Has Riot ever considered an optional subscription service?

Friend Like Me·1/19/2019, 2:49:57 AM·1 votes·1,759 views

Think about it, this could be the answer to a new source of income. Riot had a great idea only a couple months back to partner up with its twitch streamers and provide them exclusive content to give out to their viewers for free. I'm not flying into this thread trying to act knowledgeable of running a business/making money, but it seems like subscriptions are becoming increasingly a thing as time goes on.

Big name companies use subscriptions to stay relevant and maintain consistent income such as Apple (Apple Music, iCloud, and AppleCare+) and Amazon (Audible, Twitch Prime, Prime, Prime Pantry, etc.) Two companies that hit a net worth of $1 trillion just in August/September 2018.

Why are you suggesting this?

Well I've been spending a lot of money lately, like stupid money to get the prestige skins and other great skins that have been released in the past few months. I'm currently at the point of not putting anymore money into the game because of the not uncommon prestige skins, the recent capsule pricing error, the surplus of chromas per skin, and overpriced bundles. I'm not unhappy about the variants, but they haven't shown much success in my eyes. I'm not ready to give up on Riot as a company yet, but many players including myself are in a dark place right now.

My Proposal:

An optional monthly subscription service that can also be paid in 3-12 month advancements with increasing discounts. Members of this subscription can get an exclusive monthly icon/emote/ward/chroma, defintely not an exclusive skin. Additional perks to the membership can include:

1 free skin shard (monthly) OR MORE :O 6300 BE for brand new champions instead of 7800 (skip waiting 1 week) Access to some kind of higher priority queue 100 BE & 500XP for first win of the day 1 exclusive mission during events thats provides something nonexclusive like bonus essence A skin that changes the client's color theme for as long as they're a subscriber, that way every time the player launches their client, they're reminded of the awesome service they pay for. Subscriber-exclusive discussion board Merch coupons OR Free shipping on all merch These are suggestions, I'm not implying all of this gets stuffed into the subscription to be reasonable.

Pricing:

Really depends on the effort that goes into making this service and how much it offers to players that make the subscription feel worth it. If we're talking perks that go beyond the LoL client and game play, it would be reasonable to up the price.

$10 - 1 month $25 - 3 months $60 - 12 months Similar to an Xbox Live subscription, something I feel to be a fair pricing model.

Prices have had the tendency to change for many companies that offer subscriptions as they add to their service and require more money in order to provide more content. That's absolutely fine, but price increases need to be made aware of long before the price increases. If players are being allowed to prepay 12 months in advance, Riot needs to announce changes coming next year along with a price increase. All I know is, I don't want to be paying $10 one month, and the following month or 2 later, its already up to $15 a month. I'm talking 6 months to a year in advance, perks that require more revenue will need to wait a respectable amount of time.

In Summary:

A subscription service could really be something that might finally appease many of us players seeking more without breaking the bank. This service can also have a positive effect on the pricing of bundles in the store now that Riot has found a new source of consistent income. Riot is already producing skins and content at a high and consistent rate, so this revenue can open doors to new possibilities. The subscription would be reasonably priced and award loyal players.

Add to the conversation:

What perks would you want to see? What prices are reasonable to you? Do you feel subscriptions would actually solve some of the issues I stated earlier? If you feel subscriptions are a terrible suggestion, I'd like to hear why not so that I may understand your side, where you're coming from financially maybe or as a gamer that plays multiple games. Are you like me and dedicate yourself to one game at a time?

8 Comments

Death by Glamour1/19/2019, 2:56:21 AM3 votes

Maybe they should consider making the game better so more people decide to playe and pay money for skins ect rather than trying to squeze money out a diminishing playerbase.

Pandemic Punch1/19/2019, 11:32:36 AM2 votes

Dont even

KreatorOfKhaos1/19/2019, 11:24:45 AM1 votes

Access to some kind of higher priority queue would mean longer queue time for everyone else and that will surely piss people off and it would screw the MMR system.

FioraWillCarry1/19/2019, 12:22:57 PM1 votes

I'd be willing to pay a subscription if it means I never get feeders, trash noobs and shitheads in my games.

On the real tho......No....just no.

Imperial Pandaa1/19/2019, 12:31:34 PM1 votes

Instead of some priority queue, maybe extended RGM access. Say ARURF (or another RGM) is scheduled. Maybe subs can get in a few days sooner and still access a few days later after it is over. Might be a queue number issue though.