Comments on: New DDO Business Model

By: Wake Up

Wake Up — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:20:42 +0000

Think of Lamborghini giving away Gallardos for free!!!
But ofc lets check their item shop…

Keys: 50.000$
Engine: 100.000$
Chasi: 200.000$
Paint: 10.000$
3 wheels: 50.000$

…and much more “cosmetic” parts to come!

GET PREMIUM NOW AND GET THE 4TH WHEEL FOR 60 DAYS!!!

Besides…FREE to drive for life

By: Blue Kae

Blue Kae — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:01:46 +0000

I bought the game back a year or more ago and played my free month but never subscribed (felt more like a $5/month game instead of a $15). I’m looking forward to going back and trying it again.

I agree with Ethic, the new setup sounds tailor made for static weekly groups.

By: Tesh

Tesh — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:10:59 +0000

Ravious, perhaps it’s time to challenge that reflexive assessment of the F2P label, then? It’s definitely a challenge here in the West, but if more companies with quality games go this route, people will learn.

Though notably, Wizard 101 has “Access Passes” which sound a lot like what DDO will do with “modules”, and they seem to be doing fine, whatever people call their game.

By: Ethic

Ethic — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:46:16 +0000

Static group time!

By: Khai Mann

Khai Mann — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:01:42 +0000

I’ve always wanted to give DDO a go but never got around to it. From reading reviews, the game seems quite interesting.

As for the free to play model, I got mixed emotions about that. Yes, you get more players and probably a few more bucks in the bank, but that’s about it in my opinion.

Anyway, the free accounts seem quite limiting. I guess we will have to wait to see.

By: chadmango

chadmango — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:53:22 +0000

As Turbine are planning on using a similar business model in upcoming games like the console based Lord of the Rings, it’s arguablly good sense to pilot the model in a small, but established game.

By: Crimson Starfire

Crimson Starfire — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:08:21 +0000

I played the trial of DDO only a few weeks ago. I think they did a great job of implementing the D&D rule set into a real-time MMO, but the game seemed like one big grind fest. Every instance can be repeated on multiple difficulties and the steep leveling curve requires that you grind these instances repetitively. I know that this type of grind is present in all MMOs, but it felt more so in DDO.

I think that moving to a free to play model is a good idea, but they need to make the grind less obvious.

By: The Horrors of Free Chat | Kill Ten Rats

The Horrors of Free Chat | Kill Ten Rats — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:13:08 +0000

[...] Store « New DDO Business Model [...]

By: Ravious

Ravious — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:16:13 +0000

Yeah, I kind of agree with Moondog548. We don’t know exactly what limited chat means, but any limits at all does not mean it is instantly bad. Turbine is a large company, but they are also (usually) smart. I also think that since they are working on a console game, they probably also employ people that check out data on F2P games and other business models.

BTW, I hate that this is called F2P. I wish there was another common term. Because F2P means to me a Korean-esque cash-shop where people that buy things are the people that get power. Buying content packs, and “convenience” items, does not fall under this line, me thinks.

By: Moondog548

Moondog548 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:50:49 +0000

Unlimited chat for free in an MMO = GOLDSPAMGOLDSPAMGOLDSPAMGOLDSPAM