Topic: Big PC franchise going free/new business model?

[idolminds]

Supposed to be in the next issue of Games for Windows magazine. Shawn Elliot mentions it in the 1/9/08 GFW podcast. Stars at 51 minutes in:

Lets just say a major name in gaming, in PC gaming, that will be familiar to everyone is basically going to be free and take on an entirely different business model. And hearing about this it seems like this makes a lot of sense, and theres so much potential for this game to bring in a new audience for more reasons than the fact that its free.

He then talks about microtransactions and stuff.

So...any guesses on what the game will be? I've seen on other forums some stuff. Hes said its not that Quake Zero thats supposed to be coming. And its not the new shooter from GarageGames (which isn't really a big name familiar to everyone so why would people guess that?). Some people guessed World of Warcraft, as if Blizzard had any reason to change models.

My guess was Hellgate isn't getting the subscriptions they wanted so decided to try another model, but I don't think thats it.

[gpw11]

I wouldn't really say Hellgate was a major franchise, but who knows?  My first impression was UT and maybe they were going to allow you to download the game for free and it'd be ad-supported or something, but that would take away from console sales.  Soooooooo....I'm going to go with something really lame like Everquest.

[sirean_syan]

Yeah, I'd say Everquest is probably one of the safer bets too. The franchise is a big name, but the player base is pretty static and I imagine fairly hardcore. With microtransactions they might be able to leech more money out of them and possibly get some people away from WoW to try to cheaper side of things. Didn't they also do that "elite" account up thing a couple years back too in an attempt to leech more money from the solid base that was in too deep to leave? This could be on par with that, so it's already in their business model.

[Xessive]

I would expect it to be a MMORPG that adopts this new model. Probably make it free to acquire but has a monthly fee, or maybe a game that is totally free to play but is riddled with advertising.

[Pugnate]

Starcraft!

[gpw11]

I'm making a prediction about something that's going to go on here.  I can't tell you what it is without altering the outcome, but I'll tell you if I'm right or wrong.

[Pugnate]

BTW before D enters this thread. My Starcraft comment was in jest.

[Xessive]

If it's a major franchise it's gotta be something old enough that they've just decided to start giving it out.

Hmm, Duke Nukem? DNF is complete and in a ~smooth~ move to apologize to the world for the extreme delay they're giving it out for free?

[Ghandi]

Phantom is going to give out their systems for free if you are willing to tattoo the logo on your forehead.

[MysterD]

Hmmmm....this could be fun to try and figure out.

Hmmm....must think of games w/ subscriptions and well known name....
The way GFW talks, sounds like a REAL big franchise name....

So, I'mma just run down a list, I got in my head of MMO's...

SW: Galaxies
Well, yeah -- only thing well known about it is it's got the words "Star Wars" on it. Not like SW: Galaxies is super popular these days, but hey; maybe if they changed their pricing scheme to free, players might join up???

Ultima Online
Been around for around at least 10 years, guys. Maybe, this is some sort of late 10th anniversary present coming??? I dunno...

Final Fantasy 11 (Online)
Final Fantasy 11 (Online), maybe??? I mean, FF is one of the biggest names ever in RPG history, like it or not.

Everquest
Well, given how many expansion packs there are for the original Everquest (over 11, I think)....yeah, maybe a free model would make sense -- since the gamer could spend a nice deal of money to get them all.

I don't think they'd make EQ2 subscription-less, though....I could be wrong...

Tabala Rasa
Probably too damn new of a game name (and franchise, which is ain't yet) to be listed the way GFW is talking -- even though Richard Garriott's VERY well known. That going free would give me good reason to hunt this game down.

Hellgate: London
Now, we know the upcoming Patch 1.0 will include the new area, Stonehenge. We all it's being tested ONLY by subscribers, right now. Though, it's STILL NOT been clearly stated if this are will STAY a "Subscriber area" or now become available to all players, when Patch 1.0 comes out.

And I'm sure those who paid for The Lifetime Founder's Subscription Fee (if any did shell out that $160) would be....well, very pissed, if the subscriber stuff went free suddenly came about. I think that could still happen, they that drop the subscriber fee -- especially since the game does have ADVERTISING in hallways of the game's "Stations". but, I don't think GFW was referring to this game b/c the way GFW talks, sounds like it's something much more well known.

Though, Hellgate's subscriber stuff going free would make me happy!

Matrix Online
Everyone knows The Matrix. I doubt anyone's playing it right now, though -- but going free could get some players to join up.

WoW
That'd be the obvious one to change its model, given it basically is the MMO everyone seems to be playing -- namely, just to get more players, I'd guess. Not like they really need them!!! Blizz must've made a ton of cash, to change its already very successful model, if they are the one changing the model.

I wouldn't be surprised if they do it namely b/c they're working on WoW 2 already, which probably would have a subscription fee.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Yes D, Tabula Rasa is going to be free even though it just came out, right after hell freezes over, same goes with any WoW speculation, Blizzard is making too much damn money to even consider being free.  Also, WoW 2?  What the hell are you talking about?  There's an expansion coming out for it later this year, that's it though.  Everquest and Hellgate: London are good bets though.

[gpw11]

I believed Blizzard confirmed that they are working on a 'next generation' MMORPG, but it doesn't matter.  They don't have any reason to rock the boat so they won't.  I will however agree that just because Tabula Rasa is new doesn't mean it's completely ridiculous to think that they could possibly change the business model.  If it's not doing well (I have no idea), they'd be more tempted to try something drastic and risky in order to recoup losses then, say, Ultima Online which is probably just pure profit if people are still playing it.

[MysterD]

Also, WoW 2?  What the hell are you talking about?

Hence the mark at the end -- it was a damn joke.

Though, I doubt it would surprise anyone if we found out there would be a WoW2, given WoW's success....

There's an expansion coming out for it later this year, that's it though.

We already knew that, though.

[beo]

the game will be Battlefield Heroes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7199881.stm

looks like EA were more than a little inspired by TF2's art direction here.

[idolminds]

Huh. Thats...unexpected. Though I like their plan to make it run on low end PCs, and hell I like the cartoony look. I'll certainly give it a shot.

Ben Cousins, senior producer at Dice, told BBC News that no adverts would be appear in the game itself.

"They wouldn't work inside the fictional world. Instead, adverts will appear on the website and the 'front-end' of the game."

Gamers will be able to buy items which customize their appearance in the world, but will not be able to seek an advantage through buying weapons.

Mr Cousins said Battlefield Heroes was about exploring new revenue models as well as making a game more accessible.

   
You will be able to play this game on grandma's laptop
Ben Cousins, Dice

"I've always felt there was some really good fun core gameplay which was locked away by several barriers to entry: the game is complex, it is full of skilled people, you need quite a high-end PC on which to play and you need to go to store to purchase a copy."

"We're removing all barriers to entry and we hope there is broader audience for the title. You will be able to play this game on grandma's laptop."

Mr Cousins said EA expected 95% of people who played the game never to spend any money.

"If you look at Korea and Asia this is a model that works. Given the enormous explosion in web-based gaming products, this is going to be a real source of growth in the industry and Battlefield Heroes is the first step towards doing that in West."

Adverts no inside the game itself, and the paid items are just for looks? Sounds good to me.

I'm loving peoples reaction to this. Now, I'm not fan of EA or anything but people are just going overboard. "They are ripping off the TF2 art style!" Yeah....so? I thought everyone loved the TF2 art style. When the game came out people were saying more games should do that. Now here we are and its a "ripoff".

Reminds me of Dungeon Runners. Free to play with optional payment stuff and it "ripped off" the WoW art style. Who cares? It was kinda fun so we played it.

So I'll certainly download BF:Heros and give it a whirl. If its fun, I'll keep playing.

[Xessive]

I think it's a cool idea. It clearly took a lot of inspiration from TF2, but like idol said, "So what?"

I'll check it out fer shur!

[Quemaqua]

Not sure I really care, but if it's free I might try it out.  I think the art thing *is* a bit of a ripoff, really, and Dungeon Runners was a bit different since it existed pretty much as pure parody, but... eh.  Whatever.  At least there's no ads!

[idolminds]

I got the issue of GFW that talks about this game in the mail today. It sounds pretty cool, with them really boiling it down to more fun and less shooting skill. Which is cool, as long as its fun. They say the optional pay items are not going to be "better weapons" or things that give an advantage. It'll be stuff like unique armors and such for look, and possibly some "perks". One example given is bonus XP. You level up your character, and if you want you can buy a 2x multiplier to gain double XP for a while. Ad it seems your level only unlocks stuff and would put you into a different server bracket (no lvl1 players fighting lvl50)...so it doesnt throw anything off. Just a way to quickly level.

They hint at system specs of 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 64MB videocard, and 500MB HDD space being able to play the game, so thats cool. Their new blog post on the official site mention the game is running on the BF2142 engine.

[Pugnate]

Well they said that this has been in the works for a while, even before TF2 took its new direction.