Microsoft and Sony "Keen On Subscription MMOs"
Undead Lab's Zombie MMO will be subscription based.
With Final Fantasy XI already on the Xbox 360, and plenty of online RPGs in the pipeline for the PlayStation 3, it’s no wonder that both Microsoft and Sony are keen on subscription-based MMOs for their platforms. Nonetheless, that’s the statement Undead Lab’s founder Jeff Strain made when speaking to Develop about its latest project.
The startup studio - headed by the ex-Blizzard and NCSoft veteran - is developing a zombie MMO, which sounds amazing for the simple fact that zombies are a winner whatever the situation. Strain explained to Develop that the game will “almost certainly” have subscription charges, and this is a factor that’s not entirely bothering Microsoft or Sony when it comes to pitching the project for their consoles.
“I’ve been talking to them for years and I think they very much want to see this. There are lots of sticking points to get through. The questions will be how billing works, how the revenue is recognized and who gets what,” Strain said.
Another hurdle would be the mindset of each platform’s audience as well. Sony might not have much of a problem as its online service is free, but it will be interesting to see if Xbox Live Gold members will be required to pay twice to play such games online, and whether the gamers will agree to the same.
Put the idea of subs-based MMOs up against the statement from Square Enix's Mr Wada yesterday, however, and things are beginning to shape up for Microsoft and Sony to join another battle.
The startup studio - headed by the ex-Blizzard and NCSoft veteran - is developing a zombie MMO, which sounds amazing for the simple fact that zombies are a winner whatever the situation. Strain explained to Develop that the game will “almost certainly” have subscription charges, and this is a factor that’s not entirely bothering Microsoft or Sony when it comes to pitching the project for their consoles.
“I’ve been talking to them for years and I think they very much want to see this. There are lots of sticking points to get through. The questions will be how billing works, how the revenue is recognized and who gets what,” Strain said.
Another hurdle would be the mindset of each platform’s audience as well. Sony might not have much of a problem as its online service is free, but it will be interesting to see if Xbox Live Gold members will be required to pay twice to play such games online, and whether the gamers will agree to the same.
Put the idea of subs-based MMOs up against the statement from Square Enix's Mr Wada yesterday, however, and things are beginning to shape up for Microsoft and Sony to join another battle.
Read More Like This
Comments
Pablo 27 Nov 2009 17:55
1/3
That'd suck to have to pay a subscription fee on top of Xbox live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyeemtS1jII
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyeemtS1jII
Old Codger 30 Nov 2009 09:16
2/3
While you do have to pay a subscription fee to play Final Fantasy XI on the Xbox 360, you don't have to pay for Xbox Live Gold. It runs on your bog-standard silver membership and this is how it should be for any other MMO on a console. No-one wants to pay for two subscription fees for one game or they would have to change the pricing to reflect that. they could either make the game free and then you just pay for the subs, or they could lower the cost of the sub to reflect the fact you have to pay for Xbox live Gold as well, but I doubt any MMO will be that much of a hit on a console if people are paying 3 fees for a game (Initial purchase, Xbox Live Gold and regular subscription).
Paul 16 Dec 2009 00:52
3/3
the best way to make if fare is if the silver members pay the full subscription price to play MMOs and gold members pay half the the subscription fee to pay as gold members already pay for xbox live gold