Embers Adrift defends its subscription monetization model in the latest developer video

The latest developer livestream from drive embers started like most with the game’s community manager, Elloa, reading patch notes for the March update and an April hotfix, playing the game, and highlighting a player guide. At one point, however, she went on a self-proclaimed tirade about complaints surrounding the MMORPG’s monetization model, defending Stormhaven Studios’ decision to have a box price and subscription.

Elloa begins by pointing out that making an MMORPG is expensive since developers need money to live and the game needs money to keep its lights on. She then discusses that a subscription fee is the best way the studio is addressing these needs, calling the subscription model “democratic” since everyone is on an equal footing with everyone else and that players’ performance levels are “earned.” And while she appreciates that people place their own personal value on the Sub over what the game offers, she also expresses personal frustration with making comments against the Sub model, particularly as she characterizes the team as one that “choose something difficult” rather than something far superior lucrative or predatory.

“Sometimes when I read these comments I get very irritated because I’m like, ‘How do you want us to survive? As a person? As a human?’” she says. “It’s a fair price, it’s not greedy. […] If we were greedy, we wouldn’t keep working drive embers. That’s not the path to fame and fortune and lots of money.”

Readers will remember that embers slashed the cost of its box and sub earlier this year, and Elloa points out that while she’s not critical of other MMOs that use a free-to-play model, it’s also clear that developers are getting into incorporated the matter.

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