I was reading this very long and informative rant/lecture on the shortcomings of current rpg design. Except its dated, because it mentions Ultima Online! The saddest part of the rant however, is the fact that everything stated there still applies to the latest and greatest of rpgs, mmorpgs, etc.

I just had one idea to put out there, for the general improvement of mmorpgs as a whole. One problem with the addictiveness of say, WoW, is the unlimited play model currently in effect. The player pays ~$15 , and they could theoretically play 720 hours(One whole month, with no sleep, downtime, eating, etc).

The downsides of this model are readily apparent, in that being offered unlimited anything, is that we like to get the best bang for our buck. If you pay five bucks for a buffet, you’ll have several helpings, just to take advantage of the deal. It is a natural human tendency to do so, however, it has deleterious effects when applied to new players of an MMORPG.

It creates a pressure, both subconscious and cultural pressure, of playing as many hours as possible to take advantage of the theoretically unlimited play. This can, and does lead to addiction with the game, which in turn can destroy lives, just as any other addiction can do so.

So to combat this, the solution in retrospect is obvious: pay as you play. The idea is to offer new and casual players the opportunity to buy “hours” of game time. Instead of buying unlimited game time, the player instead buys 60 hours of game time, which can be used over several days, weeks, or months.

The benefits are simple and varied. The player can now relax, in that they have bought 60 hours of game time, and can use at any time, with no pressure to play every hour of every day. For the hard working 30-somethings that just want to relax and raid a dungeon with their friends, this is quite literally perfect. As well, it is an immense boon to not have to worry about regular credit card charges, since you’ve been charged once, and will not be charged again until you want more game time.

This is a good thing, for the players and the game designers. It produces a non-addictive game, and allows new players to literally try risk free, with no credit card numbers needed.

The more difficult question, however, is, Do you allow for players to purchase unlimited play alongside the pay as you play, or only do pay as you play?