Change ViP and Premium

[MsEricka]

So let me ask a question - if Turbine opened up a new server called VIP, but let anyone (VIP, Premium, or F2P) play on it, what do you think would happen?

I'm betting that we'd see a flood of complaints demanding that Turbine kick off the Premium and F2P players. Names are very important, even if they have little substance.

You miss my point, so I'll be very direct.

Whatever name you call it, the name that involves the $15 a month payment will ALWAYS be "top dog" and those users will always expect more.

[Phidius]

You miss my point, so I'll be very direct.

Whatever name you call it, the name that involves the $15 a month payment will ALWAYS be "top dog" and those users will always expect more.

I think I get your point now, I just don't agree with it. I believe that using the name "VIP" (and the way Turbine markets it, white gloves and all) is what gives the impression of being Very Important, not the monthly payment.

For example, I don't think that someone who makes a monthly payment for their car is "more important" than the person who pays cash up front. It's just two different ways of paying for the same thing.

Clearly, I would be better off renting a vacation car when I go out of town than buying one outright, but renting a car to drive in my hometown would be an unnecessary expense.

I would simply prefer that the choice of "renting" DDO or "buying" DDO would be equally forthright, instead of masking it with grandiose terms.

[The_Brave2]

For example, I don't think that someone who makes a monthly payment for their car is "more important" than the person who pays cash up front. It's just two different ways of paying for the same thing.

Paying for a car upfront and over time is a great analogy, but the person paying over time pays more money... so is more important.

[Dysmetria]

Paying for a car upfront and over time is a great analogy, but the person paying over time pays more money... so is more important.

More important in that they get a bill each month, and if they stop paying, they lose the car. Of course after so many years the car is theirs forever, which is just one way this analogy fails.

[The_Brave2]

More important in that they get a bill each month, and if they stop paying, they lose the car. Of course after so many years the car is theirs forever, which is just one way this analogy fails.

For paying in monthly increments for a car.. yes. but renting a car, you never actually own it.

[Phidius]

Paying for a car upfront and over time is a great analogy, but the person paying over time pays more money... so is more important.

To the bank or credit union (or whoever you get your financing through), sure. But the dealer selling the car doesn't really care how much you pay in finance charges, as long as it has no impact on the model you buy.

[R0cksteady]

VIP and Premium are fine names.

Or we could just call F2P "Bronze", Premium "silver" and VIP "Gold". But really what's the difference?

[BOgre]

Changing names now MIGHT change perception going forward with NEW subscribers, but that would mean a new marketing campaign at the very least. Existing VIPs aren't suddenly going to say "Ohh! we're not VIPs, we're GOLD/Monthlies/Tier I/whatever. Now I feel less cheated! Yay!"
If Turbine INTENDED for their VIP subscription plan to be their Top Tier product, they should actually add value to that plan and listen to what their customers are saying. Which of course is the whole issue.
A pile of dung by any other name would still stink up the room.

[jjflanigan]

For example, I don't think that someone who makes a monthly payment for their car is "more important" than the person who pays cash up front. It's just two different ways of paying for the same thing.

Actually, as someone who has worked at a car dealership in the past, the dealership actually prefers the consumer who pays cash-money for the car instead of financing it.

[Qindark]

Changing names now MIGHT change perception going forward with NEW subscribers, but that would mean a new marketing campaign at the very least. Existing VIPs aren't suddenly going to say "Ohh! we're not VIPs, we're GOLD/Monthlies/Tier I/whatever. Now I feel less cheated! Yay!"
If Turbine INTENDED for their VIP subscription plan to be their Top Tier product, they should actually add value to that plan and listen to what their customers are saying. Which of course is the whole issue.
A pile of dung by any other name would still stink up the room.

^^This. I'd +1 but I have to pass more rep around first.

Turbine needs to make VIP worth paying the monthly fee. With this update, I'm likely dropping my subscription for the premium way.

[Phidius]

...
If Turbine INTENDED for their VIP subscription plan to be their Top Tier product, they should actually add value to that plan and listen to what their customers are saying. Which of course is the whole issue.
A pile of dung by any other name would still stink up the room.

I guess another way to phrase my original request would be...

"Turbine, please tell us who is more important to you, or acknowledge that neither is more or less important than the other".

The suspense is killing me

[BOgre]

Oh, I see, it's the 'Important' part that's got under your skin. Get bogged down in who's more 'Important' and you've enlisted in the feud. Don't look for personal validation in a game.

[MsEricka]

We're all Turbine's children, and they love us equally.

Other than the truly free to play people, both vip and premium cough up cash. Both are important in their own ways, and you begging Turbine to tell you who is more important to them has and always will fill on deaf ears.

Turbine doesn't owe you any explanation for anything, ever.

[The_Brave2]

Turbine doesn't owe you any explanation for anything, ever.

Of course they do. To say otherwise is to have no grasp of how a MMO works.

However, Revenue does not fall under the category of things Turbine should tell you.

[Chaos000]

Actually, as someone who has worked at a car dealership in the past, the dealership actually prefers the consumer who pays cash-money for the car instead of financing it.

I beg to differ. Banks give car dealerships incentives for referring them customers for financing. Course I've only dealt with it as an assistant fleet manager and also as a car broker.

I can kind of see that if we're dealing with used cars because most of those are sold under the contractual obligation that the buyer is taking it "as-is" flaws and all.

[HarveyMilk]

/not signed

Premise #1: Turbine making more money is good for the game.

The more people that go VIP first and then decide to make the big purchase for premium, the better. VIP has to be marketed up. There should be something VIP about VIP. I think the bravery bonus is a good example. VIPs can take full advantage of the mechanic, while premiums get more out of their TRing.

That is win.

Now, a premium that owns most of the game, but wants to try a new pack, and wants to level a new first life toon using the bravery bonus... might just decide to go VIP for a month. That is good for the game.

I think VIPs should also get access to some cosmetics for free. That way premiums might decide to go VIP for a month to make some cosmetic changes, try a new pack, use the bravery bonus on a first lifer, etc... that is all very good for the Turbine bottom line, and good for all of us.

[sheepface]

I don't think that changing the names will solve anything.