MxO’s closing and it’s possible effects on Vanguard.
I hate conspiracy theories, but we all have to admit that they are fun.
I hate conspiracy theories concerning video game companies even more, though, being that any evil corporate giant video game developer can simply be resisted by not buying their products. But SOE is my favorite MMO developer, so we’ll go ahead and have some fun discussing what the closing of the Matrix Online might mean for my fav Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.
Let’s just get right into the lists:
a) More resources freed up for Vanguard: Nah. They have their dev team, and while everyone would admit that ANY dev team could use more help, I think the dev team at VG is not only doing a good job (especially considering their resources) but until VG gets more players, there will not be more team members. And, I would point out, that if dev team size equaled incredible gaming, then the hard-core lovers at VG should go play WoW, their favorite whipping boy.
b) More players for VG: Sure, maybe some of those MxO players will come to VG, but they will also likely go out into a million other games.
c) SOE is trimming the fat: Possible, and I wouldn’t blame them in many ways. It’s a new time, period. The old sub model will die out soon (within 2 years is my prediction) and will be replaced with cash shops/RMT, and I LOVE that. I have so much fun in a game that I can spend money HOW I want and WHEN I want, without my game-play or the game-play of others suffering. If you play any F2P game for a long time, you will notice that only a handful of players really think that the cash shop effects their game-play. The rest are just playing the damn game, something that is mirrored in SOE’s titles that use RMT/cash-shoppery.
I would not blame SOE for getting rid of games whose main group of players are so against RMT. If they don’t like it, and they will allow someone else’s fun to ruin theirs, then ship ‘em off. After all, players playing 10 years ago can make room for players that are used to, and enjoy, cash-shops/RMT. Hell, players before me moaned about (and some still do) the loss of the MUD.
Now, let’s be serious. Well, I was kind of already serious, but let’s get more serious.
The one thing that would guarantee ANY games future is MORE PLAYERS. Are more players. Uhm..whatever.
If the VG community is worried about their game and world being put to rest, they need to ask themselves a few questions:
1) Do I do something for the community?
2) Do I spend most of my time with the same 10 people, night after night, week after week?
3) Do I tell others, outside of VG, ABOUT VG?
In other words, (as I have been trying to tell people) SOE will not listen to your complaints (players) of “no advertising” or “can we get some SOE love for VG?”
That does nothing.
They are a corporation first, and must make money in this gaming business or they simply stop attempting it. MxO was probably not only not making enough money, but wouldn’t be pulling in enough money to cover future costs. Also, it had 5 years, which is not bad at all.
The one thing SOE will listen to is the sound of more players playing their game.
Ask yourself this: what if every player in VG, say 12,000, each brought one player to the game? What if each player not only made a point to tell one other person about the game, but made a point to bring the game up in a blog, podcast, or in a gaming forum? That takes a few minutes.
You ever see news stories about some foreign country and how dastardly their leader is, and you think: ” Why don’t they do something about it? That’s 20 million people, surely they can do something about ONE MAN??” And then you see a story about some country that DOES something about it, and you wonder “Who was the person that started THAT resistance?”
Point is, if you want the situation to change in your game, CHANGE IT.Who else will do it? (we all look at the other person.)
It is not solely the fault of the developer when a game closes. If the community is sitting on it’s butt long enough, and the game stagnates (community-wise) long enough, the developer will cut it loose and let it die. That’s understandable, and that’s business.
VG needs more community members like the ones that have already been trying…players that put on events, tell others about the game, try to involve themselves IN the community. It needs more people telling more people, it needs less players spending the bulk of their time complaining about nerfs and how hard the game is, and spending more time advertising the game. (Yes, I said advertising it…I don’t care if it’s SOE’s job. They have spoken on the matter.) I think that SOE is responsible to do more for the game. But, I can see how much they have already done: saving the game, keeping it around, allowing the dev team some creative freedom, putting the resources that they have put into it (and they have, trust me) and (yes) letting players KNOW about the game.
SOE has done their part, but the community can always do theirs. I am by no mean placing the blame OR the burden on the players (as though my opinion would matter) but I am just telling a simple truth. ANY game will benefit only from more players, especially a game that is using a subscription model.
SOE has said nothing, or even hinted at, any type of closing for Vanguard. I do not think that MxO’s closing and VG are connected in the inner-workings of SOE. But, I think that if if MxO had 200 thousand players, it would be sticking around.
That’s simple math.
Beau Turkey
I think Vanguard might get some new players if Sony helped out a bit. Quote from the MxO mail. “If, as of June 1, 2009, you have an active Station Access subscription or subscription in good standing to one or more of these games, but have not purchased the game software for EverQuest® Seeds of Destruction™, EverQuest® II The Shadow Odyssey, or Star Wars Galaxies™ Complete Online Adventures, this offer will provide you with the opportunity to experience these games until July 31, 2009. With respect to Free Realms, if you do not have a Station Access subscription or full membership to Free Realms as of June 1, 2009, you can experience full membership status through July 31, 2009.” No mention of Vanguard?
Nah dude…seriously…I ain’t no paranoid basement conspiracy theorist, but I am getting close with this. Think about all the signs, like I pointed out on the forums. This is why it’s going to be more important for players to play the game..with friends! lol
Beau
I always used to say “as long as MXO is still up, Vanguard has nothing to worry about”. Can’t say that any more.
I don’t see why MMOs get junked, really. Why not sell them on to a third party to operate, under license or outright? Only when there’s no buyer in sight should any MMO need to go dark. SoE might not be able to justify MXO , or even Vanguard, but that doesn’t mean someone couldn’t make money running a one-server game. Ryzom and Horizons/Istaria changed hands and are still going; I’d guess Vanguard to do better with an independent than either of those.
I think you’re wrong about the subscription model going away, at all let alone in two years. We will have all the current models of payment indefinitely, I would bet, and probably a few more that we have yet to see. Can’t see why there needs to be an either/or; they serve different purposes and markets.
In fact, as several current games demonstrate, it’s entirely possible to have several payment systems in the same game. Mrs Bhagpuss and I are currently playing Wizard 101. We started on free play and soon decided we wanted to play beyond the free content; we had the option of one-time payments per zone for lifetime access thereto or a monthly sub for access to everything. We took the sub. We also have the option of micropayments for Crowns to buy items or reset training points, which we haven’t needed to use yet but may do sometime. That’s three separate payment methods right there, in a highly successful game.
Personally, I like subscriptions for the same reasons I like having a club membership or a season ticket in real life. Pay-as-you-go is fine for things you don’t plan on using much, but paying for unlimited access makes a lot more sense on things you plan on using a lot. Most non-gaming companies use both methods for their services and I can’t imagine that game companies will choose to limit their revenue streams by plumping for one or the other when they can so easily have both.
One thing about the Cash Shops:
If, as you predict, they will really be the norm in two years. What about all those players who do NOT want them?
Should all of these just shut the hell up and get to like the new system? Are old players, used to one system of payment and perfectly comfy with it, not worth their money anymore?
“Hey! All of you monthly subscribers, move over and get the hell outta Dodge, we´ll get our money from the modern crowd now!!! And if you still wanny play: STFU LTP
Shut the F*** up! Learn to PAY!11!!!”
Oh, of course, people who missed MUDs got to like the fancy graphics on modern MMORPGs too. So those blockheads who´re not able to see the wisdom that is micropayment, will surely (and finaly) come over to the light side too, if they´re just forced a little. By simply making all games dependent on this mode of payment.
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Sorry, but your arguments are flawed. As much as YOU may like this system, many, many, many people out there do not.
And probably will never like it.
I´m not speaking for myself by the way. Just making the same general assumptions from my personal experience that you did. With a bit of fancy for fun´s sake
I have tweaked my thinking a bit on this, so let me add that (thanks to a reader) I think that the systems will be cash shops along side regular subs, just like Free Realms and other games are doing. Basically, a free model along with a “fremium” area. Either way, all I want is a cash shop! lol
Thanks for the comments man, sorry I didn’t get to them in time…migraine days.
Beau
Beau, I have to agree with your last comment here. I don’t think subscriptions are going the way of the dodo. If anything, there will be broad range of revenue models out there. Not every game will be RMT because there are players like MaDSaM who won’t play them. What company would want to lose revenue from players like that?
Mostly, I’m just glad there will be so many options out there. Choices are good things!
The thing about MxO is that it is a licensed IP, which I am sure means that some portion of subscriptions (with a minimum amount set no doubt) has to go to Warner Bros. every month. And who knows what other stipulations the contract has in it? That means that the threshold to keep it alive is just that much higher than an IP that SOE owns outright.
MxO was an easy kill. High overhead, low population.
Planetside will go when The Agency shows up.
The Old Republic will doom SWG based on the same overhead issue that MxO had.
And Vanguard… Vanguard will live as long as the subs support it and people buy lots of stuff through LiveGamer. Gold selling FTW!
I agree Wil! But I am not sure anyone is buying Live Gamer stuff..the prices are pretty nuts, and no one has even mentioned it. Granted, the prices will drop, which is good because I need a new boat! lol
Who knows though, I just hope the game lives a bit longer…as in years! lol
Beau