I just would like to give a simple information to Ryzom "entrepreneurs".
A company, to survive, must focus on 3 horizons.
In the short terms, it must ensure maximizing revenue and profit. I understand this is what you did with the new P2W scheme. Focus is on profit.
In the medium terms, it must re-invest in R&D, marketing, new products etc... Focus is on technology.
I would like to believe that you try to prepare something awesome for Ryzom and/or you think about a Ryzom 2 or another MMORPG. One cannot survive on a single product.
In the long terms, it must be sure to promote a sustainable relationship with its stakeholders: the community around (virtual or not), the press, the financial people etc... Focus is on people.
What you will do on the 22nd of September is going to opposite direction of any good business practices. You are frustrating your long term customers. You are alienating yourself from your cash cows in order to fulfill your short term target. You are betting they will come back to you, because they are addicted to Ryzom. Many made the same mistake and many died. Do not underestimate the competition of other games (I am always citing The Repopulation which is coming next year).
In addition to that, your P2W system, with 2 different speed of progression, will create a group of elite players (The few veterans who decided to subscribe), a following tiny group of newbies subscribers and few non-subscribing veterans and a final group of newbies who "wants to see before subscribing". This last group, by far the largest, will be lagged. And will lose any interest in the game.
I posted somewhere else more information on this and I keep believing, despite few talked about it, this is a fundamental flaw in your business model.
So I appeal to you, to wait, delay a bit your decision so, with the help of a community which will cool down, we will find a solution to your, to our problem.
Is it to ask too much ?
A company, to survive, must focus on 3 horizons.
In the short terms, it must ensure maximizing revenue and profit. I understand this is what you did with the new P2W scheme. Focus is on profit.
In the medium terms, it must re-invest in R&D, marketing, new products etc... Focus is on technology.
I would like to believe that you try to prepare something awesome for Ryzom and/or you think about a Ryzom 2 or another MMORPG. One cannot survive on a single product.
In the long terms, it must be sure to promote a sustainable relationship with its stakeholders: the community around (virtual or not), the press, the financial people etc... Focus is on people.
What you will do on the 22nd of September is going to opposite direction of any good business practices. You are frustrating your long term customers. You are alienating yourself from your cash cows in order to fulfill your short term target. You are betting they will come back to you, because they are addicted to Ryzom. Many made the same mistake and many died. Do not underestimate the competition of other games (I am always citing The Repopulation which is coming next year).
In addition to that, your P2W system, with 2 different speed of progression, will create a group of elite players (The few veterans who decided to subscribe), a following tiny group of newbies subscribers and few non-subscribing veterans and a final group of newbies who "wants to see before subscribing". This last group, by far the largest, will be lagged. And will lose any interest in the game.
I posted somewhere else more information on this and I keep believing, despite few talked about it, this is a fundamental flaw in your business model.
So I appeal to you, to wait, delay a bit your decision so, with the help of a community which will cool down, we will find a solution to your, to our problem.
Is it to ask too much ?