Seems Relic’s Expanding Its Free-to-Play Plans

@caseyg said:

Anyone else watch the opening outer space scene for Warhammer 40k: Space Marine and realize they really just want to play Homeworld 3?

Mothership.

Yep, Homeworld 3 would be pretty sweet.

@Jeffsekai said:

@Seedofpower: FOR THE GLORY OF THE EMPEROR, WE TELL PATRICK ABOUT NEWS STORIES.

That's how we roll in the Imperium.

Anyone else watch the opening outer space scene for Warhammer 40k: Space Marine and realize they really just want to play Homeworld 3?

Disappointed that I can't even buy Homeworld 1 & 2 on GOG or Steam...

Homeworld 3 plox.

@Seedofpower: FOR THE GLORY OF THE EMPEROR, WE TELL PATRICK ABOUT NEWS STORIES.

@Kbohls said:

The Company of Heroes 2 pre-order on Steam makes references to "Premium Currency, XP Boost, and Unit Boosts".

Yup. I was really really excited for COH2 until I read that. Now I'm out until there's at least a 66% off steam sale or something.

@Hogans_Hotdogs said:

Oh please God make DoW2 free-to-play, then they can FIX THE FUCKING GAME BREAKING BUGS we've had to deal with for over a year now.

Support for that game is dead, and the bugs come from the engine itself. Essence 2 is pretty old and it would be a waste of resources to try to fix it.

They made Essence 3 for their future games and when they get back to that franchise hopefully the same issues will not be there.

Oh please God make DoW2 free-to-play, then they can FIX THE FUCKING GAME BREAKING BUGS we've had to deal with for over a year now.

That level 3 pre-order bonus on Steam has me worried. Although DoW 2 was a fun game, I don't want CoH to turn into it.

At least they're trying to keep up with the market. I like the games Relic makes, but in this unsteady climate they need to latch onto as many income streams as possible if they want to continue making games. Here's hoping this doesn't turn out poorly.
 
edit: Also fuck whoever typed FTP instead of F2P in the job listing. You're in the industry. You should be able to know the difference, person.

Just wanted to say HOMEWORLD 3 but it seems other people got it covered

@jakob187 said:

@MonkfishEsq said:

Company of Heroes 2 is dead to me. They're putting maps behind the pay wall/season pass. Maps behind a paywall in an RTS, you can't make this shit up. Combined with a CoH:O style cash shop I think THQ are done.

If it's one thing I've learned from League of Legends, all you ever need is one map.

This isn't a MOBA, and that map would get pretty boring pretty quick. Also, Relic hasn't ever put any maps behind pay walls and I don't think they are going to start now. If micro transactions are going to put into CoH2, its going to be in the form of cosmetics and the like.

Company of Heroes Online didn't last long. I don't know why they would consider this route. = /

@MonkfishEsq said:

Company of Heroes 2 is dead to me. They're putting maps behind the pay wall/season pass. Maps behind a paywall in an RTS, you can't make this shit up. Combined with a CoH:O style cash shop I think THQ are done.

If it's one thing I've learned from League of Legends, all you ever need is one map.

No Problem, Patrick! For the Good of the Website!

@MonkfishEsq said:

Company of Heroes 2 is dead to me. They're putting maps behind the pay wall/season pass. Maps behind a paywall in an RTS, you can't make this shit up. Combined with a CoH:O style cash shop I think THQ are done.

Pics or it didn't happen.

And by pics I mean, links please?

HOMEWORLD 3 
 
DO YOU SPEAK IT, RELIC?

I really hope things like that don't fuck up Company of Heroes 2. Relic makes 2 of my favourite franchises ever (DOW and COH) and I'd hate to have a reason to start avoiding them. Also, Homeworld 3.

A former co-worker of mine just left to go work at Relic, I should harass him and see if he's on the F2P project.

Just give us Homeworld 3!

Thanks to MokfishEsq and Kbohls for using facts to ruin a game I was looking forward to.. Thanks a lot.

The Company of Heroes 2 pre-order on Steam makes references to "Premium Currency, XP Boost, and Unit Boosts".

Company of Heroes 2 is dead to me. They're putting maps behind the pay wall/season pass. Maps behind a paywall in an RTS, you can't make this shit up. Combined with a CoH:O style cash shop I think THQ are done.

God Damnit just make Homeworld 3 already

As free-to-play becomes more prevalent, it won’t be surprising to see some top-tier developers exploring what might be possible with it. RTS developer Relic Entertainment may be the latest to tinker with the evolving business model, according to some new job posts.

The Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40K developer is looking for a creative director, executive producer, and senior designer to help with one, if not more, free-to-play games within Relic.

Here’s an excerpt from the executive producer listing:

“The Executive Producer is the creative and business visionary, as well as, the ambassador for Relic’s Free-to-Play (FTP) products, ensuring long term critical and commercial success. The Executive Producer is responsible for growing and bringing successful products to market that deliver on the long term Studio goals.”

And here’s some of what Relic would be expecting from a potential senior designer:

• Design progression and monetization systems
• Writes design documents and develops prototypes at a level that meets and exceeds direction by leads
• Plan necessary real-time feedback and metrics systems, interpret resultant data, and adjust game designs accordingly

Technically, Relic has already experimented with free-to-play in the past with Company of Heroes Online. Even though Company of Heroes Online was first aimed at Asia, it was eventually released here in North America in fall 2010. Relic actually developed those versions of the game, too. That one surprised me.

Thanks to Giant Bomb user Seedofpower for the heads up.

Also, I neglected to get a Homeworld reference somewhere in this story, so I'm just sticking it at the bottom.