Roadmap of the Capitalism series

[David]

Roadmap of the Capitalism series:

Capitalism II
-the classic game for people who are new to the game series, which offers tutorials, scenarios and the multiplayer mode.

Capitalism Lab (may be renamed)
-add-on for Capitalism II
-for experienced players of Capitalism 2
-does not include tutorials, scenarios or the multiplayer mode.
-constant updates with improvements and new features

My Biz Empire Online (tentative name)
-An online multiplayer business sim game loosely based on Capitalism.
-Runs on the Facebook platform as a social game.
-Casual gameplay style which is lite on strategy and focuses on social interactions.
-Free to play, with an in-game purchase revenue model.

[mwyeoh]

Although I fully support capitalism lab, and its constant evolvment, I oppose the idea of the facebook game.
I dont think a capitalism style game suits social networks and would really gain much popularity (I may be wrong).

[David]

The Facebook game will be positioned as a casual social game, in an attempt to broaden the series' reach in the market, which is currently limited to fans of sim games and experienced core gamers.

Here is our product and marketing strategy: Some of casual gamers who have played the facebook version may eventually play Cap Lab, thus hopefully increases its user base. But it is unlikely that it will happen the other way round - experienced players of Cap2 are unlikely to find the Facebook game as appealing as the PC version, and they may just focus on Cap Lab.

[Skeptical9]

I know it has been discussed elsewhere in the forum, but it there are no multiplayer support, you have two less sales from the start unfortunately. I only play this game with a friend and I think we're not the only one.

For this thread's subject, I suggest a one time 20$ with updates, 10$ without updates. I don't know about the 10$ annual subscription... it's not an online game.

I know efforts are being made to maintain balance in game... but without any mod support I don't think it will be possible to get people to pay an annual fee. Certainly not me... especially without multiplayer support.

Money must be made somewhere and your efforts must be rewarded, but games theses days... must have multiplayer and mod support to be profitable.

For my situation, I am willing to pay for a major update of the game but I only play multiplayer, and I think it would be fair for me to pay 20$ for a game with updates and multiplayer, especiallly since I've already bought the [source] game.

[Berbe]

1. I don't support the social-game thing. It's a trend, consumes time and doesn't really have a point. This game types is made for casual arcade-like games, not thoughful ones such as Capitalism. Don't waste your resources on it, and I personally won't buy it.
   On the other hand, a multiplayer mode would much more than greatly appreciated. Playing alone is fast boring and AI are usually not players you spend much time with.
2. I hate the subscription-based payments. I pay for what you have to sell, not what you promise to sell in the future and if the resulting game will suit me or not.
   To me, a game has a fixed price and should provide a list of features already developed to make me pying them.
3. New features should worth it, you won't make me pay 10$ for a bunch of features.
   New games taking several years to develop (sometimes with brand new engines) cost at most 60$ or 80$ and it tends to get cheaper. 'Capitalism Lab' (or whatever name you give to it) is only a bunch of new features, no major breakthrough, and you are already talking about dozens of bucks!
   The risk is to lead people to think that the original game, even if insufficient, has much more value than the extended version...

[David]

Our inclination is go with this option:

"$19.99 list price. Occasionally with 50% discount to $9.99. Newer versions have to be purchased separately."

If you have a strong feeling that the game should really use a different pricing model, please post your ideas here.

[Redbullmass]

This pricing model is fine by me (One time fee of 19.99 and an occasional 50% discount). However, multiplayer is a must for me. As Berbe said, solo playing gets boring, fast. I play Cap2 quite often but only with a friend, hence why I think mp is a must to ensure a sale for my friends and I.

As for the facebook game, I won't buy it as I hate those kind of games but I have nothing against it as long as the pc game doesn't suffer for it. It's a good way to expand your market and bring a bit more light to your company and even Cap2 for that matter.

[Berbe]

David, then this model could be fine.
But the prices are way to high, and I explained the reasons in my previous post.

[David]

Different people have different perceptions of value towards the same product and the prices they think justified for paying, which is totally understandable.

For those who think the price is too high and the new features and improvements do not justify the price, they may either opt for other similar products on the market, or wait for future versions of Capitalism Lab to come out which may carry more new features and then decide if the product is a reasonable buy for them or not.

[Kevin]

When can I pre-order the new version?