7 replies to this topic

[Steel Mike Eels]

Apologies if this is in the wrong space, or if it's been asked before but I'm relatively new to the fora, so I hope if such is the case it will be pointed out/corrected.

Most online games I have played and enjoyed have all had an OPTIONAL monthly subscription. If I've really enjoyed the game, I've been very happy to make that sub because it improves the viability of the game and give me shiny things.

I wondered why such an option isn't available in this game. It seems to me the entire business model of the game would work well - for example benefits could include free premium skins to subscribers (say one per month, that can be used across a class of mechs) or a series of points that could be used to provide a free mech every quarter (or three months of subscription.)

Warhorns, cockpit items and other cosmetic items could be used to entice subs, and other not P2W items that provide a significant boost to the player who's happy to sub, but makes no real change to game play. Maybe even a Points + CBills option that gives you a chance to spend your Mech Points (MP) on stuff or even cash in for CBills etc. Decals are another obvious option of course, as are titles, and even special fx for weapons (purple ER Large anyone?)

How it would work is down finally to PGI, but I'd be very happy to make a regular contribution that does more than simply buy MC and provides me with stuff that those who don't, won't.

Worth thinking about?

[Daggett]

Well i guess premium time is already quite near a subscription model. It can be renewed every month (or paid in advance with discount) and provides you with a boost that does not interfere with game balance.

Personally i like this more than monthly random cosmetic items. If i want a specific warhorn or color i just buy it separately for a few bucks.

BTW: Special weapon fx will not happen. It's crucial to know that the blue laser firing at me does more damage than the red one.

Edited by Daggett, 09 April 2017 - 09:15 AM.

[Steel Mike Eels]

Daggett, on 09 April 2017 - 09:11 AM, said:

BTW: Special weapon fx will not happen. It's crucial to know that the blue laser firing at me does more damage than the red one.

That's a very fair comment and one I'd not appreciated fully.

As far as prem time, I have a boatload of that just from buying mechs etc so it doesn't feel special. I've never had to buy it for its own sake, it seems to have come of its own accord.

[Daggett]

Kilgrave, on 09 April 2017 - 09:26 AM, said:

That's a very fair comment and one I'd not appreciated fully.

As far as prem time, I have a boatload of that just from buying mechs etc so it doesn't feel special. I've never had to buy it for its own sake, it seems to have come of its own accord.

I too have lots of premium left from mechpacks. I think that's the reason why the recent mechpacks won't include premium time anymore.

Edited by Daggett, 09 April 2017 - 09:53 AM.

[Anachronda]

You'd definitely have to be careful there. I have seen some FTP games use the model you describe well, and that's basically what they did. They'd give subscribers a certain allowance of their equivalent of MC and premium time per month, plus something cosmetic. You could buy all of that a la carte, but the subscription was cheaper and there were some benefits for having been a subscriber for a certain period. You don't want to create a system that stratifies the player base, though.

Mech packs have always been a way better deal than buying mechs with MC and a better deal dollar-wise than buying MC and premium time. I think going with subscriptions might mess with the math there, because as things have been, a subscription-minded person has been best served buying mech packs as they come out.

[RabidNinja64]

I can speak from experience; SWTOR Premium player for 2 months, Cartel Coins was a nice added bonus. You get used to having the full game at your fingertips; no paywall, no exp limitations, no bank cap. Back to normal, and you suddenly struggle and start losing interest in the game because of whatever reason you chose not to use premium.
MWO - A premium subscription would include.....what? Colours, Camos, Decals, Warhorns, 500MC monthly injection? everything already available to the current playerbase, which is then suddenly locked off until they pay more dosh for the "privilege". Gives Russ more a reason to call us freeloaders

Sorry, but including a larger premium aspect of the game, with temptations of warhorns, camo patterns, etc, doesn't sound all that appealing; in it's current form, purchasing MC gives you the freedom of choice of what to do with the money; purchasing a freemium sub AND MC is outright absurd for their current pricing. locking off it's player base for a more "pay2win" aesthetic will sink PGI, granted it might boost their numbers for unsuspecting players, but it would destroy any prospect of grinding and unlocking anything useful, or even make the game fun.

[Tarl Cabot]

MWO in its current form is a minimal viable product. If a subscription service was added, what exactly would be behind that paywall? Currently there is definitely no Solaris, Faction Play aka Community Warfare is a shell of itself that most of the playerbase already avoids, and then there is Quick Play, both Solo and Group queue which really is the backbone of MWO.

The only thing left is Private Matches. If they were more flexible, had Chat Lobbies/division/etc, aka Solaris that might be worthy of a subscription if a player had no premium time, and wanted a few more monthly goodies that Premium does not provide.

Who am I kidding. A monthly premium package is $12/month which gives a player a C-Bill/XP boost and access to Private lobbies.

[Iacov]

i'd support a dedicated subscription

it's psychologically hard for me to activate my years of banked premium time...because i know this time is finite...
but i would definately get a subscritpion if there was one