F2P requires a micro transactions or extra membership benefits subscription model or both in order to have a revenue stream that justifies keeping the game in Trion's stable.
As it currently stands, dropping the 10 dollar current fee for the game and then going f2p makes little difference because their DLC gives most of the features of the game for free that would actually be revenue worthy were they to have charged for it.
Worse yet the Bits Store's design and marketing is counter intuitive too. They give exp boosts that go off real time hours instead of /played hours that if there is significant down time, people either give up or go through CS hoops to get refunds/credits(causing more labor resource waste btw). Lockboxes with no transparent information(that can be trusted) on results and is essentially not random but with an algorithm that amounts to gambling(and were authorities more net saavy in many regions would pop accordingly). And vehicles and costumes that either have similar counterparts in game that are just as easy to get(though there are some differences). Basically Trion's marketing team painted themselves into a corner with all that.
So most players have no need or interest to use the store nor necessarily get the DLC. Therefore, Trion's shot themselves in the foot with regards to potential revenue. Its a complete mess.
Now, since the San Diego office is to be closed, with the less than 50 Defiance staff after the 150 original(70% gone from the last layoff) being further culled, and with speculation that Rift developers will be shifted to work on it(though they may not.... and if Trion was smart from a business standpoint, they'd not), things are not rosy in the least.
Trion could consider some of the following options but as time goes on, some of those options begin to decrease.
Scenario 1:
1. With the transition to HQ of Defiance control, hire more team members to fill lost slots but not many.
2. Refund or credit(with rift or something else) the DLC season's pass and offer the DLC's as they come out at a specific set price. Additionally, give no vague or semi firm release dates for future dlc's. Just simply say, when we decide to do a DLC and its ready, we'll announce such then. Otherwise, no information will be given otherwise.
3. Once the DLC's have been released, no further additions will be given to the game and the game placed into autopilot to either later be mothballed or some feasible renewable development.
Scenario 2:
1. Shift the game into autopilot mode with few working on it.
2. Have those few be working to convert the game to a player hosted server/mod-able version with no future official dlc's. Any features that were in the process of being delivered would be implemented during this time as part of the package with Seasons pass people being refunded or rift credited.
3. As well alter the game to be more like a skyrim solo playable game in such regard for those who dont wish to host.
3. Once released in this converted capacity let it maintain its 10 dollar base package costs but including up to the digital deluxe bonuses to help incentivize purchases.
4. After all that, devote no further resources to the game except official forum monitoring.
Scenario 3:
1. Declare the IP and situation unsalvagable. Time to do this is critical because with Scott coming back this is the only time where this could be much less toxic than to wait longer and longer to do so. It can be all part of Scott's cleaning house PR. It would restore confidence yes in some Trion supporters though obviously it would alienate fans of Defiance to various degrees.
2. Give a 30 days notice to shut down of the servers. Refund the Seasons pass holders or credit them with other games like rift ArchAge(if they still will go forward with it) etc otherwise.
3. Lock and Close the forums. Archive them for x number of months, then purge them.
4. Take what little remaining salvagable resources that were formerly devoted to Defiance and further absorb them into Trion.
Scenario 4:
1. Come out swinging with a renewed commitment to turn around the Defiance IP.
2. Declare another delay to the DLC(s) but speak to hiring more people for the new spaces for Defiance at HQ.
3. Give transparent, consistent, meaningful information on the progress of the game, its issues, and more to mitigate number 2.
4. Any future release dates for content should be stuck to as close as possible and only announced to be coming when it is for all and intent and purpose done.
5. Have the business model as such for the game that the mainly desired features for future content are part of the reasons to buy future dlc style content packages. Have the ingame bits store better incentivize buying for convenience or for aesthetic reasons and in such a manner that encourages repeat/retention of business.
6. Market all such things more consistently, and more importantly, in a timely fashion across all the "trans media" interactions Trion has.
7. Reopen full customer service options for Defiance(ie live chat as it used to be.
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Unfortunately, I think almost everyone can guess which of the 4 scenarios is least likely to ever occur, though it would be the one that Defiance fans would hope for the most. I think it is safe to say that one of the 3 other options or a variation of them is what we most likely face moving forward.
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Originally Posted by Sanguinesun
