Optional Hellgate: London subcriptions set at $9.95 per month
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ May 9th 2007 at 8:34AM }
Games for Windows Magazine (via Hellgate Guru) reports that the optional MMO mode in Hellgate: London will cost players $9.95 per month. The subscription service, provided in addition to a single-player campaign and basic online functionality, will benefit from a continuous stream of content from developer, Flagship Studios, as well as several other features. Compared to the once-off package, these include round-the-clock support services, a lack of server queues, four times the amount of characters allotted to each player, increased item storage, guild functionality and other typical MMO offerings. In essence, the monthly fee acts as a gateway to a different business model, netting you an "elite" version of the post-apocalyptic RPG.
The absurdly lucrative business model that powers an MMO like World of Warcraft must be the ultimate temptation and source of envy to those publishing games in the more traditional vein. Whereas most transactions end once the game is purchased, consistent online universes have the player not only buy the game, but continue sending money month after month. Much like slipping on a patch of oil deposited on the driveway by your neighbor's recently discovered geyser, it's not a financial prospect you can easily ignore.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bauerknight @ May 9th 2007 8:52AM
Second Class Citizens FTW!
eBusiness @ May 9th 2007 9:02AM
Ok, all my MMO subcriptions are starting to rival Rent as my #1 expense. Is it just me?
http://www.ebizmba.com
CakeOrDeath @ May 9th 2007 9:07AM
That is a very high charge.
Marc @ May 9th 2007 9:23AM
Companies like Valve release free content for games like Day of Defeat: Source, Counter-Strike, and in the future Team Fortress 2 and Left4Dead.
So I can't see the point in paying for content updates for a game like Hellgate, since other companies are giving that kind of thing away for free.
I suppose the difference comes in that you're logging on to servers owned, operated and maintained by Hellgate, which is what you're really paying for. And really, it's an RPG, which means you don't want people to be able to store their avatars, gear and everything else locally since that makes it easier for people to cheat.
Blazur @ May 9th 2007 9:40AM
I am no longer interested in this game. It's a shame too because it had promise...
iceboxqs @ May 9th 2007 9:43AM
I'll quote my friend:
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*The perfect game is created... * Player: "WTF, I can't pick my nose? I have every conceivable emote, but I can't pick my nose??"
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You can play the fraking game online without paying any monthy fee. OMGZ but I can't pick my nosezors1!
If you want to see new content, have more fancy looking items and help pay the FSS Team to create more content, you still pay less a month then a lot of the mmo games out there. Sounds like a deal to me.
but... but ...*weep* ... *sniff*
BUCK UP!
sicsided @ May 9th 2007 9:52AM
I really don't see why people complain when they have to pay a service to play especially when it means you have a team covering this game for a good 3 years (if it becomes that popular). Usually, a team will keep things updated for awhile on a website or so, until the next game comes into production and this one gets sent to the wood chipper. I'd rather pay $10 and keep it afloat and lively compared to anything I'd have to pay for monthly by SOE.
Servers aren't cheap either people.
Jonathan Tran @ May 9th 2007 9:53AM
This further cements my decision to continue playing Guild Wars.
Besides, the vids for this game look lame. They make it look like you go around cutting down 15 zombies at a time in a giant burning atmosphere and oh yeah, you and everyone else looks like indistinguishable robots.
Now pay up or get crappy service.
At least Guild Wars has had, I dunno, hundreds of free updates since launch with no fees...
Shawn D @ May 9th 2007 11:38AM
The single player portion alone warrants a purchase, the monthly fee is just an added option next to the already *free* multiplayer being offered. IMO, this is a must have game for all RPG fans that own a PC.
How many games give you the option of playing online for free and an optional paid service? If the content is good enough, this might be the first game I ever pay a monthly fee for. After all, it might as well be called Diablo 3.
Ian Miles Cheong @ May 9th 2007 12:33PM
I really don't know where the complaints are coming from. Hellgate: London is free to play online. Period.
If you want extra features that, for the most part only appeal to 'hardcore' gamers, then you pay extra. Otherwise, just play it for free. There's no harm in that. I don't see any of those features being truly appealing to casual gamers with only few hours to spend on a game each week, anyhow. Does a casual gamer really need 12 character slots to enjoy the game when he can't even find the time to play a single character?
Besides that, you get what you pay for - which is the content in the box. If you want the additional content that Flagship plans to release on a bi-weekly basis (e.g. every 2 weeks) then by all means, feel free to subscribe. It's only 10 dollars - the equivilent of a McDonalds Happy Meal. If you live in Asia, it wouldn't cost 10 US Dollars, either, as all costs are location-specific. It's not like the game's going to be a dent on your wallet.
Ian Miles Cheong @ May 9th 2007 12:34PM
Lee Dotson (one of Hellgate's developers) posted on the Hellgate Guru forum a point by point explanation of all of the "elite subscription" features versus non-paying subscriptions.
Most importantly, he's clarified that 'elite' items will not, in fact, be better than non-elite items. They will simply be flashier in appearance or new/different items that fit into the over all balance scheme.
He has made clear that server queues are a non-issue (hopefully), but if it comes to a point where there is a server queue, then subscribers will get preference at the front of the queue.
It should also be noted that if you subscribe 6 months down the line, you'll get all the subscriber-only features added up to that point. There are no back-fees.
The biggest draw to elite-subscriptions seem to be flashier/cooler looking items, more character slots, and regular content updates which include new monsters, locations and quests and so on. Patches and other balance-related stuff will of course be free for everyone.
Anyway, for the full details, you can check out Lee's post here:
http://www.hellgateguru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=81122&postcount=301
Brinstar @ May 9th 2007 1:22PM
We can't have an ideal situation like Guild Wars, which features free online play and free additional content after you buy the game.
Hellgate: London has free single-player offline play and free online play after you buy the game. Sure, I'm not pleased that the HG:L community will be split into people who can't/won't pay for more content and those who can/will... But the additional paid content is optional. Many people won't pay for it, but they won't be severely limited. "Elite" weapons all have the same stats, but different skins. 3 character slots is a bit of a bummer, but people just have to deal.
Ian Miles Cheong @ May 9th 2007 1:33PM
They aren't really gonna be split, though. Elite and regular players can play together. They'll just have access to slightly different loot tables (with comparably balanced stats).
ZippyDSMlee @ May 11th 2007 5:46AM
Sorry MMOs that cost more than 5 a month are out of the question WOW barely delivers and its 15 a month ,anything NCsoft or FF11 is a mindless grind whore and 90% of the rest of MMOs are more chores and chatting than a fun expansive game...
I enjoyed PSO I might enjoy PSU but still 90% of MMOs are wanting more moeny than the fun the game offers.
I think its time pubs band together and offer all their games for 10-20 a month but then again I am no longer a mindless tween willing to give out money for crap so they are not making games for me anymore....
ianp711 @ May 10th 2007 4:03AM
There are better options out there, I feel that this is a rip off. GW is Free, and you play a REAL MMO for a monthly rate. I was going to get this game, not anymore.
What? @ May 10th 2007 4:22AM
... ah are not most MMO's already at 10-15 a month... or in this case 9.95