I was shocked at the announcement that TERA Online will be going P2P… This is an absolute outrage in my opinion. Yes, the game looks good etc, but as a flagship game, why go P2P ? I always said that companies can only afford to go P2P after building up some reputation with other games. NCsoft started out early as a market leader, while Blizzard has had a long history with their games with rich lore. Yes, BlueHole Studio is made up of core members who made Lineage2, but it just doesn’t make any sense for a new company. Why must TERA Online, or rather BlueHole Studio dig its own grave ? I am really disappointed and lost for words.
For more information, click here:
http://www.tera-online.com/about_tera/faq/faq.php
Update:
Let me explain in detail why I think the game will not do well and survive as a P2P.
1. Can anyone list me the number of F2P MMORPGs coming out in 2010? Add in Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2, Korea’s national sport, how the heck will TERA stand a chance? For the English players, seriously, would you be rather paying for TERA than having a blast in SC2?
Final Fantasy XIV Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, DC Universe Online, Blade & Soul, Aion (with new expansion), WoW: Cataclysm and Star Trek Online are just some of the P2P MMOs out next year. And tons more F2P MMOs.
Add in Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2, I don’t think alot of people will have cash to spare to get another P2P MMO in TERA.
2. Before people scream and say give them a chance, how many Korean companies have been successful in making B2P + P2P MMOs? Its not the Asian way of paying a subscription fee for a MMO, and Asia should be a larger market compared to NA. Why? How many players in China will actually get the game? Don’t tell me WoW and Lineage 2 and Aion, like I said, both are proven companies.
Yes, NCsoft was successful, but when did NCsoft started? Its 2009 now, its a saturated MMORPG market already, but by TERA’s standards, going F2P will give the market a really big wake up call. Ain’t it common sense? Its just not financially viable now to pull such a stunt.
3. Using AAA (triple A) as a way to promote the game. I have no idea who gives this triple A thingy away and paste them on games, maybe I will do a check later.
I will get the game if its B2P with cash shop at the most. I personally wonder those who screamed to give the game a chance, will actually buy it in the first place.
For more information about the game, click here:
http://mmoculture.blogspot.com/search/label/tera
Official English website: http://www.tera-online.com/main.php
