Runescape has a system called bonds which can be traded in game for expensive amounts of in-game currency. I was thinking Wizard101 could introduce some rare forms of reagents that you can receive as rare drops from bosses. With these rare reagents you'd be able to craft a membership elixir to continue to play. These could drop extremely rare in F2P areas to allow for slight way for users to play for free and slightly higher (but still rare) in membership areas. This would entice people to still purchase a membership to earn a free membership and you could even make it so grindy that it's difficult to obtain in a month.
#Earn to Play Model (Craftable Membership Elixir w/ ultra rare reagents)
wind forge
+1. However I do want to point out that it’s pretty unrealistic in this case. In OSRS/RS3 we’re able to trade for the bonds using gold; there is no real trading system in Wizard101. It’s still a phenomenal source of revenue (bonds must be purchased by someone before they’re able to be traded: they just don’t magically appear) that gives players an option to earn their way through the game
If wizard101 had an improved trading system with a maximum gold storage increase, it’d be a great option. But I don’t think they’d be willing to change fundamental systems, despite its success in OSRS / RS3
tough shell
If wizard101 had an improved trading system with a maximum gold storage increase...
Well it doesn't have to be the way bonds are traded. You could use the same method I suggested by ultra rare reagent drops from bosses. This gives an incentive to play the game more which in return create smore crown purchases and more.
wind forge
Yeah that’s the thing. Bonds were made for the revenue it brings; it costs more than just buying regular membership, just like membership elixirs do. They exist solely to make money. Introducing a completely farmable, earn-to-play model would be beneficial to players but I really don’t think there’s any real reason for KI to make that financially: they’d just lose money
Bonds were introduced to create a membership model that increases their revenue while keeping playtime at a high. They are bought, not made. This would just make purchasing membership completely irrelevant
tough shell
Yeah that’s the thing. Bonds were made for the revenue it brings; it costs more ...
I personally think the more players play the game, the more encouragement there is to purchase crowns. This in itself would generate more revenue than unlocking the first arc for everyone which is what many cheer for.
However I don't know the numbers and I am not a marketing major so 🤷♂️
Just wish KI was a bit more transparent with us
Earn to Play Model (Craftable Membership Elixir w/ ultra rare reagents)
polar jasper
Maybe instead of membership, it might make sense as a way to get crowns? Since membership also confers other benefits (and people might not be so keen on buying it if it can be farmed), and there are already ways to get crowns as a F2P player