Yesterday's interview with Jeff Hickman - lots of answers

[Cenyala]

Yesterday there was a phone in interview with the folks at Bioware that answered a lot of questions at mmorpg.com author William Murphy

 

Here are some of the highlights:

 

It's happening, and sooner than you might think. BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic is going F2P with a hybrid business model this fall. Players have been wondering about it, journalists have been begging for it, and it seems that all this time BioWare's been listening and reacting. After being informed of the then embargoed announcement this morning, I had the rare opportunity to sit in on a call with BioWare's Jeff Hickman and Matthew Bromberg (who recently took over as GM of the Austin studio. We talked about the timing, the reasons, and the way in which they believe SWTOR going F2P is just finally giving the players what they've wanted, and breaking down the barrier into the Old Republic once and for all. The call was brief, but this is what I've learned.

 

 

 

CARTEL COINS - A NEW SORT OF CURRENCY

 

All F2P games wind up with some sort of RMT currency, and SWTOR's will be "Cartel Coins". Basically, all subscribers (still at $15 a month after the conversion) will receive a not-yet-set cache of coins to spend on goods each month, while free players will have to open up their wallets to get some bank in this new type of intergalactic money. I asked the guys what sorts of stuff CC will buy, knowing just how terrified we all are of Pay-to-Win models, and they assured me they have been paying close attention to what's okay business practice with RMT and what's not. Essentially, Cartel Coins will buy a few things: actual in-game content (beyond the 1-50 experience that comes with the game now), vanity items, and convenience items (bank slots, bag slots, character slots, etc). There will be nothing you can buy with CC that will give you an advantage over other players in a competitive arena.

 

CONTENT UPDATES ON AN AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE

 

One of the chief things Jeff and Matt expect folks to spend money on if they're not subscribed (subscribers will always receive every bit of new content, regardless of CC) are content updates. They plan on releasing these every six weeks, and they'll include different sorts of content each time: warzones, operations, public events, and so on (even a mix of all three might be possible). And while there's no set price point for each update, they plan to break it down into different options enough so that PVP folks can focus on buying the content they want, and dungeon folks can focus on what they want, while others can buy everything in one package if they want as well. Again the goal with this model, they stress, is to give options to everyone and to open the game up to get the most people playing.

 

MAKEB AND OTHER CONTENT = FREE?

 

I asked Matt and Jeff then if the planned content we learned about at E3 would be some of the first "Content Updates" to be purchased, and they couldn't go into much more detail than "yes and no". For instance, HK51 is something they really want to get in the game sooner rather than later, while Makeb is further down the line. They also have a brand new event for all subscribers coming in August which is a public world event like the Rhakgoul Invasion. I asked if HK51 would then be free for everyone, if he came before the F2P launch, and Jeff said they really haven't decided because they're not even sure when he's going to launch just yet. The goal is to work on the content and get it out as soon as they can, and if some comes after the F2P transition, then they'll evaluate what is free and what is paid.

 

STAFFING AND CONTENT OUTPUT AS F2P?

 

I didn't ask the guys directly about layoffs, as it's a bit of a tough subject, but indirectly I asked how the transition to a F2P hybrid model is going to affect their staffing and their content output. Are they equipped to meet a seemingly more aggressive content push? Their answer was simple: any shift in staff they've made over the past few months has been to sort of rebuild the studio for this new F2P venture. They have more focused content teams in place now than they did before, and they're more confident now that they can meet their goals with this altered approach.

 

DOES BIOWARE THINK F2P IS THE FUTURE?

 

I then asked Jeff and Matt if they knew now, what they had known then about the MMO market in the West, would SWTOR have been built as a F2P game to begin with? Their answer, in so many words was yes. They freely admitted that hindsight is 20/20, and that they were wrong in predicting the sub model would be perfect for SWTOR, because such things are difficult to gauge over the long multi-year pre-launch lifespan of a project as massive as an MMORPG. Both gentlemen agreed that they see the F2P and hybrid models as the way the market is going, and they feel that this change for SWTOR is reactive and timely to change now rather than later. Matt said, "We're reacting because the players want it this way. There are folks who have been telling us they want it F2P since trying it, since buying it, and they see the subscription as a needless barrier... and we agree. In general, consumers today want flexibility and we're going to give it to them."

 

DID BIOWARE LOOK TO OTHERS FOR GUIDANCE?

 

When I asked the gents whether they looked at companies like SOE, Turbine, and so forth for guidance on how to make this transition, the answer was simply: "Of course." But they also said they're being very careful in making sure that they take the good things others have learned before them, while still realizing that SWTOR has things which make it unique and can't be translated as blankly. They feel the content updates are a perfect way to entice folks to either a.) subscribe if they want it all or b.)buy some Cartel Coins if they just want a little bit here or there. They also want to make sure the entire base game is playable from 1-50, so all classes and story content are free to everyone. The idea is that they hope folks want to spend money on the cosmetic additions, the new content, and convenience stuff to supplement their experience.

 

BEST THING OF F2P AND WORST THING OF F2P?

 

Lastly, I tossed the guys an easy one in what's likely to be a very up and down week-long news cycle. I asked them to tell me the best part they see when it comes to transitioning to F2P and also the hardest or worst part. The best was a clear choice: they're finally going to be able to tell everyone that the game's wide open and waiting to be explored. When the F2P version launches, there will be no more barrier of entry to get in and explore the continuation of the Old Republic mythos. The worst part? The not so easy part? It's a whole lot of work changing the entire game's business model around. Both on the back end, out front where the players see and interact with it, and in the development cycles they are now going to be working with. But Jeff and Matt both sound superbly optimistic that when the dust settles on the announcement and all is said and done... Star Wars: The Old Republic will be better off and so will the players.

[SithVeritas]

Conclusion: They screwed us.

 

 

And lol@listening and reacting, more like ignoring and locking threads.

[mangarrage]

HK51 is something they really want to get in the game sooner rather than later, while Makeb is further down the line.

 

oh man lol

The new companion is a higher priority then new content

 

That is pretty much the direction of the game

 

I also like the part where he talks about content updates every 6 weeks. Whereas we were told previously there would be new content every month and we still havent seen one content update since

 

But I guess now that the ftp model will be in effect and non subs will have to pay for content, maybe they will have more efficient content updates

 

Just more fail

[Cavell]

Wasn't Hickman the guy who helped run EA's other WoW-killer WAR into the ground?

[belizar]

Wasn't Hickman the guy who helped run EA's other WoW-killer WAR into the ground?

 

maybe he gets paid by blizzard same way someone else got to be paying ghost crawler

[Ganzor]

Does anybody really expect them to say...

 

"Yeah, it's going to be Pay to Win and we're totally going to take advantage of and attempt to milk every player in the game for every penny they have!".

 

Rest assured, that's what WILL happen. There is not a single "Free To Play" game in existence that is not pay to win.

 

This is the death of the honest game.

[ZionHalcyon]

I just hope F2P players who buy coins can post in the forums, and buy unlimited access via adventure packs to operations and flashpoints.

 

If that much is guaranteed, then I probably will migrate to F2P.

[Styxx]

I wonder if there would have been a bet.. on their paycheck for the next 10 years. about the truth of what they said... would they have been giving the same answers?

[ZionHalcyon]

I have to laugh at all the people having a hissy fit btw - DDO has a very similar model in place, and its certainly not Pay2Win.

 

But I also know people who want to be ignorant and lash out can't be reasoned with...

[Cavell]

Does anybody really expect them to say...

 

"Yeah, it's going to be Pay to Win and we're totally going to take advantage of and attempt to milk every player in the game for every penny they have!".

 

Rest assured, that's what WILL happen. There is not a single "Free To Play" game in existence that is not pay to win.

 

This is the death of the honest game.

I have to admit, I'm also somewhat amused at the people going, "Hey, EA hasn't said they're going to try and screw us out of every nickel and dime, so everything's going to be okay!" EA, after all, has such an upstanding reputation, and there are so many examples of them leaving money on the table when they could have wrung it out of us...

 

Oh wait.

[HoloTweed]

Conclusion: They screwed us.

 

And lol@listening and reacting, more like ignoring and locking threads.

 

You got the game you paid for. How in any way are YOU being "screwed?"

[Styxx]

I have to laugh at all the people having a hissy fit btw - DDO has a very similar model in place, and its certainly not Pay2Win.

 

But I also know people who want to be ignorant and lash out can't be reasoned with...

 

I know a game called World of Tanks, that DOES sell EXCLUSIVE content that is 33% better ... and you can only buy with CC, since it is unavailable ingame by other means. Makes clan warfare a question of money, rather than "skill".

 

The moral of the story is: Do you trust EA enough to have this as your example and not mine? Because I don`t.

[Nippon]

I have to laugh at all the people having a hissy fit btw - DDO has a very similar model in place, and its certainly not Pay2Win.

 

But I also know people who want to be ignorant and lash out can't be reasoned with...

 

Yep DDO, has a healthy 1million plus player-base, and is an awesome game that everyone here is playing....

 

Ow wait !!

[Styxx]

You got the game you paid for. How in any way are YOU being "screwed?"

 

We are ALL screwed, because there is the potential of being asked to PAY for each new patch, Premium, OR Fremium. Because THEY will decide which is "new content" and what is "performance patch". Because this is just the PR sales pitch, not the real thing.

 

And I simply don`t trust NEITHER of EA and Bioware with anything. Especially promises.

 

[EDIT]because, in their own words, Premium players will get access to all new content. Fine and dandy, but why do they need Cartel Coins, then?

Edited August 1, 2012 by Styxx

[TheLordMagnus]

1 reall content pacth in the hole time ive been here 1.3 was not a new pice of content and u guys reckon u can do it ever 6 week what a load of bullcrap and all the fluf we asked for at THE START OF THE GAME U GANA TRY AND FREAKING SELL US NOW SHAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ONNNNNNNNNNNN YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU:mad:

[ZionHalcyon]

I know a game called World of Tanks, that DOES sell EXCLUSIVE content that is 33% better ... and you can only buy with CC, since it is unavailable ingame by other means. Makes clan warfare a question of money, rather than "skill".

 

The moral of the story is: Do you trust EA enough to have this as your example and not mine? Because I don`t.

 

Then you arent paying attention, because what they already showed and outlined looks almost exactly like DDOs model.

 

So I have more facts backing my example, and you just have your distrust and rage backing yours.

[kevlarto]

I have to laugh at all the people having a hissy fit btw - DDO has a very similar model in place, and its certainly not Pay2Win.

 

But I also know people who want to be ignorant and lash out can't be reasoned with...

 

I agree, there is no pay to win in amercian made games, I can't think of one game thats is made by amercian dev's that have pay to win, no one sells legondary one shot weapons or the armor of all repeling, the whole pay to win is just a line of crap, by free to play haters, and no fact to back it up.. it's a perception by the un-informed.

Edited August 1, 2012 by kevlarto

[Nippon]

Then you arent paying attention, because what they already showed and outlined looks almost exactly like DDOs model.

 

So I have more facts backing my example, and you just have your distrust and rage backing yours.

 

So your basing your argument on what EA/BW told you, good luck with that one...!!!

 

They told us a lot of things that they did not deliver, but hey lets forget all about that huh.

[Styxx]

Then you arent paying attention, because what they already showed and outlined looks almost exactly like DDOs model.

 

So I have more facts backing my example, and you just have your distrust and rage backing yours.

 

Nope.

 

We have one example each. And we are neither right or wrong, because we can`t predict the future.

 

But what we are seeing is, really, just the PR... and I DO NOT trust EA with anything good for me, as customer. Not where they are changing the rules 7 months after the game has started. Because chances are.. they`ll change them again.

 

By all means, go ahead and believe what you want. But get off your high horse and agree than you don`t know anything more than I do.

[ZionHalcyon]

So your basing your argument on what EA/BW told you, good luck with that one...!!!

 

They told us a lot of things that they did not deliver, but hey lets forget all about that huh.

 

I get it - you hate EA and therefore don't trust them. I guess you don't believe that they made a Star Wars MMO with bioware either, since that was something EA said back when and you don't trust them.

 

Oh wait, where are we again?

 

 

Like I said, I have whats been said and shown on my side. You have your opinions on EA and your emotions.

 

My argument is more logical. Yours is more irrational and you don't care for reason.

 

Quite the stalemate, no?

[leathfuil]

Then you arent paying attention, because what they already showed and outlined looks almost exactly like DDOs model.

 

So I have more facts backing my example, and you just have your distrust and rage backing yours.

 

Actually it looks like Age of Conan's model.

[alifaraaz]

I'm actually happy this is happenening. Although I prefer paying a subscription (and will likely continue to do so) it means there'll be more people. And if BW and EA want to make money they will physically have to make and sell content. It will become a higher priority, to bring out small but more frequent content updates, of which I've always preffered over the big bundle patches.

[Styxx]

I get it - you hate EA and therefore don't trust them. I guess you don't believe that they made a Star Wars MMO with bioware either, since that was something EA said back when and you don't trust them.

 

If one thing said is true, that does not automatically mean everything said is/was true.

 

If one thing is false, that does not automatically mean everything said is/was false.

 

Btw... Bioware was developing this game for at least a full year before their parent Company was bought by EA in october 2007. They were developing this since at least march 2006.

[Ganzor]

Those touting DDO's model need to look at Turbine's other Pay 2 Win, LOTRO.

 

I can't speak for DDO since I haven't played it, bit as far as LOTRO goes, it's for sure pay to win.

 

Their announcement looked almost exactly like what bioware is going for here. Sub get "free" points for use in the store, etc. Turbine repeatedly assured there would be no advantage items in the store. That promise didn't make it out of BETA, and they've only got worse since.

 

I will not be a part of this nonsense again.

[ReverendAnderson]

We are ALL screwed, because there is the potential of being asked to PAY for each new patch, Premium, OR Fremium. Because THEY will decide which is "new content" and what is "performance patch". Because this is just the PR sales pitch, not the real thing.

And I simply don`t trust NEITHER of EA and Bioware with anything. Especially promises.

[EDIT]because, in their own words, Premium players will get access to all new content. Fine and dandy, but why do they need Cartel Coins, then?

 

Until it actually happens, there's no point flying off the handle swearing up and down that we WILL get screwed. What do you have to lose by taking the wait and see approach? There's a lot less anger/pouting involved.