Sobend Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 The game has almost always been subscription based. In 2002 members was released pretty much as a good expansion package and since then Jagex has continually added more to the members world. However as we move forward in time the whole subscription model based game is becoming less popular. Games such as LoL have huge player bases but use a micro-transaction model instead of the subscription model. As I've heard from reading a review on Runescape 3, if Runescape came out today their business model would likely be ineffective. So, what do you think about this? It seems like people here are more willing to scrap freeplay and force membership, but in today's gaming industry that's not a popular thing to do. Should Jagex begin making steps towards getting rid of membership and having a micro-transaction based game? Right now it's a mix of both. Quote
Fabio Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) They have been taking the steps to microtransactions since SoF! Then bonds came! If the legacy of combat does not have the desired effect (bring back the old members), I can see them moving to microtransactions only this year/next year and scrapping membership. Edited January 31, 2014 by Fabio Quote
Leo Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 What kind of stuff would you say should be restricted to microtransactions? I think something like this could work pretty well in the right circumstances. Quote
Mohorak Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Plenty of games still use subscriptions as their primary source of game income. Even games coming out, like Elder Scrolls Online, will be using it. Quote
Guitarguy Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I believe it's effective and will continue to be. As harsh as it sounds, RuneScape is a game of addiction; those who enjoy it enough to pay for members are likely going to keep paying and playing for a while. And I'd assume that that's a good thing because Jagex is either running low on money or being a total butthead with things like SoF. -.- Quote
Shooter585 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I don't think the subscription model isn't working. The microtransactions model apparently also works, but I don't know if it's fit for the game. What could they offer for real life cash at this point that would support the company? Tier 99 equipment? (lets hope not). Jagex has (had) been preaching against microtransactions for years, and it will be tough for them to go back on that? Quote
Sobend Posted January 31, 2014 Author Posted January 31, 2014 I believe it's effective and will continue to be. As harsh as it sounds, RuneScape is a game of addiction; those who enjoy it enough to pay for members are likely going to keep paying and playing for a while. Exactly. People are so addicted that they want any advantage they can get, so they spend money to get what they want. Membership limits them to $5 a month, micro-transactions have no limits at all. Quote
Mohorak Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I believe it's effective and will continue to be. As harsh as it sounds, RuneScape is a game of addiction; those who enjoy it enough to pay for members are likely going to keep paying and playing for a while. Exactly. People are so addicted that they want any advantage they can get, so they spend money to get what they want. Membership limits them to $5 a month, micro-transactions have no limits at all. Actually, I think Jagex limited it to like 750 spins a month or something. Quote
Fabio Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I don't think the subscription model isn't working. The microtransactions model apparently also works, but I don't know if it's fit for the game. What could they offer for real life cash at this point that would support the company? Tier 99 equipment? (lets hope not). Jagex has (had) been preaching against microtransactions for years, and it will be tough for them to go back on that? bonds and buying sof spins are basically microtransactions. Quote
O hai im KAMIL Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I don't see how Jagex would get the revenue necessary to support Runescape should they decide to do away with members. Sure, SoF must bring quite a bit of money into the game but definitely not enough to sustain it alone. The only reason LoL can be F2P is because its playerbase is absolutely enormous (they have more than 30 million active users) you cannot compare the two games' models. Quote
-Leaf- Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 RS has already moved to microtransactions as the primary source of income. See bonds. Quote
O hai im KAMIL Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 RS has already moved to microtransactions as the primary source of income. See bonds. But if the entire game were F2P then there would be no need for bonds, so removing members would remove bonds... Quote
Fabio Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 RS has already moved to microtransactions as the primary source of income. See bonds. But if the entire game were F2P then there would be no need for bonds, so removing members would remove bonds... it would remove bonds and add an item/money shop Quote
Shooter585 Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 What could Jagex add to this shop that would completely support their business though? I'm unfamiliar with League of Legends, but the shop as it is wouldn't support the game. Quote
Phoenix Rider Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 If they want money, I would be more in favour of us being forced to watch a 2 minute McDonalds advert than being fed with a constant stream of cheap s*** from SoQ. Quote
Sir Beck Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 So I'm guessing the core of the game would be available to all, and "hats" (tf2, since I've been playing so much) are reserved for microtransactions? I'd be completely ok with this, but two things. I should have the option of something like Gold Membership now, where I can get all that years overrides (or maybe last years) and a few other benefits. AND, though I've been paying for this game for like 5 years I'd think it would be a good idea from a deisgn stand point to have ALL overrides unlockable through game play, or at least for my free spins. Quote
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