SOE's Station Access Price Increase

[Afropuff]

Actually, I was working on a hypothesis that they're doing this in a nefarious attempt to affect global warming. . .

Good god, what is with all these elaborate schemes of subterfuge? Occam's razor suggests they're doing this to soak their existing customers.. Obviously they think they have customers that are sticky.

It's not that I can't see these other angles you guys are talking about, I can. And yes, I agree, these moves seem losing on the surface.  It's just most likely that they simply disagree with us.

[Venkman]

Exactly.

After all these years, I'd be very surprised if they had any sort of longer-term plan beyond that. I sometimes wonder how often publishers and service providers who do read forums smirk at the conspiracy stuff. But then I wonder how often they slap their heads and say, "damn, I wish I had thought of that..." Did you guys just give them an idea? :)

Money grab. Their service costs go up and they directly transfer that to the consumer. I only think they're going up by so much to prevent microjumps at greater frequency. Easier to dim the noise if it only happens once every three years.

Beeecause Numtini said it Wink not Nebu.  Scroll up a bit.

DOH! Can't count how many times I do that. Thanks for noting :)

[Hound]

Money grab. Their service costs go up and they directly transfer that to the consumer. I only think they're going up by so much to prevent microjumps at greater frequency. Easier to dim the noise if it only happens once every three years.

At this time last year the price was $21.99, in May 2006 they announced it would be upped to $24.99, now it is $29.99.

[Azazel]

Yeah seriously, have you seen how much "content" was in TBC?  LoL but it was a paid xpack and you still need to buy the original WoW if you are a new player which cracks me up.  Blizzard makes money but they do it with a smile and a wink.  SOE tries to make money but they do it while grunting and drooling all over you while groping around in your pockets.

Big surprise which one people prefer.

Well, BC being an xpack is really no different to the business model that's been around forever with games and their xpacks. Needing to buy the original WoW is hardly a scary proposition at this stage as it's down to $25-30 here in Australia and so is now in the "impulse purchase" price range. What's it going for now in the US?

As far as SOE goes, I know a lot of you like EQ2, but the only one of those that appeals to me at all would be EQ1, which unfortunately contunies to mudflate itself further away from even coming back to the game (let alone from new players) with their expansions every 6 months.

[Dundee]

Money grab. Their service costs go up and they directly transfer that to the consumer. I only think they're going up by so much to prevent microjumps at greater frequency. Easier to dim the noise if it only happens once every three years.

At this time last year the price was $21.99, in May 2006 they announced it would be upped to $24.99, now it is $29.99.

Well, there's a war on.

[Nebu]

Well, there's a war on.

The news is out: SOE runs on gas powered generators.

[Alkiera]

Money grab. Their service costs go up and they directly transfer that to the consumer. I only think they're going up by so much to prevent microjumps at greater frequency. Easier to dim the noise if it only happens once every three years.

At this time last year the price was $21.99, in May 2006 they announced it would be upped to $24.99, now it is $29.99.

Well, there's a war on.

Yet, I just heard today that the various indicators of inflation say only 2.1% over the last year(12 months ending Jan31).  The price of gas is higher, which you can blame on the war and Katrina.  But so is minimum wage (at least in NY).  In fact, I was reminded that minimum wage went up again this year when my boss was commenting that prices at fast food places all went up a bit around the beginning of January.

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Alkiera

[Hound]

Did not think about it till this morning but if you are only playing 2 games it would be more cost effective to buy them on 6 month or 12 month subscription. Until you get to the 3 game mark the access pass is definitly a losing deal now.

[Trouble]

Very nicely put, although I have wondered if the new beta 'armory'feature on the WoW site will eventually require a nominal charge like EQplayers.   Even for an extra 50 cents you'd have a liscense to print money.

I seriously doubt they'd charge for it. It's just a continuation of what they've been doing with the WoW website from the beginning. For anyone that doesn't know, the WoW website has copious amounts of content on it pertaining to the game. Guides, complete fucking books of lore, detailed PvP rankings (that also utilize AJAX AKA web 2.0 technology), and tons of other stuff. Yes, Blizzard just has that much money.

[Sky]

Well, BC being an xpack is really no different to the business model that's been around forever with games and their xpacks.

Except the whole 'it costs $40' thing. It's a pretty skimpy expansion for the price of a full game, and doesn't include the base game you need to play it.

The EQ2 expansion is the same price but includes the base game + all the expansions (3 total).

EQ2's team is really the premier mmo team in the industry right now, from my limited vantage point.

[Simond]

SOE are desperately scrabbling for subscribers with EQ2, though - compare & contrast the EQ1 expansions from a half-dozen years or so ago.

[Alkiera]

SOE are desperately scrabbling for subscribers with EQ2, though - compare & contrast the EQ1 expansions from a half-dozen years or so ago.

Yeah, there were some tiny ones.  LoY possibly the worst; we got a new race, maybe 6 new, small zones, and a map element for the UI, that only came with maps for the home cities.

That was at least $19.99.  Maybe more, I forget.  LDoN was probably $29.99, and it was 5 new areas, each of which was about 6 zones put together like lego bricks out of generic pieces.  Also, new equipment and spells and the instancing that went along with it, but pathetic, considering the pricetag.

As someone who isn't 60 yet, and isn't interested in playing a Cthulushaman, I agree it's not worth it.  Nothing prevents me from buying jewelry from JC off the auction house.  I just can't make it myself.  Once I get to 60, that may change.  Likely, by the time I get to 60, the price will have come down.  I'm about half-way through 29 now.

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Alkiera

[WayAbvPar]

Pigfucker Smedley

First 2 hits on Google both point here, but for different threads. I love it.

[Venkman]

The EQ2 expansion is the same price but includes the base game + all the expansions (3 total).

Can they afford that or do they simply have no choice?

I agree with you and some here who think EQ2 is a solid game and the EQ2 team a great bunch. However, think back to what it was in the first year: base game plus two for-purchase "adventure packs", a slew of microtransaction-based services on the website and then the first expansion that was sold separately and not with the base game unless you bought the premium gold edition. And that was only 14 months ago.

Meanwhile, if VUG wasn't so interested in shipping an expansion like, someday, the Blizz designers (like the EQ2 designers) probably would have made Draenei and Blood Elf content complete races all the way through 60. It even took the EQ1 team how many expansions to do that (think it was their 13th?).

When we get above the level of people doing the actual work, business managers are agnostic between companies because they're all driven by the same business needs. Unfortunate though it is, the WoW expac is that pricey because it can be, and the EQ2 stuff is not because it can't be.

[Sky]

SOE are desperately scrabbling for subscribers with EQ2, though - compare & contrast the EQ1 expansions from a half-dozen years or so ago.

Quality is niche.

Unfortunate though it is, the WoW expac is that pricey because it can be, and the EQ2 stuff is not because it can't be.

Agreed. It would be foolish to have priced BC any lower. Hell, they should've put out a special pre-release version that lets you play 3 days early for $60. Seriously. They missed a few million dollarinies right there.

Note the digital download of EoF is full price but just the expansion

[shiznitz]

Interesting. I cancelled my Station Pass today since I have to admit that I am going to give up PS or VG. I just cannot fit 3 in my schedule. I don't know which yet. I will decide later.

Anyway, this is the survey I got. I guess it is EQ2 focused because I play EQ2 70% of the time. To repeat, I cancelled Station Pass, not EQ2 specifically.
   
Also, I could not exit the survey and actually cancel without giving an answer to #4 - none of which apply since I still intend to play EQ2. So, everyone cancelling Station Pass due to the price increase is going to give random feedback on #4.
 

Please help us make EverQuest II a better experience! Tell us what you think.

  Q: 1 Your subscription is not yet cancelled! Before we close your subscription, please answer a few quick questions relating to your EverQuest II experience How long have you played EverQuest II?
A:  0-30 Days 
 1-3 Months 
 4-8 Months 
 8 Months or longer 
 
     
Q: 2 What level was your main EQII Character?
A:  Level 1 - 10 
 Level 11 - 20 
 Level 21 - 30 
 Level 31 - 40 
 Level 41 - 50 
 Level 51 - 60 
 Level 61 - 70 
 
     
Q: 3 Why are you closing your EverQuest II account? (Check all that apply)
A:  I tried the game and did not understand how to play. 
 The game has too many bugs. 
 I primarily play solo or paired and I ran out of fun things to do. 
 I primarily play in groups or raids and I ran out of fun things to do. 
 I am primarily an Artisan and I ran out of fun things to do. 
 I feel that my character was not advancing fast enough. 
 I do not like the way character classes are currently balanced. 
 I do not care for the changes made with the most recent Live Update. 
 I feel that the game rules are too restrictive. 
 I am leaving to play with friends in another online game. 
 I did not like the quests I was asked to do or the rewards they gave. 
 I did not feel there was enough story or lore in the game. 
 I did not get the level of customer service necessary to enjoy my subscription. 
 I do not want to continue with EverQuest II due to Station Exchange. 
 I was unable to accomplish much in short play sessions. 
 I did not like the art style in the game. 
 I did not like the way my characters looked. 
 I did not like the audio in the game. 
 I did not like the spells or combat abilities in the game. 
 Out-of-game commitments (family, school, etc.) 
 I do not have enough time to play. 
 The game does not perform well on my system. 
 I can no longer afford to pay the monthly fee. 
 None of the above corresponds to why I stopped playing EQII. 
 
     
Q: 4 If we were to add even more features to EQII, which of the following might cause you to continue to play?
A:  The addition of even more content that doesn't require a group. 
 The addition of even more high level zones. 
 The addition of even more interesting and unique loot. 
 Faster combat speed. 
 Faster travel options. 
 The ability to hire NPC group members to assist you. 
 New and unique mounts such as flying creatures, or ships. 
 The ability to create adventures or quests for your friends. 
 Even more plot-lines, in-game events, and holiday events. 
 Expanded player housing options. 
 Broader avatar appearance options. 
 A concentration on fixing the existing game instead of new features. 

 

[Azazel]

Well, BC being an xpack is really no different to the business model that's been around forever with games and their xpacks.

Except the whole 'it costs $40' thing. It's a pretty skimpy expansion for the price of a full game, and doesn't include the base game you need to play it.

The EQ2 expansion is the same price but includes the base game + all the expansions (3 total).

EQ2's team is really the premier mmo team in the industry right now, from my limited vantage point.

It costs $40 in the US? Interesting. Here it costs slightly more than a regular game's expansion pack, and you can get it significantly cheaper if you know where to look. Of course, that "slightly more than a normal expansion pack" still has it costing the equivalent of more than $US40 if you were to convert it across, as we get hosed on software prices here.

As for EQ2, well, they have what? Less than one-tenth of WoW's sub base? I think that points more to why their expacks have the full game included more than any great benevolence on SoE's part. As has been pointed out, their (Sony's) track record on expension packs isn't exactly sterling.

I agree with you and some here who think EQ2 is a solid game and the EQ2 team a great bunch. However, think back to what it was in the first year: base game plus two for-purchase "adventure packs", a slew of microtransaction-based services on the website and then the first expansion that was sold separately and not with the base game unless you bought the premium gold edition. And that was only 14 months ago.

Meanwhile, if VUG wasn't so interested in shipping an expansion like, someday, the Blizz designers (like the EQ2 designers) probably would have made Draenei and Blood Elf content complete races all the way through 60. It even took the EQ1 team how many expansions to do that (think it was their 13th?).

Big bunch of good points. Well, except that Ruins of Kunark (EQ1's first expansion) did provide full 1-60 content along with the Iksar. In fact it became the preferred content from about level 19 or so onwards for everyone. LOIO FTW!

[Sky]

Let's pretend Kunark is Trammel.

[Strazos]

Man, I loved LOIO back in the day, but I didn't go there until some time in my 20s.

[Alkiera]

Let's pretend Kunark is Trammel.

In what sense?  That some group liked EQ a lot more pre-Kunark?  Or that Kunark saved the game from dying out completely 9 years ago?

I'm not sure I get it.

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Alkiera

[Surlyboi]

Lake of Ill Manners for teh win.

Pre-Barrens chat, that was probably the first and only time I actually turned off OOC.

[Numtini]

The run into LOIO had to be one of the stupidest most punitive designs in EQ.

[WayAbvPar]

The run into LOIO had to be one of the stupidest most punitive designs in EQ.

Oh god, no kidding. It was even MORE fun as an 'evil' race- having to jump off the boat before the guards aggroed, then race through a ton of high level mobs to get to the zone. I got whacked once by the guards (wasn't fast enough off the boat), and had to get a GM to rez me, since I couldn't get to my body under the boat.

Once I got to the zone, however, I had lots of fun. Being a chanter in the Sarnak fortress was a blast.

[Stephen Zepp]

The run into LOIO had to be one of the stupidest most punitive designs in EQ.

Oh god, no kidding. It was even MORE fun as an 'evil' race- having to jump off the boat before the guards aggroed, then race through a ton of high level mobs to get to the zone. I got whacked once by the guards (wasn't fast enough off the boat), and had to get a GM to rez me, since I couldn't get to my body under the boat.

Once I got to the zone, however, I had lots of fun. Being a chanter in the Sarnak fortress was a blast.

Uhh...take the dark side boat? Then it's run around the edges of The OverThere, and run around the edges of Frontier Mountains.

Try being an iksar wanting to go to the mainland--NO boat guards allowed you to ride, and you had to swim out and intercept the boat while it was sailing :P

Then, once you got to the mainland, you couldn't use any city bind points until you got faction up...without a caster friend to bind you, you were screwed!

[Engels]

You forget that a lot of evil races hosed their OT evil side faction early by killing Sarnaks. Even the 'evil boat' wasn't safe for a lot of evils.

Who's stupid idea was it to put aggro sarnaks all over the danged OT outpost, anyway?

[Numtini]

Did they change that? I don't remember my faction getting messed up and Goddess knows, I killed a few squillion of those sarnaks. I was a neutral gnome.

[HaemishM]

Let's pretend Kunark is Trammel.

In what sense?  That some group liked EQ a lot more pre-Kunark?  Or that Kunark saved the game from dying out completely 9 years ago?

Kunark changed the game significantly, almost as significantly as Trammel did, just in a different way. It made everything harder, made all the encounters from there on tuned for raider/uberloot types, which made a good bit of the Old World stuff useless.

It also did increase subs a great deal, especially when they released the box with the core and expansion included.

[Engels]

Did they change that? I don't remember my faction getting messed up and Goddess knows, I killed a few squillion of those sarnaks. I was a neutral gnome.

My bad. My memory failed me. The problem wasn't the sarnaks in OT, it was the mobs in Karnors that gave the faction hit. Since a bunch of Random Acts (my old guild) needed Karnors for various epics, I ditched my OT faction to help them there.

[Strazos]

I was a rogue. Being a rogue was nice.

Occasionally.

[Phred]

The EQ2 expansion is the same price but includes the base game + all the expansions (3 total).

Meanwhile, if VUG wasn't so interested in shipping an expansion like, someday, the Blizz designers (like the EQ2 designers) probably would have made Draenei and Blood Elf content complete races all the way through 60. It even took the EQ1 team how many expansions to do that (think it was their 13th?).

Kunark would be the first expansion with new races and content complete I think. Of course it took 13 more to put out another, though there was a fair bit of content in luclin for the cat race as well.

[Alkiera]

The EQ2 expansion is the same price but includes the base game + all the expansions (3 total).

Meanwhile, if VUG wasn't so interested in shipping an expansion like, someday, the Blizz designers (like the EQ2 designers) probably would have made Draenei and Blood Elf content complete races all the way through 60. It even took the EQ1 team how many expansions to do that (think it was their 13th?).

Kunark would be the first expansion with new races and content complete I think. Of course it took 13 more to put out another, though there was a fair bit of content in luclin for the cat race as well.

Aye, Kunark was content-complete for Iksar.  Had to be, as they were hated everywhere else.

Luclin was close, if not complete.  Catmen were at least accepted by good factions on the main planet.

TSS's dragon-blooded humans have a complete set of zones, as well.  In fact, due to much improved quest rewards, it's THE place to level in EQ1 now.

I still posit that if anything is gonna hurt WoW, it will be Blizzard's glacial content-production rates.

--
Alkiera

[Sky]

Let's pretend Kunark is Trammel.

In what sense?  That some group liked EQ a lot more pre-Kunark?  Or that Kunark saved the game from dying out completely 9 years ago?

Kunark changed the game significantly, almost as significantly as Trammel did, just in a different way. It made everything harder, made all the encounters from there on tuned for raider/uberloot types, which made a good bit of the Old World stuff useless.

It also did increase subs a great deal, especially when they released the box with the core and expansion included.

This was my thinking, as well. I never enjoyed EQ much after Kunark came out, I mark that expansion as the death knell of solo mmo play, marking the moment we became second-class citizens and raid-play mindset came to the fore.

[Surlyboi]

Let's pretend Kunark is Trammel.

In what sense?  That some group liked EQ a lot more pre-Kunark?  Or that Kunark saved the game from dying out completely 9 years ago?

Kunark changed the game significantly, almost as significantly as Trammel did, just in a different way. It made everything harder, made all the encounters from there on tuned for raider/uberloot types, which made a good bit of the Old World stuff useless.

It also did increase subs a great deal, especially when they released the box with the core and expansion included.

This was my thinking, as well. I never enjoyed EQ much after Kunark came out, I mark that expansion as the death knell of solo mmo play, marking the moment we became second-class citizens and raid-play mindset came to the fore.

I dunno, I still did a fair bit of soloing after Kunark and well into Velious.

Of course, I was a ranger, so I died. A lot.

No wonder it took me five years to get to 70...

[shiznitz]

Rangers could solo reasonably well after they got Panic Animal (at 22 iirc): snare tiger/bear/snake mob, cast panic animal, chop at its ass, re-apply panic & snare as needed.  Kunark didn't change this at all. And it was never fun.

note: how scary is it that I remember what level I got panic animal? That was 5+ fricking years ago.

[Strazos]

I was a Rogue. I never soloed past about lvl 5. Ever.