Just doodling with an idea here…
If TOR proves to be more of a single-player RPG than a “true” MMO, ie: you’re on a very set story path; you can solo most of the game; you can pick up companions to help you rather than PUGs or people from you’re guild… would a reduced fee be out of the question?
I’m not saying free. Oh no, no, no. I’m not one of those people. I’m saying a reduced fee, like $9.99 a month, to offset the fact the game is a different kind of beast to “normal” MMOs and perhaps doesn’t offer the same multiplayer experience, but is still multiplayer to enough of a degree to warrant some form of lower price.
When you think about it, such pricing could be a master-stroke. Why? because it would instantly put criticism that the game is single-player-esque to the sword, (“Sure it’s like a single-player game in a lot of ways… but we don’t charge what average MMOs charge, either… *shrug* …”), not to mention that many people will want to play TOR regardless and under-cutting the bulk of the MMO market by $5 would be a masterstroke, in anyone’s language. It’s a price difference that would have to guarantee more sales, to my mind.
Of course, this thought hinges on the current thinking that the game is more along the lines of BioWare’s single-player games, but with the added ability to drag your mates along too, in a multiplayer fashion. If the game proves to be more of a traditional MMO than people are thinking at this time, the point of this thread is, of course, somewhat moot; I can see that as well as the next forum user.
Just thought it might be fun to riff on the concept.