The new iGP Manager and subscriptions

By Jack Basford
Last updated: Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:14

When the new iGP Manager arrives there will clearly be major changes to the way we play (and pay) to play iGP Manager.

It's no secret, as I've mentioned it in previous blogs, that we will be moving away from a subcription-based free-to-play system to the more organic tokens system, which doesn't require any commitment or contract, and can be used a little or a lot, whenever you need it and for whatever you need it for.

First, let's cover a little bit of background to this decision. In some ways it was a tough decision to change something so fundamental to gameplay, but in many ways it was an easy choice. Maintaining a 'free game' and a 'subscriber' game slowed us down massively in development, for one. We will be able to maintain one set of much cleaner code now, and develop improvements faster. When iGP Manager was originally built, subscription based MMOs were also the norm. Now, it's exactly the opposite, and in-game currencies are the norm, with few subscription-based games available. This alone is an indicator of a shift in attitudes and demand. In-game currencies are familiar.

In addition to that, the decision to move to a cross-platform game and release mobile apps really made it a no-brainer that an in-game currency like tokens would be the only way forward for iGP. It's what people expect on phones and tablets, and people prefer to be able to play for free and invest an amount that suits them, when they feel like it.

In the new iGP, we have re-purposed our existing Reward Points system as Tokens to serve this purpose, and removed the subscription element. This has allowed us to make a much better game, with 2D viewer and livery builder access for everyone, as well as access to all the same controls and information. It will generate more activity around iGP Manager than ever before. Obviously, the growth of the community is a good thing for the game, being an MMO.

Alright, that's all good, but what will happen to subscribers?

Although we will stop the sale of new subscriptions when the new iGP Manager is released, we've worked out a fantastic legacy package for our existing subscribers, which recognises the contribution you have made to date. It is your support after all which has kept us going.

If you have an active subscription when the new iGP Manager launches:

  • You will get its full value in tokens, even if it is very old and about to renew. (e.g. If you have an 11 month old annual subscription worth £19.99, you will get £19.99 worth of tokens when the new game launches)
  • If kept active, each time it renews you will get 3x or 300% its value in tokens. (e.g. If you have a £2.99 monthly subscription, each time it renews you will get £8.97 worth of tokens - with an annual subscription, if you are paying £19.99 each year, when it renews you will get £59.97 worth of tokens!)

Our subscribers will get value far in excess of the value any other player will get from the new system. We hope you will appreciate the gesture as much as we appreciate the contributions you have made which have given us the opportunity to launch this new platform. Anyone who is considering buying tokens in the new game might even be better off signing up for a subscription, before they disappear!

Thanks... but aren't game currencies pay to win?

There are many examples out there of systems being used poorly or abused, and if you're worried about pay to win games you've probably tried some of them. There are also great examples of free to play games growing a community and enhancing the game this way (e.g. League of Legends).

Specifically regarding iGP Manager though, I have addressed these concerns directly in my recent post on the Open Beta forum, detailing exactly how we keep the playing field level and gameplay fair, no matter how many tokens someone buys. Nobody will ever be able to buy their way to the top of the Hall of Fame in iGP Manager, and that's something we're going to make sure of.

Can I try the new iGP Manager?

Sure, open beta testing is going on right now. Here is the link.

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iGP Developer Blog

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shield Kevin Bissell 7 years 288 days ago
Hi Jack. I'm currently into my second year of subscription (I think February) but in keeping with my other "direct debit" payments (motor/house insurance etc.) I disabled auto renewal, instead preferring to receive a prompt by email to make a manual payment.

I am going to need to reinstate the auto renewal to take advantage of your "three for one" offer. How do I go about doing this without taking out another subscription as the current one still has approx. 8 months remaining?

Thanks

Kev.
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Kenneth Ulstein Johansen 7 years 291 days ago
when do you expect the switch from old to new to happen?
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Alessandro Moretta 7 years 292 days ago
Hi Jack i m a subscriber. Any idea of timing for live?
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iGP Staff Jack Basford 7 years 298 days ago
Hi Dvir, this is a slightly complicated question, with many chances for misunderstanding. To be clear, I will explain the entire situation. If you have an active subscription when the new game goes live (if you have not cancelled your subscription) then "for free" you will get tokens when the game launches, and each time the subscription renews after that. However, if you cancel the subscription then this will not happen. So it is not "for free" exactly, it's if you keep your subscription.
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Dvir Yehuda 7 years 310 days ago
jack, i am subscriber since april and you say that after the new igp manager launches i will get full value in tokens, my question is i will need to pay on the tokens or it's free because i want to save money
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Kenneth Ulstein Johansen 7 years 321 days ago
ok. thanks for a quick answer Jack. I may have been a bit irate as I wrote that. I actually like the beta. I just like having the race window open a few minutes before the race starts.
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iGP Staff Jack Basford 7 years 321 days ago
Kenneth - that's easy to change. Remember it's a test version and that feedback should go on the beta forum. Create a thread at http://beta.igpmanager.com/forum-index
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iGP Staff Jack Basford 7 years 321 days ago
Kane - the game will remain free to play. This post is explaining that we will stop selling subscriptions and how we will handle them.
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iGP Staff Jack Basford 7 years 321 days ago
Paul - all progress will be kept and ported across to the new platform. Everything will remain from leagues, points, drivers and staff etc.
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Alessandro Moretta 7 years 321 days ago
i m an happy subscriber
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