Funcom's Morrison believes western MMO players "expect" the games to be zero cost-to-play

Funcom's Craig Morrison believes MMO players have come to anticipate the titles to either launch free-to-play, or switch over to the options reasonably soon post launch. The later, is a problematic expectation, according to the firm's Age of Conan creative director.

Speaking with Gamasutra, Morrison said more games will launch with the free-to-play model as it will become the accepted model for MMOs, especially in western marketplaces.

At present however, the challenge developers face is that if the game isn't free at launch, potential players will hold out until the gw2 gold game's publisher adopts the business model.

"I think you can definitely see Western games being created to start at the gates as zero cost-to-play games, because that's what the market-place will expect," he stated. "That is what the users will need, from an accessibility point of view.

"Eventually it only stands to reason that people's thought process is 'Oh, well, I'll wait till it is free-to-play,' & that isn't something we need as game developers. You don't need players to be going, 'I genuinely need to play that game! ... But I'm going to wait.'"

Funcom was 1 of the very first MMO developers to adopt the model with Anarchy Online in 2005, followed by Age of Conan in 2010. Numerous subscription MMOS which have resisted the zero cost-to-play option as a consequence far, have at least made the games gratis up to a particular level - which is basically an extended trial - & its a trend Morrison feels is "disappearing fast."

"That will no longer be a model which clicks with the players; they'll more be attempting to find, 'We anticipate a zero cost-to-play providing,'" he said. "Players expect a sizeable level of content for a considerable volume of time on a zero cost-to-play basis.

"If they see the added value in moving into a hybrid, or a subscription, or getting something via a virtual shop, then they will. I don't think players are averse to spending income if they think they're getting added value."

Morrison stated with MMOs, subscriptions and gratis-to-play can be seen "as tools," & used well, will result in hybrid solutions which work.

"We do not categorically go, 'Subscriptions are dead; there will never be subscriptions anymore,' or, 'Free-to-play is the only technique to monetize your gw2 gold games,'" he stated. "I think it depends on the game and it depends upon your project."

The newest MMO adopt a hybrid model is Star Wars: The Old Republic, which will launch its free-to-play alternative tomorrow, November 15.