What if AMS2 also had a subscription

With V1.7 coming sometime this year and bring something like LFM in game, I was thing how this could be very succesful (multiplayer) with all the content AMS2 has to offer.
What would opinions be if Reiza created a subscription for the sim that gave access to the base game and every DLC. I already own every DLC (just got the second adrenaline and supercars pack to complete it) but I cant see everyone outside the sim willing to make that kind of commitment immediately. Now, this could be for new players that obviously dont have the sim yet or those that already even do ( a reduced subscription tier). It would not take away the ability of people to still purchase the DLCs, just present another possible option.
How much would you guys think a subscription like this would be?
Should it have tiers (e.g already had base game or some DLCs)? ?
How much would you guys pay for it if you had never played the sim?

Obviously this would mainly be to increase multiplayer numbers (in my eyes) and would depend on how successful or useful the implemenation proves to be?

Thinking of this as the steam discount finished not long ago.

 

One day, iRacing will rule the world! Muwhahaha!

 

I hope never. Subscription is a horrible business model, I'd rather pay once and enjoy it without spending a penny more.

Subscription works only for short term use (from player point of view), there's a point where loyal players are forced to spend more and more.

 

Subscription models are terrible and end up being more expensive for the user in the long run.
Also, Reiza let people try out DLC for free for the first few days, and in the case of tracks one has the option to try them out by asking a friend to create a online lobby with DLC tracks.

 

Reiza already nailed a great DLC strategy that is very affordable for the players but is sustainable for Reiza. They recently had all DLCs 70% off which is an insanely great deal for everyone. I really don't get why you would want them to go for an more anti-consumer model.

The base game is like what, $9 every few month in steam sales? What do you need a subscription for then

 

Subscriptions are the worst thing to happen to consumers. Look how many things in life we're "locked into" by subscriptions these days. I've been trying to minimise them. They are a genuinely awful business model. I've never even tried out iRacing for exactly this reason.

 

AMS2 population is minuscule, its online players smaller. It does not have the network effect that allows iRacing charge subscriptions. It may sound harsh, but AMS2 is not worth paying a subscription for atm.

Also, lets suppose AMS2 has network effect. While the game offer amazing historic and open wheel content, the whole god damn sim racer community (in all sims) just flock around GT3. So it would be "just another GT3 ranked race fest".

 

That's exactly how I feel about subscriptions, as well.
I love how it's done by Reiza. They offer very fair prices without any "surprises", i.e. raising prices all of a sudden.

If they implemented a "buy us a coffee" button here I would surely use it every now and then because since I joined the Paddock Club when it came out I've been getting everything for free: 90 EUR or so if I remember correctly. I feel like the happiest customer. A subscription model on the other hand would let me leave the game instantly.
That's mostly because I'm an offline player. I do understand iRacing's subscrition model but it's not for me. I played/tried it at my friend's house and it felt, looked and sounded good. But I won't pay money every month just to be able to play it because I switch a lot between different games/sims. Sometimes I don't play a game for a couple of weeks because I don't want to. With a subscription model I would feel forced to play the game.

Sorry for the long text. Originally, it just wanted to write "That's exactly how I feel about it."

 

On the one side I have to ask, is life such boring to start this thinking and discussion?
On the other side, if AMS will start such a model, it is dead for me.

 

The subscription system on LMU is one of the reasons I won't touch it.
I don't think AMS2 needs or should have anything to do with subscriptions.

 

Surely there must be some other reason, since LMU doesnt require a subscription to do ranked races online.

 

You are right, unless you want to be able to do anything more meaningful like race in a championship or protest incidents , then you need to sign up to a subscription.

Of course if we use JustRace or LFM we can do these things for free with AMS2.

 

I'm not sure did you properly even read or think the op's suggestion because it seems like everybody is commenting based on some idea that it would replace what we have now instead of being additional option?

Please explain how offering a subscription option that would allow you to get access to let say all dlc without buying them instead somehow make things worse if you could still buy them as you are able to do now?

iRacing subscription is something that is required to play the game and use the dlc you have bought, so very different.

LMU subscription is optional, though it gives you something that you can't get without it (which I don't like).

op didn't suggest a subscription model that would be required or would give access to something you couldn't without it.

Subscription option like that could be even made more customer friendly if it would also give option to buy the dlc later and get discount based on how long you had subscribed, the longer you have, the bigger discounts you get (almost like being able to pay them in installments).

 

The replies seems to just be reactions to the word "subscription". Like you noticed, i only said it would be an additional option to what is already there. The option to buy would not be affected

 

But what exactly is the benefit for the customer? People who don't play AMS2 yet can already try a great free updated demo or buy the base game cheap that comes with tons of content. New updates have free trial period of all new cars and tracks and they even add completely free new content regularly. You can even play all tracks you don't own if you find online lobbies hosting them.

So where is that target audience that really needs all DLCs for a small subscription free? They already have tons of options to try the game without the need of having all DLCs. And if you really need certain cars or tracks they cost less than a popcorn at the cinema.

If I remember correctly with the 70% off recently the All Inclusive Bundle was around $80. Even if you calculate with a $5 subscription it's just not a good deal for the customer when it just takes like a bit over a year to own all content forever as DLCs.

 

It would give easy, cheap access to all of the dlc content, which would be great for those who are new or might not have a lot of funds (especially if it would also later make it cheapter to buy it all as well, then it wouldn't be "prey on the weak" type of deal either).

There is a lot of dlc on AMS2 and more is on the way and it can make the game seem very expensive which might turn some people off. Having easier access to some of the more niche content would also make that content more suitable for MP use and it would be also great way to try out all what AMS2 offer with less of an investment.

Think it as possibility to "rent" all the dlc for a month at a time. Why would that be a bad thing to offer such option?

 

I don't think that many people would pay something just to be able to drive a car or use a track for a certain amount of time.
I like how Reiza does it now: They let people play new DLCs for free for a couple of days. I consider this a very good approach. Raceroom offers the possibility to test drive any car at tracks that you own. Downside is: You can't do races.

Access to conent over a fixed period of time could be interesting for users who race in a league, though. (Do they need to own the content now? Sorry I don't do online races.)

btw: Thank you for pointing out what OP actually wrote. I - for one - should read more carefully before answering.

 

Yeah well, it's hard to say how popular something like that could be if at all.

 

Like I had originally said and Foyle mentioned above, It would be most suitable for multiplayer use and create easy access for new users to try something they might not have tried.
Thinking about it now, for something down the line like the career mode, this would also make sense. Reiza have been very generous, allowing track acces online even if you dont own the track or even in the preset online championships. But imagine something like the career mode where you would need access to all car and track content for the best and most immersive experience.

This was something that would be a problem for a sim with the amount of content AMS2 has and the only other sim with arguably similar content library and bringing a career mode in the future is Iracing.

Now i obviously am not looking for reiza to follow iracing footseteps, but they can learn from them and just because Iracing is not for most of us (me included), does not mean everything they do is negative.

For the career mode Iracing will have with such expansive content, they have made it so anyone with the base subscription can enjoy the whole thing without having to spend money to buy each possible DLC they might need. Their career mode will be covered under the base subscription but only unlocks DLC content that is in use and locks them back when not in the career mode's focus. The benefit of this is so obvious just in terms of player reach and exposing all players to all the content in the sim (I know we have trial weekends in AMS2, but that is all they are, weekends. miss it and it's gone).

Reiza have always shown they go a step further when it comes to their customers and can do it here again. Players can still buy the game and DLC individually if they wish but players that want to try the career mode or multiplayer with all the dlc neeeded without making such large investements can also be involved.

Reiza have also shared they are re-evaluating opening up the paddock club again for those who would want a one and done purchase or looking to further support the team. I would be someone that would jump on this, but as mentioned, IT IS AN OPTION AND REIZA IS NOT FORCING ALL USERS TO JOIN THE PADDOCK CLUB WHENEVER THE CHANCE COMES AROUND AGAIN. The target audience is not the whole player base but it's obviously there and requires even a larger intial investment. Can you not see how adding subscription can also find and create it's own target audience? Just because it is not for you does not mean it is not for someone, especially when it does not degrade your own experience!

AMS2 is one of the most affordable sims on the market and sometimes I'm suprised with the sales Reiza put out and how affordable (and frankly sustainable) the sim is for the quality and detail it brings. You have to remember some DLCs are already amazing deals that get good discounts (sometimes double discounts in the case of the premium track pack and the Racing USA expanson pack). I consider that a strength of the sim and not looking for Reiza to change that.

P.S @Ace Your simhub overlay on Overtake absolutely rocks (I think its you)

 

Khalid I understand what you're saying about a subscription being "an option." I would like to say I agree with that, but the problem I have is not so much with AMS2 doing it but the industry in general is forcing people more and more into subscription models and it is a dangerously slippery slope. The worst thing is that you then end up in a situation where you potentially lose everything you've paid for - e.g., I spent a few years playing World of Warcraft, but now that I no longer play, the hundreds of hours I've put into a few characters is completely inaccessible to me - and that's in addition to paying for the game and expansions up front.

I think a fairer option would be something along the lines of the "rent to buy" model, perhaps with a slightly higher payment rate, but even then people would simply be better off waiting for a good sale. I often wonder how many people would actually be better off if they'd never signed up for services like the Xbox or nVidia gaming subscriptions and if they simply spent the money on the games they want to own.

But I also have very 1980's working class opinions like if you can't afford it then that's too bad, you better save up