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DC Universe Online Goes F2P
mlauzon writes "It seems a lot of companies are seeing the light and turning their subscription based games into the F2P model, or 'freemium,' as it's now being called. Quoting Massively: "For those of us who lack Batman's financial resources, maintaining several monthly MMO subscriptions can be a challenge. Sony Online Entertainment recognizes this, and as a result, the company has just announced that DC Universe Online will be officially joining the freemium revolution toward the end of October."
Free as in now that you're here, shut the fuck up and give us your money!!
Here are the highlights
Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.
Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.
Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
You do know about credit cards right? There are all kinds of fees for a transaction and this makes a 15 times a $1 fee NOT the same in money earned as a 1 time 15$ fee. It is part of why iTunes is so expensive, the CC companies are cleaning up on those small transactions. That is why micro-transactions are often done through points, so that you don't end up paying most of your small payment to the credit card company and NOT the company you are buying from.
Expect about half of a dollar transaction not to make it to the company at the end. That means your proposal would net them 7.50$ for a months worth of playing... oh my goodness! The richess! If you even make ONE support email that can be answered easily and with no going back and forth, they are already paying you to play.
It is part of the whole MMO problem, MMO players are stuck witht the idea that 14,99 is not only the amount games should cost for 20 years already but complaining that this is insanely expensive! While drinking 5$ dollar coffees.
Most MMO companies keep their figures hidden but anyone who has ever run a service requiring support knows just how expensive it all becomes especially if you want to moderate. Players often demand instant assistence in the game but refuse flat out to pay for it.
It would be interesting to get an honest answer from players in a poll like way to this question:
How many minutes of support from a human being do you expect for 14,99 in a month?
Pretty damn sure the answer will show absolutely zero understanding of the costs of labor. Just look at budget airlines, the reason they are so cheap is because they cut all the service but then people complain they don't get service for their 50 dollar around the world ticket... no shit sherlock.
It was nice to read the parents post, just another reminder about how little the average MMO gamer understands about economy. He should have mentioned how Guild Wars can offer a MMO for just the box price! Prooof! (that offering an extremely cut down MMO experience with no support and no moderation is cheaper then offering a full game)
MMO Quests are like orgasms:
You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.
IMHO the real way for any MMORPG, who didn't want to goes F2P (Free To Play), it is going for a B2P (Buy To Play) with Item Shop, with item that are just esthetic. Like Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2!
About time.
Oh wait, that wasn't it was it...
Free as in; I do not have to give them any personal information, any business information, any money, and free of any chance installing their software will effect my computer? That would be the only circumstances I would involve myself with Sony.
Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.