First, check out this article: http://gigaom.com/2012/07/21/freemium-has-run-its-course/

Finished?

OK, I’ve got a problem with this. I’m an avid WoW player (told you I was a geek) and  I know that the MMO world is split between two models.

The first is “subscription”- where you pay a monthly fee and you get everything. Well, almost everything. There are some micro-transactions like buying vanity pets, but nothing that effects play.

The other is “free to play”. In here, you can sign up for free and play most of the game at no cost… up to a point. However, if you want to reach the upper levels, play the end game, get the best gear, use in-game email or any of bajillion other features then reach for your wallet.

Every game wants to be subscription based. Currently, there are three that I know of that are actually able to do it. There is WoW, Rift and Sta Wars-TOR. They all offer to let you pay for free for the first 15-20 levels (with a lot of functionality turned off) and to go beyond that you need to whip out the credit card.

Problem is that both Rift and SW-TOR are having problems staying above water and there are constant rumors that they will be “going free-to-play” in the near future, like Conan and several other formerly subscription based  games did. Why make the change? Because it makes the company MORE MONEY than staying subscription.

So… if the “freemium” model is dead then why is the online gaming world completely the reverse? Wizard 101, Eve Online, LotR Online… all of these are making money by using the same “freemium” model that they say is dead.

Just a random thought…

-Jay