Future updates & "Expansion Packs"?

[Kat Sheffield]

What I think was such a big draw to this game when it came out was the fact that we could download it, as opposed to plunking down money on a game that we didn't know about. No actual software to buy, just download and go. A quick way to get new players on the game and attract more casual gamers who might simply have been curious - as I was. But as the game expands, I'm beginning to wonder about at what point Disney will stop making the updates downloadable and instead forcing us to buy what other games call "Expansion Packs" and all that. For little updates, downloading them is fine. But, for something along the lines of what's supposed to be coming out this summer, if we did have to buy the expansions, would that mean that they would be able to put more into the updates themselves? I'm just curious if this game can continue to flourish if Disney is only getting money from the monthly membership fees? Then again, I doubt that Disney is actually hurting for money. But if there's more money coming in then maybe..just maybe they could sink more money into further developing the game. Not that I'm asking to have to pay more I just can't help but think that maybe if we did that the Developers would be able to add more content into the game.

For example, the Father's Day quest. Yes, the double rep was great, but it was kinda lame that we never even got to see Captain Teague. Not a cinematic, not even a shot of him standing at the bar with Jack. Was this due to time constraints, lack of caring, or the expense? Since I have no clue how these things work I'm just wondering.

[Chris]

i too have wondered this i really hope it doent i already pay for member i dont wanna pay another $20 to $50 and what about the people in other countries im almost sure they wont sell it there so they can only get them from like ebay

[dark_prince19930]

i hope not but im ok with the basic access but they need to let you get all the skills on the weapons basic access can get! instead of their pop up saying to update access for some money. i did not have to pay to be unlimited for mine. i got a guest pass for it.

[Sven Niscadae]

Originally Posted by Kat Sheffield

But as the game expands, I'm beginning to wonder about at what point Disney will stop making the updates downloadable and instead forcing us to buy what other games call "Expansion Packs" and all that. For little updates, downloading them is fine.

It is possible for them to make an expansion pack downloadable and still require payment for it without buying a physical box. Sony did that on a couple of expansion packs for Everquest. The expansion could just be linked to your account and the launcher would check for it like it does for unlimited access.

Originally Posted by dark_prince19930

i did not have to pay to be unlimited for mine. i got guest passes for it.

That's odd... I tried to use a second guest pass on my account and they denied me saying only one per new account could be used.

[Dr. Zeppers]

Well, I have a problem with games that force you to buy them, then force you to pay monthly to continue to play them. This is a despicable business model.

Once I purchase a game, I expect to be able to play it, and not just my first 30 days free.
Most of these types of games/expansion packs, etc. for other similar MMORG games run $40-$50. This plus a monthly fee is beyond my scope. Ironically, these games also sport monthly fees of $15/month or more!

How many "paying" pirates do we think there is? Its still alot of money coming in for them to continue to pay programmers they already have on salary/staff (just moved some from VMK to POTCO as I understand). To bring in new blood, new developers, new ideas, would likely be costly, but they like most companies of such size, reorganize (ie closing VMK and moving staff to POTCO) which keeps costs lower than seeking new teams.

There is also the point that maybe what they are marketing here isnt just POTCO, but the POTC brand name which is making them millions across the board.

[Chris]

i agree however vmk staff and producers worked for Sulake not disney therefore they were getting paid under Sulake's name not Disney's we think Sulake moved the staff to their game Habbo Hotel and thats where the staff and producers are currently