14 DAY TRIAL // BioWare, the developer of the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO, has talked about subscription models and how they're still a good strategy for premium online games, instead of adopting the new free-to-play business model.
Sony Online Entertainment's president, John Smedley, called Star Wars: The Old Republic the last subscription-based MMO of our time, shortly after his company turned DC Universe Online into a free-to-play title, instead of charging for monthly subscriptions like it's done since the game's release at the beginning of the year.
BioWare bosses Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk talked about these statements and confessed that for some titles, subscriptions are still the way to go.
"Those are very kind words in a way," Zeschuk told Industry Gamers. It's interesting – I think there will always be a place for premium content at a premium price and that's one of the differences. Free to play is very much about trial, about 'Hey, I don't know what this is, I don't have confidence that it's any good, but I'm willing to take a look at it,' versus 'I know this is good, from a trusted source, and it's the biggest license in the world.' So it's a different value proposition."
Muzyka highlighted that all sorts of interactive entertainment is now offered to consumers, free or premium, so the final decision needs to be taken very carefully before starting to charge money for something that might not convince gamers to actually spend their cash on it.
"I agree with Greg that there's a space for a certain number of premium products that are subscription based or whatever the premium pricing model is. But they have to merit it, they have to earn that from a consumer trust perspective and delivering and exceeding expectations. I think The Old Republic is definitely in that triple-A premium category. That's the feedback reading from the players and data testing."
Star Wars: The Old Republic buyers will have a 30-day subscription included in the retail copy of the game, and the option to extend it by paying $14.99/£8.99/€12.99 per month, $41.97/£25.17/€35.97 for three months, or $77.94/£46.14/€65.94 for six months. The game is out on December 20, in North America, and December 22, in Europe.