#3 - State of the MMO, Part II

So, MMO Payment models. Varied. Sometimes confusing. And evolving.

Basically, there are two components involved in the cost of an MMO (and I'm not talking about Trials here). The initial upfront cost, if any, of the game itself, that is, the boxed copy or digital download. Then there is the ongoing subscription cost, if any. Here is how they sort out...

Scenario 1

• Upfront Cost: $X (i.e. not free, you must pay some amount)
• Subscription Cost: $X (again, you must pay some amount on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or even annual)
• Examples: World of Warcraft

Scenario 2

• Upfront Cost: $X
• Subscription Cost: Free
• Examples: Guild Wars 2

Scenario 3

• Upfront Cost: Free Download OR $X (An account based on the free download is usually the most limited in terms of perks such as Character Slots, Inventory Slots, etc.)
• Subscription Cost: Free OR $X (Paying subscribers are deemed as 'Premium' accounts and get the maximum perks)
• Examples: Rift, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Scenario 4

• Upfront Cost: Free Download
• Subscription Cost: Free OR $X (Paying subscribers are deemed as 'Premium' accounts and get the maximum perks)
• Examples: Lord of the Rings Online, DC Universe Online, Runescape & dozens of others

Note that ALL MMOs support micro-transactions (the purchase of in-game perks, merchandise, etc. for real money) to one extent or another.

As mentioned earlier, I am not currently playing an MMO. I have cancelled my WoW subscription, but do still have accounts for Rift, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, Lord of the Rings Online, Runescape, DCUO (which currently aren't costing me anything)... What? I have to do research for this blog, right? Have I ever mentioned that I have an addiction? Now, I know, you're thinking, wow, he must play games every minute that he's not at work! Well, no, it's just that I have an addiction to sampling every halfway decent game that comes out. I typically get about 10 hours (or less) into a game and then... SQUIRREL! This may actually work to your advantage based on the upcoming posts.

My next post is going to take a bit of a different direction. I will be discussing a single player game that I have been toying with. Along with that, there is a (hopefully) pleasant surprise in store for you, a new feature that I believe you'll enjoy.

Ciao.