Dragonmeballs
Better Hide R Die
179
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Posted - 2015.09.01 18:07:00 -
[1] - Quote
501st Headstrong wrote:Not demand a system or anything, but just see if he is waiting till he has more balanced the game before such, because the players want to know, and the game on the PS3 is held back, whether we like it or not. Thank you 07
I share the desire of many players wishing to know the near and long term future of Dust. However I don't believe we will hear an announcement until the wheels are already in motion.
Why?
Rouge wedding. How many players walked/ran away when Legion was announced? CCP gave the players a heads up an improved version of Dust was in the works. They didn't say where it was going and they didn't say when it was to be released. The community lost their minds. Some came to their senses and kept playing while others left with a feeling of betrayal and never looked back.
Back to an actual port:
I start with the basic premise CCP is looking at any version of Dust going forward in terms of its ability to generate revenue.
The have two models to study on two different platforms. Subscription/PC and Micro-transaction/PS3. I also submit any version of Dust will need to be self-supporting. A future version of Dust might borrow from the EVE/Dust business but it needs to be a stand-alone segment of CCP once released.
I argue that CCP is or has been looking at Dust and attempting to evaluate whether a future version of Dust on PS4, PC or both can do just that.
That means there are two paths: 1. A future version of Dust is not viable. 2. A future version of Dust is viable.
If it is 1 then expect CCP to milk the cow until it is dry. If 2 then CCP is currently working on the plan and laying the groundwork.
What is the groundwork?
1. Sort out the game
2. Sort out the business model
These two are very much interlinked but for the sake of discussion I'll separate them.
Game:
As for the game, CCP knows well the limitations of the game within the current environment of the PS3. They also know full well the disparity between the initial vision and current version of Dust.
* Do they plan to to retain the current version and its marginal connection between the EVE universe or aim closer to the initial vision?
* Do they retain the partnership with Sony and live with the limitations? Is the other path a significant enough benefit long term?
* Do they choose the easier platform (PS4 or PC) in terms of code and then implementation when balanced with the previous question?
Business:
* Do they change the model from micro to subscription?
* Where are the current customers and how much do they spend?
10 customers spending $100 is the same as 100 customers spending $10. Which group will bring in more customers by word of mouth? How do you sustain revenue generation? Is there an inherent upside given the platform
I'm going to assume the balance of players is 70/30 in favor of players outside the US for this next part. How many customers live in countries where a PS4 represents a significant higher investment (disposable income) than in the US? Will these players be more inclined to buy a PC or a PS4. (I humbly submit this is the issue facing CCP right now. They have paying customers with PS3s across the globe. How many have the funds to upgrade to either a PS4 or PC for a new version of Dust?)
I have touched on just a few of the questions facing those at CCP working on the port question. One could make a rather detailed matrix to describe both game and business options. In order to weigh these options we'd need information that is beyond our place as players/customers to know.
Again, I submit we will not get anything from them until they are in the midst of implementation of the new Dust--if there is one.
We can get a clue though by asking one question: What is the breakdown by country of the player base now and in the past?
You won't get that information either but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Blueberry!....Make yourself useful and shoot the blurry thing running this way with YES!
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