From a recent FFXIV article that I would like to quote:
"Also, for use we have taken player surveys and took a look at what our customer satisfaction level is and we actually garnered data that shows that over 80% of our players are satisfied with the subscription model and they feel very assured that it is a constant. You are safe to be in that environment, and you know that you can expect a decent amount of updates and content."
For those of you not aware FFXIV is a sub game (with a small cash shop of cosmetics). Now it is not an independent study, but I wanted to point out that they feel that their customer base is mostly (80%) happy with their subscription model.
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
I agree. Though it runs roughshod over my own preference, the bottom line is that we---as a species---have built in communal tendencies. That is just a fancy way of saying that we get jealous when we see that someone else has something that we do not. Rallyd, what do you think of having guilds bid in game currency for (permanent or otherwise) access to Sigils/Runes developed by VRI?
The funny things about this 7 page forum thread is everyone is assuming Pantheon cant work without extra help. Like for some reason people are really worried about post launch finances. As long as the dev team stays happy with a small but loyal sub based like it was originally stated I don't think we have to worry so much about thinking out side the box to keep a game that's not even close to being released afloat.
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
Please stop..
There would be no way of knowing (for you) what insignia was paid for, and which one was designed using in-game tools. Even the more elaborate Coat of Arms wouldn't be obvious, because you don't know what City guards will be wearing, etc. Even so.. how would any of it break immersion..? Why does it matter to you, if someone paid for a design... because you can't design..? Or because you won't bother..?
I think you are carry on, about nothing. If they allow FREE coat of arms & Insignias, are you OK with that..? Like Arch Age..? Is that what you want..? FREE..? so that you can put a DOnkey Dick on your CLoak and run around laughing like a child ?
Secondly, If a Guild does choose to spend money to import their Coat of arms, why do you think the cost of $200 is not enough for a Dev to look at the Picture and click "ok", or "Deny"... Or are you just saying that a Dev isn't making VRi money, by checking $200 boxes..? Or that You don't like the idea, because it is not free..?
Lastly, some Guilds have been around for many... many years (20+). Diversity has nothing to do with it... Some Guilds have their own insignias & Coat of Arms...
CelevinMoongleam said:
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
I agree. Though it runs roughshod over my own preference, the bottom line is that we---as a species---have built in communal tendencies. That is just a fancy way of saying that we get jealous when we see that someone else has something that we do not. Rallyd, what do you think of having guilds bid in game currency for (permanent or otherwise) access to Sigils/Runes developed by VRI?
If by that you mean purchase that kind of thing from a vendor, or outfitter of sorts, that's just fine with me. Others would say that can be P2W too cuz u can just buy platinum, however if we go that far then everything will be P2W. We will just assume that that sort of thing is frowned upon by the community and if you do it your friends will police you, hopefully.
Hieromonk said:
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
Please stop..
There would be no way of knowing (for you) what insignia was paid for, and which one was designed using in-game tools. Even the more elaborate Coat of Arms wouldn't be obvious, because you don't know what City guards will be wearing, etc. Even so.. how would any of it break immersion..? Why does it matter to you, if someone paid for a design... because you can't design..? Or because you won't bother..?
I think you are carry on, about nothing. If they allow FREE coat of arms & Insignias, are you OK with that..? Like Arch Age..? Is that what you want..? FREE..? so that you can put a DOnkey Dick on your CLoak and run around laughing like a child ?
Secondly, If a Guild does choose to spend money to import their Coat of arms, why do you think the cost of $200 is not enough for a Dev to look at the Picture and click "ok", or "Deny"... Or are you just saying that a Dev isn't making VRi money, by checking $200 boxes..? Or that You don't like the idea, because it is not free..?
Lastly, some Guilds have been around for many... many years (20+). Diversity has nothing to do with it... Some Guilds have their own insignias & Coat of Arms...
I shouldn't even respond to this, but everything you said right there sounds like you enjoy the prestige of having spent 200$ on your "coat of arms" and flaunting it over other players, or using it to stand out in some way. This is exactly what we do not want, money being used as a symbol of your real-life prowess showing through to the game. Next thing you'll want castles and keeps that are guild housing that exist in the world uninstanced that everyone can see that cost 1-2k$ RL.
It's not a big deal, they said they will not have cash shop or pay to be special services so this is already settled.
Rallyd said:
Hieromonk said:
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
Please stop..
There would be no way of knowing (for you) what insignia was paid for, and which one was designed using in-game tools. Even the more elaborate Coat of Arms wouldn't be obvious, because you don't know what City guards will be wearing, etc. Even so.. how would any of it break immersion..? Why does it matter to you, if someone paid for a design... because you can't design..? Or because you won't bother..?
I think you are carry on, about nothing. If they allow FREE coat of arms & Insignias, are you OK with that..? Like Arch Age..? Is that what you want..? FREE..? so that you can put a DOnkey Dick on your CLoak and run around laughing like a child ?
Secondly, If a Guild does choose to spend money to import their Coat of arms, why do you think the cost of $200 is not enough for a Dev to look at the Picture and click "ok", or "Deny"... Or are you just saying that a Dev isn't making VRi money, by checking $200 boxes..? Or that You don't like the idea, because it is not free..?
Lastly, some Guilds have been around for many... many years (20+). Diversity has nothing to do with it... Some Guilds have their own insignias & Coat of Arms...
I shouldn't even respond to this, but everything you said right there sounds like you enjoy the prestige of having spent 200$ on your "coat of arms" and flaunting it over other players, or using it to stand out in some way. This is exactly what we do not want, money being used as a symbol of your real-life prowess showing through to the game. Next thing you'll want castles and keeps that are guild housing that exist in the world uninstanced that everyone can see that cost 1-2k$ RL.
It's not a big deal, they said they will not have cash shop or pay to be special services so this is already settled.
"This is exactly what we do not want, money being used as a symbol of your real-life prowess showing through to the game."
Those^ are ideas that you have..
If 125 people in a Guild, all give their guild leader $2, so He can Submit their Coat of Arms to VRi... how is that ANYTHING like you've just suggested..?
Or a Clan of 45...?
Or a Family of 22...?
See..? Understand..?
Honestly, you are so froth on the PRICE of something... (!!!!!) , you can't stop to see the SERVICE it provides to YOU, and other Citizens of Pantheon. In stopping the crass & non-lore'istic graphics in our game. It does not affect, or even effect your Character in any way. Though, it seems outside the game to effect your ego. Learn to breathe a little.
And not-to-mention, provides VRi with a little more revenue...
.
Hieromonk said:
Rallyd said:
Hieromonk said:
Rallyd said:
There should be absolutely no way to gain any "services" by paying for them. Even something as small as a guild insignia can be an immediate immersion break, you can't possibly expect someone to stand around and approve guild insignia's all day and not let some shady crap slip through to ruin our immersion. I want to play the game VRi is making for us, if the insignia's and crests etc are all so crappy you want to be individualist and make your own then they failed to have enough diversity for you to pick from.
Paying additional for anything other than access to the game will mean that a social hierarchy will form whether you like it or not based on who can pay and who can't. It cannot be avoided, it's how RL works and most people play games to get away from that.
Please stop..
There would be no way of knowing (for you) what insignia was paid for, and which one was designed using in-game tools. Even the more elaborate Coat of Arms wouldn't be obvious, because you don't know what City guards will be wearing, etc. Even so.. how would any of it break immersion..? Why does it matter to you, if someone paid for a design... because you can't design..? Or because you won't bother..?
I think you are carry on, about nothing. If they allow FREE coat of arms & Insignias, are you OK with that..? Like Arch Age..? Is that what you want..? FREE..? so that you can put a DOnkey Dick on your CLoak and run around laughing like a child ?
Secondly, If a Guild does choose to spend money to import their Coat of arms, why do you think the cost of $200 is not enough for a Dev to look at the Picture and click "ok", or "Deny"... Or are you just saying that a Dev isn't making VRi money, by checking $200 boxes..? Or that You don't like the idea, because it is not free..?
Lastly, some Guilds have been around for many... many years (20+). Diversity has nothing to do with it... Some Guilds have their own insignias & Coat of Arms...
I shouldn't even respond to this, but everything you said right there sounds like you enjoy the prestige of having spent 200$ on your "coat of arms" and flaunting it over other players, or using it to stand out in some way. This is exactly what we do not want, money being used as a symbol of your real-life prowess showing through to the game. Next thing you'll want castles and keeps that are guild housing that exist in the world uninstanced that everyone can see that cost 1-2k$ RL.
It's not a big deal, they said they will not have cash shop or pay to be special services so this is already settled.
"This is exactly what we do not want, money being used as a symbol of your real-life prowess showing through to the game."
Those^ are ideas that you have..
If 125 people in a Guild, all give their guild leader $2, so He can Submit their Coat of Arms to VRi... how is that ANYTHING like you've just suggested..?
Or a Clan of 45...?
Or a Family of 22...?
See..? Understand..?
Honestly, you are so froth on the PRICE of something... (!!!!!) , you can't stop to see the SERVICE it provides to YOU, and other Citizens of Pantheon. In stopping the crass & non-lore'istic graphics in our game. It does not affect, or even effect your Character in any way. Though, it seems outside the game to effect your ego. Learn to breathe a little.
And not-to-mention, provides VRi with a little more revenue...
.
I have to agree with Rallyd, it's not so much the gain from actual "Service" even if it doesn't affect the personal character. It's the fact that were paying for a service or item with in game money. Most people here want the classic MMO feel, which would be zero micro transaction regardless of who or what it enhances. Everything should be able to be earned with something In-Game, IE Gold or items. You want to spend 200 dollars to buy a in-game item? Pay a gold farmer.
Not sure your point..?
You are not paying with in-game money. It is a cost, that if you wish to import your own cloak graphic, that there will be a nominal fee involved. And afterwards, you can legally use that "said image" on sails, cloaks, banners, etc.
Like nearly any modern MMORPG, but with a service fee.
Again, this idea is an easy way for VRi to make additional revenues as older players die off and new ones come aboard. It hurts nobody. It is a simple fee for importing & checking "said image" for conformity.
The other choice you are suggesting are FREE, or having no insignias. We have already seen where those ideas leads to... Think yourself through on this.
Hieromonk said:
Not sure your point..?
You are not paying with in-game money. It is a cost, that if you wish to import your own cloak graphic, that there will be a nominal fee involved. And afterwards, you can legally use that "said image" on sails, cloaks, banners, etc.
Like nearly any modern MMORPG, but with a service fee.
Again, this idea is an easy way for VRi to make additional revenues as older players die off and new ones come aboard. It hurts nobody. It is a simple fee for importing & checking "said image" for conformity.
The other choice you are suggesting are FREE, or having no insignias. We have already seen where those ideas leads to... Think yourself through on this.
I see one main issue with this and one personal issue. Again I think the idea that for us players from EQ and a like, we don't want to see these kind of things. It's definately personal preference but personally, keep everything out of real money.
The main issue I see with this is copyright and extra work. They would have to moderate and create a system to format your images into something else. Think of Battlefield and Grand Theft Auto, both allow you to have a squad picture, but due to copyright, don't allow you to import images. Instead they give you a editor and tons of various shapes and symbols to create a picture. Granted maybe they don't mind doing the moderation, but I feel like it would be sort of a headache.
Heiromonk,
I can see you're passionate about the subject, and I agree with many of your topics, but I would disagree with having items purchase in-game - even that are fluff, non-game changing items. If there is a shop to support the developers, which I understand and can appreciate - I would want it purely for items sold outside the game - T-Shirts, Hats, Cloth Maps, Collector's editions, etc.
I think there's an alternative though. There are many ways unique guild seals/patterns/isignias etc. can be implemented. It could be creating from a combination of tradeskills - tailoring, blacksmithing, etc. and perhaps the seal could be distinguished by the materials used - i.e. the red dragon pattern could only be created with the skin of the red dragon. Perhaps some of the patterns could be through epic (tradeskill) quests such as during a Right of Passage. Also, I'm sure a wide variety of templates could be sold by a guild vendor that could be customized with tradeskills, etc. Basically, let the player in-game be able to control the pattern - and perhaps, if it was a skilled tradeskiller or even a creative person, maybe they could sell customized guild emblems to other players/guilds for in-game currency?
Also, another thought I've had in the past regarding character uniqueness and to distinguish a salty veteran, would be to include an option to use hash marks on the shoulders of a cloak or lapel, etc. indicating veteran status (or time in service) like military or law enforcement. This could be a tailored pattern as well
I believe there's many ways that could be brainstormed to both make a character and guild unique without having to bring in external options to the game world. Even though I'm not a hardcore role-player, I do not want any external images in game that would potentially break immersion
Raidan said:
Heiromonk,
I can see you're passionate about the subject, and I agree with many of your topics, but I would disagree with having items purchase in-game - even that are fluff, non-game changing items. If there is a shop to support the developers, which I understand and can appreciate - I would want it purely for items sold outside the game - T-Shirts, Hats, Cloth Maps, Collector's editions, etc.
I think there's an alternative though. There are many ways unique guild seals/patterns/isignias etc. can be implemented. It could be creating from a combination of tradeskills - tailoring, blacksmithing, etc. and perhaps the seal could be distinguished by the materials used - i.e. the red dragon pattern could only be created with the skin of the red dragon. Perhaps some of the patterns could be through epic (tradeskill) quests such as during a Right of Passage. Also, I'm sure a wide variety of templates could be sold by a guild vendor that could be customized with tradeskills, etc. Basically, let the player in-game be able to control the pattern - and perhaps, if it was a skilled tradeskiller or even a creative person, maybe they could sell customized guild emblems to other players/guilds for in-game currency?
Also, another thought I've had in the past regarding character uniqueness and to distinguish a salty veteran, would be to include an option to use hash marks on the shoulders of a cloak or lapel, etc. indicating veteran status (or time in service) like military or law enforcement. This could be a tailored pattern as well
I believe there's many ways that could be brainstormed to both make a character and guild unique without having to bring in external options to the game world. Even though I'm not a hardcore role-player, I do not want any external images in game that would potentially break immersion
Not that it's very fashionable but theres always titles as well. But I agree, shirts and what not would be great to support the team but I for one cringe when thinking about anything real money -> game, but that's how I think about even this new trend of DLC for cash that a lot of developers are pushing. It just breathes, we had a whole game planned, but couldn't finish it and wanted more money so we took the levels that should of been in the game and made it available for 30 bucks for 2 levels and some reskinned guns.
For me I am not super wealthy but even if the game were $100 a month I wouldn't really care. To me it all boils down to a little math on how much time I am spending playing a game. If I play 1 hour a month, obviously $100 is a bit crazy and it'd be ridiculous for me to pay it. But if I play 10 hours a week that's a decent bargain. 40 hours of fun for $100 is pretty damned cheap. That's not even two dinners for two at most decent restaurants. People pay 150+ a month for premium cable/dish services on the regular. I can't even remember the last time I watched TV that wasn't just some movie I was streaming.
That said, game pricing changes seem fairly stagnant. I don't think the price of a game box has changed more than like $10 over the past 20 years or so. The only fluctuation there seems to be in the cost of Collectors Editions or other special additions. MMO subs as mentioned before have been in the $12-16 range for 15 years or so as well. So I don't really know what impact this would have on sales. Some people might look at is as an "elite" club to join and play specifically because the game is more expensive. Look at those stupid Porsche model Blackberries. People actually buy those.
The only sub/shop model I feel doesn't really impact the game is to where subs get you access to additional content that you are allowed to buy separately from the shop. This to me lets people pick and choose where they spend their dollars or simply subscribe and not worry about it.
Maybe a give the game away with a 30 day trial and then charge $25 a month. People could try it without risk and if they become hooked you'd make up the lack of box price fairly quickly. Of course this would require a good deal of faith that your game doesn't suck at release lol.
jezebel said:
For me I am not super wealthy but even if the game were $100 a month I wouldn't really care. To me it all boils down to a little math on how much time I am spending playing a game. If I play 1 hour a month, obviously $100 is a bit crazy and it'd be ridiculous for me to pay it. But if I play 10 hours a week that's a decent bargain. 40 hours of fun for $100 is pretty damned cheap. That's not even two dinners for two at most decent restaurants. People pay 150+ a month for premium cable/dish services on the regular. I can't even remember the last time I watched TV that wasn't just some movie I was streaming.
That said, game pricing changes seem fairly stagnant. I don't think the price of a game box has changed more than like $10 over the past 20 years or so. The only fluctuation there seems to be in the cost of Collectors Editions or other special additions. MMO subs as mentioned before have been in the $12-16 range for 15 years or so as well. So I don't really know what impact this would have on sales. Some people might look at is as an "elite" club to join and play specifically because the game is more expensive. Look at those stupid Porsche model Blackberries. People actually buy those.
The only sub/shop model I feel doesn't really impact the game is to where subs get you access to additional content that you are allowed to buy separately from the shop. This to me lets people pick and choose where they spend their dollars or simply subscribe and not worry about it.
Maybe a give the game away with a 30 day trial and then charge $25 a month. People could try it without risk and if they become hooked you'd make up the lack of box price fairly quickly. Of course this would require a good deal of faith that your game doesn't suck at release lol.
In my opinion, if were going to keep this a niche game, I wouldn't do any free trials to the public. I would make some sort of "Friend" benefit for current players where they could give a x amount of day trial under their wing. That way you aren't filling the game with the start of barrens chat, and limiting the amount of referrals limits the crowd to the "Niche" game.
Rivacom said:
jezebel said:
Maybe a give the game away with a 30 day trial and then charge $25 a month. People could try it without risk and if they become hooked you'd make up the lack of box price fairly quickly. Of course this would require a good deal of faith that your game doesn't suck at release lol.
In my opinion, if were going to keep this a niche game, I wouldn't do any free trials to the public. I would make some sort of "Friend" benefit for current players where they could give a x amount of day trial under their wing. That way you aren't filling the game with the start of barrens chat, and limiting the amount of referrals limits the crowd to the "Niche" game.
*shrug* maybe my EQ experience was different on the Nameless but Barrens chat was just a more recent version of EC and/or any popular dungeon's OOC. I don't feel that making a "niche" game implies a desire to exclude anyone so much as accepting the fact that the majority of the gaming crowd may not like it but you're making the game for the smaller group that will. The only way you will escape the "WoW crowd" is if someone interviews every single player and forces them to demonstrate an ability to role play or something before they are allowed to log in lol.
Of course I don't really feel that the "EQ crowd" was any better than the "WoW crowd". Spend a few months playing on Project1999 (or 5 minutes browsing any raid discussion on their forums) and see if you still feel the same. The games simply fostered different play styles which in WoW made it hard to find like-minded people within the masses. In EQ you had way more opportunity to get to know people as you leveled up and could usually weed out the people you didn't want to interact with quickly. In WoW you know your dungeon finder group for all of like 3 seconds before you are spending the next 15-45 minutes with them. In the rare case you find a group that sticks together for a few runs, chances are you will never see that person again. It makes a big difference in how you perceive the community.
Even server transfers should be limited to 1 per account per year to avoid abuse. There should never be name changes, your name is your livelihood in a game like Pantheon, soiling it should not be as easily fixed as a paid name change or a quick server transfer. Additional character slots is just a gimmick to get more money from games these days, if you really need more money and are being transparent with the players, up the sub price. If you are being transparent enough, the players won't take issue.
jezebel said:
Rivacom said:
jezebel said:
Maybe a give the game away with a 30 day trial and then charge $25 a month. People could try it without risk and if they become hooked you'd make up the lack of box price fairly quickly. Of course this would require a good deal of faith that your game doesn't suck at release lol.
In my opinion, if were going to keep this a niche game, I wouldn't do any free trials to the public. I would make some sort of "Friend" benefit for current players where they could give a x amount of day trial under their wing. That way you aren't filling the game with the start of barrens chat, and limiting the amount of referrals limits the crowd to the "Niche" game.
*shrug* maybe my EQ experience was different on the Nameless but Barrens chat was just a more recent version of EC and/or any popular dungeon's OOC. I don't feel that making a "niche" game implies a desire to exclude anyone so much as accepting the fact that the majority of the gaming crowd may not like it but you're making the game for the smaller group that will. The only way you will escape the "WoW crowd" is if someone interviews every single player and forces them to demonstrate an ability to role play or something before they are allowed to log in lol.
Of course I don't really feel that the "EQ crowd" was any better than the "WoW crowd". Spend a few months playing on Project1999 (or 5 minutes browsing any raid discussion on their forums) and see if you still feel the same. The games simply fostered different play styles which in WoW made it hard to find like-minded people within the masses. In EQ you had way more opportunity to get to know people as you leveled up and could usually weed out the people you didn't want to interact with quickly. In WoW you know your dungeon finder group for all of like 3 seconds before you are spending the next 15-45 minutes with them. In the rare case you find a group that sticks together for a few runs, chances are you will never see that person again. It makes a big difference in how you perceive the community.
I played on a few different servers leveling up. I never ran into annoying chatter in EQ as I do in WoW. It has always been night and day. That being said, I was on the P1999 bandwagon or emu bandwagon years before p1999 started. Back when there was WR and SoD. It was personally only ex EQ players who played and it was a perfect environment. Even unintentional dumb questions were answered normally. P1999 kinda opened it's doors and became a lot more popular then SoD or WR ever was so I can see drawing in "The Crowd". But overall, I think all of the EMU scene and EQ in general just has a much better crowd behind it.
So what if half of those subs will stop paying. And the sub is at the same high price. $25-30 , Will content still comming out at the same speed?. And will new players come to try out the game? when all other games cost around $15 a month.
I Think that will prevent new players from even trying the game out.
The way I look at it is $15 a month is cheap, dirt cheap, like no other hobby I can think of is cheaper per month. I'd gladly pay upwards of $35-50 a month IF the game is good as it sounds it will be.
but if you want to just go by inflation, 1999 to now $20 is the line per month.
Another idea, VRI can make it simple:
$50 Pantheon Account (w/1 month, 1 char).
$22 month for subscription.
FREE TRIAL KEYS:
When VRI is in a place to handle spurts of growth & control influx, they can then announce FREE trial keys (Friends & Family, Magazine, MMO Site, etc). Except those people start on a starter island, similar to EQ2. These FREE trial players will have a different history of their beginning days. But within a few levels get dumped off in a starter cities sewers... and left to make something of themselves, like the rest of us.
This brief separation allows for role playing aspect of tons of massive influx of people who die off quickly... to be far from view of paying members. Whom should be shielded from errant noobie names, & lvl 1 griefers, etc.
The idea of a FREE starter island allows VRI to offer FREE trials keys as they see fit. Which easily allows them to control the influx of actual players landing in the paying world. While also giving a good chance to holt & filtering out the many boters & farmers & hackers & Goonies, trying to capitalize on Pantheon.
Packages and Savings: (@ $22/month rate)
1 Year Subscription to Pantheon $240 ($264) + $24 savings
2 Year Subscription to Pantheon $460 ($528) + $68 savings
3 Year Subscription to Pantheon $699 ($792) + $92 savings
Additional Characters $25
First of all! Sorry for my bad write in English (i am not drunk) =)
This is my point. I do not think anybody here on this forum is not ready to pay what the cost if it is $25-50 and that's Because We are all old school gamers Dreaming of the good old days of MMOs. But then we'll have the players without work, and We Have The Players That that have big families and definatley have hard time to pay that price. we new younger players That my love his game but cant pay the price.There are many more Reasons Why That cost are to High. So if the sub Is that high we lose all his players'instead. Its a mmo we talking about here. That is build around Grouping. its not fun if you are in a huge World but there are are only 100 players around peaktime at max.(and main time is different in different countries) Then its a big Chanse some players quit play becuse of That. I think $20 month May work but not higher. Better to Have a support system then were We Can pay more if we willing to to suport the game.
yes this is a niche game. Which makes it very vulnerable. This should be thought over carefully one mistake and the game may be dead doomed even before it is released! This can be the Future Or The End of the Past.