DLC suggestions vs. charging for expaansions in support of the current Subcription model

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

The game as of today is a lot better than where it began in April...Thanks for all the work that continues.

I'd like to suggest a few things that I feel would work in favor of the subscription model and please avoid the need of buying an expansion to continue playing.
Please build the expansion into the current subscription model BUT add DLC that we can buy as an option to enhance our experience. This should compensate the expansion costs.

-Create DLC that we can purchase like the horse that exists today. Maybe a Elderscroll that is just a trophy or even a scroll that can be used as a weapon with different animations.
-Patterns, weapon art, repair/crafting NPC that we can take along with us that all can access set stations we've discovered.

Normally PC MMO's and even FTP games come out with expansions that cost $20 - $40 per expansion. While the core group will always buy the content I feel there is a better way. Also, allow this to prevent locking out subscribers that already are in opposition to the subscription model.

I in no way want to take from the profits but I do want to suggest a possible better model that keeps subscribers. For those who want come back they only face a $15/monthly charge vs. a monthly subscription and the cost of the expansion.

Even expansions that include a 30 day subscription began to alienate players and overtime create separation.

My suggestion is to keep the subscription model (as you say its not changing) but do not follow the typical pay fro expansion+subscription model that other MMO's have used in the past. Leverage in game content via DLC that some users want but that are not apart of the updates as a way to balance the costs or potential profit loss from not charging for expansions.

Munku · June 2014

No. Docs can end up costing the user more than an xpac. See perfect world and their dlcs.

irishdexy · June 2014

Really not sure where I stand on this... I played two of perfects worlds games quite a lot and to be fair I quite enjoyed them even though the cost for their premium currency was literally evil! That being said I want ascetics in a game I play for ages I want to have my horse look cool in all shiny armour or even change his colour! (Yes I'd even take to having it roll round in paint fields lol - if it was an option)

but like all tac'd on content they charge money for, it becomes more and more tempting to buy it and sometimes people can get themselves in trouble for that.

So yes I kinda want fancy stuff but at the same time I don't

Rosveen · June 2014

Oh sweet naivete. You'll end up paying much more for all small DLC than you ever would for expansions.

No thanks.

Ragnar_Lodbrok · June 2014

It will likely be f2p before any expac.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

Munku wrote: »

No. Docs can end up costing the user more than an xpac. See perfect world and their dlcs.

I completely agree with you but the idea is this DLC is optional and not required to continue playing. In essence the DLC you would pay for is not a pay-wall to new content.

I see the expansion upgrade as a paywall which makes no sense if you're already paying a subscription for the game itself.

Cable or cell phones, or most services we pay for monthly never remove access to the service even with upgraded content. If you want to use new content you can opt to buy it or not but your access is not stopped unless you buy the new update.

Its ok to disagree, just wanted to comment.....guess I need to log on and play LOL. thanks for your comment

KariTR · June 2014

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

steveb16_ESO46 · June 2014

irishdexy wrote: »

Really not sure where I stand on this... I played two of perfects worlds games quite a lot and to be fair I quite enjoyed them even though the cost for their premium currency was literally evil!

Yea - it's pricey. I like how they don't even tell you how much you get fro the money until the end of the process. I'm playing STO at the moment and in their defence you have to say that you can have a great time without ever paying them a penny. Also the translation of in-game dilithium into Zen is quite reasonable.

But yeah - PW do really know how to make buying the optional stuff very tempting.

I hope ESO never goes FTP.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

KariTR wrote: »

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

All FTP game charge $20-$40 for each expansion.
Battlefield, COD, Guild Wars, Star Wars, etc. etc.

Arsenic_Touch · June 2014

They'd have a lot of nerve charging more for anything with the current state of things. Even if it was just cosmetic stuff. They need to have a handle on the game and their communication before they can even dream of something like this.

Sighlynce · June 2014

One or two small things like the horse, ya okay but the whole expansion into DLC, No way . I live so far in the backwoods cable isn't even an option. Its satellite or nothing $:\$ . I only get so many gb per month. Luckily, my provider gives us free dl time between 12am and 5am so I download the patches after midnight . I would rather stick to the hard copy

.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

Arsenic_Touch wrote: »

They'd have a lot of nerve charging more for anything with the current state of things. Even if it was just cosmetic stuff. They need to have a handle on the game and their communication before they can even dream of something like this.

agreed but from the recent interviews and Ask of Anything they have yet to explore expansions as a new box or store purchase. I' trying to get on the forums and see what others thing way before any crazy ideas come up.

I still am curious why they are producing new content and not 85% focused on smoothing out what exists. Also, WTH are they doing with 6 months of console delays...and firing some of the recent temp. customer service staff.

steveb16_ESO46 · June 2014

KariTR wrote: »

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

Star Trek Online's Romulan expansion costs anything from 25-170 euro's but you're basically getting a whole new game plus a whole bunch of cool ***.

But things like STO cater for the cash-rich gamer. They don't pretend anything else. You can have a fine time without paying anything and a greater one if you do.

Wouldn't like to see ESO go that route. ESO needs to go down the 'If We Fix It They Will Come Back' route.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

letohatcheeub17_ESO wrote: »

One or two small things like the horse, ya okay but the whole expansion into DLC, No way . I live so far in the backwoods cable isn't even an option. Its satellite or nothing $:\$ . I only get so many gb per month. Luckily, my provider gives us free dl time between 12am and 5am so I download the patches after midnight . I would rather stick to the hard copy .

maybe I need to revise a sentence or two but the idea is not to charge at all for the expansion. The DLC is content not related to any expansion but to compensate what they would charge for expansions. The DLC is 100% optional and in no way alienates progression but if the DLC is good enough people will buy stuff like cosmetic and horses, etc.

Ragnar_Lodbrok · June 2014

steveb16_ESO46 wrote: »

KariTR wrote: »

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

Star Trek Online's Romulan expansion costs anything from 25-170 euro's but you're basically getting a whole new game plus a whole bunch of cool ***.

But things like STO cater for the cash-rich gamer. They don't pretend anything else. You can have a fine time without paying anything and a greater one if you do.

Wouldn't like to see ESO go that route. ESO needs to go down the 'If We Fix It They Will Come Back' route.

No one comes back if they fix it. People do come back for f2p though.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

steveb16_ESO46 wrote: »

KariTR wrote: »

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

Star Trek Online's Romulan expansion costs anything from 25-170 euro's but you're basically getting a whole new game plus a whole bunch of cool ***.

But things like STO cater for the cash-rich gamer. They don't pretend anything else. You can have a fine time without paying anything and a greater one if you do.

Wouldn't like to see ESO go that route. ESO needs to go down the 'If We Fix It They Will Come Back' route.

I would not like this to follow those routes of pay for expansion access in addition to subscription model even if 30 days are included.

And once a customer leaves because something is broken, there is a very high chance that they will not come back unless a friend is able to change their mind. Unless the subscription goes away people stay gone.

I played WoW from Beta up until a year ago. The game is now everyone wins, which in my opinion, broke the game from how success and rewards were handled up until the first expansion.

I have uninstalled the game and do not plan to ever to go back unless its free. I actually own all collectors edition too so I was a long customer for 10 years and tried to deal with the changes but they became more and more adverse to the experience I was looking for.

Phantax · June 2014

The whole point of ESOs subscription model was that we didn't have to pay for DLC, its ALL included in the price !

kaosodin · June 2014

Beside the horse...if they sell anything to give one player a leg up over another, im out.

I have the money....but hate everything that goes along with ftp

steveb16_ESO46 · June 2014

Ragnar_Lodbrok wrote: »

No one comes back if they fix it. People do come back for f2p though.

Yea - I hear what you're saying. But I'd rather they got their act together and then do what LOTRO do and hold 'Welcome Back' weeks so former subscribers can play for free for a time.

I'd hate to think what FTP would do to ESO. It certainly ruined LOTRO as a game. But it works fine in SWTOR and STO.

I guess I still cleave to the hope that a subscriber population is a bit more civilised and mature.

I'd love there to be one game where I don't have to turn off Chat and apart for gold spammers ESO was way better than some. But having said that the ArcheAge alpha population -who have paid a fortune to be there - is just a seething mass of morons, exhibitionists, racists and general-purpose scum.

PvP attracts the very worst elements I fear.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

kaosodin wrote: »

Beside the horse...if they sell anything to give one player a leg up over another, im out.

I have the money....but hate everything that goes along with ftp

100% agree

Jankstar · June 2014

Elder Scroll as a weapon? No thanks. I would like to disagree with the rest of your post also. I am not willing to pay more for this game.

vyndral13preub18_ESO · June 2014

Nah. If people want to play the the things i am, let them pay for it. Im not paying for things to support your gaming habit.

Part of the reason i dislike ftp. Because i like cosmetic stuff. And since all the whiney crybabies launch their pay to win cries, cosmetics are always what they make people pay for. Make those chuckleheads pay for content and weapons. Leave my dress out of this!! Ohhh sparkle pony!

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

Jankstar wrote: »

Elder Scroll as a weapon? No thanks. I would like to disagree with the rest of your post also. I am not willing to pay more for this game.

My post isn't suggesting to pay any more than you're paying today.
The post is to suggest creating option in game digital items and to build expansions into the current subscription model.

sorry if the post is unclear

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

vyndral13preub18_ESO wrote: »

Nah. If people want to play the the things i am, let them pay for it. Im not paying for things to support your gaming habit.

Part of the reason i dislike ftp. Because i like cosmetic stuff. And since all the whiney crybabies launch their pay to win cries, cosmetics are always what they make people pay for. Make those chuckleheads pay for content and weapons. Leave my dress out of this!! Ohhh sparkle pony!

?
The point is NOT to have a FTP game model and to keep the current subscription model. The post is a suggestion to look at not charging for an expansion 6 - 12 months from now.

Singular · June 2014

KariTR wrote: »

What FTP game charges for expansions. And how is it FTP if they charge at all? That would be P2P.

ftp games charge for expansions - price walls to block content. They get their revenue via microtransactions.

Only parts of the games are actually free.

Singular · June 2014

Phantax wrote: »

The whole point of ESOs subscription model was that we didn't have to pay for DLC, its ALL included in the price !

Absolutely this. It's a sub. We shouldn't have to pay extra for stuff.

Cogo · June 2014

ESO is subscription with the, for me, brand new model to include new content in the subscription, instead of charging for expansions. Even if I like this, there is no statement how long they offer the service. But if the model is subscribe and you access the game, which adds content, and you dont have to buy expansions.....who the hek would have a problem with this?

This is the cheapest MMO you could get.

My base for this:
From a person who works with Free-to-play games.

http://www.reddit.com/r/elderscrollsonline/comments/1vsez2/why_im_happy_eso_is_not_f2p_by_someone_who_works/