All these free MMORPGs

semiautomatix

semiautomatix

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I've seen a few threads floating around in the past few days discussing free MMORPGs. Example are Perfect World and Rappelz.

How do these MMORPGS make money? If they don't, are they actually sustainable?

Are they any decent or just a bunch of bug filled nonsense that usually accompanies commercial MMORPGS during beta testing?

Any recommendations that could even being to compete with WoW and EQ2?
 
Most of them come from China, Malaysia & Korea where they are sponsored by corporations.

Imagine a SA version: Sohwhetuu - Fight for Freedom, sponsored by Omo, Toyota & Mark Shuttleworth
 
lcbxx said:
Most of them come from China, Malaysia & Korea where they are sponsored by corporations.

Imagine a SA version: Sohwhetuu - Fight for Freedom, sponsored by Omo, Toyota & Mark Shuttleworth
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Or, The Shower - Sponsored by JZ
 
Hehehe, and what characters? Race: White, Asian, Black, Indian and Coloured. Classes: Taxi Driver, Hijacker, Shop Owner, Gangster, Kugel and Politician?
 
The majority of them make use of an optional Cash Shop. Basically, they allow you to buy certain items that will enhance your in-game experience, such as an exclusive clothing item. These items aren't necessary, but many people buy them regardless.
 
Most of them come from China, Malaysia & Korea where they are sponsored by corporations.
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Lydon said:
The majority of them make use of an optional Cash Shop. Basically, they allow you to buy certain items that will enhance your in-game experience, such as an exclusive clothing item. These items aren't necessary, but many people buy them regardless.
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Hmmm... this is interesting. But it still begs the question of sustainability. What if the corporation pulls its funding, what if not enough people play the MMORPG to purchase Cash Shop items. With subscription based MMORPG we know there is always a solid cash flow allowing for continual development.
 
Pooky said:
Or, The Shower - Sponsored by JZ
Click to expand...
LOL, no man. uMshiniwani - The Struggle, The Shower & The Scorpions, an epic adventure set in the time of the mythical Jah-Cob Zhumah.

You play Jake, a hero on a quest to find support from the masses with his ultimate goal being total take-over of the world of uMshiniwani.

Jake has many skills including (but not limited to) smooth talking, more smooth talking and the ability to charm (albeit low-intelligent NPC's).
Jake has a weakness for money (called BOB, used as five BOB (BOB5)), so be careful of the many bribery NPC's roaming the massive 3D world.
 
Mythos - thats linked to some other future MMORPG in development, is it not?
 
lcbxx said:
LOL, no man. uMshiniwani - The Struggle, The Shower & The Scorpions, an epic adventure set in the time of the mythical Jah-Cob Zhumah.

You play Jake, a hero on a quest to find support from the masses with his ultimate goal being total take-over of the world of uMshiniwani.

Jake has many skills including (but not limited to) smooth talking, more smooth talking and the ability to charm (albeit low-intelligent NPC's).
Jake has a weakness for money (called BOB, used as five BOB (BOB5)), so be careful of the many bribery NPC's roaming the massive 3D world.
Click to expand...

LOL! This had me on the floor :)
 
I've always wanted to make my own MMORPG based on DOTA
 
timgaul said:
Hmmm... this is interesting. But it still begs the question of sustainability. What if the corporation pulls its funding, what if not enough people play the MMORPG to purchase Cash Shop items. With subscription based MMORPG we know there is always a solid cash flow allowing for continual development.
Click to expand...

Then the MMO closes down lol. In the majority of cases, however, there are a large number of people who purchase the cash shop items. The hardcore players tend to be in that group too. Overseas it doesn't take much money to run a server, meaning that the cash shop items would usually pay for that and more.

If the corporation pulls its funding, they could possibly get someone else to fund development, unless legal issues get in the way. The business model must work, though, as many MMOs currently make use of it and most free MMOs in development plan to make use of it too.
 
Ever heard of advertising? That's how the Free MMORPGs make their money.
 
I can't recall seeing a free MMO with advertising in it, except for their own cash shop items...
 
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Dungeon Runners make use of advertising, and yes, it is mostly through cash shops that they make money.
 
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