In years past, this annual Daily Grind was focused on the next MMO that might go free-to-play, but that’s become less and less relevant as the number of MMOs that even could go free-to-play, let alone are likely to do so, has dwindled. So let’s adjust the question around MMOs that might undergo a business model shift of some sort period.
For example, I was surprised this year to see ArcheAge handed off to Kakao and undergo yet another business model overhaul for ArcheAge Unchained, one that turned a game launched with the promise of being B2P (and then turned B2P with paid DLC) into a subscription-based title. I didn’t see it coming.
And yet if I had to pick something, it actually would be World of Warcraft, and that was before the Microsoft announcement this week. Its position in the MMORPG market has literally never been more precarious. It can milk the cash shop whales only so long before something’s gotta give. And I think that something’s gonna be the sub – maybe its new owners will agree.
What do you think – what might be the next MMO to undergo a big business model shift?
At the turn of every calendar year, the MassivelyOP team assembles a traditional feast of annual content for your table. We recap the year, issue awards, highlight our favorite (and least favorite) stories, and gather your opinions together to send off the last year and welcome the new one. Grab a plate and take a bite out of this year-end Daily Grind!
