Comments on: No Money No Problems: APB Is Sub-Free http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:31:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: cyrenic http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-249599 cyrenic Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:22:23 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-249599 An audio interview released today seems to confirm one aspect of their business model (scroll down a bit to find it, the interview is in English): http://guido.posterous.com/apb-interview-mit-ej-moreland-design-lead-von At 7:10 in the interview, the interviewer asks the lead designer of APB if players will sell custom creations (clothing, decals, etc.) for in game or real money. The APB dev dodges the question saying he can't talk about their business model yet. That says to me they'll be letting players sell created content for real money and taking a percent of each sale. Personally, I also expect some kind of in-game advertising (hey, it fits the setting, so as long as it's not too obnoxious); and they'll obviously charge for extra content they make post release (they've mentioned racing and a zombie mod as just two possibilities). An audio interview released today seems to confirm one aspect of their business model (scroll down a bit to find it, the interview is in English): http://guido.posterous.com/apb-interview-mit-ej-moreland-design-lead-von

At 7:10 in the interview, the interviewer asks the lead designer of APB if players will sell custom creations (clothing, decals, etc.) for in game or real money. The APB dev dodges the question saying he can’t talk about their business model yet. That says to me they’ll be letting players sell created content for real money and taking a percent of each sale.

Personally, I also expect some kind of in-game advertising (hey, it fits the setting, so as long as it’s not too obnoxious); and they’ll obviously charge for extra content they make post release (they’ve mentioned racing and a zombie mod as just two possibilities).

]]> By: Mauro http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-246706 Mauro Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:22:37 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-246706 I cant contain my excitement seriously! (Go look at the comments on MMO Champion!) This is a game that ive been following and Im really impressed by your decision of make this a subscription free MMO. Just shows that the company really wants to focus on providing a quality game that will appeal to the players rather than making it all about money. Greeds blinds people or in this case devs. Its all about the game not the money! May you be the pioneers on the subscription free MMOs! (Yes I know about guild wars and played it but its almost dead now ;'( ) Where others have failed you will succeed! Good luck with everything in the future! Mauro PS: Can I start queueing up for the game's launch? :P I cant contain my excitement seriously! (Go look at the comments on MMO Champion!) This is a game that ive been following and Im really impressed by your decision of make this a subscription free MMO. Just shows that the company really wants to focus on providing a quality game that will appeal to the players rather than making it all about money. Greeds blinds people or in this case devs. Its all about the game not the money! May you be the pioneers on the subscription free MMOs! (Yes I know about guild wars and played it but its almost dead now ;’( )

Where others have failed you will succeed!

Good luck with everything in the future!
Mauro

PS: Can I start queueing up for the game’s launch? :P

]]> By: cjlr http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245950 cjlr Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:18:03 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245950 This just went from 'maybe' to 'fuck yeah'. @Dominic: <i>Yeah, a lot of people just get hooked on making numbers slowly go up ... Personally, I think they’ll all insane, but I know I’m in the minority here.</i><i> Yeah, but listen: this one goes up to eleven. <b><i>Eleven</i></b></i> This just went from ‘maybe’ to ‘fuck yeah’.

@Dominic:
Yeah, a lot of people just get hooked on making numbers slowly go up … Personally, I think they’ll all insane, but I know I’m in the minority here.
Yeah, but listen: this one goes up to eleven. Eleven

]]> By: Dominic White http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245893 Dominic White Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:26:01 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245893 Yeah, a lot of people just get hooked on making numbers slowly go up. Just look at the huge success of achievement/trophy systems on the 360/PS3. A lot of folks refused to buy older PS3 games until they patched in trophy support - such is the appeal of arbitrary numerical progression. Personally, I think they'll all insane, but I know I'm in the minority here. Maybe I'm the crazy one. Yeah, a lot of people just get hooked on making numbers slowly go up. Just look at the huge success of achievement/trophy systems on the 360/PS3. A lot of folks refused to buy older PS3 games until they patched in trophy support – such is the appeal of arbitrary numerical progression.

Personally, I think they’ll all insane, but I know I’m in the minority here. Maybe I’m the crazy one.

]]> By: Dave http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245880 Dave Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:05:39 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245880 I don't think it's an intentional design meant to "waste" people's time. What is now known as "the grind" was supposed to be the fun part. Somehow people collectively decided that games aren't fun until you max out your level, that the endgame is the only "real" game and the rest of it is just training and/or a waste of time. This makes me sad. I have zero interest in the endgame. It's the journey, not the destination that matters. I don’t think it’s an intentional design meant to “waste” people’s time. What is now known as “the grind” was supposed to be the fun part.

Somehow people collectively decided that games aren’t fun until you max out your level, that the endgame is the only “real” game and the rest of it is just training and/or a waste of time.

This makes me sad. I have zero interest in the endgame. It’s the journey, not the destination that matters.

]]> By: Jetsetlemming http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245859 Jetsetlemming Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:24:00 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245859 My problem with subscriptions is that I always have to buy the game and expansions on top of them. I might be willing to give Blizzard $15 a month for at least a little while while I try out the game and see what the big deal is, but when I have to pay $80 to buy the game and expansions to earn the right to give them my money, that's just a smack in the face. Looking forward to APB. My problem with subscriptions is that I always have to buy the game and expansions on top of them. I might be willing to give Blizzard $15 a month for at least a little while while I try out the game and see what the big deal is, but when I have to pay $80 to buy the game and expansions to earn the right to give them my money, that’s just a smack in the face.
Looking forward to APB.

]]> By: Dominic White http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245716 Dominic White Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:51:59 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245716 (Curse you, lack of edit function) And of course, the flipside would be a marauding supervillain of some description, with a large force of ordinary cops trying to bring him to justice. (Curse you, lack of edit function)

And of course, the flipside would be a marauding supervillain of some description, with a large force of ordinary cops trying to bring him to justice.

]]> By: Dominic White http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245714 Dominic White Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:51:20 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245714 One thing I do like the sound of is that the developers have mentioned expanding this game 'sideways' over time rather than in the traditional linear fashion. In most online games, expansions are new levels, new higher-level gear and weapons, stuff to work towards. In one interview with the devs, I saw them mention that they'd like to actually expand APB to support stuff like superhero-type characters (ala Crackdown) or zombie invasions and such. I'd love to see that. A team of a dozen well-armed crooks on a bank-heist mission, coming out of the building only to find that they've sent goddamn *robocop* after them. One thing I do like the sound of is that the developers have mentioned expanding this game ’sideways’ over time rather than in the traditional linear fashion. In most online games, expansions are new levels, new higher-level gear and weapons, stuff to work towards. In one interview with the devs, I saw them mention that they’d like to actually expand APB to support stuff like superhero-type characters (ala Crackdown) or zombie invasions and such.

I’d love to see that. A team of a dozen well-armed crooks on a bank-heist mission, coming out of the building only to find that they’ve sent goddamn *robocop* after them.

]]> By: Kommissar Nicko http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245557 Kommissar Nicko Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:00:24 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245557 I'm going to be playing this, without a single flinch, second thought, or moment's hesitation. I've squandered bags of money on MMOs in the past only to wish that I'd never traveled down that dark road, but in this, I see <i>at least</i> the chance to take another possible road without regret. I’m going to be playing this, without a single flinch, second thought, or moment’s hesitation. I’ve squandered bags of money on MMOs in the past only to wish that I’d never traveled down that dark road, but in this, I see at least the chance to take another possible road without regret.

]]> By: Bluto http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245068 Bluto Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:18:09 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245068 This is probably going to be the best thing that ever came out of dundee.... screw marmalade, whale oil, oor wullie, the dandy and marmalade.... we want APB! This is probably going to be the best thing that ever came out of dundee…. screw marmalade, whale oil, oor wullie, the dandy and marmalade…. we want APB!

]]> By: Kadayi http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-245026 Kadayi Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:02:49 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-245026 @SteveHatesYou Good spot. I must admit I was surprised at the hostility tbh, but I guess its a diplomatic move in case further down the road the Housers ever deign to spare RPS an interview or two (odds slim to none I suspect). Personally I'm hoping if that ever occurs the first question posed will be 'So when exactly do you intend to get some proper writers in for your games?'. GTA IV; $100 million budget game, plot & characterisation written on the back of a fag packet... Anyway digs at R* aside. I'm looking forward to APB. The fact that the experience isn't heavy on the grind is the biggest appeal to me. I simply don't have the spare time to pour endless hours into levelling up, simply to ensure I can play at the same level as my friends (it is a lot of ridiculous hoop jumping if they think about it), but at the same time like the appeal of a online game world that offers a degree of character persistence. I think its a fascinating premise and I'm really hoping I get into the beta. @SteveHatesYou

Good spot. I must admit I was surprised at the hostility tbh, but I guess its a diplomatic move in case further down the road the Housers ever deign to spare RPS an interview or two (odds slim to none I suspect). Personally I’m hoping if that ever occurs the first question posed will be ‘So when exactly do you intend to get some proper writers in for your games?’. GTA IV; $100 million budget game, plot & characterisation written on the back of a fag packet…

Anyway digs at R* aside. I’m looking forward to APB. The fact that the experience isn’t heavy on the grind is the biggest appeal to me. I simply don’t have the spare time to pour endless hours into levelling up, simply to ensure I can play at the same level as my friends (it is a lot of ridiculous hoop jumping if they think about it), but at the same time like the appeal of a online game world that offers a degree of character persistence. I think its a fascinating premise and I’m really hoping I get into the beta.

]]> By: Gorgeras http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/14/no-money-no-problems-apb-is-sub-free/comment-page-2/#comment-244976 Gorgeras Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:54:15 +0000 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/?p=15987#comment-244976 Subscriptions were fine until they became metaphorically, criminal. WoW was worth £9 a month in 2005 when content updates were very frequent. WoW from 2006 onwards was a kick in the teeth, especially for PvPers and charging for the expansions, basically the content they should have been working on as subscription-fed stuff, was the epitome of unjustified profiteering. But we still bought it anyway, even if almost all the significant content did not actually require a large server infrastructure maintaining hundreds of persistent online worlds. Tempted by this, if only for the pricing policy at the moment. Subscriptions were fine until they became metaphorically, criminal. WoW was worth £9 a month in 2005 when content updates were very frequent. WoW from 2006 onwards was a kick in the teeth, especially for PvPers and charging for the expansions, basically the content they should have been working on as subscription-fed stuff, was the epitome of unjustified profiteering. But we still bought it anyway, even if almost all the significant content did not actually require a large server infrastructure maintaining hundreds of persistent online worlds.

Tempted by this, if only for the pricing policy at the moment.

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