Choose-Your-Own Payment
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Up until now world builders and social app builders alike have been faced with a choice: either offer a subscription service, or monetize on micropayments for virtual goods. But then again, why choose?
Elie Akilian, Founder and CEO of KingsIsle Entertainment, is letting his customers decide on their own whether or not they want to pay a subscription price. Players of Wizard 101 have the option to just use micropayments instead, paying as they play. This means that the hardcore many-hours-a-day players can pick up subscription discounts and be done with it, while casual one-or-twice-a-week players can come visit their friends and participate on their own level. It’s such a simple idea but has radical implications. The main reason I don’t play most MMOG’s, for instance, is because I just get too busy to make it worthwhile. If I could pop in there once or twice a week at a pricing plan customized to my needs, however, I might consider playing some games I don’t look twice at now. As it is, Wizard 101 is booming. Take a good look at the pricing chart (click to enlarge) and get a sense of this. The future lies not in guessing what your customers want, but in allowing them to decide for themselves as they go. Think this goes a long way toward explaining Second Life’s popularity? |
