The New DDO's Influence On Other MMOs.

[Babumbalaboo]

I first started thinking about this when I noticed that Warhammer Online (http://www.massively.com/2009/10/30/mythic-removes-time-limit-on-war-free-trial/) decided to change their free trial. Changing it, of course, in the sense that it no longer has a limit. Does this remind you of any other games that you might just happen to be playing right now? There are differences, obviously. Without changing this observation into an argument (hopefully), the main thing is that Mythic acknowledges the limited nature of this free offer, labels it appropriately, and offers no in-game options to extend the content available. Many people agree that it's a good idea. For some, it just means they don't need to create a new trial account when they want to play again. For others who wouldn't bother in the first place, it gets them to check it out.

Champions Online? They gave lifetime subscribers unrestricted trial keys to give to their buddies. They also had a free weekend during Halloween for anyone who bothered to try it out. All it took was the click of a button, and presto! Two days of no-cost access. One could call it "unlimited free play" in every aspect but the time limit. About two weeks ago, they came out with Cryptic Points (http://champions-online.com/store). New costumes to buy. Name changes. Full character respecs.

Even World of Warcraft (http://www.wow.com/2009/11/04/blizzard-launches-real-money-in-game-pet-store/) is getting in on it. The most popular MMORPG in history is jumping into the world of microtransactions. Around the time of Eberron Unlimited's launch until now, they have been pumping out service like faction changes and race changes, which while unconventional enough, are technically a form of microtransaction as well. Is it only a matter of time before they start offering Blizzard Points?

It's probably just a coincidence, but I like to think that maybe - just maybe - this is a sign of the times. And that we sparked it. Thoughts on this, anyone?

[Urguwno]

I've always wondered how many MMO publishers, or employees of those publishers, discreetly either ran or participated in sites that offered in-game rewards for cash.

I imagine it's extremely difficult to get an embezzlement indictment when it comes to assets that, for all intents and purposes, are imaginary.

The micro transaction business model makes a lot more sense for all MMO game publishers.

[Hokonoso]

love how we are the ones that sparked this when korean mmo's have been doing this for years and (quite successfully) even in the US! this isn't the first mmo in the us to make millions of dollars on micro-transactions, it's just the first western owned mmo is all.

[Rolling20]

I wonder if WoW could afford the onslaught of new players if they changed to a subscription model like DDO.
Every single one of their servers would probably simultaneously asplode.

And as if WoW wasn't already gold/item mined to death.

[jsaving]

I think the *perception* has been that free-to-play gamers are moochers whose lack of $$ would bankrupt any MMORPG that went F2P. What wasn't realized until now is that, as long as you provide compelling in-game reasons to spend $$, "free-to-play" gamers can actually reinvigorate MMORPGs rather than destroying them.

The nice thing about the DDO model is that the onus is put very much on the developer to offer a strong product, because they know gamers can and will walk away at any moment if quality dips. And as gamers come to understand this, they'll be more apt to give DDO a shot, pumping further revenue into Turbine and giving them even more incentive to improve the game.

There have certainly been some bumps along the road, as Turbine struggles to find an appropriate reward structure for its VIPs (who I think receive too little for their monthly fee) and wrestles with appropriate queue sizes for players who steadfastly refuse to pay anything at all. On the whole, though, I think one has to say the free-to-play experiment has been a success, with revenue up and quality improving as well. And it's hard to see why this way of doing business *wouldn't* be embraced by other MMORPGs that are currently faltering in the face of the WoW juggernaut.

[Borror0]

It's probably just a coincidence, but I like to think that maybe - just maybe - this is a sign of the times. And that we sparked it. Thoughts on this, anyone?
Many in the industry believed, for a while, that "microtransactions are the future". Turbine was just the first AAA MMO to open the march.

[Kalanth]

love how we are the ones that sparked this when korean mmo's have been doing this for years and (quite successfully) even in the US! this isn't the first mmo in the us to make millions of dollars on micro-transactions, it's just the first western owned mmo is all.

There are many things in the world that someone else started but the true spark come from somewhere else. The Japanese invented Drift racing but until it was featured in video games made by US developers it was largely only a Japanese sport. Now you can find Drift races in many countries around the world and it continues to grow. It is very possible that Turbine taking this risk turned out to be the catalyst for the new wave in MMO's.