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Originally Posted by PG09
PPRIZES: each prize is one (1) month Unlimited Access Subscription to Pirates Online (approximate retail value ($4.95). Total of all prizes: $49,500.)
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The trick here is "actual money" vs. "service cost"
I do some computer work for my mom, it take me two hours - its value is $100 (cause if I was "paid" for the service at $50 / hour that what I would charge) but in this case 1) I'm there visiting 2) shes family 3) I'm bored, etc. etc...
Its the same here - the "vaule" of the prizes if purchased by 10,000 people would be $45k - but 1) 10,000 people wouldn't probably sign up (and in fact they are probably losing players - see #2) 2) By having 10,000 players play a month for free they may get 2,000 or more that stick around - so they actually DO get money for those accounts after the promotion 3) if they release something big just as those accounts are running out - they will probably keep many more of those players and get more paying again...
Hence, theres no "cost" to them (the game is in place, the power, servers, equipment has to run for us here anyway) and because of the sponsorship they do get some return funds.
Overall - marketing
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Originally Posted by Truff
Wouldn't that mean Disney is rick-rolling us by 5 dollars for those of us who pay the $10 a month?
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Not really - because they are pricing that in as maintenance only - hence the servers, power, etc. is already running. Since they a) have people to pay and b) servers, power, etc. (hardware) to pay - this basically is the valued cost out of $10 to cover staff maintenance