this type of game because its scenarios are encapsulated and self-sufficient... This approach... requires much less in the way of maintenance costs and initial investment [and] provides entertainment in digestible bursts... which means more room in the marketplace for everyone to sell their wares."

2 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. Here's my idea by truffle · · Score: 4, Interesting


    As a gamer you pay a monthly subscription fee for a gaming service, the fee is something like $19.99 a month.

    Any online game can choose to be covered under this service. If it is, you can play that game.

    My $19.99 fee is then distributed proportionally to each of the game providers based on how much time I spent playing their game.

    For example, in one month I might:
    - Spend 10 hours playing MMO #1 ($10)
    - Spend 5 hours playing MMO #2 ($5)
    - Spend 5 hours playing team FPS game ($5)

    My total allowed gameplay is unlimited, it's only the proportion of play that matters.

    Unfortunately I don't think the publishers will ever agree to that, and unless the majority of fun online games was covered, it just wouldn't work.

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  2. Most Annoying Part by _Neurotic · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Is having to shell out $40-$50 for a retail box for most of the online games. If I'm paying $15-$20 month for a subscription, why should I have to walk down to my local CompUSA and pay $50 for a CD? They should be downloadable, period.

    I can say that I probably would be a susbscriber to one or more games if it were not for the barrier of initial investment.