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RIOT! Gamedevelopment follows exclusively the interests of investors

Author
Amy Farrah FowIer
SKULL AND B0NES
#1 - 2016-09-04 09:15:04 UTC
You have also the feeling that it is only a next condition for CCP, that player still play EVE? The main condition is to make profit for investors. It will take more money, which no longer ends up in the gamedevelopment. Aurum, plex, ship skins, skill trading and now "free to play" by backdoor.
oiukhp Muvila
Doomheim
#2 - 2016-09-04 09:19:12 UTC
The goal of any business in the game sector or not is to create profit for its investors.

Its called Business 101.

Nana Skalski
Taisaanat Kotei
EDENCOM DEFENSIVE INITIATIVE
#3 - 2016-09-04 09:26:18 UTC  |  Edited by: Nana Skalski
Money isnt everything and I dont see investors boasting that they play EVE on daily basis.
Also, money is aquired from players, so they are the source of income, not the game. In interest of any investor is to provide service that customers like in the first place.
Darek Castigatus
Immortalis Inc.
Shadow Cartel
#4 - 2016-09-04 09:46:29 UTC
Nana Skalski wrote:
Money isnt everything and I dont see investors boasting that they play EVE on daily basis.
Also, money is aquired from players, so they are the source of income, not the game. In interest of any investor is to provide service that customers like in the first place.


This, in order to make money you actually have to have something people want to buy in the first place.

Pirates - The Invisible Fist of Darwin

you're welcome

Soel Reit
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2016-09-04 09:53:17 UTC
Darek Castigatus wrote:
Nana Skalski wrote:
Money isnt everything and I dont see investors boasting that they play EVE on daily basis.
Also, money is aquired from players, so they are the source of income, not the game. In interest of any investor is to provide service that customers like in the first place.


This, in order to make money you actually have to have something people want to buy in the first place.


wrong.
you build a system where you max your gain.
after that you lure people in that system.

if a system is already in place you keep changing it towards the "system where you max your gain" until you eventually reach it.
people are stupid and will keep using the system, even if they don't like it.
and even if along the way you lose the 90% of the people it doesn't really matter becouse the 10% that will remain will spend more than the 90% that left the game.

i've already see it happening in many games, so many times. eve won't be different.
you'll see by yourself. no need to convince anyone.


Nana Skalski
Taisaanat Kotei
EDENCOM DEFENSIVE INITIATIVE
#6 - 2016-09-04 11:31:54 UTC
People are not so stupid as you might think. And that does not only appy to MMOs. That is the reason why a lot of those games fail to deliver. Build around in such a way that when lured to, are complete fail.
Seen a recent thing with No Man Sky? Refunds for everyone my dear.
Soel Reit
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#7 - 2016-09-04 11:37:50 UTC
people are stupid.
the mass is stupid by definition.

i don't need to convince anybody. you'll see by yourself.
what i've seen is both for mmo, browser game, etc.
no exception.

Serene Repose
#8 - 2016-09-04 11:45:28 UTC  |  Edited by: Serene Repose
Things change. A lot of us are veterans of the early online gaming experience; MMOs were in their early stages. Things weren't like they are today. Servers were cheaper. Labor was cheaper. Hell, even food was cheaper. Running a business has a rule: Adapt or die. As things grew more expensive, and profit margins fell, making a profit at all came into jeopardy. Ultimately, whether you children out there realize it, or not, you have to pay the light bill.

About five years ago, now, a Japanese business math weenie did a report on the profitability of gaming business models. He ably demonstrated with facts, figures, graphs and all that boring stuff to the uneducated among us, that the Free To Play With Micro-Transactions business model turned a profit. It doesn't turn an enormous profit, however it does keep a company from going in the red. Since then most major MMOs have converted to this model. We've watched it happen...most of us.

Other changes were needed, however, for this to work which included: not owning and paying for the operations of your own servers, not paying high-end programming engineers with vast gaming experience (salary considerations) as well as not renting, or trying to own enviable palaces for office space. The games that made this adjustment in one fashion or another have survived. The ones that haven't ... haven't.

CCP has the right, and the fiduciary responsibility to adapt. It also has the responsibility to its creditors and employees to not die. They must suffer the slings and arrows of outraged customers if such is the case, as long as their revised business model demonstrates continued profitability. It's sad for those who're married to the past. The customers of the future won't know any different. You can moan about it. You can claim it's immoral. You can spout contrary philosophy, but in the game of business the only valid reaction is to start a competitive business and run it the way YOU think it should be, then win the customers. Failing that, you're not even in a valid discussion save for your own imagination.

Why you don't see new games coming forward championing the business model of old is: 1.) It is no longer profitable. And, 2.) The start-up, and development costs have gone up just like the prices in the rest of the economy. To develop a game today, using the most recent additions of say FFXIV, SWTOR and GW2 as examples would take a budget equivalent to the annual budget of a mid-sized nation. And, as I said, the stated business model is demonstrably unprofitable, therefore no one will invest in it.

People ballyhoo Star Citizen, and have done for going on six years now, as the miracle savior of the Golden Age of MMOs model. However, it must be faced that though the developer used crowd-funding for the project that is as yet far from completed, there is some question as to how these funds were used, and legal proceedings have been threatened.

Were it not for the possibility of mis-dealings in management it still remains other crowd-funded projects have never met the quality standards demonstrated by the more successful gaming companies, and these games are developed piece-meal with each update dependent upon another round of funding. CCP has taken steps as a corporation to ensure it meets its duties and responsibilities as a corporation. If you disapprove, then you disapprove. If you agree, then you agree.

That's the name of that tune.

SO...if you need a tl;dr, this is as compact as the subject will allow, and your attention span is too short to involve yourself in any discussion of this subject. That's the fact, Jack.

We must accommodate the idiocracy.

Malcanis
Vanishing Point.
The Initiative.
#9 - 2016-09-04 11:45:39 UTC
Amy Farrah FowIer wrote:
You have also the feeling that it is only a next condition for CCP, that player still play EVE? The main condition is to make profit for investors. It will take more money, which no longer ends up in the gamedevelopment. Aurum, plex, ship skins, skill trading and now "free to play" by backdoor.


Man, it's pretty tough being a teenager and getting all your illusions shattered huh?

"Just remember later that I warned against any change to jump ranges or fatigue. You earned whats coming."

Grath Telkin, 11.10.2016

Caleb Seremshur
Bloodhorn
Patchwork Freelancers
#10 - 2016-09-04 11:56:37 UTC
Nana Skalski wrote:
Money isnt everything and I dont see investors boasting that they play EVE on daily basis.
Also, money is aquired from players, so they are the source of income, not the game. In interest of any investor is to provide service that customers like in the first place.


God try telling that to planetside 2 devs, their game is legit awful. They literally beg for $ in the loading screens as well, I found the overall experience to be pathetic and grasping.
Nana Skalski
Taisaanat Kotei
EDENCOM DEFENSIVE INITIATIVE
#11 - 2016-09-04 11:57:26 UTC  |  Edited by: Nana Skalski
Soel Reit wrote:
people are stupid.
the mass is stupid by definition.

i don't need to convince anybody. you'll see by yourself.
what i've seen is both for mmo, browser game, etc.
no exception.


Averyone in the mass of people can be not so intelligent on average, but if they dont like the game, they will not play it. You have stated that 90% leaves. Those who stay are in fact whales, I imagine you tried to say. They still need those 90% to have fun. Else they leave also.
And if they will be shown, they will encounter clever person that have a lot of true arguments, they will became clever themselves. A research before you play can mean everything.

I will provide example. I played Age of Conan when it was gaining updates, meaningfull updates. After the months of delayed features (while they were working on another games that I had no intent of playing) I became bored of the same content and moved to EVE online that I liked a lot because of the game visuals and freedom and no defined endgame, the kind of game you can play forever. And it had a lot of updates coming out regularly. Meanwhile Age of Conan went Freemium like now EVE online tries to go. I did not returned to Age of Conan because that was the same game I stopped playing really. I sticked with EVE. So if you dont have service that people like, then you cant have their money.
Soel Reit
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#12 - 2016-09-04 12:03:10 UTC
Nana Skalski wrote:
They still need those 90% to have fun. Else they leave also.


no. they will stay becouse in the meantime the system of the game will be different, and will make people stay even if playing between 1000 people.

but don't worry. just sit and wait. time will show us.
Nana Skalski
Taisaanat Kotei
EDENCOM DEFENSIVE INITIATIVE
#13 - 2016-09-04 12:11:18 UTC
Soel Reit wrote:
Nana Skalski wrote:
They still need those 90% to have fun. Else they leave also.


no. they will stay becouse in the meantime the system of the game will be different, and will make people stay even if playing between 1000 people.

but don't worry. just sit and wait. time will show us.


DUST was closed while having more than that. I dont know what you are talking about.
Soel Reit
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#14 - 2016-09-04 12:19:01 UTC
Nana Skalski wrote:
Soel Reit wrote:
Nana Skalski wrote:
They still need those 90% to have fun. Else they leave also.


no. they will stay becouse in the meantime the system of the game will be different, and will make people stay even if playing between 1000 people.

but don't worry. just sit and wait. time will show us.


DUST was closed while having more than that. I dont know what you are talking about.


i'm talking about serious games, not garbage Cool
Nana Skalski
Taisaanat Kotei
EDENCOM DEFENSIVE INITIATIVE
#15 - 2016-09-04 12:30:21 UTC  |  Edited by: Nana Skalski
Soel Reit wrote:
Nana Skalski wrote:
Soel Reit wrote:
Nana Skalski wrote:
They still need those 90% to have fun. Else they leave also.


no. they will stay becouse in the meantime the system of the game will be different, and will make people stay even if playing between 1000 people.

but don't worry. just sit and wait. time will show us.


DUST was closed while having more than that. I dont know what you are talking about.


i'm talking about serious games, not garbage Cool

What "serious" games? Didnt you describe them as garbage that is only about luring people in and squizing every penny out of them? The awful systems that someone would try to make people play in hope they will bite and hold?

What was your point? Contradicting that you have to get system that people like?
Tygg Essex
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#16 - 2016-09-04 13:18:15 UTC
Serene Repose wrote:
Things change. A lot of us are veterans of the early online gaming experience; MMOs were in their early stages. Things weren't like they are today. Servers were cheaper. Labor was cheaper. Hell, even food was cheaper. Running a business has a rule: Adapt or die. As things grew more expensive, and profit margins fell, making a profit at all came into jeopardy. Ultimately, whether you children out there realize it, or not, you have to pay the light bill.

About five years ago, now, a Japanese business math weenie did a report on the profitability of gaming business models. He ably demonstrated with facts, figures, graphs and all that boring stuff to the uneducated among us, that the Free To Play With Micro-Transactions business model turned a profit. It doesn't turn an enormous profit, however it does keep a company from going in the red. Since then most major MMOs have converted to this model. We've watched it happen...most of us.

Other changes were needed, however, for this to work which included: not owning and paying for the operations of your own servers, not paying high-end programming engineers with vast gaming experience (salary considerations) as well as not renting, or trying to own enviable palaces for office space. The games that made this adjustment in one fashion or another have survived. The ones that haven't ... haven't.

CCP has the right, and the fiduciary responsibility to adapt. It also has the responsibility to its creditors and employees to not die. They must suffer the slings and arrows of outraged customers if such is the case, as long as their revised business model demonstrates continued profitability. It's sad for those who're married to the past. The customers of the future won't know any different. You can moan about it. You can claim it's immoral. You can spout contrary philosophy, but in the game of business the only valid reaction is to start a competitive business and run it the way YOU think it should be, then win the customers. Failing that, you're not even in a valid discussion save for your own imagination.

Why you don't see new games coming forward championing the business model of old is: 1.) It is no longer profitable. And, 2.) The start-up, and development costs have gone up just like the prices in the rest of the economy. To develop a game today, using the most recent additions of say FFXIV, SWTOR and GW2 as examples would take a budget equivalent to the annual budget of a mid-sized nation. And, as I said, the stated business model is demonstrably unprofitable, therefore no one will invest in it.

People ballyhoo Star Citizen, and have done for going on six years now, as the miracle savior of the Golden Age of MMOs model. However, it must be faced that though the developer used crowd-funding for the project that is as yet far from completed, there is some question as to how these funds were used, and legal proceedings have been threatened.

Were it not for the possibility of mis-dealings in management it still remains other crowd-funded projects have never met the quality standards demonstrated by the more successful gaming companies, and these games are developed piece-meal with each update dependent upon another round of funding. CCP has taken steps as a corporation to ensure it meets its duties and responsibilities as a corporation. If you disapprove, then you disapprove. If you agree, then you agree.

That's the name of that tune.

SO...if you need a tl;dr, this is as compact as the subject will allow, and your attention span is too short to involve yourself in any discussion of this subject. That's the fact, Jack.


Thank you. This is right on point.
It's funny how many people want to cry about making sound business decisions for profit, being immoral. You try working for 8 - 12 hours a day for a semi-grateful customer base, for free or barely livable wage. See how moral that feels. Or more to the point, see how long you keep talented employees on staff.
Ezin
Doomheim
#17 - 2016-09-04 14:17:37 UTC
Amy Farrah FowIer wrote:
You have also the feeling that it is only a next condition for CCP, that player still play EVE? The main condition is to make profit for investors. It will take more money, which no longer ends up in the gamedevelopment. Aurum, plex, ship skins, skill trading and now "free to play" by backdoor.


whats wrong with making money on something that you made that is not critical for humanitys survival?
Amy Farrah FowIer
SKULL AND B0NES
#18 - 2016-09-04 15:03:56 UTC
one of the largest thinking errors:

1. Investors who are interested in a good product.
2. investors have interest that the company and customer persists.

both are wrong


Investors want the maximum profit, within the calculated time of them.

That may means it is more profitable, if you put 40Mio in a company to pull out 100Mio in two years. (after the investor leaves, it doesnt matter, if the company goes down)

Serene Repose
#19 - 2016-09-04 15:21:22 UTC  |  Edited by: Serene Repose
Amy Farrah FowIer wrote:
one of the largest thinking errors:

1. Investors who are interested in a good product.
2. investors have interest that the company and customer persists.

both are wrong


Investors want the maximum profit, within the calculated time of them.

That may means it is more profitable, if you put 40Mio in a company to pull out 100Mio in two years. (after the investor leaves, it doesnt matter, if the company goes down)

LOL. This is the adolescent, knee-jerk, look how smart and cool I am opinion. Sound investment means just how it sounds. No serious investor is going to sink money into things designed to fail. You don't seem to realize that without the quality product and return customer/new customer, the investment fails. That means the investor LOSES the money.

There are those fly-by-night, in for the quick buck sorts, but they become known. (It's a small world after all.) And, they develop reputations...one prominent prez cand leaps to mind.... There is such a thing as turning down a prospective "investor."

Get a clue.

We must accommodate the idiocracy.

Soel Reit
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#20 - 2016-09-04 15:24:39 UTC
Nana Skalski wrote:
What was your point? Contradicting that you have to get system that people like?


i won't keep aswering you.
just wait and see, time will tell.
and you are part of the mass.

don't need to waste my time with you.
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