Effect of IRL Recession on MMOs??

[HardWrath]

The only MMORPG that I play is the Entropia Universe, so with other games I have no idea how the IRL recession has impacted them, specifically those with a real cash economy.

I have seen how it has impacted the EU a little bit. The game is by no means dying but the value of some things has gone down and things have slowed a bit for some.

Being a very active trader, and runing a soceity that has traders, pilots, shop owners, land owners, stylists, employees, event promoters, crafters, hunters, miners, etc etc, I see how it has affected some groups of people. I also think we are very near the bottom of the devaluation of items. I suspect in about 1-2 months we will see things starting to stabalize and go back up but in a more slow and healthy way.

What have the rest of you seen?

[thoreau]

I don't think most MMOs are affected by the economic downturn.

Regardless of what you think about the subscription revenue model - $15 a month is a great deal for unlimited entertainment. If you need to cut back on expenses - then it seems that .50/day is going to be ok if it provides hours of fun.

This is why EQ2 and Eve will be ok during an economic downturn. If fact, they should see an uptick in number of people logged in.

However, Entropia should be adversely affected. In short, the more time you spend in game (for most players) the more it costs.

Aside from MMOs, I think many PC RPG are seeing a downturn in game purchases. Just because you can finish the standard PC game in about 2 weeks and $40 a game is pretty steep.

[Knuckles]

The "little bit" of affecting EU is up to 75% of its cash value like Hl6 going from 2500$ to barely 500$ markup. Ofcourse this is not only the recessions fault but also the drop rate increase of the Limited unrepairable version making it more economic.

This might scare people into thinking L guns is the way to go so therefor more guns drop in value such as X5 from 20k $ to barely 10k $ and that leads to people being afraid to invest big sums since they dont know whats coming since the inflation might have reached a high point. A example of inflation is modified first aid kit that suffered 35000% inflation in 3years which was great if you bought it early but if you bought it late the recession has made you lose up to 10.000$ on it

Used to be very negative vs Limited weapons but seeing how some resellers lose big big dollars on this is very satisfying and makes me like L more n more

It is very unfortunate that some honest people have lost a few months salaries investing into this game at peak inflation price but thats life

[HardWrath]

Originally Posted by thoreau

I don't think most MMOs are affected by the economic downturn.

Regardless of what you think about the subscription revenue model - $15 a month is a great deal for unlimited entertainment. If you need to cut back on expenses - then it seems that .50/day is going to be ok if it provides hours of fun.

This is why EQ2 and Eve will be ok during an economic downturn. If fact, they should see an uptick in number of people logged in.

However, Entropia should be adversely affected. In short, the more time you spend in game (for most players) the more it costs.

Aside from MMOs, I think many PC RPG are seeing a downturn in game purchases. Just because you can finish the standard PC game in about 2 weeks and $40 a game is pretty steep.

hmmmm... good points

[Mikass]

MMOs should thrive in a recession as it`s a cheap form of entertainment.

Right question to ask about Entropia in particular is how is the company effected not the playerbase directly. Some prices have went down due to panic, some went down due to few players that panicked and sold out, some due to players having RL problems and needing cash. In lots of cases however prices went down cause of MA deliberately crashing markets(armor and skills) to get more turnover thus increase profit having the Cryengine in mind, which in the end is good.

[HardWrath]

Like the IRL economy, the EU economy is largely dependent upon faith in the economy itself.


Myself, I’m making PED in the EU in this economy and many in my society are doing the same.

[XingTianNu]

Originally Posted by HardWrath

Like the IRL economy, the EU economy is largely dependent upon faith in the economy itself.

Keep the faith then.

I did not see any change in the popularity of games I play always same friends logging…
The think is that normal games are at fixed rates 15/19$ month while you won’t survive in Entropia one month with that.
I know 711 is EU fan but am not optimistic at all in Entropia the way is developed to day.

[thoreau]

Originally Posted by HardWrath

Like the IRL economy, the EU economy is largely dependent upon faith in the economy itself.


Myself, I’m making PED in the EU in this economy and many in my society are doing the same.

With all due respect, you remind me of a guy on the local AM radio station that has a show on investing every Saturday morning.

He is always saying we are near the bottom and that you should invest because 'now is the time.' Of course, since he is a broker he makes money when people are in the market. So it is to his advantage to say all these things.

Every Saturday I listen to this idiot and every Saturday I laugh as the Dow and the Nasdaq and the S&P fall. Car companies limping along and banks being shuttered left and right.

And he keeps saying, 'now is the time.'

You're a trader so its in your best interest for people to buy and sell. You make no money when people hold. So when you say 'people are making money' I don't really give it much credit. Not that I don't trust you - but you have too big of an iron in the fire.

[Mega]

As thoreau has said, most MMO's will be barely affected by the recession, hardcore gamers would cut out something else in order to afford their subscription.

I'm wondering if CCP are affected by the crisis that has affected their home country (Iceland) which is more or less bankrupt.

What I've noticed with regard to Entropia is most of my items are now worth less, but that the things I'm saving up for have also reduced in price, so I'm largely unaffected, possibly even better off. Glass half full viewpoint.

[Shadowmage]

In the case of Entropia Universe it's mainly MindArks fault because since the robot wars in december more uber items were given out in prizes than dropped last two or three years before.

I think there might be a small effect of financial crisis on MMOs, but only on those with real 'real cash economies'. Such with fixed monthly fees or free MMOs aren't affected anyway I think.