Official global alpha start date: November 28th.

**Alkar** · 2012-12-15 13:29

Originally Posted by Lucavi

What was DQX's costs, though? They didn't market it to the world, and you can't tell me it cost as much as XIV to make. Plus, DQ is such a beloved franchise in Japan that they could basically make a DQ game with a pixelated lump of shit as the protagonist and Japan would still lick it up on their knees.

While I'll agree that holding 400k subs would be pretty nice, I don't think that DQ and XIV had anywhere near the same development costs; this isn't a game I can see being profitable for SE within a year running on those numbers. I'd probably double those figures, especially based on a worldwide launch.

I'm pretty sure SE said that with subs similar to XI's back in the good era (I'd say 600kish) they'd recover dev. costs in 1 year for ARR, Yoshida also said they are in no rush of getting it all back because they're using money from the company and not investors from the outside (like other MMOs do).
As long as they get a decent amount of subs they'll be satisfied with it. Surely Dragon Quest X didn't have the same budget (and it didn't fail once) but let's not forget how quickly MMOs pay themselves off with subs: 400k players* 15 $/month= 6m $/month.
Final Fantasy is a much bigger brand worldwide compared to DQ and it's coming out on PC and PS3 (for now). On the other hand DQX will never come out of Japan unless Nintendo wants it to.
Anyway it's all up to marketing in the next months, devs are doing their job as far as I'm concerned.

**Lucavi** · 2012-12-15 15:49

Bigger brand and world launch doesn't always = more subs. Just look at 1.0, but yeah, do your job and people should come.

**Alkar** · 2012-12-15 18:59

Originally Posted by Lucavi

Bigger brand and world launch doesn't always = more subs. Just look at 1.0, but yeah, do your job and people should come.

No but it surely increases your chances. ARR however needs to get rid of the stigma 1.0 left so they really need to push marketing more than anything else.
FF fanservice will surely help to get some fans on board, I've already seen quite a few getting interested because there's a magitek armor in the trailer.
Throw more classic enemies/bosses/locations at it and more will start considering.
As for MMO fans you need to provide basic MMO elements while also adding some unique features to make your game stand out.

**Enkidu** · 2012-12-16 00:14

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

You may as well give up and forget the game already.

Probably, but I don't really care that much either way. I think the game will fail with a subscription system and I've seen nothing so far that changes my opinion on that matter. Time will tell, maybe the beta will have some surprises.

If anything they should do some sort of F2P promotion giving players something like 3 months of free play to test out the game. Something to draw people in, the final fantasy theme only goes so far...

**Deuce** · 2012-12-16 05:45

that's exactly what a 1-month free trial is for...

**Enkidu** · 2012-12-16 11:42

Well for one it's unclear whether or not there will even be a 1-month free trial period for people who've already bought the game and used the code. And I should clarify that I'd prefer the game to have no sub. system ($50-60/unit, never have to pay more), but if that's not the case I'd hope for an actual F2P experience for at least a few months (no payment at all and a couple months of free play). At the end of which obviously the sub. system would come into effect, however there would be no per unit price tag.

It's more likely that SE treats it like they've treated XI. Sell the game for $50-60 and then give a "free" trial month that you just paid $60 for anyways (does this really fool anyone?). Then you pay $15/month and SE milks the cash cow for 10 years. I just don't think that'll work. People are too skeptical about XIV and even with new reviews and advertisements people aren't going to drop serious cash to play a failed game.

**Gokulo** · 2012-12-16 11:45

Except the first roadmap that has been released when ARR was announced mentions a free trial for players.

The rest of your post is some pretty crazy stuff, too.

**Rakisho** · 2012-12-16 11:45

Originally Posted by Enkidu

Well for one it's unclear whether or not there will even be a 1-month free trial period for people who've already bought the game and used the code. And I should clarify that I'd prefer the game to have no sub. system ($50-60/unit, never have to pay more), but if that's not the case I'd hope for an actual F2P experience for at least a few months (no payment at all and a couple months of free play). At the end of which obviously the sub. system would come into effect, however there would be no per unit price tag.

It's more likely that SE treats it like they've treated XI. Sell the game for $50-60 and then give a "free" trial month that you just paid $60 for anyways (does this really fool anyone?). Then you pay $15/month and SE milks the cash cow for 10 years. I just don't think that'll work. People are too skeptical about XIV and even with new reviews and advertisements people aren't going to drop serious cash to play a failed game.

FFXIV ARR failed even before release? Glad I got to know that before I bought it, that saves me cash!

**Stanislaw** · 2012-12-16 12:21

Out of curiosity, was there any recent MMOs released with the subscription model and still keeps it? As F2P enthusiasts have mentioned before F2P has become the norm as of late, but I think we need to realize that the model doesn't automatically make them become successful.

**Lucavi** · 2012-12-16 12:22

Rift is the only recent one that comes to mind. TERA, possibly, but they always had a hybrid model.

**Gokulo** · 2012-12-16 12:22

Dunno what do you mean by 'recently', but Rift would be the most recent one I think. Everything after that went F2P I think?

**Deuce** · 2012-12-16 14:25

Yes, according to a list I found on wikipedia...

However, I'm not too convinced that we're in the age of F2P because there's been plenty of F2P games before GW2; yet, people treat it is a sign of the F2P model taking over. I don't buy into that hype at all. Companies will do what is best for them to turn a profit on their game. If they believe a sub based model will work then best of luck to them. If they deem F2P as their best option then so be it. Players are willing to pay money(Subs) for a game so long as there is enough value in the game to convince them.

**Kami** · 2012-12-16 14:42

Originally Posted by Gokulo

Except the first roadmap that has been released when ARR was announced mentions a free trial for players.

The rest of your post is some pretty crazy stuff, too.

Speaking of roadmap, aren't we expecting a new (final?) one these days? IIRC we should have gotten one sometimes in november/december right?

**Gokulo** · 2012-12-16 15:00

Yeah, it was delayed it seems, but there was a Dev post recently that it's getting translated and will be out soon.

**Kelenae** · 2012-12-16 15:37

Originally Posted by Gokulo

Yeah, it was delayed it seems, but there was a Dev post recently that it's getting translated and will be out soon.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...710#post920710 link to the post about the delay

**Kami** · 2012-12-16 15:42

Originally Posted by Kelenae

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...710#post920710 link to the post about the delay

Thanks

**euph** · 2012-12-17 01:23

finally found something semi-post worthy. I feel I have completed my alpha duty lol

**Ghostsix.Midgard** · 2012-12-17 02:55

Spoiler: show

"That UI is totally photoshopped"
suckithaters.gif

**Gokulo** · 2012-12-17 02:57

The chat log is not as cool anymore though ;<
And the party info is all in one color now, also made me sad :<

**Ghostsix.Midgard** · 2012-12-17 02:58

PS3 LIMITATIONS

Thread: Official global alpha start date: November 28th.

Thread Tools

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads