XX Sulla XX, on 05 April 2015 - 03:31 PM, said:
Be a long wait for small group Solaris though if its not viable financially.
Nope, you've missed the mark. The argument PGI has put out is that running small groups without a paywall will cost them too much money, which is extremely misleading and using the wrong reason behind infrastructure to lock sub 12v12 behind a paywall.
It doesn't matter how many players are in MWO at a given moment, how many are playing the game or even how many are in matches. The costs behind server infrastructure and the resources needed to run MWO are a flat expense: PGI doesn't suddenly have their costs skyrocket during even weekends because everyone and their dog logs in to play, just like how they aren't saving money during the low-pop lulls during the weekday and holidays.
What does cost Money (with a capital M) is providing the resources to be able to handle the peak time demand and stress on the infrastructure- that's initial investment and monthly maintenance. It is also true that having the same sized player pool running in smaller groups will increase the demand and strain on that server infrastructure. The reason why that demand doesn't mean instantly higher costs, requires a larger investment into server infrastructure or failing servers from too much demand placed on them at once is because of Resource Management.
That is to say they could remove the paywall for sub 12v12 private matches without harming the regular game or increasing their monthly costs by putting in a queue. Since PGI can't magically have servers pop up out of the ground for when people with premium time do create sub 12v12 private matches they have had to section off a part of their current server infrastructure to handle private matches in general. Just as they have had to have CW matches and demand managed on their infrastructure, just as they are going to have to do if they put in 4v4 Lance Mode for the smaller maps.
If they were to remove the paywall for sub 12v12 private matches then all they would need to do is manage a queue. That is, if all the server space reserved for that type of private matches was used up then those players in sub 12v12 games would have to wait for space to become free. Doing it this way allows Premium Time to be given priority, allows them to jump to the front of the queue. Also gives them data on if future servers or investments into infrastructure would help in the future.
Instead putting sub 12v12 private matches behind a paywall was a way to make Premium Time appear to have more value and to deter the majority from playing in sub 12v12 for technical reasons. Putting a small group FFA styled Solaris Arena behind a paywall would serve the same goals, to drive players -away- from that mode.
If and When Solaris does come to MWO it should be without a paygate. Not only because it provides more angles for sales (think DOTA2 Announcers, Taunts or Tribes Voice Packs) but it also provides what is in universe a spectacle sport. Meaning they can do more with it and be flexible with the format to support tournament play, even build it to host in game PGI (Or Comstar) sanctioned tournaments. Also gives incentive toward providing a proper replay and spectator system.
In addition, if steps were taken to disassociate Dollar Value to Mech Credits (by providing a measured means to gain MC in game in controlled amounts for free- just by playing) then PGI would be in a position to be able to skirt around the Quebec law that limits total prize pools.
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