Forum topic: A new business model

Hi everyone,

As this is something "sensitive", I'm only posting this idea on the forum for now as I want to get a general idea of how everyone thinks about this.

As you may or may not know, I've been working freelance since April last year. I had planned to work on Pitwall from April (last year) until mid summer (last year) to fix and work on new features, and once we reached mid summer I switched my main focus on a new project called Got2Sell(.be). This is a quality listing site that allow small shops to create a web shop. This project hasn't really come off the ground as expected, so now I'm looking at different options.

I've been thinking recently about a new business model for Pitwall. But I want to stress out: this is just an idea and I want to hear your opinion. Do not take out your pitchforks as it's an idea and it's not definitely going to be introduced, as I want to hear your feedback.

So to get down to business: the business model is a change from the supporter package to a pay to play package. The entire supporter package would be scrapped, and all supporter features would become available to every player. In return, Pitwall would start to cost money to play. It would be my intention to keep this at a ridiculously low price, even lower than supporter right now.
The pricing I had in mind is something like this:
* Pay for 3 months: €6 (€2/month)
* Pay for 6 months: €9 (€1.50/month)
* Pay for 12 months: €12 (€1/month)
And new members would get 1 season for free.

That would mean that it's cheaper than the current supporter package (and then only if you buy the €100 for 1000 credits package first, and then go for the 4 seasons package; the less cheaper way would be to spend €22 on 100 and 50 credits). I would make sure that people can pay with VISA, MasterCard, etc. as well to avoid people not having the chance to p(l)ay.

What could you expect in return apart from all the supporter features? A more dedicated Frank to Pitwall, as I would have to work more for my money (up to today, I haven't made a single euro profit off Pitwall, I don't want to know how much I've spent). And I would be advertising the game more than I am today (I'm not really doing that today) so that we would get a more competitive game. If we would go through with this it would be my intention to get the game out of its "my baby" phase, and to make it a professional game just as you would expect the same quality when you buy a game off Steam. It would allow me to make more time to give more support, fix bugs faster, etc. As if I wouldn't be doing that I would "feel" it right away when unhappy members leave.

I'm aware that I've always said that Pitwall would never become payable only, but I think it's time to open our minds and look at how the online gaming landscape is changing. To me accepting payments for gameplay benefits is no option as I'm completely against that idea, so this is the only option to change into. The game at the moment has 33 supporters out of 1200+ registered members, so it's clear that the current business model isn't really working. Of course if we go through with this change, the supporters would have their package converted to game time package (basically nothing changes for them).

What are your thoughts on this, please do share. I don't mind if you're against it or for it, no hard feelings. If you don't feel you want to comment on this, but want to share how you feel: please use the rating system of this post by giving thumbs up or down.

As a supporter I would be ok with this. I don't think any supporter should have a problem with this.

In my view we are already paying for what we have now. If your saying we will essentially continue paying roughly the same for an even more improved product then its all good in my eyes.

Your obviously going to have to sell it to the non supporters. Whilst they don't feel the need to pay for the extra features now, would they feel the need to pay for the game at all.

It may be worth supporting this plan with a detailed roadmap of your plans for the game etc. There are some problems in the game which i think should be fixed asap (like scouting for example)

Bottom line is, i think the game would be better with 30-50 committed paying players than 100+ toe dippers anyway.

I would be happy to pay, but my worry is getting new players to play. I may not have joined if I had to pay at the start.

I guess the free season would help. Hopefully with advertising pitwall will get more draw followed by a handful of committed paying players.

may I suggest that you allow a free trial option - or an 'amataur' team status and to progress into the higher divisions you would need to purchase a super licence and go pro. - this allows some teams to develop and learn the game in lower divisions and then when they want to make the leap into higher more competitive divisions. - my only worry is that we would loose a lot of players by pay to play but I am happily paying now!

Happy with it Frank. But I think you will need an amateurs league to keep numbers trying it.
David

By the way. Can't believe you've only got 33 supporters. I guess they are vocal so make it look like more

People will pay if they think it represents value for money. Which is why i think frank would need to show what direction the game will be going in.

I would have no issues in paying to play if it means more support.
However I agree with the points made for new players... Perhaps a free trial/season for them.

I wouldn't mind paying.
Only problem is assured accessibility throughout and whatever the price is multiply the cost by 18 for me, my currency is very weak.