Get Ready, Sports Game Subscription Release Models Are Coming

[pslieber]

Will stand semi-alone, but big fan of this. Ideally, it removes 75% of development costs, freeing them up to keep improving existing product via better testing, glitch removal, and continuous updates. The MMORPG model works well.
There are so many better versions of previous sports titles from earlier years, especially NHL, NBA. If only they would've had the option to make good, great, versus re-inventing the wheel for no apparent reason. The online communities can likewise finally be tamed.
If there was a flat cost per year - say $100 for all EA Sports titles - I'm all in. I*state this knowing EA will no doubt require up front purchase ($60 per) for the base products in year one.*
Also, presentation is secondary to me over gameplay. As an older gamer, I'm all about sustained experience.

[Herky]

It's a pathetic attempt at a money grab and if this happens I hope it blows up in their face.

I want no part of subscription based sports games. If you are waiting on a patch/update each day that passes burns up your subscription period. Sometimes it's takes a month or two for Madden to get to where I want to play it. I don't want to wait and burn portions of my subscription or plan my subscription around when the game is "playable" in my eyes. Sometimes I use test franchises while patches are getting worked out to get a feel for how I want to do things. I want to own the game not rent it even if the rental is for a year.

This is just a stupid concept.

[Vermin]

@GeeMonster84: If you are only a fan of one of these games, say Madden, your money is already going to fund the others, like NBA Live.*

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by pslieber

Will stand semi-alone, but big fan of this. Ideally, it removes 75% of development costs, freeing them up to keep improving existing product via better testing, glitch removal, and continuous updates. The MMORPG model works well. There are so many better versions of previous sports titles from earlier years, especially NHL, NBA. If only they would've had the option to make good, great, versus re-inventing the wheel for no apparent reason. The online communities can likewise finally be tamed. If there was a flat cost per year - say $100 for all EA Sports titles - I'm all in. I*state this knowing EA will no doubt require up front purchase ($60 per) for the base products in year one.* Also, presentation is secondary to me over gameplay. As an older gamer, I'm all about sustained experience.

I'm with you. I've said for years that a single, rolling release model makes a lot more sense for sports games than an annual release does -- as it stands, previous years' versions are practically worthless anyway. I'd gladly pay $10/month for an a all-inclusive Madden/FIFA/NHL subscription, and that'd likely make more money for EA as well.

[Speedy]

I like the concept, actually.

The game can be viewed as an application that we purchase a monthly subscription toward...perhaps something like a 3 month subscription for $15 so the user can cancel if we don't like the game or continue to purchase a subscription if the game is enjoyable. I think this would better help with cash flow and help fund DLCs more than going the microtransaction way. It would also really put the onus on the developer to provide gaming that is enjoyable and force them to LISTEN and INTERACT with the community to keep them subscribed and keep that cash flow coming.

We're in a digital era now so I can see everything being software based. I'd be ok with getting roster updates or whatnot, perhaps oddly scheduled visual updates or new features added but I don't have to buy a new disk. The application is the same...kind of like Chrome, FF where it's just an update to install.

I feel like this wouldn't put as much pressure on sports games to push content for a yearly release as much and would allow them to really go for the BIG TICKET items. ...as long as there is consistent development, like Rainbow Six Seige (as an example). I'd be okay with roster updates for The Show every month and they update the graphics like in August of one year, maybe another graphic update on a stadium in October, player models updated in March, etc. So then, there is continual development and an increased incentive to continue their subscription to get this content.