test content
Logo
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
Champs F2P C-store changes and STO
System
Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
First, yes this is just a hypothetical discussion, just like 90% of the other threads on this board. Anyway, the Devs at Champs have recently announced some upcoming changes to the C-store for the F2P conversion:
http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?p=1760739#post1760739
IF/when STO goes F2P, I wonder if something similar will occur?
http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?p=1760739#post1760739
IF/when STO goes F2P, I wonder if something similar will occur?
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
It's hard to say at this point. It makes sense that they would lower Cryptic store prices to where they are more tempting to do impulse buys, but you never know. I just hope that you don't get flamed by about a dozen users who think they have are in a collective link with the developers, much like the borg. Quickly hands jack a +1000 flame resistance Shield of Courage.
It looks to me like they will be lowering the zombie outfit (which is currently 800 CP) but raising the others.
Wouldn't be shocked if costumes run between 320 and 480CP across the board in the new model instead of 280. It will be less than the minimum C-Store C-Point purchase to keep you buying more, urged on by that spare change you have leftover. It will be more than it is now, to get Cryptic's money's worth out of silver FTP players and get subbers/lifers tempted to pony up for additional C-Points, in spite of their stipend.
I say we see a beta for STO F2P in six months.
I love the way that CO's F2P conversion earned the approval of existing subscribers with the 400 point stipend.
And now, three days before launch, we suddenly discover that 400 points may not be worth as much as they used to be. Artificial inflation.
And before the apologists descend to claim the prices are 'being equalized' and not 'increasing'; why would the announcement be worded this way if prices weren't going up?
i don't know about anyone else, but i'd pay to see those reactions
I'll be shocked if it doesn't.
Hmm, this sounds like a slight case of masochism to me. I'd pay to see the reaction you have if it does go F2P in the predicted time-frame.
Also, from what I have read, STO C-Store points and CO C-Store points will no longer be interchangeable between the games as they are now. So that will be another thing that is coming as far as I know.
As for the question of f2p for STO, by all accounts, STO is the money maker for ATARI at the moment so that would lead me to believe that the subscription model for STO is currently working well and is also profitable.
Now, if the f2p model works well for Champions Online and they see a marked increase in profitabilty and conclude that this will work for STO as well, then the model change would be a natural progression. However, it will take quite a while for Cryptic to really determine for sure whether or not the re-launch for CO will be a success. After that, they would most likely monitor it's progress to make sure that any increases or decreases are not simply an initial blip.
Looking into my crystal ball, I would say that STO will not be realisticly toying with the idea of F2P for at least 18 months from now unless, the f2p model for CO proves to be a resounding and colossal success.
Cheers!
Crystal_Canuck
Still mostly cosmetic although free players will pay for some quality of life items. Gold members (subbers and lifers) won't have to buy any "necessary" items.
Not quite true either. It's only the free monthly allocation of C-Points given to gold members that are non-transferable between games.
I think we all know that that's going to be decided by one thing: If CO experiences greatly increased revenue after the switch. DDO and LotRO have definitely had massive revenue increases, but CO is a different game, with a different theme, and isn't using exactly the same model. So we'll see.
My impression is that CO was in about the same shape as DDO was when it switched. Not a failure, but sort of limping along making a modest (at best) profit. So, if its conversion is a blockbuster success, I imagine its big brother STO will be converted as well, just like LotRO was.
Re: the topic at hand, C-Store prices are set like all other prices - supply and demand. So how much is charged will be based on a baseline of the dev resources required to make the item, plus however much profit people will pay. I think experience has shown that while players will only be willing to pay a certain amount for items over and above a monthly fee, they'll pay more if the game itself isn't costing them anything. So yeah, if people are willing to pay more, expect Cryptic to charge more.
But I doubt that will be the case.
My prediction goes like this...
CO goes free to play... people stop paying sub. the number of players joining the game isn't as high and profit goes down. CO goes out of business in a year leaving Cryptic in the red.
STO never goes free to play because the player base is increasing, people are starting to join the game and Cryptic is getting money from sub. and c-store items (double dipping).
STO make a profit and save Atari from bankruptcy.
We get to play STO for 10 years
... which I clearly am not.
*walks away quickly without looking back*
Cheers!
Non_CO_Beta (or not non)_Canuck
Well, the Champions Points switch is advertised.
Cryptic Points can be converted (one way) to Champions Points. Gold members get Champions Points. That's public knowledge.
Pretty sure your beta term has ended if you are Closed Beta.
And the C-Store bonuses are cosmetic and quality of life. Playing without them might be annoying but isn't impossible by any stretch.
Im going to give STO till the end of the year before they go F2P. Its inevitable. They are completely geared for that with the shared tokens and such and the xp boosts. I just hope they, Atari and Cryptic, take a good look at other business models and take the good and improve the bad. They have a chance to make a lot of money on going to F2P.