MMORPG - COH profitability

[Atlantea]

Damn, you guys are brutal! That's a compliment by the way. :D

But seriously - I think the slogans that focus a little more on the "MMOKiller" angle rather than the "boobies" angle might work better, particularly around launch.

Even I initially was thinking that as a gamer I wouldn't want to be known to my peers as playing that game if there's a particular stigma attached to it of being a perv. But then I stopped to think about it recently and realized that perspective really only works from the standpoint of someone with a more responsible attitude. An adult who might actually have something to lose in a case like that.

Negative publicity about the game being softcore porn may actually work in it's FAVOR in terms of sales. PARTICULARLY to it's target demographic - males around the age of 13 up to about 25. Nothing screams "Must HAVE" to a young adult male like the dual draws of, well, softcore porn and violence. Plus the idea of something being verboten or guaranteed to piss off the parents/older set. Let's face it - how many STUPID things did we all do JUST because someone told us NOT to at that age? (I certainly have some stories to tell. I spin them as comedy when I do, and laugh at my own stupidity, but I'm glad I'm not that person these days.)

I mean - look at Grand Theft Auto - did the supposed negative publicity about the violence and the "Coffee" bug/easter egg depress sales? Nope. Probably helped. And if an "M" rating made it a little harder to get, it also made that demographic more determined to get it.

Whereas, I think appealing to the "Evil Corporation is Evil" and the "Sword of Damocles" angles has more juice behind it. Point out that korean style grind-fests have never done well here. And that NCSoft even killed the western port of Lineage, even when it was doing well in Korea.

Therefore my favorites of the above slogans are so far:

Blade and Soul:
"Grab them today, before they disappear tomorrow!"

(because that one works BOTH angles superbly)

and

"We promise not to shut this one down unless it's failing.* For real this time."

*We reserve the right to alter our definition of "failing" at any time.

[Lily Barclay]

We promise not to shut this one down unless it's failing.* For real this time.

*We reserve the right to alter our definition of "failing" at any time.

Ha ha. Like that one.

[Lily Barclay]

Damn, you guys are brutal! That's a compliment by the way. :D

But seriously - I think the slogans that focus a little more on the "MMOKiller" angle rather than the "boobies" angle might work better, particularly around launch.

Even I initially was thinking that as a gamer I wouldn't want to be known to my peers as playing that game if there's a particular stigma attached to it of being a perv. But then I stopped to think about it recently and realized that perspective really only works from the standpoint of someone with a more responsible attitude. An adult who might actually have something to lose in a case like that.

Negative publicity about the game being softcore porn may actually work in it's FAVOR in terms of sales. PARTICULARLY to it's target demographic - males around the age of 13 up to about 25. Nothing screams "Must HAVE" to a young adult male like the dual draws of, well, softcore porn and violence. Plus the idea of something being verboten or guaranteed to piss off the parents/older set. Let's face it - how many STUPID things did we all do JUST because someone told us NOT to at that age? (I certainly have some stories to tell. I spin them as comedy when I do, and laugh at my own stupidity, but I'm glad I'm not that person these days.)

I mean - look at Grand Theft Auto - did the supposed negative publicity about the violence and the "Coffee" bug/easter egg depress sales? Nope. Probably helped. And if an "M" rating made it a little harder to get, it also made that demographic more determined to get it.

Whereas, I think appealing to the "Evil Corporation is Evil" and the "Sword of Damocles" angles has more juice behind it. Point out that korean style grind-fests have never done well here. And that NCSoft even killed the western port of Lineage, even when it was doing well in Korea.

Therefore my favorites of the above slogans are so far:

Blade and Soul:
"Grab them today, before they disappear tomorrow!"

(because that one works BOTH angles superbly)

and

"We promise not to shut this one down unless it's failing.* For real this time."

*We reserve the right to alter our definition of "failing" at any time.

Everything you said. The softcore angle will sell them games in the stained shirt basement dwelling market.

[dwturducken]

Focusing on "the boobies," as you say, would likely backfire, drawing players to the game to see what all the fuss is about. As Lily implied, who doesn't like "boobies?"

[Little Green Frog]

As Lily implied, who doesn't like "boobies?"

I see myself more of a leg person.

[CG]

I see myself more of a leg person.

Sez the frog...  /rimshot  ;)

[The Fifth Horseman]

I see myself more of a leg person.

I can't choose, it's the entire figure for me. :p

[houtex]

"Blade and Soul.  From the #1 MMOKiller, NCSoft!  Play with Caution!^(TM)"

Just punch them right in the face to get the point across.  I know that's what I'll be sayin'.

[eabrace]

Blade & Soul: While supplies last.

[Victoria Victrix]

Blade and Soul:  Outstanding Customer Service*

*until we have your money.

[Ironwolf]

The #1 MMO Killer in the world is proud to bring to you for a limited time Blade & Soul.

[Quinch]

Blade and Soul: Because dock workers need love too
Blade and Soul: Make us billions or your character gets it

[Fulcrum]

Blade and Soul:   Paid in Seoul    =)

[Axonius]

Blade and Soul...This time, we're not giving you a bunch of BS...Er wait.

[Captain Electric]

I'd like to add my voice to the chorus who is warning that the softcore angle would hurt us. This isn't a new chorus. People were concerned about this over on the official forums.

I'd also like to remind ya'll that just a couple of months before the closure notice, yet another big mega thread appeared on the official forums, taking Paragon Studios to task for "indecently" basing many of their costume designs on comic book super heroes, which they described as near-pornographic and demeaning. The female costumes, that is. I don't recall any of the ladies asking for men to be given more clothes or looser-fitting clothes in the comics.  ;)

The thing is, members of THESE forums were there, calling those outfits indecent and requesting that Paragon Studios stop basing costumes in City of Heroes on popular comic book themes. Yes, I know, it's like asking your local steakhouse to stop serving meat, but this is the Internet. The argument you're thinking the last paragraph is likely to ignite is proof alone that this doesn't need to be our angle in the pursuit to wrestle City of Heroes out of NCSoft's grip. Divided we fall, and all of that.

Like many others I'm front and center to defend the comic book traditions, and to defend City of Heroes for breathing digital life into them; but I also acknowledge that some of those traditions have dark spots. That makes me, and anyone on my side of the argument, look like a hypocrite if we make a big deal about Blade & Soul's big boobs. In reality, of course, it's a comparison of degrees within which B&S is a far worse offender. But common sense will tell you that's not a water-tight argument. As an aside, Saints Row: the Third, featuring sex toys as weapons, is the most-owned game out of everyone on my Steam friends list--most of which include active members of this community.

Our own community is divided on this. That will become IMMENSELY APPARENT if we go after Blade & Soul for its naughtiness. We also risk looking like prudes. And most importantly, as supporters of an open and free Internet, I know some of you have gone to bat alongside companies like Google and organizations like the EFF. When you did that, you weren't supporting just the things you liked and found tasteful.

B&S represents only a symptom. The real problem, NCSoft, casts a much larger shadow.

[Quinch]

I concur - mocking the sexual appeal {or revulsion, depending on how you see the design} would make sense if NCsoft tried to conceal it, rather than, well, basing the entire advertising campaign around it. So yes, focusing on the #mmokiller aspect would probably be best.

Another possible tagline, cribbing a bit from others:
"Don't miss out on Blade and Soul, the latest chapter in the epic 'MMO Killer' saga. Available for a limited time only."

[FatherXmas]

Now since we've seen the changes they did for china, turn off the breast physics, eliminate most of the exposed skin in the sparser outfits with use of spandex unitards, we don't know exactly what they would do in NA.  If they want a T rating for the game they may implement some of those tweaks here as well.  We don't know yet.

[Dollhouse]

He is also VERY famous in internet marketing circles.  In fact, he is, literally, the first person to ever call himself an "internet marketing specialist."

Yep. This is what I do for a living, too (you didn't think any of the damn music projects made any money, did you?)...and his is a very well known name indeed. Household name if you work in this field...

[Hyperius X]

For what it's worth... I will not be spending my cash on any of their products, not that they really care.

[WildFire15]

I'd like to add my voice to the chorus who is warning that the softcore angle would hurt us. This isn't a new chorus. People were concerned about this over on the official forums.

I'd also like to remind ya'll that just a couple of months before the closure notice, yet another big mega thread appeared on the official forums, taking Paragon Studios to task for "indecently" basing many of their costume designs on comic book super heroes, which they described as near-pornographic and demeaning. The female costumes, that is. I don't recall any of the ladies asking for men to be given more clothes or looser-fitting clothes in the comics.  ;)

The thing is, members of THESE forums were there, calling those outfits indecent and requesting that Paragon Studios stop basing costumes in City of Heroes on popular comic book themes. Yes, I know, it's like asking your local steakhouse to stop serving meat, but this is the Internet. The argument you're thinking the last paragraph is likely to ignite is proof alone that this doesn't need to be our angle in the pursuit to wrestle City of Heroes out of NCSoft's grip. Divided we fall, and all of that.

Like many others I'm front and center to defend the comic book traditions, and to defend City of Heroes for breathing digital life into them; but I also acknowledge that some of those traditions have dark spots. That makes me, and anyone on my side of the argument, look like a hypocrite if we make a big deal about Blade & Soul's big boobs. In reality, of course, it's a comparison of degrees within which B&S is a far worse offender. But common sense will tell you that's not a water-tight argument. As an aside, Saints Row: the Third, featuring sex toys as weapons, is the most-owned game out of everyone on my Steam friends list--most of which include active members of this community.

Our own community is divided on this. That will become IMMENSELY APPARENT if we go after Blade & Soul for its naughtiness. We also risk looking like prudes. And most importantly, as supporters of an open and free Internet, I know some of you have gone to bat alongside companies like Google and organizations like the EFF. When you did that, you weren't supporting just the things you liked and found tasteful.

B&S represents only a symptom. The real problem, NCSoft, casts a much larger shadow.

I found that a bit of an odd debate as it seemed to stem from a miss naming of the Cowboy Costume set. As long as they're not ridiculous, I'm pretty certain most don't mind revealing clothing but I think people wanted to make serious cowgirls rather then saloon girls and the argument evolved from there.

I do agree though that the angle of 'bits and tits' and so on is both childish and daft and doesn't really help us. Seeing as I don't know how the game will feel and don't plan on finding out, I'm just sticking with reminding people on NC's actions. I doubt B&S has enough traction to be of interest in the West for more then a month or two like most grind fests