MercyKilling wrote: »I'm going to use another game that did somewhat of the same thing as an example. Please remember I'm not suggesting this be done to THIS game, but I'm merely pondering and going "what if?" with this post.
Fair warning, it's long-ish.
So, there was a sub only MMO back in the day called City of Heroes. For many years, it stayed subscription based, until one day...the announcement came down the pipes that the developers and publishing company were taking away the NEED to pay a sub to play the game. They called it the "Freemium" model, in which you could play the base game totally free, but to experience the higher level content, one had to keep or get a subscription.
Basically, the levels were 1 through 50. Max level. Anything in those level ranges you got for free. Some options like costume pieces were put behind sub or made into cash shop purchases with the caveat being if you had already earned it through normal game play, you got to keep it. Anything new required purchasing, though.
Then we get to what you got when you subbed up.....the higher level content. There was an "Incarnate System" that was added as a means to rise above the level cap...much in the same way VR level content in this game is supposed to be above the level cap.
They also gated being able to enhance your character with the special invention enhancements behind a sub. Invention enhancements were...well, it's hard to explain. The game was balanced behind the enhancements that were in the game at the start. The ENTIRE game, even the plus-level-cap content could be run by someone who only used what could be purchased from a vendor, so the invention enhancements totally were not necessary. I know this to have been true, for I tested it out. Made a character, leveled it up using only what could be purchased through the ingame vendors and did every last shred of content. Challenging, moreso than any character that I used invention enhancements on to be sure...but it was entirely possible.
Now we get to the "what if" part.
What if Zenimax made it so that VR content required a subscription to be able to play? Perhaps also gating purple and gold enchantments behind a sub too? NOT GEAR, heavens no....but enchantments only. Would that make the sub "worth it"?
DaveMoeDee wrote: »But can''t people at least be content they get to still enjoy the game without paying for a little while during this transition period?
I don't want to feel like I shouldn't be paying. If.... er... When I unsubscribe I will be happy that I can still play, sure. I'm saying ZOS should make it so that I don't feel like should subscribe.
I'll feel foolish if I continue to subscribe. I'll feel like I'm wasting money.... The subscription should NEVER feel like a waste of money. THAT'S the point. Not that I'm unhappy that I can play without a subscription. I'm unhappy that the subscription doesn't have enough value.
I don't think they should make business decisions based on your very peculiar feelings. What is most odd about your position is that you make allusions to leaving the game for WoW or FF due to that lack of value of the subscription, all the while not expressing that you don't want to play ESO. The logic feels tortured to me. Either you enjoy the game or you don't. If you don't, go play another MMO, if that is what you want to do. If you do enjoy the game, congratulations. You can now play it and fully enjoy it without paying for a sub. Don't waste your money. It seemed obvious to me that a sub was wasted money once they went B2P without releasing any additional DLC because I had no interest in what they were offering in the sub.
If a change in the business model doesn't change your in-game experience, why focus on the business model?
ESO in Summary:
• Business Model: failure (restructuring and still incomplete without proper marketing for crown store)
• Megasever "Goldie lox population" in PvE Zones: failure (most zones are complete ghost towns)
• Large Scale PvP "200 players on screen": failure (severe lag, with reworks still in progress)
• "We're making something of value and expect to be well compensated": failure (low quality product with matching low revenue)
• Four to Six Week Content Model: failure (actually is 4 to 6 months)
There is literally nothing ESO does better than anything that has come before it, and ZOS has failed on all points it marketed itself on. Subscription to ZOS is a charitable donation to support the continued On the Job Training of ametour game developers and designers. I support indie games for that reason, and I find the only difference between them and ZOS is that the indie studios I support aren't under any delusions of what they are or are not capable of achieving. I sink money into kick starter, support promising early access games, and do a good amount of research into the people behind the games.
Sub perks won't help. Who pays for something they get for free? Better yet, who pays MORE for something than they can get for less (buy crowns in bulk vs buying a sub)? It's just plain thoughtless " shoot from the hip" game development, and it's a total embarrassment.
{disclaimer: I want ESO+ to be better, but that requires ESO itself to be better, and ZOS has fallen short of achieving that consistently. I only give them hell because I am a TES fan, and it's an IP I can not turn away from.}
ESO in Summary:
• Business Model: failure (restructuring and still incomplete without proper marketing for crown store)
• Megasever "Goldie lox population" in PvE Zones: failure (most zones are complete ghost towns)
• Large Scale PvP "200 players on screen": failure (severe lag, with reworks still in progress)
• "We're making something of value and expect to be well compensated": failure (low quality product with matching low revenue)
• Four to Six Week Content Model: failure (actually is 4 to 6 months)
There is literally nothing ESO does better than anything that has come before it, and ZOS has failed on all points it marketed itself on. Subscription to ZOS is a charitable donation to support the continued On the Job Training of ametour game developers and designers. I support indie games for that reason, and I find the only difference between them and ZOS is that the indie studios I support aren't under any delusions of what they are or are not capable of achieving. I sink money into kick starter, support promising early access games, and do a good amount of research into the people behind the games.
Sub perks won't help. Who pays for something they get for free? Better yet, who pays MORE for something than they can get for less (buy crowns in bulk vs buying a sub)? It's just plain thoughtless " shoot from the hip" game development, and it's a total embarrassment.
{disclaimer: I want ESO+ to be better, but that requires ESO itself to be better, and ZOS has fallen short of achieving that consistently. I only give them hell because I am a TES fan, and it's an IP I can not turn away from.}
ESO in Summary:
• Business Model: failure (restructuring and still incomplete without proper marketing for crown store)
• Megasever "Goldie lox population" in PvE Zones: failure (most zones are complete ghost towns)
• Large Scale PvP "200 players on screen": failure (severe lag, with reworks still in progress)
• "We're making something of value and expect to be well compensated": failure (low quality product with matching low revenue)
• Four to Six Week Content Model: failure (actually is 4 to 6 months)
There is literally nothing ESO does better than anything that has come before it, and ZOS has failed on all points it marketed itself on. Subscription to ZOS is a charitable donation to support the continued On the Job Training of ametour game developers and designers. I support indie games for that reason, and I find the only difference between them and ZOS is that the indie studios I support aren't under any delusions of what they are or are not capable of achieving. I sink money into kick starter, support promising early access games, and do a good amount of research into the people behind the games.
Sub perks won't help. Who pays for something they get for free? Better yet, who pays MORE for something than they can get for less (buy crowns in bulk vs buying a sub)? It's just plain thoughtless " shoot from the hip" game development, and it's a total embarrassment.
{disclaimer: I want ESO+ to be better, but that requires ESO itself to be better, and ZOS has fallen short of achieving that consistently. I only give them hell because I am a TES fan, and it's an IP I can not turn away from.}
Nice straw man argument. I don't justify it right now and you know that. I posted that before. Everyone who doesn't like what's in the sub right now should cancel. Subs are not mandatory and ZOS is no longer basing their entire income on having one. They made it optional for a reason.c.p.garrett1993_ESO wrote: »Agreed. People demanding all kinds of changes to the subscription plan right now are being very short sighted. In a year when the crown store is full and there are multiple DLC packages, it will be of value. Demanding the devs change it right now to make a few people who can't accept that subs aren't neceasary anymore happy for the next couple of months is not the way to go.The answer is very simple. ESO subscription = value when crown store has enough attractive items for purchase (there aren't enough now) and there's DLC content available.
The solution isn't playing around with bonsues of the subscription. It's making what the subscription gives you (equivalent crown purchases and content access) attractive enough to commit to.
Until then, it's not worth it.
"In a year..."
I don't see how you can justify the concept of paying $15 a month for nothing but the possibility it will be worth it a year down the road. You will still need to pay for it then as well, making no difference if you are subscribed now or not.
Did you ever stop and think the new sub model isn't meant to be for the long timers who can buy DLC as they go? It'll be much more attractive to the new console audience coming in late after several DLC packs are introduced, who don't want to drop $100 up front on the DLC after just buying the game.
There's nothing wrong with letting a company know what they can do to keep our business @Slurg. There is no better way for a company to fail than to dismiss potential customers.
once I've unsubscribed ZOS will have to work to get my money. As a subscriber I was more than happy to just give them $15 a month. that $15 a month get me coming back even when other games piqued my interest. ZOS got more than my $15, they got my attention despite the lack of contact. I would pay with me outlook of "hey I'm paying for I might as well try to make the best of it".
I know myself well enough to know that when I unsubscribe I will still play eso but I will be more willing to try out other games. So now, ZOS' job is not only going to be providing enough DLC content to keep me in ESO long enough and often enough to make a profit, they are going to have to provide interesting enough content to convince me to STOP playing those other games and come back to ESO.
Their job has become significantly more difficult.
Adramelach wrote: »I only want one thing from my subscription - they can toss the rest:
Put subscribers on a priority server of their own, don't spam it with advertising, keep the F2P people off of it, and give me the most lag-free experience I can get.
Give me that, toss the rest for all I care, and I'm a very happy subscriber.
Isn't that a P2W model?MercyKilling wrote: »I'm going to use another game that did somewhat of the same thing as an example. Please remember I'm not suggesting this be done to THIS game, but I'm merely pondering and going "what if?" with this post.
Fair warning, it's long-ish.
So, there was a sub only MMO back in the day called City of Heroes. For many years, it stayed subscription based, until one day...the announcement came down the pipes that the developers and publishing company were taking away the NEED to pay a sub to play the game. They called it the "Freemium" model, in which you could play the base game totally free, but to experience the higher level content, one had to keep or get a subscription.
Basically, the levels were 1 through 50. Max level. Anything in those level ranges you got for free. Some options like costume pieces were put behind sub or made into cash shop purchases with the caveat being if you had already earned it through normal game play, you got to keep it. Anything new required purchasing, though.
Then we get to what you got when you subbed up.....the higher level content. There was an "Incarnate System" that was added as a means to rise above the level cap...much in the same way VR level content in this game is supposed to be above the level cap.
They also gated being able to enhance your character with the special invention enhancements behind a sub. Invention enhancements were...well, it's hard to explain. The game was balanced behind the enhancements that were in the game at the start. The ENTIRE game, even the plus-level-cap content could be run by someone who only used what could be purchased from a vendor, so the invention enhancements totally were not necessary. I know this to have been true, for I tested it out. Made a character, leveled it up using only what could be purchased through the ingame vendors and did every last shred of content. Challenging, moreso than any character that I used invention enhancements on to be sure...but it was entirely possible.
Now we get to the "what if" part.
What if Zenimax made it so that VR content required a subscription to be able to play? Perhaps also gating purple and gold enchantments behind a sub too? NOT GEAR, heavens no....but enchantments only. Would that make the sub "worth it"?
That would work
There's nothing wrong with letting a company know what they can do to keep our business @Slurg. There is no better way for a company to fail than to dismiss potential customers.
once I've unsubscribed ZOS will have to work to get my money. As a subscriber I was more than happy to just give them $15 a month. that $15 a month get me coming back even when other games piqued my interest. ZOS got more than my $15, they got my attention despite the lack of contact. I would pay with me outlook of "hey I'm paying for I might as well try to make the best of it".
I know myself well enough to know that when I unsubscribe I will still play eso but I will be more willing to try out other games. So now, ZOS' job is not only going to be providing enough DLC content to keep me in ESO long enough and often enough to make a profit, they are going to have to provide interesting enough content to convince me to STOP playing those other games and come back to ESO.
Their job has become significantly more difficult.
lordrichter wrote: »The beauty of their model is that you don't have to pay anything if you don't want to.
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/153990/would-this-be-a-viable-sub-hopping-option
- Unsubscribe to ESOTU
- Subscribe when new DLC content is released.
- Play through that content within 1 month.
- Unsubscribe after finished with content/Buy more Crowns if I wish to "own" the DLC.
- Repeat steps 2-4.
I find this thread really depressing.
ESO is the only real F2P MMO I ever played.
There's nothing wrong with letting a company know what they can do to keep our business @Slurg. There is no better way for a company to fail than to dismiss potential customers.
once I've unsubscribed ZOS will have to work to get my money. As a subscriber I was more than happy to just give them $15 a month. that $15 a month get me coming back even when other games piqued my interest. ZOS got more than my $15, they got my attention despite the lack of contact. I would play with the outlook of "hey I'm paying for I might as well try to make the best of it".
I know myself well enough to know that when I unsubscribe I will still play eso but I will be more willing to try out other games. So now, ZOS' job is not only going to be providing enough DLC content to keep me in ESO long enough and often enough to make a profit, they are going to have to provide interesting enough content to convince me to STOP playing those other games and come back to ESO.
Their job has become significantly more difficult.
Well, I spent enough time trying to convince myself to remain subscribed.
I am 100% willing to resubscribe ZOS! I Still want to be a subscriber and will resubscribe if ESO+ is ever expanded to include other benefits, or when DLC is released. I will continue to be a player and a fan of ESO and a soapboxer on the forms!
MercyKilling wrote: »This isn't a F2P MMO. You had to purchase the "box" so to speak. There is an initial outlay of money to be able to download/install the game, thus it is not F2P.
I suggest you go check out Craptic...err...Cryptic games and three titles of theirs. Three IP's that they totally ruined, imnsho.
Champions Online.
Star Trek Online.
Neverwinter.
All three of those intellectual properties have been totally ruined by the company by making them F2P. Costs you absolutely nothing to be able to download any of them or even all of them.
Go ahead, I double dog dare you. Play those games and then come back here and suggest that anything in this thread is an abomination that you are "sick of hearing about".
Go and experience for yourself how badly a game developer can ruin things. We've got it pretty good here right now, but there is room for improvement...which is what we all want. Improvement.
Hi guys, there's some very constructive discussion in this thread, but some of the posts are rather inflammatory or otherwise problematic. Please be mindful of the forum rules, and keep all comments and criticism civil and constructive. We will not tolerate trolling, demands, abusive or insulting language toward our community members, developers, company, or ESO itself.
Hi guys, there's some very constructive discussion in this thread, but some of the posts are rather inflammatory or otherwise problematic. Please be mindful of the forum rules, and keep all comments and criticism civil and constructive. We will not tolerate trolling, demands, abusive or insulting language toward our community members, developers, company, or ESO itself.
Seriously this is not cool. There are a ton of threads discussing really interesting topics that the devs should get involved in, and all they do is leave some BS message like this. If you are going to monitor threads, fine do that. But don't insult us by looking at these threads and then not engaging with the community on them. I love the game and I love the company, but they need to do more to interact with people on a micro level, ESO Live is great but it does not really compare to the sense of being heard via forum posts. This would go a great way to clearing up community frustration about lack of content, crown store ideas and general improvements with the game that are not appropriate for a webcast setting. At the moment, I have no way of knowing if my feedback is heard and this aggravates me to no end. Please engage with your community more Zenimax, for the sake of my sanity.
TheGOHgamer wrote: »As much as I like this game, when I subscribed, I immediately regretted it due to the lack of benefits. You don't feel like a subscriber at all. I would most likely equate the feeling to be a premium user in a free to play game. So on the chart you are one above the free user, and one below a subscriber. The 'benefits' are negligible.
I am only interested in PVP so the benefits are even less beneficial to me as another user also stated. Disappointing PVP, no matchmaking, arna/bg's or otherwise, lack of people playing PVP since the world is huge you can't find anyone for hours among many other issues. So imagine how us PVPers feel especially with lack of end game content for PVP. PVE gets all the focus. But I digress, it's a fun game but many things are lacking, bugs / glitches need to be fixed. I should be able to purchase items in the crown store without them bugging out and disappearing.
If they do not re-evaluate this game and the direction it's headed then it will soon go the way of Wildstar. Rememner that game? No, you don't? Well then... lol This game has alot of potential but is lacking the follow through.
For everyone who is dissatisfied with the current ESO+ model, I noticed this on the account page:
Has "If there is anything we can do to live up to your expectations please let us know. You can contact us directly from our help site at https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/home " always been there?
I guess we should send them an email using that link to let them know how they can live up to our expectations.
I agree with you in a way but to be fair the people we interact with here on the forums are not really the people you need to talk with to get the hard answers you seek.
One of the biggest recent disappointments was the decision to nerf all experience into the ground in 1.6. The only explanation I can think of for that is that they plan to make up the difference with exp potions.