Subscription model for DCS

[HansRoaming]

Given that I would like to see DCS grow fatser and fulfil its potential I personally would like to move to a subscription model if only to give ED a stable cash flow as well as the capital to expand.

 

Wonder what other peoples thoughts on this were.

[BIGNEWY]

It has been discussed before on these forums.

 

Personally I hate the subscription based model

[element1108]

Given that I would like to see DCS grow fatser and fulfil its potential I personally would like to move to a subscription model if only to give ED a stable cash flow as well as the capital to expand.

 

Wonder what other peoples thoughts on this were.

 

I don't have any insight into their books, but I think they are doing pretty well for themselves. Consumer market is only a portion of their income unless major thigs have changed in the last little while.

 

I also don't think throwing money at them will speed up the process. More hands on deck isn't always a good tbing in the workplace.

 

I personally loath subscription models simply because there are large chunks of time I can't play at all...yes that's on me, but I'd rather pay a higher price upfront than a monthly fee.

[Rangi]

Personally I hate subscription based model

 

Me too.

[blackbelter]

Maybe ED can move DCS updates to a subscription model. Subscribes get more (in terms of frequency and detail) updates.

 

I know I wouldn't subscribe. But some people might.

 

@OP, if you want to support ED financially, just purchase more DCS keys... That is equivalent to a subscription.

[HansRoaming]

My driver for this is where I use SAAS both personally and where I work and the service provider is able to justify constantly evolving their product.

 

With a sales based model then funding for development is down to new sales which in a small niche area like ours am not sure would fund the development of this product I personally would like to see.

[HansRoaming]

@OP, if you want to support ED financially, just purchase more DCS keys... That is equivalent to a subscription.

 

I buy everything that comes out for DCS, nothing left for me to get. I also have thrown money at the DCS WWII on kickstarter.

[WildBillKelsoe]

I hate subscription models. Makes different people have different versions. I'm satisfied with the progress rate ATM so no thanks.

[blackbelter]

I buy everything that comes out for DCS, nothing left for me to get. I also have thrown money at the DCS WWII on kickstarter.

 

Well, nothing is preventing you from buying more...

[LegoHeli]

Not everyone flying DCS has a job to pay for a subscription model. I've payed for my modules by living off of pasta for a week every time they come out.

 

Being a student myself there is no way I would or could allocate money every month to pay for DCS, and likewise a lot of people who like playing DCS now more "casually" would rather stop using the simulator than move to paying every month.

 

And you simply cannot demand money from us now that we've payed for the modules infdefinitely.

 

And finally, as the replies before me state, there is not necessarily a correlation between increased income and increased output. Just look at the crap some of the huge publishers spew out despite a vast amount of money available.

[HansRoaming]

Some good replies to this thread, for some subscriptions like Eve online everyone is always on the same version.

 

Good point raised for those on low income.

 

For FSX for planes I like I will pre order or pay for open beta access like the M2M Mirage 2000 and the Milviz 732c.

 

I wonder if ED could do a mini kickstarter type pledge system for people to fund the changes they'd like to see, so for me would be clickable pits for flaming cliffs for example.

[element1108]

Big problem with kickstarter is it opens devs up to entitlement from consumers which can be more trouble than it's worth. If I were running a business I would seriously consider trying to execute my plan without the help of kickstarter if I had a decent cash flow and good investors.

 

Five years ago I would have thought they could use a kickstarter type campaign to help out, but they seem to be in full control. No, things aren't progressing as fast as many like, but I don't think more money will simplify or expedite the complexity that surrounds this type of development.

 

I'd rather wait it out than sort through threads where the kick starter peeps have felt "left in the dark" gripe gripe gripe.

 

In conclusion Ed knows their finances, they want to stay in business more than we want them to (livelyhood vs hobby) and I'm sure the have seriously considered many different financial plans to keep the money coming in.

 

Edit just to include this is all my humble opinion...and bother more.:)

[camsr]

The subscription of Eve Online is for keeping their proprietary servers running, as well as paying their staff to work on the game. Most multiplayer is community driven, as is DCS, so I think gamers would have a tough time comprehending why the game would be a subscription. If ED showed a strong development cycle, there would be an argument for subscription.

Personally I would like the idea, to expect frequent updates and bug fixes, for a marginal subscription fee.

 

And yes, "throwing money at the problem" does not make good games, absolutely. IF THIS WERE TRUE WE WOULD ALL BE SHITTING FRANKLINS INTO SOME HOLE IN THE GROUND

[cichlidfan]

There is nothing to subscribe to.

 

I wonder if ED could do a mini kickstarter type pledge system for people to fund the changes they'd like to see, so for me would be clickable pits for flaming cliffs for example.

 

This is even worse than a bad idea, given the current, unresolved, issues related to an ED Partner and a kickstarter campaign.

Edited March 24, 2014 by cichlidfan

[SkateZilla]

Given that I would like to see DCS grow fatser and fulfil its potential I personally would like to move to a subscription model if only to give ED a stable cash flow as well as the capital to expand.

 

Wonder what other peoples thoughts on this were.

 

Pass, I've had my share of SeasonPass and Clones of it with console gaming.

[outlawal2]

Maybe ED can move DCS updates to a subscription model. Subscribes get more (in terms of frequency and detail) updates.

 

I know I wouldn't subscribe. But some people might.

 

@OP, if you want to support ED financially, just purchase more DCS keys... That is equivalent to a subscription.

 

That won't work as most updates are released to fix previous issues.. I am quite certain that if I HAD to subscribe just to get updates that I have already paid for I would be Less than pleased about it..

 

And I LOATHE subscriptions as they ensure poor customer service and a much higher cost for that service... (Once a company KNOWS that have the money coming in, there is little incentive to court the customer..)

[GGTharos]

ED isn't doing scubscription because there's nothing to subscribe to - there's no service, there is on-going development which ED funds in other ways that are more convenient to them.

 

I also can't see ED being interested in kickstarter of any sort. They operate on their own schedule with many projects outside of entertainment products, and thus typically outside of the knowledge of this community.

 

I wonder if ED could do a mini kickstarter type pledge system for people to fund the changes they'd like to see, so for me would be clickable pits for flaming cliffs for example.

[HansRoaming]

ED isn't doing scubscription because there's nothing to subscribe to - there's no service, there is on-going development which ED funds in other ways that are more convenient to them.

 

That is what I would want in exchange for a subscription rather than a buy and abandon ware model where the cash flow from new sales makes it uneconomical to update or do something. Not saying ED is doing this but that is one downside of the buy and own model for software vs subscription.

 

The service is ongoing development and fixes.

[GGTharos]

ED is already invested in developing DCS World as a platform ... so I just don't see your point. A subscription service can also be ended at any time ... and all it does it turn people off.

 

That is what I would want in exchange for a subscription rather than a buy and abandon ware model where the cash flow from new sales makes it uneconomical to update or do something. Not saying ED is doing this but that is one downside of the buy and own model for software vs subscription.

 

The service is ongoing development and fixes.

[NineLine]

Just buy the A-10A module once a month, the pretty much equals your typical subscription based cost, then you can say you subscribe to ED :)

[HansRoaming]

ED is already invested in developing DCS World as a platform ... so I just don't see your point. A subscription service can also be ended at any time ... and all it does it turn people off.

 

Am not saying they are not but for example would be nice to see AFM's and clickable pits plus a couple more planes in FC for example.

 

However it's quite apparent I'm in the minority and I asked to find out what people thought so am happy I now know.

[camsr]

Hans, what they are trying to say is ED has auxillary income from other softwares. I do agree that we don't want to see the game become abandonware.

[HiJack]

If ED starts a online service with player profiles and global statistics that can be charged on a monthly bases but not the individual modules. That will be the end of the simulator, there are plenty of alternatives popping up.