7 replies to this topic

[Diablobo]

I think it would be a good idea for PGI to randomly give paid content to the players to test drive for a week or so. Every businessman knows that free samples are the way to drum up business. The only obstacle is the cost of giving away the good or service. Since it costs PGI nothing to offer virtual items for free for a short time, that concern is nonexistent. It's the old "get em hooked" drug dealer model. Give someone a hero mech or a cockpit item for a couple days, then yank it back. If they like it, they will buy it. Since most people will like what they get, they will end up purchasing it. If they don't like it, it will have cost you nothing. It's a win/win.

[Diablobo]

Of course, there is the startup cost of implementing this idea, but it can most decidedly be offset by the increase in sales. For every dollar you put into implementation, the increase in sales will be far greater.

[Alois Hammer]

Diablobo, on 09 April 2013 - 05:29 PM, said:

Give someone a hero mech or a cockpit item for a couple days, then yank it back. If they like it, they will buy it. Since most people will like what they get, they will end up purchasing it. If they don't like it, it will have cost you nothing. It's a win/win.

You're new to the internets maybe? The more likely result of "then yank it back" will be forums filled with nerdraging people threatening lawsuits, threatening to never buy another penny in MC, calling "fraud" and "lies," and general other nastiness.

This idea's more like 95% lose, 5% win on a good day.

[Diablobo]

If it is made clear that the item is only temporary, why would someone get upset? Let them know ahead of time how long they get to keep it, and even give them a warning before it goes away with a dialog box that makes the sales pitch.

[Khanublikhan]

Do you mean 'try before you buy'? Or do you mean releasing content (perhaps onto a test server) for players to test before release?

[Neolisk]

There should be an option to request a sample. You don't request - you don't get it. No intrusion into your pilot cabin. Otherwise a good idea.

Edited by Neolisk, 10 April 2013 - 10:33 AM.

[FrostCollar]

If they did implement this, using something similar to the Planetside 2 system would work best. Require that you request it and clearly delineate how long you get to keep it.

However, I'm not sure this would work very well in MWO since renting a stock mech does not give you a good idea of chassis' capabilities and spending a lot of money on a mech you won't keep seems pretty pointless.

[Neolisk]

FrostCollar, on 10 April 2013 - 11:06 AM, said:

spending a lot of money on a mech you won't keep seems pretty pointless.

Money could be returned as items your bought and C-Bills if spent on upgrades.