Does SSG want VIPs?

[Hazelnut]

I am honestly asking this question. I ask because when I look at some of the subtle changes in recent sales and the pre-purchase options for Ravenloft, I'm seeing some changes that make me thing SSG does want more people subscribing.

Back in the Turbine days, the package deals in the marketplace (expansions, combo deals) always involved a bunch of TP. The previous Black Friday sales had pretty big savings on quest packs as well. It was all geared to getting discounts for the one-time purchases. It felt to me like Turbine wanted premium players.

But since SSG took over things have changed. The while lioness permanent hireling for all VIPs got a lot of us to go VIP. We may not have stayed but I'm sure some people did. The recent Ravenloft expansion packs include a VIP subscription code (at least the one I got did). This year, not even the old quest packs are on sale. None of this is huge but it feels like a change in focus from the sales team.

It's always (since I've been playing DDO) been a choice. Some people prefer a subscription, others prefer one time payments. Subscriptions allow for more predictable month-to-month costs. One time payments (premium) allow for spend what you can when you want. They both have advantages and disadvantages. When I joined it felt like Turbine was more focused on the premium players with the VIPs being there for people who preferred that model. I'm starting to feel SSG is leaning the other way.