Listen, a lot of us if not MOST of us, have been gaming for years. We know what makes a good game, we know how much effort goes into a good game to make it work, and have it be enjoyable for the customer.

We have seen games rise, and fall.

From the beginning of World of Warcraft, arguably the BEST MMO ever made. Hate me saying that, but that's the only game that had my attention for 7 years, until recently quitting.

I've seen this game at its peak, and let me tell you, it didn't get to achieve the player base it had, yeah HAD, with a poor business model. In-Fact, I dare say that from Vanilla until at least the beginning of Cataclysm they put customers over $$.

I'm getting to my point, don't worry.

Take this very seriously ZeniMax, if you put $$ over your customers, you won't have customers left. Poor business models KILL games. They murder them.

I want to feel like i'm being put first above all. I don't want to feel like the developer cares more about how much is in their pocket.

Don't pull a Activi$ion.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition/8524-Fee-to-Pay-and-the-Death-of-Dignity

If there was ever a need for Jim Sterling, its now.

I totally agree, and I've said it countless times that there are MMOs that turn 10s of millions in profit yearly on an optional low subscription fee, so a $15 sub fee with the $60 starting cost is just absurd and shows they're in it for profit above all. It's shameful, to be honest, and no matter how much I want this game to succeed, I can 98.5% guarantee it won't as long as it has a required subscription fee, particularly that high, in an economy this unstable. I know one thing- I've said it since the day I heard about the sub fee - I will not play this game unless it either goes F2P or B2P. I already pay a subscription fee on one MMO (RuneScape 3), and being that I have no job (money is made through mowing lawns locally) yet, and I'll be starting classes soon, I cannot afford this game in any way, nor would I be willing to pay that much.

I can see your point. And for the most part I agree. But my perspective is slightly different.

1. I expect Zenimax to fix problems with the game and provide 'good' support.

See, just like you, I remember Vanilla WoW. And I remember Blizzard having to bring the servers down several times in the first few days to fix Major Issues. Plus I remember putting in a CS ticket "in-game" and, even if I had to wait, getting a reply "in-game". It made me feel like they valued me as a customer.

What doesn't cut it for me is when I get no 'in-game' reply. I have to wait 72+ hours for an email reply. And then the answer I'm given has almost NOTHING to do with the problem I was having. That's just insulting!

On the other hand I've had lots of MMORPGs where I've purchased a CE. And this time I feel like I've gotten more useful items than I have in the past. So I don't perceive this as a money grab.

agreed

These polarized opinions on business models are due to the kind of audience that Bethesda and the Elderscrolls series already has.

We've come to know Bethesda games as ones that are priced well and offer a ridiculous amount of content.

The Elderscrolls online is the exact opposite. (price wise)

hardcoe TES fans will be mad, but general gamers will understand as these business models are nothing new to them.

Even after playing the Beta and loving it, I won't be buying the elderscrolls online but I'm still willing to admit that this is because Bethesda has spoiled us with a game with so much bang for your buck; a game that is constantly evolving due to it's dedicated fan base.

I personally don't believe there is a right side of the fence to be on in this dispute but the best thing you can do is look at where people are coming from when they agree or disagree with the business model.

Don't pull an Activision? Really? They own about a quarter of Blizzard now. Yes... let's NOT be like a multi-trillionaire company, which is slowly, but surely buying out Blizzard. Just thought I'd point that out, because it's kind of funny you're telling them not to be like one of the most successful gaming companies out there. Which you definitely can not argue. The entire CoD franchise keeps getting bought, no matter how little they change their games... Confused on why you're telling them not to be like one of the world's most successful companies out there... That's not to say they don't put out absolutely trash every year (in my eyes), but people still come back buying the exact same game, paying for the exact same season passes, and DLC.

I'm not really sure if you've noticed either. But Blizzard gives, and has always given two sh_ts about the customer. Diablo 3 is the perfect example, need not look no further.

Hasn't one of your threads already been locked? Get over yourselves already. Don't like the pre-purchase, or the CE, the simple thing to do is show your dislike by not buying the game period. But i can almost guarantee you, you, and the rest of the people here who are all pissed off about the game, are a very... very small minority of the Elderscrolls fanbase who will not be purchasing, should you choose not to.

Stop ruining it for the rest of us who are willing to pay, and support Zenimax/Bethesda.

No discussions of the Payment Model