How Long Before Every Online Game = Monthly Subscription?

~>Dg<~ · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:48

Well how things are going everything popular is being hammered,online gaming is massive now so how long before all games you play are pay.Wow are there already but im sure its round the corner for all fps monkeys and whatever is bound to make em cash.It makes me weep just thinking about it.

decmatt · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:50

I can see less games now having online fees and advertising in games taking off to replace fees.

~>Dg<~ · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:51

but if people get annoyed by advertising surely it wont work.

The Running Man · 2 Sep 2007 at 16:53

you mean like adverts on TV? :/

bcjames · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:00

Solac said:
I can see less games now having online fees and advertising in games taking off to replace fees.

With this new wave of free games, I could see that happening.

I remember having a mod for GTA where everything became real brands (cars, billboards, etc). Always thought then that they should use it like that for real.

Free xbox live

SpaghettiOs · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:08

Yeah, tbh I'm not overly bothered about adverts in games, providing they are kept in context. That means no intel adverts in Bioshock. I don't mind the odd advert on loading screens if it means the game costs less or is free.

Freeman · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:20

If anything I'm seeing more games doing that pay per item thing rather than pay per month.

Vai · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:21

Why would they charge you for online games? The only games I know of where you have to pay for multiplayer is when they provide the servers.

Duke · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:22

I don't know about you but I don't have any games that need a sub. There are a few with adverts, thats it really.

SiriusB · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:27

Real adverts would be great, and many games provide plenty of opportunities to stick them in without being distracting/blatant.

Any game set in/around a city would be great as billboards are a natural place to stick real ads.

It would annoy me no end if adverts were thrown in for the advert's sake.

SB118 · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:45

^^ The billboards in dust2 blend in sooo well

ergonomics · 2 Sep 2007 at 17:53

SiriusB said:
Real adverts would be great, and many games provide plenty of opportunities to stick them in without being distracting/blatant.

Any game set in/around a city would be great as billboards are a natural place to stick real ads.

It would annoy me no end if adverts were thrown in for the advert's sake.

lol you say that, but its funny running around in bf2142 to then see an intel xtreme billboard there. not that i actually care too much, but it does ruin the atmosphere a little

Clairvoyant · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:32

ergonomics said:
lol you say that, but its funny running around in bf2142 to then see an intel xtreme billboard there. not that i actually care too much, but it does ruin the atmosphere a little

I would be too busy running round killing (well being killed) to worry about ads on billboards.

SkeeterUK · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:43

Hope ppl go the guildwars way or ubisoft with ad supported free games, i think its ubisoft thats doing it.

Slogan · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:49

Ads in games aren't going to make them cheaper - they're just going to increase profit for the game's creators.

Last Kronin · 2 Sep 2007 at 19:00

From what i understand, FPS are already subscription based, all the clan servers have to be payed for, they arent free. But seriously from what ive heard if its a golbal/european server that everyone connects to them you have to pay for that on a sub basis but for games like BF2 since individuals pay for the servers themselves they couldnt really charge for it.

Edinho · 2 Sep 2007 at 19:23

Dont you pay for all online games in some form or another? If you play FPS's then you need to rent a server, if you're in a clan you're looking at may be £30-50 a year. MMO's are typically £9pm.

If you really cant afford to pay that amount then either give up gaming, get a reality check, or step in to the real world.

A tenner a month isnt going to make you bankrupt.

As for adverts I think they could add to the atmosphere of a game if done properly. Imagine running round in COD2 to see an old fashioned Coca-Cola advert or something.

Shicky · 2 Sep 2007 at 19:23

The adverts issue is all well and good when its static ( Part of the maps etc itself and the same for everyone ) However the likes of what splash damage are doing where the game will scan your cookies etc to see what you look at and then make advertising decisions from that, is not an idea im keen on. Its power can be abused SO easily, im fully against that type of thing.

dbmzk1 · 2 Sep 2007 at 19:33

There is no reason what so ever that a client/public server based game like BF2, CSS etc will ever be subscription based. MMOs have a fee because they need it to maintain and continually develop the game.

DB_SamX · 2 Sep 2007 at 20:26

You have to remember that by only allowing monthly subscriptions, they will lose many younger customers who haven't got a means to pay online. Some people can only buy games/renewals via shops.