Customer Appreciation - Free Weekend

WebBull

We have all seen the large decrease in the player base since release, especially the last month. We all know the reasons why. I think this game has hit the bottom and is ready to bounce back, stronger and better. To do so, the most important aspect other than game-play, is a solid active player base.

I would suggest that Zenimax consider offering a free weekend of play (no subscription renewal required) for all customers that bought and activated the game but have since cancelled their subscription.

With the FPS issue almost fixed, the VR zones made easier (albeit too easy), and some nice upcoming changes, a free weekend would allow past players to at least come back and try the game. Some will likely stay.

The cost/risk to Zeni is minimal, yet the reward could potentially be many re-subs.

I say pick a weekend a month or so out and give it a try.

A more vibrant and active player base will go a long way to the continued health and growth of the game.

daneyulebub17_ESO

Yeah, I'd agree. Call it a "Welcome back weekend" or some such, for people who already have the game but no longer have subs.

Might be too early though--not sure if people who quit 6 weeks ago would necessarily find enough to draw them back in just yet. Probably should wait until they improve fishing, which as everyone knows is why most people left.

nerevarine1138

While we're at it, let's have a customer appreciation waffle! Everyone gets a free breakfast from ZO, because their job is to give us free stuff! And a pony! And a diamond ring!

WebBull

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

While we're at it, let's have a customer appreciation waffle! Everyone gets a free breakfast from ZO, because their job is to give us free stuff! And a pony! And a diamond ring!

This is a perfect example of shortsighted. This post is about growing the player base. I couldn't personally give a crap about a couple days of free play. Apparently you don't know much about marketing.

daneyulebub17_ESO

Um, I'd quit, and come back, just to get a waffle.

Mmmmmm.... waffles.

NightWatch

I would strongly agree with the OP. The long term future of ESO is dependent on getting a large number of players to stay actively involved. If a free weekend or some such brings back some players then that would be a good thing. ESO is in the end an MMO, while it has some single player content I doubt there will be enough PvE to keep players engaged over the course of a year or more. For that you need PvP or some other group related activities. The more players the better the PvP should be, the more players the better your chances for getting a group together, etc. The long term future of ESO will be dependent on the number of active players, anything to get more players online gets my support.

kaosodin

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

While we're at it, let's have a customer appreciation waffle! Everyone gets a free breakfast from ZO, because their job is to give us free stuff! And a pony! And a diamond ring!

Yea you totaly missed the point. I hope other peoples jobs do not rely on your attention to detail............

I agree with the op....but it needs to be 7 days

Haxer

Hmm not a bad idea. It could coincide with the next big content patch, letting everyone come see the new armors, guild features and tabbards etc. I am one of those target audience people, who canceled but are very intrigued by the announced content and looking to come back should it prove worth.

shanersimms_ESO

WebBull wrote: »

We have all seen the large decrease in the player base since release, especially the last month. We all know the reasons why. I think this game has hit the bottom and is ready to bounce back, stronger and better. To do so, the most important aspect other than game-play, is a solid active player base.

I would suggest that Zenimax consider offering a free weekend of play (no subscription renewal required) for all customers that bought and activated the game but have since cancelled their subscription.

With the FPS issue almost fixed, the VR zones made easier (albeit too easy), and some nice upcoming changes, a free weekend would allow past players to at least come back and try the game. Some will likely stay.

The cost/risk to Zeni is minimal, yet the reward could potentially be many re-subs.

I say pick a weekend a month or so out and give it a try.

A more vibrant and active player base will go a long way to the continued health and growth of the game.

Why are people always whining for free stuff? Considering your combo you had at lunch from McDonald's cost nearly as much as a full month's sub for the game, I think if people are interested enough to see the changes and progress they will re-sub on their own. This free two days mess of a suggestion isn't needed.

You shouldn't post such misleading titles on discussions. Your posting title suggests one of these "appreciation weekends" is already in existence.

shanersimms_ESO

To follow up, what this game desperately needs is a free trial period. So many people I know are on the fence about the game because they don't want to drop the initial dough on it and be disappointed.

With a free trial period you get the same basic benefit of your "two free days" suggestion without the limitation of it having to be during a static timeframe. The free trial works much better because people can experience the game's changes and progress at any time, which can not only bring back people who have un-subbed, but solidify the reality for many who are on the fence that this is indeed a worthwhile game.

daneyulebub17_ESO

shanersimms_ESO wrote: »

Why are people always whining for free stuff? Considering your combo you had at lunch from McDonald's cost nearly as much as a full month's sub for the game, I think if people are interested enough to see the changes and progress they will re-sub on their own. This free two days mess of a suggestion isn't needed.

You shouldn't post such misleading titles on discussions. Your posting title suggests one of these "appreciation weekends" is already in existence.

Who's whining? The OP put out a clearly worded suggestion. Can you read? He didn't whine for anything--just suggested a marketing tactic that lots of games use. And... mess? The only mess I see is your diet if lunch at McDonald's springs so readily to your mind.

Nothing was misleading at all in the title either--it stated what he was suggesting. D
Do you really look to non-Zeni posted thread titles to get your list of newly added features? (You must have a heart attack every day then, thinking they just went F2P.)

Evergnar

They would never admit to players leaving so there will be no welcome back weekend. Appreciation weekend maybe. The only time they gave free game time or showed any consideration for it was back in early access.

That being said I totally agree that Zos should do something. Anything! Show some appreciation to your customers who quite frankly have put up with a lot so far.

I mentioned awhile back they should really look into attracting players back with some free game time tied in with a marketing campaign. Maybe at the six month point or something. Once they have the game running more smoothly (relatively speaking).

Marketing and acquiring new customers is expensive. The return on that investment is far less than what is needed to retain customers or create repeat business. Current subscribers need to be convinced to stay and I'm sure many of the players that didn't resubscribe still have the game sitting on the shelf.

Huckdabuck

WS sent me an email that contained (4) 7 day passes (keys) that you could give to others to see if they liked the game enough to sub. Not sure how effective it was but I did give one to someone on these forums so they could try the game but I never heard back from them on what they thought about their trial time. If ZOS did this it MAY (although not probable) entice others to come play a bit with their friends who still do. I personally am done with this game until there are MAJOR improvements to performance and PvP.

AdamBourke

shanersimms_ESO wrote: »

To follow up, what this game desperately needs is a free trial period. So many people I know are on the fence about the game because they don't want to drop the initial dough on it and be disappointed.

With a free trial period you get the same basic benefit of your "two free days" suggestion without the limitation of it having to be during a static timeframe. The free trial works much better because people can experience the game's changes and progress at any time, which can not only bring back people who have un-subbed, but solidify the reality for many who are on the fence that this is indeed a worthwhile game.

I do like this idea. A two day free trial for new users would be good.

But I think for unsubbed users the static weekends would be better. Every now and again they could do one. And they should be free for subbed users as well (adding to your subscription IF you play on those days).

But I do think it might be still early. It's not even 6 months in yet! Many MMOs have rocky starts, and judging from other people's comments, this game doesn't seem to be doing too badly. Maybe the first weekend in december would be a good time to do this.

WebBull

shanersimms_ESO wrote: »

WebBull wrote: »

We have all seen the large decrease in the player base since release, especially the last month. We all know the reasons why. I think this game has hit the bottom and is ready to bounce back, stronger and better. To do so, the most important aspect other than game-play, is a solid active player base.

I would suggest that Zenimax consider offering a free weekend of play (no subscription renewal required) for all customers that bought and activated the game but have since cancelled their subscription.

With the FPS issue almost fixed, the VR zones made easier (albeit too easy), and some nice upcoming changes, a free weekend would allow past players to at least come back and try the game. Some will likely stay.

The cost/risk to Zeni is minimal, yet the reward could potentially be many re-subs.

I say pick a weekend a month or so out and give it a try.

A more vibrant and active player base will go a long way to the continued health and growth of the game.

Why are people always whining for free stuff? Considering your combo you had at lunch from McDonald's cost nearly as much as a full month's sub for the game, I think if people are interested enough to see the changes and progress they will re-sub on their own. This free two days mess of a suggestion isn't needed.

You shouldn't post such misleading titles on discussions. Your posting title suggests one of these "appreciation weekends" is already in existence.

Someone didn't read the thread and completely missed the point......