> This waiting game is likely decimating your player base and critical mass at launch by spreading new players out over time. And your fans, who are silly enough to buy the game at launch and waste money, get to participate in a weaker, smaller player community.
It seems like part of the problem is that some of his games (MMOs?) need a player base to realize their potential. In which case I wouldn't consider these multiplayer games the same products as other single player video games which don't require a player base.
If your game requires a player base, consider a freemium model that allows you to get players in the game contributing to the community/network effect, but also allows you to generate a profit from the inevitable ~10% (of a much larger player base) that will buy extra content in your game.
while it's logical to argue that an MMO style game benefits from a freemium model, i rather argue that a freemium model destroys the craft by turning game design decisions into business decisions (that is, whether you morph your game design/mechanic so that you can extract more money). This is a terrible trend i m seeing recently with many games (and especially true of mobile games).
I rather pay a $15 subscription and play a game designed without fremium in mind, than pay $15 in In-App-Purchases.
Well I think a lot of subscription MMOs are already compromised by the fact that they have an incentive to keep you around paying. This makes for a lot of the 'level grind' you see in MMOs.
It seems like part of the problem is that some of his games (MMOs?) need a player base to realize their potential. In which case I wouldn't consider these multiplayer games the same products as other single player video games which don't require a player base.
If your game requires a player base, consider a freemium model that allows you to get players in the game contributing to the community/network effect, but also allows you to generate a profit from the inevitable ~10% (of a much larger player base) that will buy extra content in your game.