The Daily Grind: Would you like to see more lifetime subscriptions?

by Seraphina Brennan Jan 7th 2009 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Business models, Economy, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Yesterday's grind concerned the very real problem of having to let one of your subscriptions lapse due to the state of the economy. When the times are tough and money is tight, sometimes you need to find what will ultimately pay off in the end for you. So, today's question is ultimately derived from yesterday's question -- would you like more games to offer lifetime subscriptions, like Lord of the Rings Online?

For those unfamiliar with the system, Lord of the Rings Online offers subscribers the ability to pay a fee, about 299 dollars, and then that's it. No more paying a monthly fee for the rest of the lifetime of the game. While it's an extremely high upfront cost, the benefit is that you will never pay again to keep your account active. Instead of worrying about lapsing subscriptions, you can play when you want, whenever you want.

The downside to this, besides the upfront cost, is the problem that may occur if your game doesn't do so well. Hellgate: London lifetime subscribers are currently feeling this problem, as their game is leaving them high and dry. The lifetime subscription is only good if your game survives long enough to make it worth your while -- the one downside to this type of payment plan.

But, we leave the final judgment to you, readers. Would you like more of your games to offer this type of subscription plan? Comment away!

Tags: hanbitsoft, hellgate-london, lifetime-subscription, lord-of-the-rings-online, lotro, subscription, the-daily-grind, turbine

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

MeowCat said on 8:13AM 1-07-2009

Yes. And to echo a suggestion in an article here yesterday, it would be nice to see more payment options. A lifetime subscription is one option.

Jess said on 8:31AM 1-07-2009

I love the idea of my lotro lifetime membership. It will have paid for itself by 12 Jan 09. As of that date I'll be playing lotro effectively for free!

Greeen said on 8:35AM 1-07-2009

Oh yes, it would be great.
Then again, I do have a lifetime sub to LOTRO, but I don't play anymore. Not sure if I got my money worth in comparison to monthly sub.
Personally, I noticed, I play a game more, if pay short term. I payed often 6 months, then getting tired of it or having RL situations making me quit early. Then it seems wasted, just like the LOTRO sub.

Poozle said on 8:42AM 1-07-2009

I'm against lifetime subs now for one main reason... I was one of the HGL lifetime subbers and as such lost quite a lot of money from what happened. I do agree with what Greeen says though, when I have a shorter sub period I play more to ensure I get the most of my time, while when I have a lifetime sub (or no sub like GW) I don't feel the need to play as often.

Ripper McGee said on 9:01AM 1-07-2009

There are few games for which I would consider purchasing a lifetime subscription. Even then, I wouldn't ever buy one when I first subscribe, but maybe after a year of playing to see how much longevity the game has for me, it's overall sustainability, updates, content, etc...

~Ripper

SwolleTiki said on 9:18AM 1-07-2009

I love the idea of having a lifetime subscription. I've had one with LOTRO since the day it launched, so I've gotten my moneys worth. Even if I stop playing for a few months (which I have in the past), I don't feel like I'm wasting money by not playing. If you are unsure if paying a lifetime subscription is worth it, just take the cost and divide by 10 or 15 and that will give you the number of months you will need to play to recoup your investment. If you're not sure that you will play the game for that long, then the lifetime route may not be for you, but having it as an option is plus to me.

Vulturion said on 9:21AM 1-07-2009

I would like to see more lifetime subscription options, though only ones available after release rather than in crazy pre-order initiatives ; far too big a commitment for a game that is not even launched, even if get to play in beta !

However, the pricing is a tricky beast... more than 12 x monthly fee and it gets so big a purchase that I would be awfully wary, but even 1 year isn't that long in the lifespan of a ( successful ) MMO from a company point of view.

MightyIdle said on 9:28AM 1-07-2009

Lifetime subs would be a good option to have. Options are never a bad thing.

For me personally, I don't care for them. I've fallen into a pattern of MMO rotation that will only get worse as more good titles come around.

I pretty much play one for a few months, put it on hold, and play another. Keeps the burnout down and prevents the 'I've got time invested' addiction.

Fess said on 9:44AM 1-07-2009

I'd say yes, as long as I was careful and -really- sure I'd be enjoying the game for a long time. If I'd plunked the money down for a lifetime subscription to say...WAR, I'd definitely be kicking myself in the butt for it now.

JP said on 9:57AM 1-07-2009

In this economy, w/ these fickle publishers, I won't ever get one. Regardless. But, having an option there would be great for people that are willing to pony up for it. I just think it needs to be very clear that there IS a possibility that the game gets shut down.

Evi said on 9:56AM 1-07-2009

I would never have said yes to this question before WoW. But after four years of $14.99 per month, I wish I had the option of a lifetime subscription. WoW is just about the only game I'd trust with that much money, though. I'd be beyond irritated if I were one of the folks who bought a lifetime sub to Hellgate: London. I trust that WoW will be around for a long time. I can't say the same for other games...

wilhelm2451 said on 10:28AM 1-07-2009

Like others, I wish not only for the lifetime option (which I have found to be great with LOTRO) but for additional options.

$15 a month is a great value, until you are really busy one month and you barely play. But what if I had the choice of $15 being, instead, say 80 hours of play time? That might be about a month for me at times, less at others, and a lot more than a month currently. But I would not feel like I had wasted the money if I did not play enough during a specific 30 day time frame.

NeuroMan42 said on 10:46AM 1-07-2009

Would love more subscription options, Lifetime memberships, and some kinda refund should the game go under if your a Lifetime member.

GRT said on 10:55AM 1-07-2009

I have a lifetime sub to both LOTRO and Hellgate London. The first turned out to be a great investment, the second, not so much.

But I'd still like to see the option in more games.

And as so many others have mentioned, just more options. There are some games I won't buy a monthly sub for, but I would buy a chunk of hours (as someone else suggested) because it's a game I enjoy dipping into two or three times/month.

Snorii said on 10:56AM 1-07-2009

I got a lifetime subscription to Lotro, and I've been very satisfied with it. The only other current mmo that I wish had it is City of Heroes, and I really wish they had the option at its launch.

colin said on 11:31PM 1-07-2009

I love the idea of life time subscriptions, and i wish more games would offer it.

lagwolf said on 11:29AM 1-07-2009

Lifetime of you or the game? Its an interesting option but a foolish choice.

Nuutador said on 12:08PM 1-07-2009

I think it should be an option. If someone wants it, give it!

I think i wouldn't go with that. As it is said here, RL situations sometimes cause long periods of not playing.

Jack said on 12:57PM 1-07-2009

I love see a lifetime subscription on WoW but that will never happened.

Cray said on 2:58PM 1-07-2009

Lifetime subscriptions are bad business ideas, unless the price is outrageously expensive. LOTRO Lifetime subscription should have been priced at $2,000.

Renewable subscriptions is how you keep the cash flow, but if you offer reasonable or very appealing price for lifetime subscriptions you can quickly kill the cash flow once you've reached the plateau of player volume.

If LOTRO doesn't raise their lifetime subscription price, it will eventually hurt them in the long run.