In an interview, the CEO of Trion Worlds, Scott Hartsman, discusses the intricacies of the payment model for the Free2Play MMO ArcheAge.
Hartsman discusses the differences between the western and Asian markets in an interview with Forbes. One of the most sought-after items in ArcheAge will be the gliders, a type of flying mount. In certain parts of the world, Hartsman believes it would be completely acceptable for the best and most exclusive glider to be purchased in the cash shop for real money. And that for a hefty sum. It might even be the most expensive item there, and no one would be upset about it. In the West, however, players absolutely do not accept such things. While a good glider could be offered in the cash shop, the best one must be available in-game, not in the shop, according to a Free2Play model.
Hartsman thus describes a middle ground for ArcheAge between a “puristic” Free2Play model and the frowned-upon Pay2Win model of other operators, where players are forced to spend money to remain competitive at a high level. Purists, on the other hand, demand that only cosmetic items that have no impact on gameplay should be purchasable in the cash shop. The position of Trion Worlds, the makers behind ArcheAge, Rift, and Defiance, lies somewhere in between. They believe that money and time invested in the game should be interchangeable commodities.
Two friends should be able to play at the same level if one invests more time and the other invests more money in ArcheAge. This philosophy also guides the design of the game.
However, Hartsman explains, in the West one must also pay attention to other circumstances. In Korea, for example, it is quite normal to register for a game using a “National ID”, a government identification number. This ensures that everyone can only create one account. Such a thing is unthinkable in Europe. Therefore, it must be ensured here that no one can disrupt the in-game economy with an army of Free2Play accounts. Such a safeguard does not exist in the original game, as this problem does not arise in Korea at all. Hence, preparations must now be made for this case, which also leads to changes in the Free2Play model.
In an interview with Forbes, Hartsman found the opportunity to emphasize the uniqueness of ArcheAge multiple times, offering a new MMO experience as a “sandpark” game (a mix of sandbox and theme park). He reiterated the game’s high ambitions: “We want ArcheAge to not only be the best sandbox MMO of 2014, but the best MMO overall.”
