Developing should be free for servers that are staff-only

[salesman]

I'm in no way qualified to be giving business advice, but it's a very basic business strategy to offer one thing for cheap (or free) to encourage spending on another product. At a grocery store, pasta goes on sale, so you buy more tomato sauce. When Sony released the PS3 they took a loss on every PS3 they sold, because they expected to make up for that loss when customers purchased games for their new system. If players know that their friends won't need to upgrade to help them create a playerworld, they will be more likely to invest in a server.

Free developing, or better developer packages, could act as a "foot-in-the-door" for customers, as well. Not only might more developers lead to another popular server, but I'm sure people who are actively developing will end up upgrading anyways if/when they find a server they like. Happy customers are more willing to spend their money again.

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by salesman

I'm in no way qualified to be giving business advice, but it's a very basic business strategy to offer one thing for cheap (or free) to encourage spending on another product. At a grocery store, pasta goes on sale, so you buy more tomato sauce. When Sony released the PS3 they took a loss on every PS3 they sold, because they expected to make up for that loss when customers purchased games for their new system. If players know that their friends won't need to upgrade to help them create a playerworld, they will be more likely to invest in a server.

Free developing, or better developer packages, could act as a "foot-in-the-door" for customers, as well. Not only might more developers lead to another popular server, but I'm sure people who are actively developing will end up upgrading anyways if/when they find a server they like. Happy customers are more willing to spend their money again.

GraalOnline is not Sony nor is it some supermarket chain. Based on Stefan's comments about just scraping by, I'm assuming it cannot sustain loses without shutting down.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

GraalOnline is not Sony nor is it some supermarket chain. Based on Stefan's comments about just scraping by, I'm assuming it cannot sustain loses without shutting down.

we could sure use some good solid content to bring up them sales huh? maybe get new people to start playing this video game again

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by Hiro

we could sure use some good solid content to bring up them sales huh? maybe get new people to start playing this video game again

Go right ahead, buddy-o.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

Go right ahead, buddy-o.

i'm a player not a developer

now what? ^__^

[salesman]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

GraalOnline is not Sony nor is it some supermarket chain. Based on Stefan's comments about just scraping by, I'm assuming it cannot sustain loses without shutting down.

What expenses do you think they have other than server upkeep?

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by salesman

What expenses do you think they have other than server upkeep?

Not that server upkeep isn't a major expense, but I would imagine at least some of what GraalOnline generates goes to feeding its owners... I'm not their accountant, though, so I can't say definitively. The point being that Sony was able to sell at loss because Sony is a multi-billion dollar corporation. GraalOnline apparently just scrapes by on what it charges users.

[salesman]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

Not that server upkeep isn't a major expense, but I would imagine at least some of what GraalOnline generates goes to feeding its owners... I'm not their accountant, though, so I can't say definitively. The point being that Sony was able to sell at loss because Sony is a multi-billion dollar corporation. GraalOnline apparently just scrapes by on what it charges users.

You took my example way too literally.

edit: Both are businesses nonetheless...it's not like I'm asking graal to sell 800 dollar systems for 500 dollars and pray for the best.

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by salesman

You took my example way too literally.

edit: Both are businesses nonetheless...it's not like I'm asking graal to sell 800 dollar systems for 500 dollars and pray for the best.

No, you're just asking them to give away upgrades valued at $70+. It's not going to happen, unless prices are increased everywhere else, which is something I doubt you'll enjoy.

Anyways, here's a little tid-bit: if a server costs about $110 per year, with say 6 people working on it for a year, then that would be about $410 net income per year. When asking that developers be allowed to work on servers without upgrading, you are asking that Graal sell a $410 product for $110.

Edit: I guess the question is, would you be willing to pay more for your server, in order for people to be able to work there without upgrading?

Originally Posted by Hiro

i'm a player not a developer

now what? ^__^

Go learn.

[salesman]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

No, you're just asking them to give away upgrades valued at $70+. It's not going to happen, unless prices are increased everywhere else, which is something I doubt you'll enjoy.

Anyways, here's a little tid-bit: if a server costs about $110 per year, with say 6 people working on it for a year, then that would be about $410 net income per year. When asking that developers be allowed to work on servers without upgrading, you are asking that Graal sell a $410 product for $110.


Go learn.

Which is why I said jerret's suggestion about developer packages might be a better idea. There's so many things that they could do to better serve the developers who are making them money. Just a few things off the top of my head:

• Upgrade once, lifetime developing on staff-only servers
• Cheaper developer-only subcriptions for staff-only servers
• Better packages (i.e. rent a server with 10 developer slots)
• Free developing for anyone with a subcription on staff-only servers

My point is that something should be done to show some damn appreciation for the people who are putting bread on their table (since they are apparently only "scraping by"), and stop overcharging them to develop their game (without proper documentation, updated tools, etc -- hell, we're even doing that for them now, too)

I'm really not trying to come off so negative because I still enjoy developing...however, if things stay as they are now, I truly see our wimpy developer pool becoming even smaller in the future. I'm sure as hell never upgrading again unless something changes, and I'm know I'm not alone on that one.