Video Game Thought: ESO, levying and priorities

by | May 3, 2014

Hey All,

A good virtual buddy of mine, James, aka Beat Ronin was talking about ESO and paying to play a while back. Having thought about what he said in that post, I've decided to cancel my sub to ESO. Why?

I don't really feel like paying $15 a month, $42/3months or whatever for a sub that I'm not going to use for every day of that time period. It's a scam, truly it is- most of that time you're not playing the game- you've got life stuff (work, uni, kids, prepping food for the continuation of life for yourself and your progeny, etc). Now, don't get me wrong I loved the time I spent on ESO (part of the free 30 days you get for buying it. One month free, really? Why not forever?!) but even then in the obligatory 'test the game out' 30 days I didn't use it much. If I was paying for a sub, that'd be money wasted. Sure I enjoyed being a dark elf sorcerer in a Daggerfall Covenant, but eh. When you see people already at lv19+ on friggin' horses (either 18k in game or you buy the $119 AUD imperial pack. For that money, I'd buy a 40k Land Raider at RETAIL. At least I can physically touch the land raider).

 

An interesting issue was raised though with James talking about the PTP (pay to play) method being outdated, especially when many MMO games offer a free to play option. It was hypothesized that people are paying the sub due to the popularity of the Elder Scrolls franchise. In the interest of full disclosure, I did pay for a SWTOR sub when I played it as uni was less hectic and I only subbed for a month when I had the time (cancelled afterwards so it'd only bill me for the month and not recur). Everytime I did though at least I got a buncha free stuff and privileges for subbing- something I don't know that exists for ESO. Plus speeders were 8k-17k, easy money in SWTOR (or use cartel coins- practically given away). Also love the Star Wars franchise better than the Elder scrolls, but that's just me. Anyhow, I digress.

The main problem with the PTP method is a lack of value for money- unless you're on the game ALL. THE. TIME. Talking to Beat Ronin about it, I suggested $15 for 30 logins- where one login = 1 days worth of playing (ie you can log out and back in all day and it counts as 1 login) which tick over at 0000 local time. It would (in my opinion) keep people around as they know they don't have to worry about subscribing, constantly forking out cash for a few days worth of gameplay, etc. Personally, it's enough to buy the damn game (hell companies get profits from that) let alone keep paying so the company can double-dip (subs! Pay to play!). I don't have to pay $$$ for pokeballs in Y, nor do I have to fork out $15 for a month's supply of ammo in CS:GO.I'm not made of money and the money I do have goes to savings, food, public transport costs, fuel, public transport costs, plastic toy soldiers, public transport costs and so on.

In closing, if you feel that ESO gives you value for money or the benefits are greater than the cost, go for it and enjoy it. I've had my taste, but the cost is unpalatable. Maybe in the hols I may sub for a month like I did with SWTOR, but at this stage I don't know. I'm still having fun with a lot of free to play, non-MMO games out there (CS:GO, Starbound, lol original pokemon gold on a GBC).

Wow, posts are getting longer :D let's make it a habit and try to improve quality

Stay young at heart,

The Warlock

PS: In my last post, I am on the look out for anyone who wants to offload any GW 40k Sisters of Battle. If you want to offload yours, shoot me a comment below :)