SOE's Station Access Price Increase

[Bandit]

Received this little gem today...

Station Access™ subscription
price increase effective April 2, 2007.

Dear Station Access™ Subscriber,

We want to give you some important information regarding your Station Access subscription. Effective April 2, 2007, the new monthly subscription rate will be US$29.99 per month (not including applicable taxes).

We know that rate adjustments are never popular, but the increase is driven by our desire to provide our Station Access subscribers with a consistently high quality entertainment experience, as evidenced by our most recent addition to the Station Access subscription plan, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes™.

You don't have to do a thing; you will automatically be migrated to the new monthly subscription rate under your existing subscription plan when your current subscription plan comes up for renewal on or after April 2, 2007. We appreciate your support and continued participation in our community.

Station Access subscriptions are recurring, meaning you will continue to be billed at the appropriate subscription interval, until you affirmatively cancel your subscription. Subscription fees are subject to tax and value-added tax, as applicable. The subscription charges are in addition to the cost of the games that are part of the Station Access subscription plan. All game software is sold separately.

For more information, please visit: www.stationaccess.com.

Citing Vanguard as a reason for a price increase is hardly fair...less than a year ago they used the same excuse to bump it from $19.99 to $24.99...besides the fact that Vanguard at release - well I don't need to get into that one.  The inevitable shitstorm of a thread has erupted on the EQ2 forums. 

For those that care, which I don't suspect many do, they are increasing the base subscription costs of the PS2 Everquest Online Adventures by a few dollars...humourous.

They had better be adding Gods & Heroes to the Station Access or something.

[Nebu]

In order for this to be an even "reasonable" value, SOE would have to have at least 3 games on the Station Pass worth playing.  EQ is getting old, EQ2 is a ways out from expansion, and Vanguard... meh.

Good luck with this one SOE.

[Sky]

I'll be cancelling my Pass. Probably stick with EQ2. Gotta get PS fixed for the last month of my pass!

[Bandit]

Yeah, I will likely just drop to the EQ2 subscription as well. For the same amount of money, I could subscibe to EQ2 and anyanother reasonable MMO out their CoX/WoW/Eve. 

I did play and enjoy Planetside from time to time, and have been dabbling a bit in Vanguard - but not enough to justify the extra cash.  Matrix Online just isn't gonna keep me going,

I just can't help but feel duped a bit. A bait-and-switch tactic.  Putting out some cash for Vanguard...even knowing the troubles it had, just because I thought oh well I have Station Access now, I won't have to worry about the sub costs.

[Falconeer]

Citing Vanguard as a reason for a price increase is hardly fair...less than a year ago they used the same excuse to bump it from $19.99 to $24.99

Exactly my point. This is, once again, pathetic.

[Surlyboi]

In order for this to be an even "reasonable" value, SOE would have to have at least 3 games on the Station Pass worth playing.  EQ is getting old, EQ2 is a ways out from expansion, and Vanguard... meh.

Good luck with this one SOE.

But but but, you've also got SWG and MxO and all the wonderful free station games! Surely they're worth the price increase!

Heh, I don't think I could find a shade green enough for the above statement.

[Nyght]

They are betting 2/3 of Pass players will stick and only 1/3 or less will drop to a single sub to be revenue neutral. Sounds like a dangerous bet to me.

[Simond]

Vanguard is clearly massively underperforming, subs-wise.
If I were a Sigil employee, I'd be looking for a new job right now.

[Bandit]

Most likely they will announce the addition of Gods & Heroes, or the unknown spy MMO ( http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22677)...and possibly add the EQPlayers/VGPlayers features as part of Station Access (which should be free IMO).  Still tough pilll to swallow, whatever spin they put on it.

[Alkiera]

IIRC, EQPlayers stuff is already in the Station Pass.  At least, it used to be.

--
Alkiera

[Bandit]

They have some basic stuff you can access, and had the some of the other features (leaderboards, achievements, etc.)  for free for a while but check out...

http://stationplayers.station.sony.com/en/

They nickel and dime you hardcore for it, 0.99/month a feature, or all of em for $2.99 a month.  That's just for EQ2, if you want Vanguard and EQ1 Players full featured - then pay more. 

[Morat20]

In order for this to be an even "reasonable" value, SOE would have to have at least 3 games on the Station Pass worth playing.  EQ is getting old, EQ2 is a ways out from expansion, and Vanguard... meh.

Good luck with this one SOE.

But but but, you've also got SWG and MxO and all the wonderful free station games! Surely they're worth the price increase!

Heh, I don't think I could find a shade green enough for the above statement.

I said before that SOE only had room for one expensive failure to suck away at their Station Pass -- they picked up MxO cheap, and EQ and EQ2 are all theirs (so it's all gravy). So is Planetside. Vanguard and SWG, on the other hand, represent money that has to flow to other hands. I can tell where they're cutting SWG to the bone to drop costs, and adding Vanguard's live team to the bunch has to be a bit expensive...

Smed's more or less said they feel they can nickel and dime you out of money, and as long as it's small changes, you'll pay it. Let's see how many Station Pass frogs notice he's turned up the burner.

[Strazos]

I still cannot believe they're raising the sub cost for PS....but then also axing the Reserves program...

[Falconeer]

SOE politics are a mistery to me.
Did you know that there's no trial program for MxO? Or what about the trial keys that Station Pass subscribers received a while ago and are now expired (yes, they are like cheese or eggs. They expire)?

Seriously, do they expect people to buy MxO without trying?
Based on what then, good word of mouth?

[Furiously]

SOE politics are a mistery to me.
Did you know that there's no trial program for MxO? Or what about the trial keys that Station Pass subscribers received a while ago and are now expired (yes, they are like cheese or eggs. They expire)?

Seriously, do they expect people to buy MxO without trying?
Based on what then, good word of mouth?

http://www.fileplanet.com/162966/160000/fileinfo/The-Matrix-Online-Trial

edit - nevermind - it's closed.

[Woody]

Smedley jumped the shark this time.  Too many schemes to separate you from your nickels and dimes, not enough good gaming.

[Numtini]

I wonder what percentage of players are stuck on the pass to get the extra slots in EQ2 and will lose their alts if they cancel.

But this is exactly why people hate SOE. The nickel and diming for their (usually not working) eqplayers services. The little calculations to drag a tiny bit more money out of you.

[Falconeer]

Yeah Furiously, I forgot to mention that they advertised a trial program hugely in home page that... closed 2 months before!

[Miasma]

In order for this to be an even "reasonable" value, SOE would have to have at least 3 games on the Station Pass worth playing.  EQ is getting old, EQ2 is a ways out from expansion, and Vanguard... meh.

Good luck with this one SOE.

Yeah, the only way the station pass could merit thirty bucks a month is if they tried to bump up the price of all the separate games by a few dollars and I sincerely doubt they would try that.

And those station player extras for $0.99 are all crap.

[Dundee]

I still cannot believe they're raising the sub cost for PS....but then also axing the Reserves program...

Seriously?

(edit to clarify the focal point of my surprise)

[Sky]

Dear PlanetSide Subscriber,

We want to give you some important information regarding your PlanetSide subscription. Effective April 2, 2007, the new monthly subscription rate will increase by US$2.00 to US$14.99 per month (not including applicable taxes). The new subscription rates will apply to all PlanetSide subscription plans including multi-month subscriptions (please see new rates listed below).

We know that rate increases are never popular but over the course of the past several years we have invested in technology and resources to expand the game's service and support infrastructure. We have also incurred increases in operational and bandwidth costs – all without a corresponding rate increase for PlanetSide. We are proud of the progress we have made for you, our customers, in the areas of game experience and customer support enhancements and efficiency. This change is driven by our sincere commitment to provide a consistently high quality entertainment experience in our game worlds.

You don't have to do a thing; you will automatically be migrated to the new rate under your existing subscription plan when your current subscription plan comes up for renewal on or after April 2, 2007. We appreciate your support and look forward to your continued participation in the world of PlanetSide.

New PlanetSide subscription rates as of April 2, 2007


Monthly Subscription Plan:
US$14.99 per month

Multi-month Subscription Plans:
$41.99 – 3 Month Subscription
$77.99 – 6 Month Subscription
$143.99 – 12 Month Subscription


PlanetSide subscriptions are recurring, meaning you will continue to be billed at the appropriate subscription interval, until you affirmatively cancel your subscription. Subscription fees are subject to tax and value-added tax, as applicable.

Not only does that suck, I forgot I have 'extra' characters in EQ2 because of the pass. Shit. I guess it's time to get my fix of all Sony games this month, because I'm out next month. Axing half my characters in EQ2 isn't a way to keep me around, eh?

[Ixxit]

Not only does that suck, I forgot I have 'extra' characters in EQ2 because of the pass. Shit. I guess it's time to get my fix of all Sony games this month, because I'm out next month. Axing half my characters in EQ2 isn't a way to keep me around, eh?

You will also lose access to the 3 'Adventure Packs' when you cancel the All Access Pass, unless of course you purchased them separately.

[EDIT]  It will be interesting to see how NCSoft reponds pricewise with their upcoming NC All plan.   I think Sony has finally crossed the Nickle and Diming threshold with this increase for many people.  Most people probably only  play 2  and possibly  three of the games and many just want the extra character slots.

Sure it's a 'good value' if you are playing the whole library, but even if they were all great games, who the hell is going to play 6 mmos anyway?

[shiznitz]

I don't disagree that this is a big jump, but it was inevitable with VG being included. When was the last increase? 3 years ago? Many things have increased in price 20% in the last 3 years. Console prices almost doubled this cycle. $29.99 is jusy low enough to keep me on the hook because I play EQ2, VG and Ps (infrequently).

[Ixxit]

I don't disagree that this is a big jump, but it was inevitable with VG being included. When was the last increase? 3 years ago? Many things have increased in price 20% in the last 3 years. Console prices almost doubled this cycle. $29.99 is jusy low enough to keep me on the hook because I play EQ2, VG and Ps (infrequently).

Although I think the original justifaction for the price increase from $19.99 to $24.99 was that Vanguard was going to be included in the future.  I can't remember when the first increase was I am pretty sure it was when SOE acquired Vanguard (although my memory could be faulty).

[Bandit]

I don't disagree that this is a big jump, but it was inevitable with VG being included. When was the last increase? 3 years ago? Many things have increased in price 20% in the last 3 years. Console prices almost doubled this cycle. $29.99 is jusy low enough to keep me on the hook because I play EQ2, VG and Ps (infrequently).

Less than a year ago, they upped it from like 19.99 or 21.99 to 24.99.....and they cited VG at that time.

[Venkman]

Definitely an indication where a good chunk of their money is coming from then. No way they could raise it by so much while trying to entice more people to sign on. So they must be happy with how many people have signed on, maybe enough so knowing they'll lose a mere pittance.

When was it $19.99 though? I only remember it ever being $21.99 and then going to $24.99? That's neither here nor there. I'm just curious.

[Ixxit]

 I think it was $19.99 around the time EQ II was released (and then raised to 21.99). EQ II was used as the justification of course, again if memory serves correctly (which it often doesn't).

[Falconeer]

Yeah Shiznit, they raised to 24.99 last May (9 months ago) and cited Vanguard as the main reason. I think it's time for me to cut the crap and cancel this.

[Sky]

You will also lose access to the 3 'Adventure Packs' when you cancel the All Access Pass, unless of course you purchased them separately.

I haven't checked them out in ages, the first time I dabbled with adventure pack material, it didn't seem very solo-friendly.

[Falconeer]

Followup (and correction) to self.

This is the mail I received May, 2nd, 2006 (so 10, not 9, months ago). Vanguard and upcoming games are not mentioned here.

CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFICATION

We will be increasing our Station Access subscription rate in June. Effective June 1, 2006, the new monthly subscription rate will be $24.99/month. While this announcement may be unpleasant, we have added several games to the Station Access subscription package and the cost of operating the game service for the games included in the Station Access subscription package has increased significantly since we launched Station Access. This change will help us achieve our goal of seeing that every player has a consistently enjoyable experience in our game worlds. You don’t have to do a thing; you will automatically be migrated to the new billing structure under your current subscription plan when your current subscription plan expires. Subscription rates are subject to tax and value-added taxes, as applicable.

Still, I was trying to dig up on the SOE forum the message Brenlo put up to explain the reasons (as I am sure he mentioned Vanguard and probably Gods n' Heroes) but I guess the new money are not in yet cause this is how www.station.com appears to me right now when I try to open it with Mozilla (latest version):



Of course I thought something was weird, so I tried to open it with IE explorer (latest version). I was right! Now you can see the improvements:




I won't cancel anymore after seeing this. It's obvious they need my money.

[Sky]

Same in Safari/OSX.

[Nebu]

It's a shame, especially the Planetside part.  The game is still a fun diversion, but not at the new prices.  I've officially cancelled everything with SoE and hope that others do the same. 

Vanguard's failure is bad.  Vanguard as the anchor around the ankles of the other SOE titles makes things even worse.   

[Falconeer]

Speaking of SOE, they recently aquired Star Chamber, a very interesting Trading Card Game that achieved quite a deserved indie success and led to the acquisition of Worlds Apart which completed Pirates CSG under the SOE flag.

My point is that SOE really has a broad choice of games. Too bad the station pass has nothing to do with these.
Star Chamber is lovely, and for the price increase I could enjoy a free booster each month. Too bad this is not the case. We are paying 5 dollars more for... nothing.

[Ixxit]

It's funny how with NC All, Conan, and WAR  on the horizon,   BC on the shelves,  and LotrO introducing retro  pricing for pre orders as well as being poised to be a minor hit,  how Sony continues to leech every cent from their clientele without offering anything in return.  I think it's finally all starting to circle the bowel.


I think 2008 will be a very bad year for SOE. Or maybe they are getting the same deal as Uwe Boll.  Failure = Money.

[Falconeer]

Well, you know. They have Gods 'n Heroes, the DC Comics MMO, the Spy MMO and a possible fourth mystery MMO (assuming the espionage one and the mysterious one won't turn out being the same) coming.
There's room for lotsa more suckage. And more Station pass price increase.