Why pay full price for this game? I mean really.

[pieisbetter2]

Originally Posted by MacIronhawk

Personally, when I look at online games, I see them as pay to play, no matter what.

Games that aren't pay to play need to survive off of ads, which can happen if there are enough companies which will profit because of the game but POTCO doesn't look like a game you'd play for free.

To be honest, I'm disappointed at the lack of updates just as much as you. When I look at Toontown and POTCO I see huge potential. And I mean HUGE potential. These are Disney run games, games which SHOULD prosper and be the basis that other online games shoot for.

Disney is a billion dollar company and should invest in this game. The problem is the amount of content they push out isn't enough to keep us entertained for years. We get bored within months of releases and then we have to wait more months for more content to come out. If Disney would just hire some more developers and put more money into this game, it would be great. I fear they look at these games as side attractions so the company can claim to be big in online gaming. Truth is, these two games are very creative and have great potential but Disney doesn't care enough about them.

POTCO and Toontown both should be pay to play, but I agree that they just don't get updated enough to be pay to play. this game is a few years old and we still haven't seen things like the Kraken(promised by developers to come out near the end of 2009!)

I don't think these games will be around much longer if Disney continues on this lazy track. The only way they're going to make millions off of these games is if they invest millions into it. We'll see what happens over the next decade, though.

I honestly don't know how many times this has had to be explained.

The game isn't necessarily RUN by Disney as much as it is OWNED by Disney. The Pirates developer team is its own separate thing. I'm pretty sure they can't just go ask Disney for money. Disney has SO many other things going on. Don't you think they would much rather gather money from the box office than from people subscribed to a game? Movies are the basis of Disney. Movies are what makes Disney so successful. Yes, the smart thing would be to invest in this game, as it could possibly generate as much revenue as films. But then what would happen to their films? They would flatten out, and people would lose interest. Movies have a wider audience than games. Think about it, a single movie probably makes more money than this game does in a year, let alone a franchise like the POTC films.

What I'm trying to get at is that the POTCO team can't just hire more developers and be throwing out the updates. Finding someone that can make the game the way it has been isn't as easy as plucking them from a crowd. And even if they did start pumping the updates out, they would eventually have nothing else to give to us. They'd be fresh out of ideas and then the game would collapse. Sooner than if they take their time like they are now.

Updates take money, so they have to collect the money they've earned from paying players to do these sort of things. When they hit a really big update is when more money usually starts coming in, and they can either use this to hire more developers, or have another big update. More developers = faster updates, but not necessarily big updates every time. More big updates = more cash flow and even more big updates.

Basically it's whatever road they choose. If I missed anything, I'm sure someone will point it out.

[The Skirata Clan]

Originally Posted by pieisbetter2

I honestly don't know how many times this has had to be explained.

The game isn't necessarily RUN by Disney as much as it is OWNED by Disney....The game is managed by Disney Interactive which is just another branch of the Walt Disney Co..... I'm pretty sure they can't just go ask Disney for money. I am pretty sure they can.... Don't you think they would much rather gather money from the box office than from people subscribed to a game? True but they sure can piggy back of the success of the films to create revenue for their area.Movies are the basis of Disney. Family entertainment is the basis of Disney. Movies are what makes Disney so successful. Good marketing, excellent quality, and the creating the perfect experience is what makes the the best. Yes, the smart thing would be to invest in this game, as it could possibly generate as much revenue as films. But then what would happen to their films?Nothing would change if they do invest in their own products. A Disney film (Pixar or other included) are made with 50+ Millions Dollars and they generate twice as much or more. And that is just in the opening weekend. I highly doubt that POTCO would require 1 Million to greatly improve. They would flatten out, and people would lose interest. Not True. Movies have a wider audience than games. True. But what is the point of having a game based on a movie based on a ride?Think about it, a single movie probably makes more money than this game does in a year, let alone a franchise like the POTC films. Then why not make it free, better yet why did they made the game if not to generate profit out of it.

What I'm trying to get at is that the POTCO team can't just hire more developers and be throwing out the updates. Finding someone that can make the game the way it has been isn't as easy as plucking them from a crowd. Currently they are hiring, but who would want to work for Disney Interactive if they can work at Valve or Bungie for more prestige and probably better money. And even if they did start pumping the updates out, they would eventually have nothing else to give to us. Because they have given us a lot to do. They'd be fresh out of ideas and then the game would collapse. Sooner than if they take their time like they are now.

Updates take money, so they have to collect the money they've earned from paying players to do these sort of things. I am sure than 1% of the latest movie's revenue would get a lot done. When they hit a really big update is when more money usually starts coming in, and they can either use this to hire more developers, or have another big update. More developers = faster updates, but not necessarily big updates every time. More big updates = more cash flow and even more big updates.

Basically it's whatever road they choose. If I missed anything, I'm sure someone will point it out.

The problem is that none of us really know what goes on out there or what is really going to happen with the game. We often try to romanticize the way any business works Disney included. I keep saying money will generate more money. And the Walt Disney Co. is an expert if not the master of this. POTCO will never go to F2P.

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by pieisbetter2

Disney has SO many other things going on. Don't you think they would much rather gather money from the box office than from people subscribed to a game? Movies are the basis of Disney. Movies are what makes Disney so successful. Yes, the smart thing would be to invest in this game, as it could possibly generate as much revenue as films. But then what would happen to their films? They would flatten out, and people would lose interest. Movies have a wider audience than games. Think about it, a single movie probably makes more money than this game does in a year, let alone a franchise like the POTC films.

You seem to be defending the fact that this game can go under any year now. Disney makes millions of dollars a day at the parks and attractions alone, not to mention the movies also bring in more money.

You're telling me that if Disney gives the developers, say, ten million more dollars to work on the game and update it, along with hiring new developers, that things would flatten out?

You really don't understand the amount of money Disney makes if you think spending a few million dollars on their online games would flatten the company out. Nothing would flatten out. They would still have billions of dollars left over for the theme parks and the movies. I don't understand why you think things would flatten out just because their online games would be boosted.

Disney has no excuse for giving up on these games. They own these games and right now they're just bragging rights. They can say they produce video games and MMO's, but that doesn't mean they produce good MMO's.

I'm completely disappointed by whoever is in charge of making these games survive. They have SO much potential, more than any other MMO out there, possibly even more than WOW. The problem is, Disney looks as these games as show cases, not profit.

EDIT: I love Toontown and POTCO both and that's why I'm being harsh on Disney. These two games are amazing to play and they're simply beautiful to look at.(for MMO's, that is) Playing Toontown since 2004 and POTCO since Beta in 2007, I've been a fan of the two games since the beginning. Each year I see these games decline, the majority of the decline being since 2008 to 2011. Toontown hasn't seen a major update(such as a new Cog HQ) since 2008 and we haven't seen a new story quest(involving the Kraken) since the beginning of POTCO.

Something is telling me these games are slowly getting cut out of the Disney equation. Whoever wanted to put these games out on the market must have thought they could spend a little amount of money and make an even greater amount. It just doesn't work that way and I fear within the next ten years these games will be out of the MMO contest. With each year other games soar and these get left in the dust. Disney needs to open their eyes and realize they're sitting on a diamond mine.

[akamystic]

All a matter of opinion. I paid for POTC online for over a year and then took a break for 2 years. Now I'm back since they have made changes to the game. I think no matter what the game is you need a break every now and then. All a matter of what you feel the worth of it is. Nobody is forcing anyone to pay for anything. If you want more than basic access options then you need to pay. If you feel what Disney is charging is unfair, then don't play. Pretty straight forward if you ask me. I know plenty of POTC online players that also play other games......but once a Pirate, always a Pirate in my book.

[pieisbetter2]

Everyone is just running over my good points.

Basically, don't say the POTCO team ISN'T trying. They give us an update and then everyone is all excited, and next thing you know everyone is complaining. I don't see the need for an update every week. If that's what you're expecting, this probably isn't a game for you. Like other's have said, this isn't really a game for hardcore gamers. I mean, it is aimed at a younger audience after all. So if you think Disney is being lazy and isn't really trying, then go ahead and leave. Nothing's stopping you.

[tayseth]

Originally Posted by pieisbetter2

Everyone is just running over my good points.

Basically, don't say the POTCO team ISN'T trying. They give us an update and then everyone is all excited, and next thing you know everyone is complaining. I don't see the need for an update every week. If that's what you're expecting, this probably isn't a game for you. Like other's have said, this isn't really a game for hardcore gamers. I mean, it is aimed at a younger audience after all. So if you think Disney is being lazy and isn't really trying, then go ahead and leave. Nothing's stopping you.

When did anybody say we wanted an update every week?

An update every week isn't necessary, sure. But when you have an entire year and you only put out ONE "large" update, people are going to complain. People complain when new releases come out because they're poorly tested, and lazily created, which means that you have to wait another week of maintenance before you actually get to play the update. Games that are aimed towards a "younger" audience aren't exempt from ever making quality games. Telling somebody to "Go ahead and leave" isn't a solution for this problem.

There really isn't an excuse for the poor quality of this game after 3 years. The more and more I explore the realm of freeware titles, the more and more I see how easy it is to make and provide upkeep for a game despite a non-existent budget. Look at Cube: 2 Sauerbraten for example. When you have a budget, especially when operating under the Disney flagship, there simply is no excuse. Looking at the quality of this game and the quality of the updates, it's rather obvious that the potco team is lazy, yet they feel more and more content to dig their own grave. They're intentionally vague about updating their game and have absolutely no interaction with the paying customers. If they came out and said "Hey, we don't have the experienced programmers to release obligatory things such as the Kraken" i'd regain my respect for them. But saying that would lose money, and money is everything in a shovelware title.

To go for the record, I realize that many of you enjoy hanging out with guild/friends. Hanging out with friends is the perfect excuse to play this game, but the community shouldn't be one of the few things good about this game.

The PotcO team MUST create several updates increasing the quality of this game (Latency, more servers, more upkeep, better interactions with community, more updates) otherwise I don't see this game open for much longer.

[pieisbetter2]

Originally Posted by tayseth

When did anybody say we wanted an update every week?

An update every week isn't necessary, sure. But when you have an entire year and you only put out ONE "large" update, people are going to complain. People complain when new releases come out because they're poorly tested, and lazily created, which means that you have to wait another week of maintenance before you actually get to play the update. Games that are aimed towards a "younger" audience aren't exempt from ever making quality games. Telling somebody to "Go ahead and leave" isn't a solution for this problem.

There really isn't an excuse for the poor quality of this game after 3 years. The more and more I explore the realm of freeware titles, the more and more I see how easy it is to make and provide upkeep for a game despite a non-existent budget. Look at Cube: 2 Sauerbraten for example. When you have a budget, especially when operating under the Disney flagship, there simply is no excuse. Looking at the quality of this game and the quality of the updates, it's rather obvious that the potco team is lazy, yet they feel more and more content to dig their own grave. They're intentionally vague about updating their game and have absolutely no interaction with the paying customers. If they came out and said "Hey, we don't have the experienced programmers to release obligatory things such as the Kraken" i'd regain my respect for them. But saying that would lose money, and money is everything in a shovelware title.

To go for the record, I realize that many of you enjoy hanging out with guild/friends. Hanging out with friends is the perfect excuse to play this game, but the community shouldn't be one of the few things good about this game.

The PotcO team MUST create several updates increasing the quality of this game (Latency, more servers, more upkeep, better interactions with community, more updates) otherwise I don't see this game open for much longer.

Again I insert the fact that if there was more than one 'large' update a year, the game would easily run out of things to include. A couple small to medium updates every month or whatnot is how the POTCO team DOES keep people here. And yes, people also complain because sometimes new releases are buggy and don't work. But that's all part of the process. I don't expect a PERFECT game. I mean, there's really no such thing. Game aimed at a younger audience have to be more simple. Imagine a 10 year old trying to learn the aspects of a more in depth game. It just doesn't work that way often. And if someone just leaves, it usually fixes the problem of not liking where the game is at.

Well what else would you expect from a game of three years? I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of criticism for saying this, but I honestly think Disney is still learning how to keep up with gaming. Sure sure, Toontown has been around for like, 10 years now, and yes, there are still a lot of things wrong with it. I won't deny that. But it doesn't mean that they've given up or decided that they don't care. After all, they're paid to do the best they can. Making accusations that they are lazy with it is absurd. Everything has flaws.

More servers, updates, and all of that takes money. And I'm pretty positive that a good majority of the money earned from paying players is passed onto the large branch of Disney. The rest is used to pay the people on the POTCO team and updates. It's simple as that.