Agreed, the next big thing will be released and the players move on. The only real titles that extend this are the more pure MMO RPG’s (though I think Destiny is a title that’s managed to extend itself and buck the trend a bit, even if its not a title I’d want to play, praise where praise is due).
Wildlands will be out in a few months time, focus will be only on the next few paid expansions and history tells us the game will drop off the radar potentially Q2/Q3 2017.
That is unless Ubisoft and Massive are SERIOUS about building a franchise. IF they are then they actually have two choices as I see it.
1)[SIZE=7pt] [/SIZE]Tried and Tested “Battlefield” method – A 100% stand-alone game, using same game engine, mechanics. Separate story but linked universe to The Division. Essentially “The Division 2”.
2) Tried and Tested “Warcraft” method – Extend the current “universe”, extend current open world environment (to twice current size perhaps), essentially adding another game on top of the current one but also improving the core mechanics and offering additional UI and creative options (enhanced character creation for example, not just cosmetic but also build options).
With either way they can sell annual subscriptions again. Personally I’d like to see option 2 done but … I’m expecting option 1 which means I may or may not buy into it as option 1 is the method to get players buying a new game ($60) PLUS subscription ($40). Option 2 is purely based on a higher cost for a subscription…. Sort of like Underground … subscription buys you the full expansion (basically twice the game) but you have the option to continue with the subscription you have now (lower cost) and retain all you have now, or paying a higher subscription and gaining 100% more open world, more story gameplay etc for $60 instead of just $40, but that’s it…. You don’t have to buy a “new game PLUS subscription” as the $60 pays for the full expansion plus three DLC’s (when they’re ready).
To me that’s far more attractive to players (lower initial cost), cost effective (you’re not re-inventing the wheel, just adding to existing) AND attracts new players as now the cost of $100 gives you the core game, expanded open world AND three DLC packs through the year.
To keep existing customers happy, you stage the release so that availability of the expanded open world is available to existing players a month ahead of players buying the game after “cut off date” (like the exclusivity deal).
Level caps are increased, the game appears fresh and attractive again to new players and existing players are encouraged to renew/subscribe so they get a head start on the new game areas.
Also of course you can (3 months in) offer each expansion and DLC as add-on’s for low individual cost (together higher than full subscription) so that those not wishing to fully subscribe can still enter select areas such as the new open world area ($30), each DLC ($10 each) but only if you have the core game ($30).
….I should be in marketing…..
