To sub or not to sub suggestion

[Xsyon]

Hello Kziko,

The current 'free play with limited skills' is intended primarily to allow old players to return and check out current changes without having to resubscribe. It's done more as a courtesy to old players and isn't intended as a regular 'free to play' system.

Actual 'free to play' systems that work rely on ways for a small percent of players to spent a lot more than $15 a more. That doesn't make sense for Xsyon and as you mentioned above, it would require a lot more work (work focused solely on monetizing the game and not making it better.

Yes, there are a lot of complaints on Steam regarding the subscription. I don't think that changing what you get for the subscription would change the situation. It seems that those complaining the most don't look past the subscription notice (or understanding from the top rated reviews that there is a subscription). Most definitely don't read about the game or understand the current state of the game. They just see subscription + Early Access and get upset.

Removing the subscription during Early Access is something I'm considering, but it's risky. I am most concerned with what is best for the game and to keep it going. I am especially hesitant because of past experiences.

Originally, Xsyon was $39.99 with a $14.99 monthly subscription. Interesting enough, originally very few, if any were complaining about the price. It wasn't really an issue. As time went on though, people were saying they were turned off by the price and many were saying they would play if the monthly subscription was $9.99.

I took the risk and lowered the prices to $29.99 and $9.99. Account sales did not increase. Monthly accounts did not increase. I kept track of players that said they'd come back with a lowered subscription and most did not return. Instead we simply lost revenue.

Shortly after this, pressured again by potential players, I set up Xsyon with limited 'free to play' (meant mostly as an unlimited free trial). This did slightly improve active daily numbers, but weekly and monthly activity numbers immediately dropped. This 'free to play' system caused many problems (as detailed here). Over time and after conducting several new player surveys, it was clear that just having the game called 'free to play' was attracting players that weren't looking for a game like Xsyon and turning away players that were.

Both of these were bad decisions, but hard to rescind. I'd been advised by others in the industry that once you lower a price or allow free play, it's very difficult to go back.

I did finally go back, first by increasing the subscription price last October and second by removing the free to play system in December. The game population remained steady in October and actually began to rise in December as soon as I removed the 'free to play' system.

Although we launched on Steam the first week of January, this provided an minor boost only for the first few days. Steam traffic and sales were low in January and February. Direct traffic and sales were higher during those months than any months of the previous year. Steam activity really picked up in March when we started to get regular exposure there.

That brings us to where we are now. If I was certain that removing the subscription would bring in enough new players to replace subscription income, I would do it immediately. Right now it's too hard to gauge, so I'm focusing on the upcoming updates and we'll see!

[chubb82]

Hi,

Thanks for getting back on this topic and nice to see a well informed post too!

It's good to see what has been tried and done. Like I said to my tribe leader, I hate it that this game is getting criticised (on steam) as if you can look beyond the sub, there is a great game with great potential. I guess people want to have their cake and eat it too.

Ultimately I don't want the game especially the lovely community to be ruined by certain types of players.

Thanks once again for your post and keep up the good work!

Kziko