In reply to NochnoiDOZOR:
You've heard of K2, but obviously not too much. Hong has no idea what he's talking about. Take for example, the supposedly popular MMO (by K2 Network) - Knight Online.
Non-paying members are FORCED into paying a subscription fee to play the game because 1) paying members cannot be banned for using game hacks, 2) once the servers reach capacity, non-paying members are ejected to make room for paying customers. However, the fact that 60% of players online at any time are away from they keyboard (selling things) means that non-paying members never get to play. And 3) the servers are shocking. They haven't bene upgraded in years and suffer frequently from terrible lag and connection issues. K2 recently unplugged some of their newest servers to save money, despite the fact that game membership had been growing steadily. Why? To reap as much profit as possible.
How in Christ's name is the 'old model' going away when Hong obviously vigorously supports it? Because it makes the most money. And money is what K2 is all about.
Non-paying members are FORCED into paying a subscription fee to play the game because 1) paying members cannot be banned for using game hacks, 2) once the servers reach capacity, non-paying members are ejected to make room for paying customers. However, the fact that 60% of players online at any time are away from they keyboard (selling things) means that non-paying members never get to play. And 3) the servers are shocking. They haven't bene upgraded in years and suffer frequently from terrible lag and connection issues. K2 recently unplugged some of their newest servers to save money, despite the fact that game membership had been growing steadily. Why? To reap as much profit as possible.
How in Christ's name is the 'old model' going away when Hong obviously vigorously supports it? Because it makes the most money. And money is what K2 is all about.
I was mainly commenting on the general business model these companies are adapting.
I do understand your point though. I haven't played Warrock or any K-2 game, but I have played a few Gamescampus games extensively. Gamescampus has had their issues that leave bad tastes in users mouths. various bugs and hacking has decimated the in-game economy of Shot-Online, Gamescampus's flagship game. Lack of support and irrational customer service has really angered many. They feel the company is only worried about rolling out new "trinkets and items" rather than improving the overall experience of the game. From what your telling me, S.O. users should actually be grateful that Gamescampus hasn't done some of the things K-2 has.
Non-paying members are FORCED into paying a subscription fee to play the game because 1) paying members cannot be banned for using game hacks, 2) once the servers reach capacity, non-paying members are ejected to make room for paying customers. However, the fact that 60% of players online at any time are away from they keyboard (selling things) means that non-paying members never get to play. And 3) the servers are shocking. They haven't bene upgraded in years and suffer frequently from terrible lag and connection issues. K2 recently unplugged some of their newest servers to save money, despite the fact that game membership had been growing steadily. Why? To reap as much profit as possible.
How in Christ's name is the 'old model' going away when Hong obviously vigorously supports it? Because it makes the most money. And money is what K2 is all about.