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Well, I have my full license on several machines (desktop and laptop) so I don't think a central server that checks IP addresses or some sort of MAC address based hash would work. Attaching a username and password to a license might work better, but it would still suffer the problem you described (login server failures) and people would probably come up with bogus ID's that they could hand out with the license number anyway (guestplayer142, etc).Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_h
-Kevin McD
Again, I am very pleased with the amount of feedback received. I am going to drop the idea of a renewal fee for floating licenses and make them a one-time purchase option. The prices will need to be adjusted somewhat to keep them relative to the Lite license fee. Would $30 for a floating license feel about right?
Also, I imagine use of the floating licenses would require an active Internet connection. Your full license would continue to work off-line as it does today, but it would not accept an incoming unlicensed connection unless it was able to verify adequate floating licenses. In addition, if a floating license player crashes, there would need to be a re-sync operation that would occur to re-verify the number of floating licenses currently in use. I doubt the check would be any more significant than the server alias lookup, but it does need to occur.
As a user myself, I have copies of my full license on several of my personal machines to make it easier for me to work on stuff off-line and then transfer it to my gaming laptop for sessions in person or run off my desktop for online games. I have no desire to limit that sort of usage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Invain63
So looking at the store:Quote:
Originally Posted by ddavison
Fantasy Grounds II Full License $39.95
Fantasy Grounds II Lite License $23.95
So doesn't seem too unreasonable, they would be liable for bulk discount?
I think that's great. And I truly appreciate your attention to our feedback and concerns. A $30 price for the floating license is - I think - a decent price.Quote:
Originally Posted by ddavison
At first I thought you were incorrect here, but I now have to agree. The floating license scheme should be of greatest benefit to GMs with large dynamic player bases but the cost effective strategy appears to be for the GM to buy an excess number of Lites on the off chance that a past player happens to be using one of them when the GM is trying to run a game with new players. The GM just says "Oops! That license is in use. Here, try this one." That would be annoying, so if it happens frequently the floating license scheme would become more attractive. I really doubt that it would, though, except in extreme cases.Quote:
Originally Posted by zephp
It seems to me that there should be *some* way for the floating license scheme to be cost effective, but I haven't been able to figure it out yet. The fees should probably be set up such that over the life of the license the cost is at least as much as a Lite, but is never painful at any given time. Perhaps a minimal up front cost with another small activation fee for when the floating license is used.
Maybe something like this, for six slots:
$5 per slot setup (activation not included) and then $3 per 3 month activation. That way the break even point would be at the 1 year continuous use mark and the rest is gravy for SWUSA.
This is approximately the same as the current scheme - Six licenses: $15 per including 6 months activation plus $7.50 per additional 6 months (in my terms, $7.50 initial setup plus $3.25 per 3 months activation.) Of course SWUSA would loose on both ends. My proposal is cheaper for the customer and gives them more chances to opt out. My philosophy is that frequent small fees are more palatable to customers than occasional large ones, so the customer is more likely to buy on impulse.
-Kevin McDonald
I should really learn to make small frequent posts rather than spending the time to compose a magnum opus! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ddavison
Yea, this sounds reasonable to me. One issue is that it raises the cost of entry for the GM. The cost of entry for GMs is a significant issue. The current high cost of a Full + Lites (or floaters) means that only the truly dedicated (or wealthy) will take a chance on the product. I seem to remember you saying that this is something under review, so I am interested in what you come up with.
-Kevin McDonald
I'll offer you a bannana peel and a piece of lint that I've had in my pocket for a month. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ddavison
An idea I had, and someone would have to fill this out because it's only a partial idea here. If you're looking for some sort of a continuing income stream, something to consider is, in addition to floating licenses, you could have temporary floating licenses. They could be cheaper ($5), but time limited (say, one day from the time of purchase).
Something like that might be a hit with conventions, letting a bunch of new people try it out. It wouldnt be really optimal to use in the place of another license (6 sessions for a regular floating license or a lite license).
Dunno, just an idea I had that I thought I'd mention before I forgot it.. There might be problems with it, but I haven't thought that far ahead (Maybe someone already mentioned it :b)
Also a look at the competition:Quote:
Originally Posted by MurghBpurn
Software Licenses
GM Client $34.00
Player Client $18.00
Floating License (Requires GM Client) $18.00
Quote:
Originally Posted by MurghBpurn
Yes, but you also have to look at the difference between the applications themselves. I don't think anyone here will argue against "Fantasy Grounds is superior to BattleGrounds." Battlegrounds still has a few features that are not in Fantasy Grounds but the remaining features are of limited use. Where as Fantasy Grounds has a much cleaner user interface, and is just an all around awesome application.
That being said, I think $30 is a fair price for the floating license. It's not as powerful as the DM license, but in comparison does offer better flexibility than the lite license.
I am very pleased to see the change in pace, and am a firm believer that Smite Works has just secured Fantasy Grounds position as "The Best" VTT on the market for quite some time to come. I am also looking forward to working with them (if they will) on some of our gaming products now.