The system mail we got back on 5/15/09
I was bored the other day, waiting for 117hrs for archery to upgrade, and I was re-reading mail. And while re-reading the system message from 5/15/09.
From the message:
"We were basically left with two options: scale up our infrastructure to meet demand, or forgo the Free Forever theme and convert to a subscription system, which would reduce the number of users.
We decided that because Free Forever is what inspired players to come to Evony in the first place, we would stick with it and do our best to support all our paid and unpaid players, rather than changing the business model to subscription-based."
It concerns me that you considered changing to a subscription model. Does the term "free forever" mean something different in Korea (it is S Korea, yes?)?
Evony, and it's original incarnation Civony, have both been EXTENSIVELY advertised as being "free forever". The title bar of the window the browser loads in when you play the game, says "free forever".
The "free to play, pay for bonuses" gaming model is one that is beginning to catch on. It's possibly the future of online gaming. There has also been a LOT of discussion of the new legal minefield associated with the model. In a traditional pay to play model, it's very easy to have a EULA that dictates that the user is simply paying for a monthly (or other time frame) license to USE the software, and no ownership interest in any game items or progression exists. However, that's not so easy to claim in the "free to play" model. Users are actually paying directly for specific in-game items, or other potentially tangible in-game improvements. It's not so easy to dismiss the implied ownership in this model. Users who suddenly find that their purchased items have vanished due to a bug, or suddenly find they now have to pay extra to access these things they've already paid for, could very well have VERY credible legal claim.
So my question to the powers that be... what is your intention? Do you actually understand the commitment you've made? Do you consult with lawyers from time to time? ;) Yes I know, no one's going to likely prevail in even a class action suit against a company in Asia. But it certainly does give me (and I assume anyone else who can read) reason to be hesitant about giving you folks money for game enhancements, when you apparently have little recognition of what your own words & advertising commit you to. You're certianly free to make other games under whatever model you choose, but you've started down a road with this one.
Now before the inevitable dingbats come out of the woodwork... please don't put words in my mouth. I have not, nor do I intend to, threaten suing anyone about anything. I'm simply observing that we have been communicated two VERY different messages from the people who operate this game. I'm simply looking for clarification. I'm hoping to be convinced that they understand the meaning of their words.