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Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 01:53 PM |
It's come to my attention that corporations have taken notice of the revenue building potential within virtual worlds. Apparently there are games/environments wherein real money spent buys IG items or priveleges etc and when real money is moving people take interest. Now there are many reasons why this can't happen here but I'd be interested to know if players here would spend 10 cents for a bullstrength potion instead of 250gp. And would devs here accept some corporate sponsorship to defray costs or generate revenue to add "This quest sponsored by Verizon" or a recipe for the Celestial Cake presented by Pillsbury?
Seems like the wheels are turning on this kind of thing already...just wanted to fire this shot over the bow. |
T'mok Gurzi
Resident Gnoll Warlord
patron for the noble yet drink addled
Timik Gorozai the Mistake |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:09 PM |
I feel it takes away from the game, and the RPing as a whole.
If I can spend a hundred bucks to buy that +5 Vorpal greatsword, but the other character's cannot, do I really deserve it, simply because I have more money in the bank? Did I actually earn it? No. It turns the game into something less than that, focusing on people's economics rather than their actions and roles IG. If I earned that sword by slaying a dragon or stealing it from a goody-two shoes paladin, fine. Putting in my credit card numbers simply defeats the purpose of adventuring, and gaming as a whole. |
Tristian and Elghinn.
NWN logon =UltimatiumOmega
Lost item: Fire Bomb
Tristian Vike damages Erin: 19 (19 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Tristian Vike: 7 (7 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Kard Snyder: 10 (10 Fire) |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:20 PM |
*slays T'mok Gurzi with a holy vengance*
Oh my COW I hate the whole corporate sponsor thing that has taken over...
I'm talking about how everytihng has to have a sponsor tag line on it.. even the freekin ball parks are renamed after these big corporations.. I mean, I don't even LIKE sports and I feel sad for sports fans who have had to see Candlestick park changed to 3Com park.. or... whatever it is now... Monster park
Come on... it's like they turned the whole stadium into one big bilboard... one big sellout bilboard.
I dunno, I've always hated big business and the kinds of advertising and propaganda practices they engage in.. and want nothing to do with it, even if I could make money off it. Because then I would be condoning the (what I see as) underhanded buissiness practices most companies think is no big deal... do whatever you can to get the mindless sheep to buy your product..
screw that, they can take their coprorate sponsorship and shove it.
just my two cents  .
[Edit]: and yeah, I didn't even touch on how it completely ruins the experience of role playing... the last thing I want to be reminded of when I escape into the world of Vives, is how stupid big bussiness / advertising / and the average consumer is |
"I'm not closed-minded, you're just WRONG." - Bucky Katt
My characters n portraits |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:38 PM |
I agree wholeheartedly with Ritz and BKatt. I don't cooperate with corporations and I've no interest in their interests. I definately don't want to see them getting in the way of my free time doing the things I enjoy.
Now excuse me while I go search for a bucket to puke in... |
WickedArtist: I think he needs a proper elf.
WickedArtist: A christmas elf!
Tasra: Any sort of elf that actually smiles ;o
Gasp! Scandalous!!! |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:51 PM |
This kinda reminds me of my old EQ days. When I quit it was because of the dumba$$es who would go on ebay and by a level 65 wizard and come in and ruin the whole gaming experience for everyone with their ineptitude, and "hey dude" type attitude. For those of you who are anti EQ let me say in its defence that it was actually pretty cool in the early years when it was just gamers playing it, but I digress.
If anyone running this fine game is in need of money, I would be glad to pay to play as it stands right now, but put items on a "ebay" type basis, or aggressively persue more players for profit thus bringing in the aforementioned dumba$$es, and I'd have to retreat to my pen and paper D&D for my fantasy fix. But that's just me :) |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 03:06 PM |
| Soo... does anyone want to buy a level 21 sorcerer? I don't play them anymore. Or is this a bad time. |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 03:11 PM |
There is absolutely -ZERO- chance of any "real cash for in game items" scenarios happening with vives....... number one reason being one of principal, and secondly it's also illegal.
As regards corporate sponsorship, then if any company were daft enough to actually approach us, then I should imagine the figures would be a pittance. Even so, extremely unlikely we would do anything with them. It's a game and a hobby, not a money making exercise.
One thing however, that we're thinking of as regards Vives 2 is perhaps a link to paypal or something so people, if they liked, could donate to help with the costs of running the server etc....... It's not something I/We're particularly comfortable with, but if people wanted to then we'll probably make it possible (several people have actually done this already with Vives 1...... and they'll remain anonymous, just as would any people who offered donations in Vives 2).
So Donations, yes probably, any other form of monetary gain? Absolutely not.
Cheers
- Ara |
Vives Screenshots!
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 03:16 PM |
Not that this may translate well, but before I played this all the time, I used to play Battlefield 2. I still play it once in a while, but I learned that BF 2142 was going to have "active billboards" which mean that some maps that spawned would have a real life advertisement, even thought the game took place in... 2142. I figured it was a load of crap (along with the spyware that is now required to install even to play the game), so I saved myself the 39.99 + tax, and went looking for a better game.
And because of it, here I am. |
Tristian and Elghinn.
NWN logon =UltimatiumOmega
Lost item: Fire Bomb
Tristian Vike damages Erin: 19 (19 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Tristian Vike: 7 (7 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Kard Snyder: 10 (10 Fire) |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 04 Apr 2007 03:33 PM |
There is absolutely -ZERO- chance of any "real cash for in game items" scenarios happening with vives....... number one reason being one of principal, and secondly it's also illegal.
Of course. If it needed to be said then I'm glad you did...but I never considered it a possibility for Vives for many reasons. |
T'mok Gurzi
Resident Gnoll Warlord
patron for the noble yet drink addled
Timik Gorozai the Mistake |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 07:25 AM |
It is interesting. There's kind of two aspects here: Game developers/publishers making additional money from a game, and third parties making money from products/services based on/in a game.
On the first aspect, partly it's just that companies are always looking for new ways to make money, but partly they actually need to. The gaming market has really changed over the last few years, and the risks of a front sale only product are enormous - there's a reason we get so many 'safe' sequels compared to original games these days. PC games in particular have suffered, with the ease of getting hold of copies not exactly helping things either.
Moving to alternative income streams, be that subscription based gaming, paying for download content (outfits etc have been selling really well in some online games), in game adverts or whatever, removes some of the risk of a traditional game model, and instead of piracy being a problem, any increased distrubution actually helps fund development.
On the second aspect it's just a fact of life that there will always be people making things that other people want to buy to increase their enjoyment - we've had it for game guides etc for years, and now it's turning to other services that people want. Second Life is probably the best example of this, though it plays a part in other games like Eve as well. Whether the developer/publisher wants this to happen or not is completely up to them - I expect the decision is made party on any percieved effect it'll have on the overall fun of the game (if third parties inflate the cost of what you need to buy to enjoy the game then publishers may decide it affects market size) and partly on altruistic/philosophy grounds, which of course don't really exist but have a part to play in the image a company wants to project to help it gain/keep market share.
As far as NWN goes, the latter applies - Bioware have very strictly forbidden any buying of services that have anything to do with it's games. Donations are fine, but as soon as that nets you any kind of benefit in-game you are in breach of EULA. Non-services I'm not so sure about - subtle advertisment seems to be tolerated, infact many PWs were created specifically to showcase internet cafes or servers. Then it's simply a choice of the player whether to accept playing in a world that has adverts or sponsors. |
For every complex problem there is a solution that's simple, neat and wrong. - Henry Louis Mencken |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 07:31 AM |
The only thing I'd agree with is what Arathon proposed in his post. I have absolutely no problem with Paypal links or something like being an Amazon affiliate. Perhaps you could even implement that one Arathon. It's absolutely free and if people are willing to order from Amazon through the Vives site, then you get a small profit from the income. For the user it's absolutely without any additional fees or costs.
I know it's a hobby for all of us, but housing the server and having the IC does cost money. I certainly see no harm in offsetting the costs in such a way! Go for it even.
But anything IG would be way too distracting. I played Evercrack as well, and I hated the goldfarmers and those who would buy level 70 characters. As someone else pointed out earlier, it's about roleplay, not about having a big fat wallet. |
Luther McIath: I see, so [X is] the right person in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.
[Fictrix] ... And can speak French, like both! Wait, I mean Elven. |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 08:14 AM |
I can see it now...
"Mages thoughtfully nerf'ed based on the donations of Wicked Artist"
"immunity to IGMS, $10 - purchase now at a link near you"
"C'mon folks! we just need another 1 cent donation to hit the 10 cent limit required before we implement the PD Mage restrictions enhancements. Be Quick, Act Now! and you can be a part of history"
Yeah, that's the ticket. |
Purpose in life: finding better ways of allowing players to kill themselves. Repeatedly.
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"...Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good."
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<@James42> Lawful good isn't in your vocabulary, it's on your menu.
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 08:22 AM |
I can see it now...
"Mages thoughtfully nerf'ed based on the donations of Wicked Artist"
"immunity to IGMS, $10 - purchase now at a link near you"
"C'mon folks! we just need another 1 cent donation to hit the 10 cent limit required before we implement the PD Mage restrictions enhancements. Be Quick, Act Now! and you can be a part of history"
Yeah, that's the ticket.
Don't tarnish my good reputation with greed! IGMS immunity should be given freely and indescriminately to all but wizards, mages and anyone capable of reading IGMS scrolls, as well as all elves, subrace or otherwise. Gnomes are exception to this rule, 'cos they rule. |
WickedArtist: I think he needs a proper elf.
WickedArtist: A christmas elf!
Tasra: Any sort of elf that actually smiles ;o
Gasp! Scandalous!!! |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 10:46 AM |
Come on, why are you all limiting yourselves?
Invisibility potions for 25 cents a pop sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, that baby quest I've heard about sponsored by Avent with completion resulting in a $2 off coupon for Enfamil, Disin's flour quest = buy one, get on free Pizza Hut coupon, etc plus IG xp and gp awards.
In return we get paid admins and devs...How cool would that be? Your job is to run a fantasy world! Also there is plenty of cash left over for upgrades, additional servers and ways to make the server the best possible environment it can be.
AND, the benefits don't stop with just the Vives moderating team. Players could be hired as reps for companies! Get to a sufficiently high enough level and you could get approached by a company to wear their logo IG...AND GET PAID!! Imagine WA...Alton gets a new robe (damage resistance 10 toward fire, cold, acid, lightning, blunt, piercing, slashing; +5 luck bonus) with a Starbucks logo on the back and you get $20 an hour just for wearing it. Say goodbye to your regular working life...your job is adventuring!!
So I don't see what all of the venom is about...this is an incredible opportunity for everyone. Really, all of the negativity is just going to keep everyone else from being successful and if you don't want to participate, maybe you should go somewhere else.
/corporate RP off
Yuck! I have to go wash now... |
T'mok Gurzi
Resident Gnoll Warlord
patron for the noble yet drink addled
Timik Gorozai the Mistake |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 11:15 AM |
Suit of armor-$5
Good Flame sword-$3
Boots of Travelling-$2
Cloak of elvenkind-$3
Belt of Strength-$4
Watching Lucifer McLath trip over his robes-Priceless |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 04:10 PM |
| Real money moving for goods and services in games means the Government comes in and takes thier piece of the action in the form of taxes. As it happens, the Government is taking keen interest already in virtual economies. |
Three sisters, born of the Sea
A sad fate t'was in store for thee
Oh Vaisha, Vahlah and Vallaesha |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 05 Apr 2007 04:28 PM |
Real money moving for goods and services in games means the Government comes in and takes thier piece of the action in the form of taxes. As it happens, the Government is taking keen interest already in virtual economies.
That's mostly because of games like Second Life or whatever it is called. Then again, I'd never buy real estate in a game... I already don't like to pay a monthly fee to play a game. I figure that buying the game is enough of an expense. In that regard, I certainly got my money's worth out of NWN. I've been playing it for years and years and it still keeps improving. :) |
Luther McIath: I see, so [X is] the right person in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.
[Fictrix] ... And can speak French, like both! Wait, I mean Elven. |
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Re: Corp interests in PWs
Posted: 06 Apr 2007 08:20 PM |
| I agree wholeheartedly with Phoenix. There have been plently of games I would have loved to play (Star Wars Galaxies, and D&D Online to name two), but I dislike the idea of paying $10/month to play a game. NWN has been the best gaming investment I have ever made thanks to the individuals who created, and play Vives (and also a few cheers for the individuals who created Neverwinter Connections while I'm at it.) |
-Kalos
"When in doubt, tell the truth. It will amaze most people, delight your friends, and confuse your enemies" -Mark Twain
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