Curse

Elewyn · Jan 16, 2007, 07:28 PM // 19:28

Greetings!

Here are a few suggestions that could help ArenaNet increase their income. Even if they aren't nearly close to having any financial trouble, the extra money could always help them create more freebie content and extra features that the community asks for. My apologies if these ideas have been suggested before, my search did not return any results (it could be that I'm just bad at searching

).

1. Add a donation button to the in-game store. You could donate any amount you'd like to them. Obviously, you wouldn't get anything in return other than to feel you've helped them make the game better.

2. Add a monthly subscription option ($5/month) with nothing in return. Sure, sounds crazy to pay $5 and get absolutely nothing in return for it, but I'm sure some people wouldn't mind spending the extra $5 just for the sake of helping ArenaNet.

Note that no one would be forced to pay this fee, and there would be absolutely no distinction between the people that pay, and the people that don't. Both would get the exact same content and features. Also, there'd be no in-game way to tell if a player pays the fee or not.

OR

3. Add a monthly subscription option ($5/month) that'd give the user two out-of-game features:

An e-mail redirection in the format: [email protected]
An URL redirection in the format: http://www.guildwars.com/your_character_name/ or http://your_character_name.guildwars.com/

Note that these are all redirection services, meaning that you wouldn't get any web space or e-mail inbox from ArenaNet. Any e-mail sent to your Guild Wars address would simply be redirected to your chosen e-mail address. Same for the Guild Wars URL.

They could also have these services with guild names instead of character, but that might create a few awkward situations, and a way to scam people out of actual money.

The compromise on ArenaNet's part is that they'd use this extra money to provide enhancements to the current game (new zones/missions/quests/features and skill balances) or for the development of the next chapter. The downside is that there's no way to know if they'd really be doing that, we'd just have to trust them. Well, at very least they'd get some money for a few extra pizzas.

Also, since neither of the above options are a reliable source of income, they wouldn't give us anything that's recurring, such as better support or in-game game masters. It'd be all one-time additions that they could manage to create with the money they have received.

Any comments, additions, suggestions and/or flames are appreciated.

Regards,

Elewyn.

Loviatar · Jan 16, 2007, 07:40 PM // 19:40

Quote:

Company & General

Who is ArenaNet?

ArenaNet is a wholly owned subsidiary of NCsoft Corporation, and was founded in March 2000 by some of the key members of the creative teams behind Blizzards game series Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo, as well as the Battle.net gaming network.

as long as NCsoft is doing fine (which it is) you dont have to worry about Anet as NCsoft has way deeper pockets

Elewyn · Jan 16, 2007, 07:58 PM // 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

as long as NCsoft is doing fine (which it is) you dont have to worry about Anet as NCsoft has way deeper pockets

Granted, that's a fact. However it doesn't mean they couldn't use an extra income to develop things that they otherwise wouldn't. It's possible ArenaNet have things they'd like to add, that they simply don't because it's not in their business plan. NCSoft would also be happy to see ArenaNet's game improving without using their money, as well.

Definite Integral · Jan 16, 2007, 08:50 PM // 20:50

/not signed

Guild Wars is NOT WORTH a subscription. If they ever made a subscription fee for it I would quit.

Elewyn · Jan 16, 2007, 09:13 PM // 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Definite Integral

/not signed

Guild Wars is NOT WORTH a subscription. If they ever made a subscription fee for it I would quit.

I never said it was worth it, that's why it'd be totally optional, you would gain absolutely no benefits from it (not directly, and any benefits gained from it would be to EVERYONE), and there would be no way for anyone to know whether you pay it or not. Could you elaborate on why that change would make you quit the game?

Regards,

Elewyn.

Definite Integral · Jan 16, 2007, 09:31 PM // 21:31

Because they would definitely give in game advantages to subscribers and I hate the idea of power selling by the company.

Elewyn · Jan 16, 2007, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Definite Integral

Because they would definitely give in game advantages to subscribers and I hate the idea of power selling by the company.

That is something that must not happen for this model to work. Here's two reasons why it'd be their best interest not to give any advantages to subscribers (I'd rather call them "helpers") or make the payment required in any way:

It'd make some of the people currently helping them to cancel their help. Why? Simple: If I'm helping them, it's because I want to. If they make me feel I have to help them, I'll simply cancel my help and leave.
It'd make the people that do not like monthly fees to quit the game (and there are plenty that would), dramatically lowering the sales of their next expansion.

They must not give any benefits for paying the extra fee or else at least one of the above will happen. Selling things for a one time fee, such as character slots is fine, but giving an in-game distinction, feature or whatsoever for a monthly fee is not.

Regards,

Elewyn.

Trophy Hunter · Jan 16, 2007, 11:07 PM // 23:07

The game is prefered because its free.
1)Random donations its like bribing...
2)Monthly paying with no benefits seems stupid
3)An email/domain seems good but lol these may result in a major account spotting for possible intrusion attempts.(lol i am not paranoid)

What i think...
Release of T-shirts , Books , Wallpapers with our characters names,armors and Art designers to put their best on it!!These things sell alot plus these items will promote the game to more people.

p.s: I would love to wear a guildwars T-Shirt with my char on it

Plus buying only from the official store to stop the "monkey stuff"!!

Elewyn · Jan 16, 2007, 11:32 PM // 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trophy Hunter

The game is prefered because its free.
1)Random donations its like bribing...
2)Monthly paying with no benefits seems stupid
3)An email/domain seems good but lol these may result in a major account spotting for possible intrusion attempts.(lol i am not paranoid)

1) They'd most likely be anonymous, with no reference of your in-game character or e-mail.

2) It may seem that way to some, yes, hence why it's completely optional. There is a benefit however: if ArenaNet compromises to use this money to add more features to the game, we all win. Look at all suggestions in this forum, many of them are small and would be cool to have, but I'm sure ArenaNet just overlooks good part of them because they are neither essential nor would cause people to start/stop playing, so it's best to focus development time on other things.

3) Well, yes... I'd strongly recommend not using the same e-mail that you used to register your account.

Actually, since you mentioned that, I think ArenaNet should not even allow you to use the same e-mail as your account (or any other e-mail already registered on Guild Wars, for that matter).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trophy Hunter

What i think...
Release of T-shirts , Books , Wallpapers with our characters names,armors and Art designers to put their best on it!!These things sell alot plus these items will promote the game to more people.

p.s: I would love to wear a guildwars T-Shirt with my char on it

Plus buying only from the official store to stop the "monkey stuff"!!

Another good idea, I'd personally buy a few of these items if they were avaliable.

Regards,

Elewyn.

Vinraith · Jan 16, 2007, 11:59 PM // 23:59

When and if Anet gives us some indication, any indication that they're having financial problems, that "the model has failed," or that they'd include so much more content if only it weren't for the crippling poverty that comes of selling better than a million copies of each of the three games they put out we can have a discussion like this. Until then it's not only ridiculous, it's basically making the argument that ArenaNet is such a sad excuse for a gaming company that they can't operate without our charity.

Elewyn · Jan 17, 2007, 12:42 AM // 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinraith

When and if Anet gives us some indication, any indication that they're having financial problems, that "the model has failed," or that they'd include so much more content if only it weren't for the crippling poverty that comes of selling better than a million copies of each of the three games they put out we can have a discussion like this. Until then it's not only ridiculous, it's basically making the argument that ArenaNet is such a sad excuse for a gaming company that they can't operate without our charity.

They aren't a sad excuse for a gaming company. However they are, admittedly, a small company. Donations aren't such a rarity in the business world: if you believe a company is developing something that you feel it's worth and beneficial to you or your company, there's nothing wrong with giving them money, with no strings attached. Google, for example, makes a fair share of philanthropic and open source donations.

I don't believe ArenaNet will, or should, give us any indication that they are having troubles. That's not very good marketing, and I can see a point where having a donation option or voluntary monthly fee would indicate that they need help. That's why I prefer suggestion #3, it's more subtle, and a nice feature to have. I also like the idea of game merchandise suggested above, both have the added bonus of promoting the game.

Regards,

Elewyn.

Rocky Raccoon · Jan 17, 2007, 02:43 PM // 14:43

Sounds to me like your an ANET employee. If that is the case are we getting insider info?

Gregslot · Jan 17, 2007, 02:46 PM // 14:46

Maybe add some gold at the account?
Or i dont know, faction... make us spend money and add more stuff to the game before people start quitting... AGAIN

TheRaven · Jan 17, 2007, 02:55 PM // 14:55

Well, borrowing from a another popular thread listed in this forum....how about charging $5 for a haircut? Add an option to the online store to change your character's appearance.

"Don't like your female monk's sucky hair choices? Upgrade Now! For the low price of only $5, choose from over 20 new exclusive female hairstyles and facial features"

Elewyn · Jan 17, 2007, 05:10 PM // 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risky Ranger

Sounds to me like your an ANET employee. If that is the case are we getting insider info?

It's all assumptions, ArenaNet could very well be swimming on money from sponsors and advertisers, I never read their financial statement so I wouldn't know. These are just suggestions, in case they feel any of it could help them at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregslot

Maybe add some gold at the account?
Or i dont know, faction... make us spend money and add more stuff to the game before people start quitting... AGAIN

You mean, in-game gold/faction for cash? I don't know, that might be received really badly by the community. The amount of money they'd make from it probably wouldn't make up for the huge public relations hit they'd take, as well as the damage to their game environment, which would definitely affect the sales of their next product.

ArenaNet prides themselves in the fact that you don't really need huge amounts of gold or time investment to have competitive characters. Selling in-game gold or faction would probably go against that philosophy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRaven

Well, borrowing from a another popular thread listed in this forum....how about charging $5 for a haircut? Add an option to the online store to change your character's appearance.

"Don't like your female monk's sucky hair choices? Upgrade Now! For the low price of only $5, choose from over 20 new exclusive female hairstyles and facial features"

I personally like this idea. There's a chance it wouldn't be well received be by the community, however. Many people are strongly against having to pay for any in-game feature at all. They'd have to analyze the community's reaction for that one.

Providing exclusive ones, I don't know, many people would be angry that they have to pay, or be left out, and I'm sure even conspiracy theories such as: "ArenaNet gives us poor default hairstyles choices so we have to pay for the good ones!" would start appearing.

Thanks for the comments,

Regards,

Elewyn.