Blizzard Looking into Free-to-Play Starcraft II
WoW giant finding conditions for monetisation difficult.
The writing is truly on the wall for subscription MMOs. Blizzard, a studio that has so far managed to prevail with its subscription-based multiplayer games, is considering a free-to-play approach for Starcraft II.
Lead designer Dustin Browder told an audience at the Valencia eSports Congress that the studio was finding it difficult monetise the experience. "[We’re] looking at free to play as an option for the multiplayer," he said.
"We don’t know how we would monetize it. While it might be good fun for me to play against someone with only half the units available to them, that’s not going to be an enjoyable experience for them."
The past 12 months have seen a sea change in how companies present MMO games to consumers, with titles that have previously been subscription-based titles - such as EA's Star Wars: The Old Republic - going free-to-play. Blizzard's own World of Warcraft has held onto its traditional business model.
Source: PCGamesN
Lead designer Dustin Browder told an audience at the Valencia eSports Congress that the studio was finding it difficult monetise the experience. "[We’re] looking at free to play as an option for the multiplayer," he said.
"We don’t know how we would monetize it. While it might be good fun for me to play against someone with only half the units available to them, that’s not going to be an enjoyable experience for them."
The past 12 months have seen a sea change in how companies present MMO games to consumers, with titles that have previously been subscription-based titles - such as EA's Star Wars: The Old Republic - going free-to-play. Blizzard's own World of Warcraft has held onto its traditional business model.
Source: PCGamesN
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