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Active: 732 users

How do you feel about MLG's new PPV model?

Forum Index > Polls & Liquibet
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QuasarStarcraft
Profile Joined November 2010
United States46 Posts
February 14 2012 22:50 GMT
#1
I think it is a great idea however starting out I think it is a bit much but I think this is the direction we need to be moving in
"If it's worth killing it's worth overkilling" -My Roommate
VIPlol
Profile Joined November 2011
United States43 Posts
February 14 2012 22:53 GMT
#2
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S
EGThorZaIN | Moon | IMMVP | AcerMMA | BoxeR | EGDeMusliM | ESCGoOdy | Empire.kas | Grubby | AZUBUSupvernova | MarineKing.Prime |
NOOBALOPSE
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada802 Posts
February 14 2012 22:56 GMT
#3
^ SO true. Why should we pay MLG when Asus ROG is on...??? I think it's a stupid move by MLG. They're hurting themselves like an emo kid!
ydeer1993
Profile Joined January 2012
United Kingdom569 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-14 22:58:16
February 14 2012 22:57 GMT
#4
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


most people in this community dont want to be ripped off either,

compared to GSL this ticket way to much,


I wont be paying , wish i could watch but not paying $20, they should of just gone with $10 to watch HQ and SQ free! would pull in prob 3x the viewers
**MMA** - MVP - Seed !
NexaS
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States202 Posts
February 14 2012 23:01 GMT
#5
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S

By "this community", you mean the internet, right?
TexaS
jax1492
Profile Joined November 2009
United States1632 Posts
February 14 2012 23:07 GMT
#6
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


Lets put it this way, its been free so people expect it to be free ... i would pay for a season pass for all events but not for just one.
eXigent.
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
Canada2419 Posts
February 14 2012 23:09 GMT
#7
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.
ZerguufOu
Profile Joined December 2011
United States107 Posts
February 14 2012 23:10 GMT
#8
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


not free but reasonable compared to its competitors would be nice. GSL season ticket is 15 bucks and you get 2 months worth of content of the best players in the world along with the greatest castesr in the world (tastetosis). Compare that to 20 bucks MLG is asking for over a 3 day period from casters yet unannounced is too much. 20 bucks in and of it self isnt too much, but compared to other starcraft events it is.
ClysmiC
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States2192 Posts
February 14 2012 23:33 GMT
#9
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.

Does that mean you should spend $20 on everything that isn't as stupid as your stupidest purchase? A one time 20 dollar fee is nothing, you're right. No one would complain about that. But if people are so relaxed with their money that they'll pitch out 20 bucks every time an MLG rolls around, they'll probably pay $75 a year for GSL, maybe get HQ for NASL. That's over 200 dollars, and this is just the BEGINNING of what I fear is about to become a dangerous trend in Starcraft tournaments. It's not like it's a one-and-done 20 dollars.
trashman
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United States113 Posts
February 14 2012 23:45 GMT
#10
It's both a good and necessary move; I think that, based on the venue set up, the player list, and the casting talent it should be an excellent event. MLG hasn't exactly handled their announcements about this adroitly, and they might be overreaching with their price point, but I'm lucky enough not to be a broke-ass college student any more, so I'll happily shell out for it.
Kick at the rock, Sam Johnson, break your bones: / But cloudy, cloudy is the stuff of stones.
setzer
Profile Joined March 2010
United States3284 Posts
February 14 2012 23:58 GMT
#11
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


Or, people here actually know what the value of their dollar is and feel what MLG is offering isn't worth the price they are setting when you have GSL producing more content for less.
shell
Profile Joined October 2010
Portugal2722 Posts
February 15 2012 00:09 GMT
#12
I pay for SC2 way more then i'm willing to pay for anything online.

The thing is with 2 months of GSL is worth $10 or 7€, how do they think $20 is the right price for 3 days of SC2 that i can't even see live because of timezones.

I don't mind PPV i do it with GSL, NASL and IPL but they don't charge $20 for 3 days of SC2...

Plus i don't have any MLG subscription but GOLD and SILVER members should have discount, it's not fair and another bad move.

I would pay $10 for this but I will never pay $20 just because you have idra, nestea and mvp.. it's not a good or even fair price
BENFICA || Besties: idra, Stephano, Nestea, Jaedong, Serral, Jinro, Scarlett || Zerg <3
Sprouter
Profile Joined December 2009
United States1724 Posts
February 15 2012 00:21 GMT
#13
this is a new format from mlg, noone really knows if its going to be worth $20. it's expensive. maybe in 2 years a weekend would be worth 20 bucks but not now. if this the amount of money mlg needs to break even mlg can't have events like this.
MrMotionPicture
Profile Joined May 2010
United States4327 Posts
February 15 2012 00:22 GMT
#14
I don't have money to spare on MLG. I don't have a job.
"Elvis Presley" | Ret was looking at my post in the GSL video by Artosis. | MMA told me I look like Juanfran while we shared an elevator with Scarlett
Skelephile
Profile Joined June 2010
United States64 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 01:26:51
February 15 2012 00:45 GMT
#15
><
Zerg desperately needs a sAviOr,
Cush
Profile Joined September 2010
United States646 Posts
February 15 2012 00:53 GMT
#16
Hopefully MLG will see this and change their minds later.
"That's not your main base Stardust.....Stardust.....that's not your main" Sayle
MessiaHwoo
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada1 Post
February 15 2012 01:14 GMT
#17
So dumb lol its not the UFC. what sports are PPV other then Boxing UFC which is switching to free and WWE all fighting not gonna work out well for mlg.
Awwww slut
red4ce
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States7313 Posts
February 15 2012 01:15 GMT
#18
MLG wants to turn esports into big business? Fine, I'll evaluate my purchasing decision the same way I do in real life. MLG has one competitor which offers more and superior content at the same price and another competitor which offers a slightly inferior product for free. Guess which one I'm not choosing.
nakedsurfer
Profile Joined April 2011
Canada500 Posts
February 15 2012 01:47 GMT
#19
On February 15 2012 10:15 red4ce wrote:
MLG wants to turn esports into big business? Fine, I'll evaluate my purchasing decision the same way I do in real life. MLG has one competitor which offers more and superior content at the same price and another competitor which offers a slightly inferior product for free. Guess which one I'm not choosing.


Exactly this. Why would they attempt this when another tournamnet is runnning at the same time? If anything, people who may have payed if it was the only high class tournament going on(besides GSL) won't now since ASUS will be going on. Especially since they started at a steep price on a system(their arena thing) we havnt seen yet.
Root4Root
Love and Justice
Profile Joined August 2011
United States87 Posts
February 15 2012 02:24 GMT
#20
If I pay for the MLG PPV will there still be commercials?
"No banglings, no problem." (ZeNEXLine)
soujiro_
Profile Joined June 2010
Uruguay5195 Posts
February 15 2012 03:26 GMT
#21
awesome idea, hope more events do the same
ace hwaiting!!
Corsica
Profile Joined February 2011
Ukraine1854 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 04:06:59
February 15 2012 04:03 GMT
#22
only 10 % will pay...thats 64+62 = x * 20

=2520

thats only 126 ppl, i guess they just hungry for money, so even if small amount (say 5000) will buy this ticket then they have 5000*20 =100,000 in revenue which is nice...

Standard capitalistic nature for love of money i guess
Corsica
Profile Joined February 2011
Ukraine1854 Posts
February 15 2012 04:03 GMT
#23
On February 15 2012 12:26 soujiro_ wrote:
awesome idea, hope more events do the same



are you fckn seriuos??????????
DarkMatterUK
Profile Joined October 2011
United Kingdom33 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 04:14:09
February 15 2012 04:11 GMT
#24
The best i can make of it ?

Theres less quantity than GSL (games-wise and potentially player wise)
Theres a better atmosphere at IPL (live crowd is gone)
It costs more than Assembly (the same weekend)

So whilst I can understand the need for MLG to make money from these events which are undoubtedly expensive to run. Theres the risk of Losing SO many fans who have been dedicated to watching MLG events in the past and unfortunately I do feel this could be construed as damaging for e-sports (im not saying it is) but if you think about it,
YES - MLG will make more money from just 5,000 people paying than from non-paying 60,000. But, as a promoter, advertising your event with the estimated online (LIVE) audience of 5,000 is much less appealing as an event pulling in 60,000-70,000 viewers.

Thats my view though, and from forums it seems to be the general feedback, but who knows, people may pay!

Buuuut.,, it could bomb pretty bad, but this is a new season, new ideas, and a new venture for e-sports, if it works and it proves viable to make a substantial profit (if any) from an event like MLG then that could prove incredible for the scene, even if it did ruffle some fans feathers
www.teamai.eu - Alias is AiFlux (on EU) or FluxUK (on NA)
TheSubtleArt
Profile Joined May 2011
Canada2527 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 04:21:36
February 15 2012 04:21 GMT
#25
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.

Cause not every makes $20 in less than an hour? I'm a first year uni student still looking for my first job and thinking of taking a student loan to move out soon...definitely not gonna cough up $20 for a weekend event when there's equally good content out there for free...
Dodge arrows
Corsica
Profile Joined February 2011
Ukraine1854 Posts
February 15 2012 04:29 GMT
#26
its just that MLG is a substitute and imo is not normal good to Assembly, GSL GSTL, IPL4 etc so paying this 20$ doesnt make sense when u paid for 1 year of GSL and GSTL, and you have enough content + some free content from Major tournaments like IPL, Assembly ROG etc... As I said, Starcraft 2 matches is a perfect competition market.
dAPhREAk
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Nauru12397 Posts
February 15 2012 04:53 GMT
#27
first, they screw over the silver pass members.

then, they announce a relatively expensive PPV for one tournament soon after.

absurd PR moves. i will pay if i am actually going to be able to watch it (i.e., at home), but less than happy about it. could have handled the situation better.

at the end of the day though, i pay more for dinner with my g/f, so $20 is not that big of a deal.
dAPhREAk
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Nauru12397 Posts
February 15 2012 04:59 GMT
#28
On February 15 2012 13:03 Corsica wrote:
only 10 % will pay...thats 64+62 = x * 20

=2520

thats only 126 ppl, i guess they just hungry for money, so even if small amount (say 5000) will buy this ticket then they have 5000*20 =100,000 in revenue which is nice...

Standard capitalistic nature for love of money i guess

shame on a business to try and make money off its product. mlg started out small with sc2 and has invested a lot of money into making it a bigger and better tournament. they should be able to profit off their investment. the market will determine whether it is successful.
Havik_
Profile Joined November 2011
United States5585 Posts
February 15 2012 05:00 GMT
#29
Horrendous value. Look at the GSL and compare it to this. No comparison.
"An opinion is only as good as the evidence that backs it up."- William O'Malley, S.J.
starslayer
Profile Joined August 2011
United States696 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 05:32:42
February 15 2012 05:31 GMT
#30
yea this is really sad i have watched every mlg and now i dont think i can say that for much longer
i came here to kickass and chew bubblegum and i'm all out of bubble gum
Stipulation
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States587 Posts
February 15 2012 06:33 GMT
#31
If it's not GSL, there is no way I will pay that much for a weekend of content.
Cyber_Cheese
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Australia3615 Posts
February 15 2012 06:35 GMT
#32
Bad poll is bad.
Why is there no 'PPV sucks' option?
The moment you lose confidence in yourself, is the moment the world loses it's confidence in you.
havox_
Profile Joined October 2010
Germany442 Posts
February 15 2012 07:19 GMT
#33
On February 15 2012 10:15 red4ce wrote:
MLG wants to turn esports into big business? Fine, I'll evaluate my purchasing decision the same way I do in real life. MLG has one competitor which offers more and superior content at the same price and another competitor which offers a slightly inferior product for free. Guess which one I'm not choosing.

this, so true.
although i dont mind them trying. its their event, their money. but i will for sure not pay 20 bucks a weekend - even though there are obviously many other things for which i would even pay $20 per hour.
but red4ce is absolutely right - doesnt make economical sense to pay for it.
y0su
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Finland7871 Posts
February 15 2012 07:38 GMT
#34
On February 15 2012 16:19 havox_ wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 10:15 red4ce wrote:
MLG wants to turn esports into big business? Fine, I'll evaluate my purchasing decision the same way I do in real life. MLG has one competitor which offers more and superior content at the same price and another competitor which offers a slightly inferior product for free. Guess which one I'm not choosing.

this, so true.
although i dont mind them trying. its their event, their money. but i will for sure not pay 20 bucks a weekend - even though there are obviously many other things for which i would even pay $20 per hour.
but red4ce is absolutely right - doesnt make economical sense to pay for it.

Although I also agree with the reasons I will not make the purchase, I do think that for a lot of NA fans having an event in your time zone makes a big difference in value. I think MLG is banking on that (as well as premium pass sales). I wouldn't be surprised if this is a success and I worry that other events will do the same.
Titan_Ansiminus
Profile Joined July 2011
United States27 Posts
February 15 2012 07:47 GMT
#35
I don't like but will probably pay anyways. I feel like I kind of got screwed buying a gold pass though. I know that MLG wants and needs to make money, but this does feel like a bit much.
taitanik
Profile Joined December 2011
Latvia231 Posts
February 15 2012 07:57 GMT
#36
im too poor to pay for somethink ;(
"the game is over only when you make it over"
Arikast
Profile Joined November 2011
United States2 Posts
February 15 2012 08:24 GMT
#37
Even I, as someone who reads a ton but never comments, have to post something on this. I have supported MLG for some time now and will continue to do so as they tend to put out really good SC2 content. Sure some tourneys do certain things better but usually I have very few complaints.

In general I don't have a problem with them charging extra for the weekend because of how much they are putting out to make this thing happen (player travel, event organizing, etc) but, as others have said, $20 is simply too much at this point in SC2 history. Considering how high the quality is likely to be, I would be ok with $10. There absolutely should, however, be either a discount for current MLG subscribers or a Platinum subscription that costs a tad bit more but also includes all of the arenas in addition to the Gold subscription content.

MLG is first and foremost a business. That means they exist to make money. That also means they should be careful in what they charge for their services considering the youth of the community they are selling their service to. Yes, the SC2 tourney system stands on the shoulders of BW, but a huge portion of the SC2 community has just come onto the scene because of SC2 and SC2 alone. It is a tribute to the community that we are able to support so many excellent tournaments and LANs and not have them fail left and right from lack of funds. Those companies have to realize they need to be careful with such a fledgling community, however. More and more people are coming onto the SC2 scene but the more money overall they have to spend to do so, the less likely new people will want to shell out the cash to do so.

Now you might say: "Well, if someone is scared of paying 20 bucks to see the arena, they have plenty of other options." That has never been more true than now. People have plenty of options and most of them have a free option for a lower quality experience. Let me make the case for MLG in the US (as I can't speak for our European friends). I put forward the case that thousands upon thousands who wouldn't even consider watching someone play a video game online, much less pay for it, have at least heard of MLG. One day they hear about SC2 from someone they know and think "Huh, that sounds pretty cool." They look it up online and lo and behold they find TL. They open up the page and are immediately overwhelmed by all the information about IEM, GSL, IPL, MLG, Assembly, Dreamhack, etc. They don't quite understand why people outside Korea are called foreigners but they do "know" they don't understand Korean so the GSL isn't going to be for them (they don't know anything about GOM at this point). Hey! They have heard about MLG, though, so they decide to stick with something familiar. They may not know much about MLG, but at least they've heard of it. They go over to the right side of the MLG front page, click on the tourney link, click on SC2, see that they have to pay 20 bucks for something they know nothing about for 3 days worth of content and close out the webpage.

As a business, of course MLG is going to push stuff like this. Unless a new person has someone walking them through where to go and what to do, however, someone new to the system is not going to know about VODs and things like the Day9 daily which are completely free. They aren't going to know that most tournaments offer free streams that are lower quality. They are only going to see the $20 price tag for 3 days, and like many of us, think it is too much. Unlike us, they aren't going to stick around to find out more and be active in the community, they are simply going to click the X in the top right-hand corner of their screen and go about their day. Whenever they hear about SC2, they'll think about the price and move on.

MLG is not doing anything wrong in this. In 2-5 years that will probably be the norm. The community is simply not yet at that point. As they completely understand their role in the community, they need to watch how they present themselves in situations like this one. I'm sure they'll come out with a statement on it, but they obviously have some thinking to do.
Cronusd
Profile Joined May 2011
Finland19 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 08:40:30
February 15 2012 08:32 GMT
#38
Its not too expensive. Setting up these major events is expensive as fuck and they dont get nearly enough from only ads and sponsors. If people want to see more quality SC events in future they should stop bitching about 20 bucks when the main stream is still free. Its like any other sport..
Musicus
Profile Joined August 2011
Germany23576 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 09:12:25
February 15 2012 08:56 GMT
#39
It's just too expensice if you compare it with other offers out there. One year esl-tv costs me 20 euros, for all iems, the eps, all shows or extra events (grass is always greener etc..) and take-tv. Of course there is a difference in production value, but it's still too much for one weekend imo. What are the people who only want to watch on sunday supposed to do? I think PPV is fine and all, but the arenas should totaly be included in gold memberships and less expensive for the rest. Good luck too MLG anyways!
Maru and Serral are probably top 5.
short
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden148 Posts
February 15 2012 09:24 GMT
#40
I don't mind paying for e-sports content and have done so many times in the past, but $20 for a weekend tournament is more than I'm willing to pay. I'd pay $5, maybe $10.
qwertzi
Profile Joined March 2011
111 Posts
February 15 2012 09:39 GMT
#41
I have paid for the first 5 GSL's or so, after I just didnt have the time to watch as much so I stopped paying.
But $20 for a weekend feels just like a lot!

Furthermore, why $20 when there such huge potential for ad revenue? If remember correctly from the "official" twitch.tv explanation (which I cannot find right now) the ad revenue is between $5-10 for 1k unique viewers.
Most big sc2 events have like 40kish viewers. Lets take the middle road for ad revenue $7.5.
That adds up to $300 per ad. I believe you can run at least 500 ads! Which would be $150000.
For every best of 3 broadcasted, the can be at least 1 commercial before and right after every game. And then a couple between every set.
Which isnt a lot for free content. Taking that into account the offer for ad free content should be cheaper...
but well thats just me...
Laplaces_imp
Profile Joined January 2012
368 Posts
February 15 2012 09:54 GMT
#42
I understand that if the SC2 community is going to grow and get bigger and better tourneys, then more money needs to be put into the system. That being sad $20 for 3 days? I feel like MLG is not thinking about the long term here. If they charged $5 for three days, hardly anyone would complain, $20 on the other hand is not an insubstantial amount to pay and will cost MLG many viewers. I feel like if MLG charged less, more people would pay and they would wind up with about the same amount of money but ALOT more viewers, which in the long run will be more beneficial financially. I do support the idea of paying some money as it will result in more and better content but $20 is simply too big a price and i believe will stunt MLG's growth
how
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States538 Posts
February 15 2012 10:26 GMT
#43
The post on wellplayed sold the idea to me, to be honest I think this is a situation where if the tournaments colluded it would benefit them a lot, maybe make it 30$ or something, but include NASL, IPL, and GSL in it also, and the % of people who pay would probably jump up a lot.
http://twitter.com/howsc
JayIsImbA
Profile Joined October 2011
Germany54 Posts
February 15 2012 10:38 GMT
#44
I don't mind ppv, because that will make me pass my exams

Jokes aside, I think it's a bit too much for just one tournament.
"More gg, more skill!" WhiteRa
Dezire
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands640 Posts
February 15 2012 11:09 GMT
#45
well yeah, this will be a bitter pill to take, but if we want esports to go mainstream, there just has to money pumped in. more money = more interest from multinationals, which will mean more publicity to the open world. there just has to be some day that all of this amazing esports will stop beeing free for everyone.

i think we don't know it yet and we cant see it yet, but sundance is making a big step towards that goal. and in my opinion if theres someone we could leave our beloved sc2 too, to manage this game into the big open hard world of business, it will be sundance.

so eventho im very sad that i wont be able to watch mlg simply cuz i cant afford it atm. i think sometime we will see that this was the right choice by mlg.
BoxeR, HuK, IdrA, Minigun, MVP <3
Diab
Profile Joined October 2011
Denmark320 Posts
February 15 2012 12:46 GMT
#46
Don't mind PPV, but I'm not going to use $20 on it I won't be able to watch it anyway so not to bothered by this..
"He who laughs most, learns best." - John Cleese
Qbyx
Profile Joined November 2007
Romania210 Posts
February 15 2012 13:11 GMT
#47
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.


It's too bad most people here is hardly making 20$ a day.
Mr Showtime
Profile Joined April 2011
United States1353 Posts
February 15 2012 13:19 GMT
#48
On February 15 2012 08:01 NexaS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S

By "this community", you mean the internet, right?


Well the community exists within the internet........ so what are you saying exactly?
Mr Showtime
Profile Joined April 2011
United States1353 Posts
February 15 2012 13:24 GMT
#49
I don't mind the PPV model because the content they produce is worth the money. $20 is pretty steep for a first go at it. MLG is a great organization and I know they can put on a production that's worth the cost. HOWEVER, if they fuck this up, it's highly unlikely that I throw a single dollar at them in the future.

"Don't fuck it up"
- JP McDaniel
Kompicek
Profile Joined May 2008
Czech Republic245 Posts
February 15 2012 14:03 GMT
#50
Not really problem with paying, i have already payed for the HQ streams, but this is way too expensive, will miss this MLG.
sotaporo
Profile Joined June 2011
Finland195 Posts
February 15 2012 14:08 GMT
#51
i was about to buy gold membership for this year and decided to buy it few days before this arena but because of this ppv thing i won't buy gold or ppv. i don't think ppv is bad format but this thing now feels like i am buying for example cable tv channel but then i have to buy certain series separately. + imo mlg streams ain't worth 20$
inermis
Profile Joined September 2010
353 Posts
February 15 2012 14:18 GMT
#52
to be honest, i thought MLG gets enough money from all the advertisments. also no discount for people with mlg subscription is an odd move to say the least, i'm really intereseted how many people will actually pay that, in my opinion, they would get more if they stayed with free stream and more people watching = more ad revenue, but good luck.
play hard go pro
Ohjay
Profile Joined October 2009
Germany83 Posts
February 15 2012 14:27 GMT
#53
I won´t buy this ticket. I think this guys are way too greedy and the price is way more than what can be considered a fair price.
iiGreetings
Profile Joined March 2011
Canada563 Posts
February 15 2012 14:40 GMT
#54
On February 15 2012 11:24 Love and Justice wrote:
If I pay for the MLG PPV will there still be commercials?

Count on it lol
Adapt and React I MKP, PartinG, EffOrt ♥
D4V3Z02
Profile Joined April 2011
Germany693 Posts
February 15 2012 14:44 GMT
#55
They should just put in more advertisements when they need money, this is the wrong way.
http://www.twitch.tv/d4v3z02 all your base are belong to overlord
D4V3Z02
Profile Joined April 2011
Germany693 Posts
February 15 2012 14:46 GMT
#56
On February 15 2012 22:19 Mr Showtime wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 08:01 NexaS wrote:
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S

By "this community", you mean the internet, right?


Well the community exists within the internet........ so what are you saying exactly?


I think he means that "this community" could be meant TL and there are more ppl watching mlg than just TL.
http://www.twitch.tv/d4v3z02 all your base are belong to overlord
Atlan___
Profile Joined July 2011
Germany38 Posts
February 15 2012 15:21 GMT
#57
I do miss the option i will never pay to watch stuff on TV or in the internet.
Orpheus1982
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2 Posts
February 15 2012 15:21 GMT
#58
Sorry, this is way to expensive. I promise technical problems as always, commercials as always. For 20$ they have to provide something really special. I dont like it and i will not support it in any way.
Mr.Sn0w
Profile Joined January 2011
2 Posts
February 15 2012 15:44 GMT
#59
The MLG Winter Arena PPV Event is not included in any of MLG’s current Membership packages.

What the hell?

I hope that this Arena is an exception. If not I will never gonna pay to MLG again.
Garoodah
Profile Joined January 2012
United States56 Posts
February 15 2012 16:14 GMT
#60
I think MLG is trying to make esports into a larger market far too quickly. The people who are already involved in esports get great content for a small fee, and the free content is still amazing. Esports barely has enough people in it to start sucking money out of it, and most of the people involved are happy waiting for free content. I play starcraft for fun and watch tournaments to support my favorite players and cheer them, not to pay some company to just watch. If i want to support anyone it will be the players, either through watching streams or donating.
"Oh man we've got GG-lords"
Golbat
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
United States499 Posts
February 15 2012 16:21 GMT
#61
I feel like after seeing the uproar this has caused, the next time and MLG Arena whatever they have rolls around, and they're still exploring this PPV model, they might drop it down to 15 or even 10 dollars. It's all about equilibrium. 20 dollars is probably too high a price to pay for 3 days of SC2, even if it will have excellent games, casting and presentation.

I would, however, be happy to shell out 10 dollars every 3 months (I think that's what they said, but it might be slightly more often) to watch 3 days of awesome SC2 action.

I do think that all the people saying things like "So dumb lol its not the UFC. what sports are PPV other then Boxing UFC which is switching to free and WWE all fighting not gonna work out well for mlg" need to think a little bit harder about what they're saying before they say it. We don't know what the MLG Winter Arena is going to be like. It could be complete shit and a waste of 20 bucks, where everyone just probe rushes every game naniwa style. OR, it could be an orgasmic wonderland of starcraft entertainment, where you have to change your pants every 5 minutes or else they get glued to you, and completely worth 20 dollars. The people who are purchasing the PPV ticket (not me though, wtf is money even?) are taking a risk, and for our collective sakes, I hope it turns out to be a good investment.
Like why do u use an oven instead of a fire? Coz its fucking better at cooking, that doesnt mean you want the shit to burn.
Saig0n
Profile Joined May 2010
United States100 Posts
February 15 2012 16:43 GMT
#62
Its not that they want to charge. Charging is resonable but its just the cost. I think 5 dollars for LQ stream and 10 to 15 for hd would be very resonable. I would gladly pay 5 for a low quality stream and probably even end up paying 15 for aHQ. The 20 with no other alternative is just way too steep for a produuct so new and unproven.
sVnteen
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2238 Posts
February 15 2012 16:46 GMT
#63
yeah mlg great decisions as always...
losing 70 percent of their viewers and no ads.... really bad idea imo
i think if they would have made it like 10 dollars at least half of those who wont buy now would buy
MY LIFE STARTS NOW ♥
RAGEMOAR The Pope
Profile Joined February 2011
United States216 Posts
February 15 2012 17:38 GMT
#64
I think the better option is for MLG to do what they've been doing, having a paid and free viewing service. Mabe they could get their sponsors to "interactive advertisements" or run an advertisement every 5-10 minutes during the hour long crowd shots in order to increase the revenue.

I know I'd be glad to fill out a 30 second - 3 minute survey for redbull / whoever to watch MLG without paying.
mx.raaawwwr
Profile Joined February 2012
17 Posts
February 15 2012 17:42 GMT
#65
My problem is not the price, but rather the way they chose to announce it. I can't honestly believe they didn't have this planned from the start. Seem to me like they wanted people to be excited for the event and then break the news. "Oh we didn't tell you? Its PPV only."
Just hoping Sundance has anything reasonable to say on Live on 3.
WhiteWOR
Profile Joined June 2011
27 Posts
February 15 2012 18:03 GMT
#66
People saying "seems like the community want everything for free" needs to realize that when it comes to TV you pay a set amount of money per month and then get everything. It should be the same for the sc2 leagues. Nobody really knows what you will need to pay and how much in 2012. If you need to pay for MLG, gsl, IPL, NASL etc etc etc and all of these leagues have the same payment. It will be alot of money for the consumers.

NOTICE: a big part of the viewers are not old enough to pay online and will have to ask their parents. For every event, every league..
whereismymind
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United Kingdom717 Posts
February 15 2012 18:04 GMT
#67
I don't mind them trying, but better business model required.
one day.. i'll lose my mind
cTrFray
Profile Joined December 2011
Sweden13 Posts
February 15 2012 18:08 GMT
#68
i feel the problem is not the price but that have to pay from the internet as some of us are not old enough to do it our self it is kinda a hassel....
" potatos gonna potate"
iamcaustic
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
Canada1509 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 18:49:18
February 15 2012 18:42 GMT
#69
On February 16 2012 03:03 WhiteWOR wrote:
People saying "seems like the community want everything for free" needs to realize that when it comes to TV you pay a set amount of money per month and then get everything. It should be the same for the sc2 leagues. Nobody really knows what you will need to pay and how much in 2012. If you need to pay for MLG, gsl, IPL, NASL etc etc etc and all of these leagues have the same payment. It will be alot of money for the consumers.

NOTICE: a big part of the viewers are not old enough to pay online and will have to ask their parents. For every event, every league..

No, with TV you pay a set amount based on which channel packages you subscribe to, and then there are PPV events you can purchase on top of that. In that regard, the SC2 scene doesn't look much different from regular TV right now; GOMTV has their monthly/yearly subscriptions (consider them a TV channel -- which they actually are in Asia) while MLG Arenas are PPV events. I take it you're not the one who handles the finances in your household.

EDIT: I'd also like to think that MLG is not trying to target people with no disposable income of their own (e.g. kids who would have to ask their parents to purchase things online). Why would you go after a market that cannot provide revenue? There's nothing there for a business except for bankruptcy.

MLG's gambit here is determining exactly how large the actual, revenue-generating esports market is, which in turn will tell them if MLG is actually capable of generating a profit, or if they should call it a day. If 2011 was about gauging interest in esports, 2012 is about gauging its financial viability.
Twitter: @iamcaustic
lessQQmorePEWPEW
Profile Joined November 2011
Jamaica921 Posts
February 15 2012 19:11 GMT
#70
way too expensive for a service that they will be getting tons of revenue from sponsors alone.
Why drink and drive when you can smoke and fly - Bob Marley
Deerminator
Profile Joined March 2011
Canada3 Posts
February 15 2012 19:23 GMT
#71
On February 16 2012 01:14 Garoodah wrote:
I think MLG is trying to make esports into a larger market far too quickly.


For GSL quality-like content involving GSL quality-like players... I don't see how it can be free. Perhaps the steep is a bit high at first, but I think an interesting business model for tournaments must be established. I paid for the full GSL season for the first time this year and i'm still amazed about the quality of the casts. We, in Canada, have to pay to watch boxing or UFC events (at least cableTV). I would gladly do the same for an e-sport event.
Plus, you can still join a barCraft of meet up at a friend house to split the cost. The week-end at my geekLair with my nerds is gonna be so amazing!!
theslanteye
Profile Joined May 2011
6 Posts
February 15 2012 20:30 GMT
#72
considering spectator passes were 25 bucks and you got to be there and meet the people, i think charging is a terrible idea unless its for HD with no lag or interruptions. I had the premium mlg viewer from hotpockets last year and the streams would cut in and out at times
ChriseC
Profile Joined December 2010
Germany440 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 21:00:22
February 15 2012 20:58 GMT
#73
10 dollar is ok
20 dollar is not

i always felt like mlg is the one event with the best marketing around, they have some sickass sponsors and the production itself looks so professional. but its not worth to pay 20dollars for one weekend, thats tooooo much
teacash
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada494 Posts
February 15 2012 20:59 GMT
#74
If MLG can be more successful with this business model, then good for them and I hope they do well..
I don't think they'll do better this way, but i'm fine with them trying new things in a novel industry to see what works
Optimator
Profile Joined January 2010
United States53 Posts
February 15 2012 21:21 GMT
#75
Yeeaaahhh, because PPV did so much to help the sport of boxing...

Bad idea.
mDuo13
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States307 Posts
February 15 2012 21:40 GMT
#76
I like the idea of MLG having PPV tournaments and I support them and the way they've been advancing ESPORTS, but $20 for a single-weekend tournament is rather steep.
Odoakar
Profile Joined May 2010
Croatia1836 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 22:08:07
February 15 2012 22:06 GMT
#77
Damn, doesn't look good for MLG, 80% are not paying.

I for one won't pay, as I think 20$ is a bit too much for 2 days, when you get almost 3 months of GSL for less than that. I have bought GSL S1 ticket, and although there's going to be people saying 'what's 20$', the fact is there are a lot of ways to entertain yourself for money (games, books, comics, movies....) so paying money to 2-3 SC2 leagues is not really an option.

Also, MLG air times are usually at bad times for Europeans (finals so far have always aired at around 02:00 after midnight).
Leifmeister
Profile Joined September 2010
United States15 Posts
February 15 2012 22:26 GMT
#78
Just more incentive to go to BARCRAFTS EVERYONE!!! :D :D :D :D
Full.tilt
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United Kingdom1709 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-15 22:49:41
February 15 2012 22:48 GMT
#79
I look at these PPV events as an extra event that people can take or leave, it's simple but there it is. I won't buy because I can quite happily watch other events at a more euro friendly time.

I would strongly disagree that PPV events grow the scene in anyway. All these do is skim the current viewer market for those willing to pay extra. Just like when new tech first comes out the price is at a premium and a certain small percentage of the consumer market will pay that inflated price whilst everyone else is happy to wait a few months for the price to come down. In this case the VODS will be free to watch after a week (I think I read somewhere), that's when I may watch some of them.

There's nothing wrong with MLG trying this because some people are willing to pay, they know only a small percentage will pay to watch but they must of done projections and they know or estimate that enough will pay. More events for those willing to pay, same amount of events for those unwilling to pay. I don't see much of a problem currently.
fire_brand
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Canada1123 Posts
February 15 2012 22:49 GMT
#80
Wow, that's a pretty strong and fairly lopsided response O_o
Random player, pixel enthusiast, crappy illustrator, offlane/support
wrekkless
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada87 Posts
February 15 2012 22:53 GMT
#81
Why is there no option for "Willing to pay; but do not have the means."?

I'm pretty much fucked as far as watching this stuff now because I don't have a credit card and nobody I know will lend me theirs for this. (They don't support E-Sports :'( )
Knowledge is power, so use that Observer!
5ukkub
Profile Joined September 2009
Poland507 Posts
February 15 2012 23:04 GMT
#82
Does MLG have to go "gimme ur money nao!" way?

We are talking about internets guys... When was the last time you've paid 20$ to watch something via internet?
Going this route I feel MLG is gonna fail :/

Sponsors + advertisers should be the way to go, just like in real sports.
Rationalism - Don't take evereything what you hear as a fact! Thinking process makes us human.
Taiidan
Profile Joined January 2012
10 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-16 00:49:28
February 16 2012 00:40 GMT
#83
I'm completely against this.

I understand that this is a buisness but if you actually look at long term growth instead of short term profits they're shooting themselves in the foot as the price point could be a barrier for the uninitiated or even casual fans. I can't tell my friends anymore, "hey man you should check this out". And that will be detrimental to the growth of eSports.

The Super Bowl attracted a record breaking 111 million viewers this year, many of which I guarentee you don't regularly watch football and would not be interested if they had to pay any amount to watch it, and over the years they probably rack up new fans that become regular viewers. If it was PPV how much do you think that number would have been affected?

I believe it's simply a better model in the long run to have something out there for free and it makes the fans and viewers happy. I hope that MLG goes back to that.
Marzocchi
Profile Joined March 2011
United States58 Posts
February 16 2012 00:50 GMT
#84
Wait...

People are actually upset over the cost of a two day event?

$20..... really?

That price point is making this a financial hardship for people?

Twenty WHOLE dollars?

Anyone on here who cannot afford $20 to watch pros play in an excellent format, with top quality production value really, REALLy needs to reconsider their priorities.
AimlessAmoeba
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Canada704 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-16 01:11:11
February 16 2012 01:10 GMT
#85
I don't like paying this much PER event. It's too much. If this were to be the cost for every event they held, it would rival the cost of season tickets at certain arenas.

I'd happily pay ~$50 for the season though.

Edit: That being said, I will pay for this because I watched all of last season for free :D thanks for that MLG
Zenniv
Profile Joined September 2011
United States545 Posts
February 16 2012 01:36 GMT
#86
Compared to the GSL seasonal pass, the pricing for this event is entirely unjustified. If MLG has issues with budget, then they need to work on that themselves (through sponsorship, ads etc.) rather than ripping off the sc2 community.
fighter2_40
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States420 Posts
February 16 2012 01:42 GMT
#87
On February 16 2012 09:50 Marzocchi wrote:
Wait...

People are actually upset over the cost of a two day event?

$20..... really?

That price point is making this a financial hardship for people?

Twenty WHOLE dollars?

Anyone on here who cannot afford $20 to watch pros play in an excellent format, with top quality production value really, REALLy needs to reconsider their priorities.


Okay moneybags. Jkjk

It's not the absolute cost of 20$ that makes people annoyed, but the fact that by making the ticket price 20$, mlg becomes the most expensive sc2 program / game. What makes mlg that much better than gsl or other forms of free entertainment to warrant such a huge increase in prices when competitors maybe offer the same or better entertainment for less?
Jarek
Profile Joined May 2010
Australia35 Posts
February 16 2012 01:58 GMT
#88
This is definitely the way to go although I agree for the price of the ticket the content isn't worth it. I guess it's the fact over the years of e-Sports growing there was no need to pay for this kind of content although if you view it versus other sporting PPV's the content is far superior to what you get for the price.

Saying that, if I had the spare $20 I would pay for it.
azureskie
Profile Joined June 2010
United States17 Posts
February 16 2012 03:33 GMT
#89
I'd much rather buy a year pass for everything than ppv each individual event, feels like I'm getting a better deal that way, $20 for a season, sure, $20 for a weekend? No thanks. I'll be waiting for the vods this time around.
Taiidan
Profile Joined January 2012
10 Posts
February 16 2012 03:37 GMT
#90
On February 16 2012 09:50 Marzocchi wrote:
Wait...

People are actually upset over the cost of a two day event?

$20..... really?

That price point is making this a financial hardship for people?

Twenty WHOLE dollars?

Anyone on here who cannot afford $20 to watch pros play in an excellent format, with top quality production value really, REALLy needs to reconsider their priorities.

Please look at the bigger picture.

And again, think further than just that. 20$ isn't a complete deal breaker for most dedicated fans, but the big deal here is for someone uninitiated or a casual player that heard about eSports, they will never pay 20$ for something they don't really know will truly be worth watching.

Do you really want eSports to grow? Do you want more viewers? Do you want bigger sponsors? The fact of the matter is this will end up being a bottleneck for eSports. It is absolutely not the way to go.
oopsyoucantmove
Profile Joined February 2011
United States39 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-16 04:04:53
February 16 2012 04:03 GMT
#91
I will pay for this tournament even though I am a gold member and they kinda gave us the shaft (MLG), however i am very unhappy with the bold approach. I am going to pay for this tournmanet solely because of tha players in it - no other reason. I feel like it should be 10 dollars and gold members should be grandfathered in. A year ago MLG was not nearly as big as it is presenting itself to be in 2012 however I became very drawn as soon as they started getting a giant variety (globally) of all the best players. I then bought a gold pass, and I think that alot of people like me mid year started believing in MLG as an organization that is trying to provide the top quality to its viewers, as was I. Now all of a sudden I feel like 20 dollars is insanely too high to start as "additional content" and all of the reasoning for it in the initial post were all a distraction for how ridiculously high the pricing is. I'm sorry guys but you are screwing up and I will still pay for it because of the players there, but if you don;t start appealing to the majority of the people here like you did last year, I don't see MLG making it through 2012 being profitable.
Whatson
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
United States5356 Posts
February 16 2012 04:56 GMT
#92
On February 16 2012 09:50 Marzocchi wrote:
Wait...

People are actually upset over the cost of a two day event?

$20..... really?

That price point is making this a financial hardship for people?

Twenty WHOLE dollars?

Anyone on here who cannot afford $20 to watch pros play in an excellent format, with top quality production value really, REALLy needs to reconsider their priorities.

I do prioritize lol
SC2 is close to the bottom of list of priorities right now as a college guy rubbing pennies together.
Besides, if MLG really wanted to promote "ESports" (lol like SC2 is the only video game out there..) they wouldn't discourage casual viewers like this.
¯\_(シ)_/¯
Oiseaux
Profile Joined May 2011
United States676 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-16 05:17:00
February 16 2012 05:02 GMT
#93
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.


So your personal life experience of being able to make $20 in less than an hour at your job is reflective of everyone who posts on TL? Everyone just happens to have decent wages at a decent job? I'm just going to be blunt, your opinion is just flat out elitist and arrogant.


Edit:

On February 16 2012 09:50 Marzocchi wrote:
Wait...

People are actually upset over the cost of a two day event?

$20..... really?

That price point is making this a financial hardship for people?

Twenty WHOLE dollars?

Anyone on here who cannot afford $20 to watch pros play in an excellent format, with top quality production value really, REALLy needs to reconsider their priorities.


And your post just doesn't make sense. You're confused that people are finding the $20 a financial hardship, then tell them they need to reconsider their priorities. They are considering their priorities, and paying for this MLG doesn't make the cut. If you mean they need to reconsider their priorities in terms of their economical situation, then you need to get off your cushy privileged high horse. I would love to see the day when everyone who works minimum wage could just say "fuck it, Imma just magically have a good paying job." Society on a global level would just be completely fucked.
"[S]o be ready to kiss a few donkeys with glued-on paper horns during your unicorn hunt." -Some stupid 4x4 magazine
stormseeker442
Profile Joined December 2011
United States60 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-16 05:38:10
February 16 2012 05:33 GMT
#94
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.


I can't tell if your joking, or are that close minded.
You realize this is a video GAME. Targeted at the CASUAL player.
It also applies to young kids, and young adults. Most who may not have a job. With the econonmy, and unemployment poeple dont make $50 dollars like you. Some don't have access to a credit card, and there parents won't allow it. Some may be un-employed or eating top ramen in there dorm. Don't think of just yourself and make yourself the standard. If everyone made as much money as you, this would be a good deal.

Edit:
On a side note, I believe if they do this they will lose a lot of there young viewers, and the young kids inspiration.
I also believe this will open up needless lawsuits about people streaming the content on sites so other people may watch free of cost.
I know this has been big lately with sports such as MMA, Boxing, Football, Soccer, etc.
Let's not turn this sport into MONEY, many sports do this. Don't have prize pools of extreme amounts, don't pay players thousands of dollars. A product that is free is a better market plan. I see them doing this because ad blocker is so big now and they cannot get sufficient money out of there ads. The value of free appeals to young players, as well as old ones trying to get into the game, it inspires more people to see there favorite player, as youtube only has SO much.

I believe this is going in the wrong direction.
This is not WWE.
"You must be focused all the f*cking time because hes protoss, and this is Starcraft II" - Dimaga's Stream 9/24/12 5:26AM PST
Trsjnica
Profile Joined April 2011
United States477 Posts
February 16 2012 07:22 GMT
#95
I happily buy a GSL annual pass and GSTL seasons. However, this simply isn't worth $20 to me, especially when Assembly is the same weekend.
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
February 16 2012 07:26 GMT
#96
I think their pricing model should get fucked. Think of some better system because charging 20 bucks an event is dumb when a huge part of your demographic is younger people/uni students
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
Taiidan
Profile Joined January 2012
10 Posts
February 16 2012 07:42 GMT
#97
Watch this video: ESPORTS in 2012, realize ad block is bad for eSports and disable it on Starcraft streams.
iEatWoofers
Profile Joined August 2011
Switzerland108 Posts
February 16 2012 08:38 GMT
#98
20 $ isn't that much... cheap bastards.
hillman
Profile Joined February 2012
United States162 Posts
February 16 2012 08:42 GMT
#99
This is purely speculative but here's a better model for MLG in my opinion:

Make it $5 per day and you will have way more viewers... first, you give people a chance to try it for a small fee. Its easy to drop $5 on the first day to see if you like it....some will only buy the championship day...either way you will sell more than the present price (in dollars, higher volume will likely overtake lower price). Also, you give the first day "sample buyers" the chance to get sucked into the tournament and potentially buy the successive days. Finally, the hardcore will buy all the days, and you can offer like a 12.95 package deal or some shit....This model would result in higher revenue by my estimates, overall more people would be willing to spend $5 and check it out....you have to make it incremental and cheap ... thus easy to get hooked.


People will be watching less exciting matches @ assembly and think "man I could buy MLG too and watch Nestea/MC/whoever right now"....Hit me up in PM MLG, looking for a job lol, have a finance degree...tongue in cheek but seriously you can PM me
VTArlock
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States1763 Posts
February 16 2012 09:27 GMT
#100
I would pay $5-10 but no more. $20 is a LOT for a single weekend of sc2 games.
Why?
Majynx
Profile Joined October 2010
United States1431 Posts
February 16 2012 11:01 GMT
#101
On February 16 2012 18:27 VTArlock wrote:
I would pay $5-10 but no more. $20 is a LOT for a single weekend of sc2 games.


I agree, the price is too steep for just a weekend of games. I will still pay for this first event, hopefully it's quality/content is somewhat worth it. However, I won't keep shelling out $20 per future Arena event.
merz
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
Sweden2760 Posts
February 16 2012 11:37 GMT
#102
The idea is good, the price they set is too high. I'm not a business expert but I can't see how (when looking at Assembly and GSL) they came to the conclusion of 20$. There are better alternatives that are cheaper/same cost (GSL) there are free alternatives (Assembly). Had they gone for 10-15$ tops for the first event and then gradually raised to 20-25, people wouldn't have been as upset. Also if you do the first one for 10$ and people actually like and value what they see for 10$, chances are they won't be too upset about paying an extra 5$ next time, and so forth.

In the end e-sports needs to be sustainable in the sense that companies don't have to solely rely on sponsor money and ad revenue, but they came out a bit too strong Imo.
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
Jakkerr
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands2549 Posts
February 16 2012 12:21 GMT
#103
On February 16 2012 20:37 dignitas.merz wrote:
The idea is good, the price they set is too high. I'm not a business expert but I can't see how (when looking at Assembly and GSL) they came to the conclusion of 20$. There are better alternatives that are cheaper/same cost (GSL) there are free alternatives (Assembly). Had they gone for 10-15$ tops for the first event and then gradually raised to 20-25, people wouldn't have been as upset. Also if you do the first one for 10$ and people actually like and value what they see for 10$, chances are they won't be too upset about paying an extra 5$ next time, and so forth.

In the end e-sports needs to be sustainable in the sense that companies don't have to solely rely on sponsor money and ad revenue, but they came out a bit too strong Imo.


It's not a good idea (yet).
SCII does not have the fanbase to ever support such a model, until the game gets a bigger following a PPV business model will do more harm then good.
banzaiib
Profile Joined August 2010
United States53 Posts
February 16 2012 13:01 GMT
#104
What, ads not making them enough money? They're not going to make any ad money now, that they just annihilated their fan base.
Krogan
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden375 Posts
February 16 2012 13:54 GMT
#105
I wonder where they came up with the number of $20, that does seem rather expensive to me considering I what I get for 15 from GSL or for free from so many other tournaments. I remember I bought IGN Prime for like $80 but in that BF3 was included and it was a 2 years sub to all IPL tournaments.

I really don't see how they value their tournament at $20 for a single weekend event and I think they would have sold 5 times the ppv at a $10 price.

Btw I am not exactly sure how PPV works as we don't have it in Sweden but is this the same kind of PPV that the UFC does?
FuFighter
Profile Joined May 2011
Germany60 Posts
February 16 2012 14:21 GMT
#106
On February 16 2012 22:54 Krogan wrote:
Btw I am not exactly sure how PPV works as we don't have it in Sweden but is this the same kind of PPV that the UFC does?


Yes, it is. You have to pay just to watch a special event (in this case the Winter Arena) compared to paying for a whole season (e.g. GSL season or MLG goldmembership). If you don't pay for it you cannot watch it at all since there is no freestream whatsoever.

I know everybody wants eSports to grow and all that but I'm not sure anymore. If PPV is the future of eSports I can not and will not pay for it as I think PPV is a very bad business model.
I like the idea of having a low quality stream with ads for free and paying if you want an HD stream without commercials (it feels more like a donnation). I am also fine with paying for a whole season of for example GSL (which you can watch for free (in low quality) if you watch it live btw). If this is the future of eSports however I will probably only watch GSL and that's it because I can't afford more/maybe could afford more but don't want to spend more money on watching other guys play SC2. Of course it's a question of personal taste: do you prefer GSL or MLG, do you prefer a league system or a one weekend tournament etc. but for me it would be a league and it would be the best of the best (players and casteres wise) which at the moment is GSL.

Call me cheap, immature or not passionate for esports but that's just how it is. I'd much rather follow the live streams of my favourite player (which hopefully will still be for free) and check out their results on liquipedia than spending my money every weekend to watch a tournament.

That being sad: I understand the idea of trying to make money off of SC2 and I'm not mad at MLG or anything because I don't feel like I'm entitled to anything. It would just make me sad if that was the future of eSports because I much rather spend my money on T-Shirts and tickets to actually watch a tournament live in person (and I did both of it several times before btw) than ever spending money on a PPV.


"Scissors are fine, Paper is IMBA." - Rock
Grimmyman123
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada939 Posts
February 16 2012 16:28 GMT
#107
I can get more value from GSL and get more content.

$20 for a weekend tournament, with VOD's - which is notoriously filled with dead air and a lack of content - is not a good deal. I'll watch the free stream, deal with the adverts, and when (not if) they have dead air, I'll turn on a stream of something else.
Win. That's all that matters. Win. Nobody likes to lose.
TheOnlyNurSo
Profile Joined February 2012
Germany50 Posts
February 16 2012 17:38 GMT
#108
i always loved the MLG events but it´s not worth 20dollars......
Taiidan
Profile Joined January 2012
10 Posts
February 16 2012 17:40 GMT
#109
On February 16 2012 23:21 FuFighter wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 16 2012 22:54 Krogan wrote:
Btw I am not exactly sure how PPV works as we don't have it in Sweden but is this the same kind of PPV that the UFC does?


Yes, it is. You have to pay just to watch a special event (in this case the Winter Arena) compared to paying for a whole season (e.g. GSL season or MLG goldmembership). If you don't pay for it you cannot watch it at all since there is no freestream whatsoever.

I know everybody wants eSports to grow and all that but I'm not sure anymore. If PPV is the future of eSports I can not and will not pay for it as I think PPV is a very bad business model.
I like the idea of having a low quality stream with ads for free and paying if you want an HD stream without commercials (it feels more like a donnation). I am also fine with paying for a whole season of for example GSL (which you can watch for free (in low quality) if you watch it live btw). If this is the future of eSports however I will probably only watch GSL and that's it because I can't afford more/maybe could afford more but don't want to spend more money on watching other guys play SC2. Of course it's a question of personal taste: do you prefer GSL or MLG, do you prefer a league system or a one weekend tournament etc. but for me it would be a league and it would be the best of the best (players and casteres wise) which at the moment is GSL.

Call me cheap, immature or not passionate for esports but that's just how it is. I'd much rather follow the live streams of my favourite player (which hopefully will still be for free) and check out their results on liquipedia than spending my money every weekend to watch a tournament.

That being sad: I understand the idea of trying to make money off of SC2 and I'm not mad at MLG or anything because I don't feel like I'm entitled to anything. It would just make me sad if that was the future of eSports because I much rather spend my money on T-Shirts and tickets to actually watch a tournament live in person (and I did both of it several times before btw) than ever spending money on a PPV.

It's the complete opposite! PPV hinders the growth of eSports. PPV = less viewers = less exposure = bad for eSports. All this does is give them short term money over long term growth, which is an aweful trade-off. If they actually stick it out with a free service supported by ads and sponsors the viewer count will continue to grow and eventually end up being more of a profit. And if you actually look at history, when a certain thing gets enough exposure, the big name sponsors notice and start to roll in, and that's when everythign explodes. These events will make tons of profit. Why do you think all major sports are not PPV?

If at least they had a low quality stream for free that would be half as bad. It's bad for viewers, and even bad for long term profits, so it's honestly just a greedy move on their part and I flat out hate it. Ultimitely PPV is bad for eSports, period.
SpeedSloth
Profile Joined May 2011
United States9 Posts
February 16 2012 17:48 GMT
#110
Waits till gets spot light, becomes cancer.
DreamChaser
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
1649 Posts
February 16 2012 18:12 GMT
#111
10$ i think is reasonable, for 3 days of action thats not bad.
Plays against every MU with nexus first.
verne
Profile Joined September 2010
United States43 Posts
February 16 2012 20:28 GMT
#112
On February 15 2012 08:07 jax1492 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


Lets put it this way, its been free so people expect it to be free ... i would pay for a season pass for all events but not for just one.



they did that with the last event. it was called the Gold package and you paid 1 time for a years worth of MLG "pro curcuit" events. Now here we are the first event of the year and they are not honoring the Gold membership.

They lost all credibility with this move. And at the same time took a giant shit on their current paying customers.

It's like selling a guy a red car, then repainting it blue. When dude comes to pick up the car HE PAID FOR, they SWEAR this blue car is not the red car he already purchased and want to jack the price up and resell it to the guy that already paid for the car.
You can't fix stupid.
mjmrgn9797
Profile Joined February 2012
United States1 Post
February 16 2012 21:44 GMT
#113
As of this post, 77% say they will NOT pay! and only 11% say they will pay. Hopefully MLG will take the hint and be progressive rather than regressive.
gl hf
BraveProbe
Profile Joined October 2011
36 Posts
February 16 2012 22:14 GMT
#114
Sorry. If the GSL didn't exists I (and my friends as well) might consider paying for this, but at the moment I will definitely not pay to watch MLG. And it really isn't about money for us, just the fact that there isn't enough incentive when I get so much high quality content with the GSL already.
Startale Legend Fan Club
DwD
Profile Joined January 2010
Sweden8621 Posts
February 16 2012 22:35 GMT
#115
Don't like it 1 bit. If they somehow succeeded which I hope the PPV model won't. Why shouldn't every other tournament do it? Should everyone be expected to pay 20 dollars every week just to catch the tournament? I think the way to go is the GSL way, always provide a free stream(Isn't this required by Blizzard anyway to get a tournament license?) and provide a HD stream that users can pay for if they feel like and avoid the ads aswell.
~ T-ARA ~ DREAMCATCHER ~ EVERGLOW ~ OH MY GIRL ~ DIA ~ BOL4 ~ CHUNGHA ~
darkwithin
Profile Joined October 2010
8 Posts
February 16 2012 22:52 GMT
#116
If you cant stream "HD" because its too "expensive" - get more sponsors
I see no problem...
P0ckets
Profile Joined January 2011
United States430 Posts
February 16 2012 23:41 GMT
#117
I am a Gold member and he pretty much lost our trust and thew us under the bus. Because of what he did I will not be buying Winter Arena and won't renew my Gold even though I enjoye MLG content.
MSMatrix
Profile Joined August 2011
United States3 Posts
February 16 2012 23:49 GMT
#118
Come on MLG. SO lame
Angra
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States2652 Posts
February 17 2012 01:39 GMT
#119
SC2 isn't worth enough for me to pay for. (I don't pay for any PPV events for any other sport, either.)
Polygamy
Profile Joined January 2010
Austria1114 Posts
February 17 2012 02:53 GMT
#120
too many options already exist, most of which is still free. The best of which GSL has many many many many more games in the year.
Jiiks
Profile Joined January 2009
Finland487 Posts
February 17 2012 03:13 GMT
#121
On February 17 2012 07:35 DwD wrote:
I think the way to go is the GSL way, always provide a free stream(Isn't this required by Blizzard anyway to get a tournament license?)


Yeah i think so: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/videopolicy.html


Limitation of Usage

Neither you nor the operator of any website where your Production(s) may be viewed can force a viewer to pay a "fee" to be able to view your Production(s).



Regarding Websites and "Premium Access"

We understand that many third party websites have a "free" method to see their video content, as well as a 'premium' membership service that allows for speedier viewing.

For clarity, please note that as long as the website that hosts your Production provides a free method to allow viewers to see the Production, Blizzard Entertainment will not object to your Production being hosted on that site, regardless of the site's "for pay" premium service plans.

Nibirue
Profile Joined February 2012
United States17 Posts
February 17 2012 03:41 GMT
#122
I only think its acceptable if the funding received gets put back into the event to enhance the overall quality of presentation. This means always getting the best casters, among other things. Offering an exceptional prize structure would go a long way towards building the event too. Anyone who thinks its ridiculous needs to be aware of how the world works. If it stays free, expect the quality to not get much better than it is now.

Advertisements can only go so far.
Fame and riches are fleeting. Stupidity is eternal.
BraveProbe
Profile Joined October 2011
36 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-17 04:36:20
February 17 2012 04:34 GMT
#123
On February 17 2012 12:41 Nibirue wrote:
I only think its acceptable if the funding received gets put back into the event to enhance the overall quality of presentation. This means always getting the best casters, among other things. Offering an exceptional prize structure would go a long way towards building the event too. Anyone who thinks its ridiculous needs to be aware of how the world works. If it stays free, expect the quality to not get much better than it is now.

Advertisements can only go so far.



How the world also works is: if the targeted audience thinks that it is ridiculous and thus will not pay for it, then it is a bad business model or bad marketing at best- however "misinformed" the audience is.

Expecting people to pay for what they will possibly want in the future (higher quality MLG) is not how the world works (unless you have good marketing, of course, in which case you'll sell just about anything). It is MLG's responsibility to raise the quality of their product or the capitals necessary to accomplish this. Consumers have every reason to say no to shouldering this responsibility of minimizing the risks a business must take.

Competition tends to sort itself out (eSports brands), and in the end the value of MLG's product is determined by the consumers, not MLG. Personally, I support eSports by donating to small business owners like Day[9], helping them generate revenue through streams, and buying tickets to the high quality GSL. 20$ on a single new MLG event is not a product I'm interested in compared to those offered by its competitors.
Startale Legend Fan Club
critique
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States135 Posts
February 17 2012 05:38 GMT
#124
Not that I am swimming in cash or anything, but I am surprised how many people think it is too expensive. What else can you do for entertainment all weekend for $20? Seriously, I cant think of anything (other than sitting at home and watching tv) that is cheaper. $20 for a weekends worth of entertainment is a really good deal.
onedayclose
Profile Joined April 2010
United States1145 Posts
February 17 2012 07:35 GMT
#125
I feel like Team Liquid should reset this poll and see if people have changed their answer after listening to Sundance on Live On Three.
Nightmer09
Profile Joined May 2011
Romania16 Posts
February 17 2012 08:00 GMT
#126
It's funny how everyone that agrees is from United States, sorry guys but not everyone has salaries of thousands of $, in my country a doctor makes 1k and that's alot, so for Europe in general 20$ IS ALOT and I don't mind paying for GSL but this is a rip-off, not to mention you can watch gsl free sq live. So please next time you brag that 20$ for you is nothing think that not only people like you are huge starcraft fans.
asdadada
Luftmensch
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
277 Posts
February 17 2012 09:49 GMT
#127
I find this to be a classic case of American delusion of grandeur. They know that there is a better quality product elsewhere but they still consider theirs to be greater and more valuable. If it didn't work when they actually had a somewhat quality product (late 1960 - early 1970 muscle cars) then MLG is doomed.
You are now breathing manually
Arcanefrost
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Belgium1257 Posts
February 17 2012 10:29 GMT
#128
This is just a bad idea. The community is too small to be pay only. By making it pay only less people will end up watching it -> less people will watch the next one etc. Gsl can pull this off because the absolute best in the world play there. I love mlg but I dont think it's the same skill level, so I watch it for fun and not to see any brilliant new builds that I can steal. Ergo I'd rather play sc than pay to watch people I don't even consider to be world class, the few matches I do absolutely want to see aren't worth 20 bucks.
Valor is a poor substitute for numbers.
grs
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Germany2339 Posts
February 17 2012 10:30 GMT
#129
I don't mind them trying; it is their product afterall. The handling of the gold membership could have been better though. Still I am not paying 20$ for a weekend of watching SC2.
koepi
Profile Joined September 2010
Germany1 Post
February 17 2012 11:15 GMT
#130
On February 17 2012 02:40 Taiidan wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 16 2012 23:21 FuFighter wrote:
On February 16 2012 22:54 Krogan wrote:
Btw I am not exactly sure how PPV works as we don't have it in Sweden but is this the same kind of PPV that the UFC does?


Yes, it is. You have to pay just to watch a special event (in this case the Winter Arena) compared to paying for a whole season (e.g. GSL season or MLG goldmembership). If you don't pay for it you cannot watch it at all since there is no freestream whatsoever.

I know everybody wants eSports to grow and all that but I'm not sure anymore. If PPV is the future of eSports I can not and will not pay for it as I think PPV is a very bad business model.
I like the idea of having a low quality stream with ads for free and paying if you want an HD stream without commercials (it feels more like a donnation). I am also fine with paying for a whole season of for example GSL (which you can watch for free (in low quality) if you watch it live btw). If this is the future of eSports however I will probably only watch GSL and that's it because I can't afford more/maybe could afford more but don't want to spend more money on watching other guys play SC2. Of course it's a question of personal taste: do you prefer GSL or MLG, do you prefer a league system or a one weekend tournament etc. but for me it would be a league and it would be the best of the best (players and casteres wise) which at the moment is GSL.

Call me cheap, immature or not passionate for esports but that's just how it is. I'd much rather follow the live streams of my favourite player (which hopefully will still be for free) and check out their results on liquipedia than spending my money every weekend to watch a tournament.

That being sad: I understand the idea of trying to make money off of SC2 and I'm not mad at MLG or anything because I don't feel like I'm entitled to anything. It would just make me sad if that was the future of eSports because I much rather spend my money on T-Shirts and tickets to actually watch a tournament live in person (and I did both of it several times before btw) than ever spending money on a PPV.

It's the complete opposite! PPV hinders the growth of eSports. PPV = less viewers = less exposure = bad for eSports. All this does is give them short term money over long term growth, which is an aweful trade-off. If they actually stick it out with a free service supported by ads and sponsors the viewer count will continue to grow and eventually end up being more of a profit. And if you actually look at history, when a certain thing gets enough exposure, the big name sponsors notice and start to roll in, and that's when everythign explodes. These events will make tons of profit. Why do you think all major sports are not PPV?

If at least they had a low quality stream for free that would be half as bad. It's bad for viewers, and even bad for long term profits, so it's honestly just a greedy move on their part and I flat out hate it. Ultimitely PPV is bad for eSports, period.


I think we can only speculate how eSport will develop with PPV in the future. In my opinion, the only thing we can agree on is the fact that we and probably many other people will not be watching MLG. that doesnt sound good to me at all.

I think FuFighter pretty much nailed it. We as a fan base should also contribute to the development of eSports, (e.g. by buying a season ticket or products of the sponsors, visiting a live event, writing on team liquid etc.). Personally, i am using razer products, have a GSL Season Ticket etc. But the important thing is that it felt like a donation. I didnt contribute to it because I had to, but because I wanted to. If we want to compare eSports to the big sports like football, basketball, soccer (in europe) and we want a similiar succes for eSports, then we have to keep in mind that the secret behind the success is the free availability of afore mentioned sports. For a major part of the population these sports have become not only a sport, but also a tradition, an important thing to watch. That can and will never be true for eSports if we limit the fan / viewer base due to a restraint to pay for it. eSport should not become an exclusive golf Club.

Last but not least I want to clarify that I really appreciate the hard work organisations like MLG put into the development of eSports and that I am as above mentioned willing to support eSport by myself. But not by paying for every tournament.


KingOfLion
Profile Joined December 2010
Poland6 Posts
February 17 2012 11:55 GMT
#131
All what i can do for MLG is off adblock plus =D. No to PPV, Yes to Advertisment.
bubblegumbo
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Taiwan1296 Posts
February 17 2012 12:07 GMT
#132
A PPV model would've caused BW to fail in Korea years ago back when it started, yet it managed to survive and thrive over the last ten years with a free streaming model.The most popular sports in the world are not PPV either but their broadcast are included in a universal tv package. An universal ticket plan is what the industry should aim for if they remain incapable of being sustained by commercial sponsorship such as the Korea model.

There is no way that this kind of model would work in Asia, especially due to the targeted demography and the economical situation of most normal middle-class income families. Nobody will ever buy a PPV plan in China, Korea or Taiwan. Cable TV channel packages yes, we already have this in Korea( dedicated OGN channel) and Taiwan(as a seasonal weekend show), perhaps this is the direction that Western tournaments should look at if they are struggling that much.

It's silly that the very first ticket price isn't $10, I highly doubt they could make that much more money (if any at all) with a $20 dollar ticket. I am sure MLG already know this so we'll see what happens in the tournament after this upcoming one.
The BW legacy set the foundation of the SC2 fanbase we have today, we wouldn't be here to if not due to the free VODs and free streams that OGN and MBC didn't mind distributed among foreigner fans.

"I honestly think that whoever invented toilet paper is a genius. For man to survive, they need toilet paper!"- Nal_rA
Doomtrain2
Profile Joined February 2012
Germany45 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-17 13:19:11
February 17 2012 13:17 GMT
#133
The PPV system is (a little bit) overexaggerated... It's like with the head through the stone-wall.
There are so many events, even the most popular one, the gsl.. isn't that expensive and it's for almost a whole month.

It's a great event, many will want to see it and so I anticipate more income with lower prices. Realy.. I don't get this greed.

Agree with @bubblegumbo
Try DarkGrid: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=257590 | Naniwa WIN: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWdDvWVtlj4/T_RvMeWkFgI/AAAAAAAAAGU/pKMQ6x_R60A/s1600/khaldor-celebrating-naniwa.gif
cerb
Profile Joined June 2009
Germany215 Posts
February 17 2012 14:09 GMT
#134
I find it okay if a company wants money for the stuff if offers. But there are so many other high quality tournaments and streams that it does not matter to me.
I did not follow the MLG on a very regular basis, so I don't mind that much. That's why I voted for "I don't mind them trying, but I won't pay". Last time I tuned in randomly, this time I won't.

Besides, I also agree with bubblegumbo
Phays
Profile Joined January 2012
Sweden162 Posts
February 17 2012 14:38 GMT
#135
The cheapest gsl ticket you can get costs $15 and that is for a hole season which is about 2 months. I don't understand how MLG can expect people to pay $20 for a weekend of games.. that is just plain dumb.
Slardar
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada7593 Posts
February 17 2012 14:40 GMT
#136
4222+ 3545 = 7767 x $20 = $155,340

That sounds reasonable to me, considering all the money they are putting in to pay for players.
blackwolf
Profile Joined September 2010
Denmark157 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-17 16:01:20
February 17 2012 16:01 GMT
#137
On February 17 2012 23:40 Slardar wrote:
4222+ 3545 = 7767 x $20 = $155,340

That sounds reasonable to me, considering all the money they are putting in to pay for players.


You are not factoring in the money which they get from advertisements, which is paid (indirectly but nonthetheless paid) by the spectators, no tournament is EVER free to watch. The other tournaments seems to be able to make do without PPV, why should we have to pay for MLG?
mostevil
Profile Joined February 2011
United Kingdom611 Posts
February 17 2012 16:36 GMT
#138
On February 17 2012 23:38 Phays wrote:
The cheapest gsl ticket you can get costs $15 and that is for a whole season which is about 2 months. I don't understand how MLG can expect people to pay $20 for a weekend of games.. that is just plain dumb.


Agreed, I'm not against paying however the quantity and quality of the GSL is invariably better for a lower fee. The players are better (with the exception of a few jet lagged code s players who fly out). They're also well rested and well prepared. ST_Legend's observing makes up for the casters shortcomings more often than not and now you can have Korean commentary now for code A VODs, so even if like me you don't understand you can hear someone get genuinely excited about the game instead of ranting on about how they think something is "bad" in the irritating tradition of most foreign casters.

I honestly don't understand why MLG is considered the flagship event. Generally only a fraction of the games ever get cast while we watch the crowd mill about and some bad rock music 80% of the time, IPL had vastly better production, GSL has the better play, Homestory had tonnes of heart and far better technical commentary from the players (and often far funnier, MKP and MC were amazing).

It looks like it'll do well regardless as it's one of those things that's popular despite itself but MLG needs to improve a whole lot to get my money.
我的媽和她的瘋狂的外甥都
kimchikid
Profile Joined January 2012
Sweden162 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-17 17:24:59
February 17 2012 17:23 GMT
#139
No problem paying 20 USD for a couple of days when the BEST PLAYERS are there. They are and then I will pay.

20 USD - same as going to the movies, really nothing.

Final sunday I will spend at a barcraft, there I will probably spend some 50-60 USD on food and beers.

GSL is supercheap, I am sure they will do same next season, to force everyone to pay and give up free viewing.
Slardar
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada7593 Posts
February 17 2012 19:59 GMT
#140
On February 18 2012 01:01 blackwolf wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 17 2012 23:40 Slardar wrote:
4222+ 3545 = 7767 x $20 = $155,340

That sounds reasonable to me, considering all the money they are putting in to pay for players.


You are not factoring in the money which they get from advertisements, which is paid (indirectly but nonthetheless paid) by the spectators, no tournament is EVER free to watch. The other tournaments seems to be able to make do without PPV, why should we have to pay for MLG?


Growth man, how do you expect the prize pools to increase, how do you expect the amount of tournaments to increase? They probably make a decent sum, don't get me wrong, but is that enough to keep making this a viable business structure?
krjay
Profile Joined April 2010
United States35 Posts
February 17 2012 20:23 GMT
#141
I get it. And I will not PPV specifically because of Sundance's arrogance and stupidity on Lo3.
lock203
Profile Joined March 2011
United States43 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-17 21:17:16
February 17 2012 21:04 GMT
#142
The problem I see with the ppv format is that MLG/Esports are different than your other ppv sports. The top fighters in boxing/ufc are only going to fight 2-3 times a year, people will buy those events cause it's the only way to see the top guys.
SC2 is totally different model where you can watch top players daily for free, MLG isn't offering matches that no one hasn't already seen or won't see within the next month or so. Not to mention alot of the esport demagraphic are not gonna have as much desposable income as the other ppv sports demagraphics do.

I'm all for MLG trying this out and hope it works for them, but I have a feeling their results are gonna be pretty dismal. Not to many people will buy the cow when they can get the milk for free.
Where do whores go?
EZjijy
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States1039 Posts
February 17 2012 21:16 GMT
#143
If they continue with this model, they are essentially preventing any exposure to future spectators. What kind of a person would buy a 20$ ticket for something they are very foreign to? They're losing existing audiences too. I think the poll agrees with this.
infinitum
Profile Joined April 2011
United States83 Posts
February 18 2012 00:11 GMT
#144
If the poll numbers here are representative of the views of the entire starcraft audience, then it will have been a cost-effective thing to do.
Everything you know was forged from the remnants of a supernova.
OptIn
Profile Joined January 2012
United States19 Posts
February 18 2012 00:20 GMT
#145
I would agree with halting future spectaters and some existing ones. The bigest age group that watch this are just out of college to a teenager roughly 14 - 28 would be my guess this gets rid of 14-17 imo pretty hastily. Kids in college are trying to scrape by.. Ramen noodles anyone... and then you have the out of college crowd which are mixed with paying loans. Thats the biggest viewer base, if im not mistaken, granted I very well could be. I would rather them start with somthing like 5 - 10 dollar range and try and keep most of its current viewer base. I understand there trying to get more money to MLG and then more money to the players too. I don't mind that and hope they are succesful i would like to see E Sports being on G4 TV or an actual sports chanel like ESPN I think that would be awesome but there not going to get there without a viewer base for it. Im always optimistic though hope for the best prepare for the worst. =)
Drunkface
Profile Joined November 2010
United States46 Posts
February 18 2012 00:27 GMT
#146
These polls are so skewed because it doesn't actually show the amount of people that won't pay. What it does show is the amount of people that are somewhat displeased with having to spend the money and want to voice this opinion through the poll. Id say the mentality of about 1/3 if not more of the people saying they won't pay is "I'll probably still pay but I don't want to, so if I vote saying I won't then maybe MLG will see this and I will not have to pay in the future." Just my opinion.
"Maybe because my face look like ugly?"-DongRaeGu when asked why he doesn't have a girlfriend.
StreetWise
Profile Joined January 2010
United States594 Posts
February 18 2012 01:43 GMT
#147
I wish there was an option that says, good value, but it would be better at 10$. The current 20$ model is too much. However after watching LO3 episode, I think Sundance makes a good argument and has definitely thought out this new business model. He is trying to make a business after all, and judging from last year, has a good product.
I will not be poisoned by your bitterness
Synwave
Profile Joined July 2009
United States2803 Posts
February 18 2012 03:33 GMT
#148
20 bucks?
I can take my lady to the movies for a night for less.
Date > MLG on off.

If they priced it better, if they didn't screw the gold memberships, if they gave it some thought... yeah I could get on board.
Sundance started the year by firing a bunch of people and then screwed over gold members with no discount and over charging the regular joes. Mean and lean indeed in 2012!

Hah.
♞Nerdrage is the cause of global warming♞
Emperor_Earth
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States824 Posts
February 18 2012 06:09 GMT
#149
NFL, NBA, NHL playoffs rely solely on ad revenue
NCAA March Madness relies purely on ad revenue
NCAAF Bowls rely solely on ad revenue

There is no prerogative to go to PPV. The onus is on the providers to try different models and see which one will find the best balance of profit and consumer retention. MLG will see the obvious difference between their planned PPV and Assembly's ad only revenue quite soon. Let us hope they realize their mistake before Day 2.
@Emperor_Earth ------- "Amat Victoria Curam."
TeTrodoToxIn
Profile Joined November 2011
United States18 Posts
February 18 2012 06:19 GMT
#150
They can try it if they want, just there isn't a big enough audience for it seems. It would be a better idea to just offer premium services instead of PPV.

Why not take the GOMtv route? Make it free to watch live at low bandwidth, first game of a series available for watching and if you want the rest of the replays/better quality streaming you can pay.
HEROwithNOlegacy
Profile Joined June 2010
United States850 Posts
February 18 2012 06:57 GMT
#151
I think it being 20$ really hurts the brunt of the viewers who will be tuning in, (Most likely college students or younger on a budget) However, the content may be worth the 20$ but there is no way of knowing because this is the first PPV event of it's kind as well as first Arena of 2012, So I think playing it safe on the first one is a better bet and waiting for the next Arena to make sure it's worth the money.
SlayerS Fighting!
HEROwithNOlegacy
Profile Joined June 2010
United States850 Posts
February 18 2012 06:58 GMT
#152
On February 18 2012 15:09 Emperor_Earth wrote:
NFL, NBA, NHL playoffs rely solely on ad revenue
NCAA March Madness relies purely on ad revenue
NCAAF Bowls rely solely on ad revenue

There is no prerogative to go to PPV. The onus is on the providers to try different models and see which one will find the best balance of profit and consumer retention. MLG will see the obvious difference between their planned PPV and Assembly's ad only revenue quite soon. Let us hope they realize their mistake before Day 2.
I hope a moderator bans you, clearly didn't listen to Lo3. NFL, NBA, NHL, everyone on T.V has a cable deal, as sundance explained you can only see the teams with the cable deals on T.V and for the NFL you have to be in the region to see teams play, unless you buy the NFL package. Please don't bring arrogance into this thread.
SlayerS Fighting!
ReD-FooT
Profile Joined May 2010
Denmark22 Posts
February 18 2012 08:50 GMT
#153
I am kinda PO at this move because i am a gold member and payed what i expected was for a full year of HD streaming for the MLG events.
So now because i am a gold member instead of getting the content that i thought i payed for i get a 5$ discount on a 3 day event so i "only" have to pay 15 dollars.
Depending on how many of these events there will be this year i actually might end up saving money by buying the gold membership but with a big IF... If i actually buy the ticket for all these events.

But lets wait and see after this first event maybe they will change their minds and change the priceing, with 77% of the poll not wanting to pay it might end up hurting too much.
BackTrack
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada76 Posts
February 18 2012 09:30 GMT
#154
I think this just proves that e-sports "enthusiasts" are only really enthusiasts if it's free, bunch of cheap buggers.....the e-sports community need some better day jobs if you cant even pay what most people make in under an hour, and it lasts all weekend. It boggles my mind how every time some stream costs a little money, people go bat shit crazy over it, thinking they're entitled to free entertainment or they should boycott the event and make grand statements like "ohh that's rediculous, they're so unreasonable to charge me for the content, i'll never watch an MLG i have to pay for."

Stop being so cheap, and why not try giving back a little....YES YOU! how about you stop thinking so highly of yourself for a minute and actually support this thing you supposibly care so much about
Jintoss
Profile Joined November 2011
Hong Kong117 Posts
February 18 2012 09:36 GMT
#155
Eventually they will find a balance between profit and peoples willingness to pay. Let's be honest, all things in the world are like this, and you know you want to watch MLG.

So I'm just be happy that you now have to spend on SC2 and esports like you would football or whatever - it has come a long way. This is also a lot cheaper than PPV boxing; or having a cable/satellite subscription for football/NBA/NHL/whatever seasons; or flying out to attend a F1 Grand Prix. But not only is it cheaper, its more 'significant'. Its a whole fucking tournament, not just a match - let's remember that.

That being said, I hope they do a good job amping up the drama so that people will feel glad they spent on MLG and not their local ripoff cinema concession stand with their 3000% return on the sale of popcorn. Personally, I would like a free MLG keychain gift for a years subscription. It's pretty standard and its such a nice, simple thing to do.
We are the blades of Aiur
Mallement
Profile Joined January 2012
Denmark39 Posts
February 18 2012 10:09 GMT
#156
Think 20$ is too much just to watch the show.
MutantGenepool
Profile Joined October 2011
Australia115 Posts
February 18 2012 10:18 GMT
#157
I think they should ask the combatants, advertisers and sponsers. See what they say. I think it would a universal FFFFUUUUU!
If you're gonna get the stream add free, what's the point of the advertising?
EGRevival (Zerg) has more marines than Polt. ROOTNathanias
Lorch
Profile Joined June 2011
Germany3682 Posts
February 18 2012 10:59 GMT
#158
I like that MLG is trying this, I don't necessarily feel like the price is perfect, but honestly given what MLG has delivered to me for over a decade now I'll be glad to invest 20 bucks to help them grow
imre
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
France9263 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-18 13:16:16
February 18 2012 13:12 GMT
#159
MLG quality is totally unsuitable for PPV.
The format prevent to have epic games at the end of the tourney (you're not gonna get Jjakji/Leennock quality without time to prepare and with 1X or 2X bo3 already played on 3days) and the production value is really low (break/little interaction with the players outside of the games etc...)

There are tournaments with free low quality streams which delivers a product with a suitable quality for PPV (GSL) and tournaments with free high quality streams. If you don't belong to one of these category (MLG/NASL) something is wrong with your model because the concurrence do it better.

On February 18 2012 18:30 BackTrack wrote:
I think this just proves that e-sports "enthusiasts" are only really enthusiasts if it's free, bunch of cheap buggers.....the e-sports community need some better day jobs if you cant even pay what most people make in under an hour, and it lasts all weekend. It boggles my mind how every time some stream costs a little money, people go bat shit crazy over it, thinking they're entitled to free entertainment or they should boycott the event and make grand statements like "ohh that's rediculous, they're so unreasonable to charge me for the content, i'll never watch an MLG i have to pay for."

Stop being so cheap, and why not try giving back a little....YES YOU! how about you stop thinking so highly of yourself for a minute and actually support this thing you supposibly care so much about



We're consumers period. I don't support an organization which provide a PPV event with a slightly better player pool than an other even which happen at the same time with a free high quality stream. And if you're gonna talk about the koreans, just watch the GSL it's far better, quality of play is always crappy in 3/4 days tournament compare to those were players have time to prepare.
If you really want to support something, just do what reddit did: fly your favorite player to a tournament, not giving money to an organization which only goal (like every organization) is to make benefit.
Zest fanboy.
CrtBalorda
Profile Joined December 2011
Slovenia704 Posts
February 18 2012 14:06 GMT
#160
As long as thair not like the gsl, If every tournoment did that sc2 would grow so much more slowly.
4th August 2012...Never forget.....
common_cider
Profile Joined July 2011
342 Posts
February 18 2012 15:10 GMT
#161
If I knew what I was buying and could say ya this tournament is worth $20 then I'd buy, but I don't know exactly what I'm buying. I tried their demo page and couldn't get the game to go into fullscreen mode.

They have to prove that it's worth my money before I'll blindly give it to them
Never eat at a chinese restraunt located by the pound
qntmCHARM
Profile Joined July 2011
Canada4 Posts
February 18 2012 15:27 GMT
#162
ill never pay to watch sc, just like ill never pay to watch a hockey game on tv
Areon
Profile Joined November 2010
United States273 Posts
February 18 2012 16:39 GMT
#163
If they're going THIS far they shouldn't be making the VODs free, like GomTV. Quite honestly there's no reason to pay at all if you want to save a few bucks and don't mind waiting a week.
raf3776
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States1904 Posts
February 18 2012 17:31 GMT
#164
Its a good try as I feel a lot of tournaments will be dying eventually as not enough profit.. but idk if they presented it right or the attitude they have about it. Sundance was basically saying "Pay for it or we might not be here in the future" but it is true maybe start off smaller or announce it as the same time of the tournament. Idk but well see how it goes
WWJD (What Would Jaedong Do)
Zikeman
Profile Joined June 2011
United States10 Posts
February 18 2012 17:51 GMT
#165
$20 isnt that much. Everyone is just use to everything being free. Go get a job, work 2 hours and you have paid for the whole weekend worth of MLG SC2. Stop paying for a month of Swtor, or WoW and support SC2 and esports. People are overreacting to the price. I dont know about everyone else but i will be paying for it to support MLG, and im going to invite a few friends over allow them to buy/bring food and we'll just chill and watch it all weekend. Stop overreacting, go get jobs and support MLG.
jackdaniels
Profile Joined February 2012
29 Posts
February 18 2012 17:53 GMT
#166
I don't think there is a market for it. Right now $20 is a lot, especially for Europe which is going through a big recession.
imre
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
France9263 Posts
February 18 2012 21:02 GMT
#167
On February 19 2012 02:51 Zikeman wrote:
$20 isnt that much. Everyone is just use to everything being free. Go get a job, work 2 hours and you have paid for the whole weekend worth of MLG SC2. Stop paying for a month of Swtor, or WoW and support SC2 and esports. People are overreacting to the price. I dont know about everyone else but i will be paying for it to support MLG, and im going to invite a few friends over allow them to buy/bring food and we'll just chill and watch it all weekend. Stop overreacting, go get jobs and support MLG.


support + enterprise in the same sentence ... oh TL
Zest fanboy.
Night Eyes
Profile Joined January 2011
433 Posts
February 18 2012 22:20 GMT
#168
On February 19 2012 00:27 qntmCHARM wrote:
ill never pay to watch sc, just like ill never pay to watch a hockey game on tv


Unless the hockey games are on public TV then you do pay for them by paying your cable company.
excellent!
Cpadolf
Profile Joined August 2009
Sweden1199 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-18 23:04:54
February 18 2012 23:03 GMT
#169
Don't really mind at all that they are charging money for it, they are a business and are simply trying to make things go around. But I won't buy since I'll probably only have time to watch a fraction of the games anyway, plus ASUS ROG looks pretty good as well.

On February 19 2012 02:53 jackdaniels wrote:
I don't think there is a market for it. Right now $20 is a lot, especially for Europe which is going through a big recession.


Depends largely on which part of Europe you are talking about. We're relatively fine over here (certainly better than the U.S, as far as I know).
slammered
Profile Joined June 2011
United States56 Posts
February 18 2012 23:29 GMT
#170
do other sports fans have to pay to watch their sport? no, commercials, advertisements, and charisma all get them their funding.
CinnaBuns
Profile Joined August 2011
United States34 Posts
February 18 2012 23:42 GMT
#171
I'm a bit annoyed that they pretty much screwed Silver level members (at least they gave me a refund) and apparently now also Gold level members ($5 discount? gee whiz!).

That said, I can understand MLG wanting to try out some different business models just to see if it's viable. I'm sure they've done some demographics research and understand that most of their viewers are in NA. And, secondly, while it's understandable that $20 means a whole lot more in other parts of the world and to high school / college students, that doesn't really mean a whole lot to tournament organizers and advertisers at the end of the day. It is a business, and they absolutely need to target people with a good amount of disposable income to pay for events and to pay for the crap that advertisers are trying to sell you. The Super Bowl generates a ton of ad revenue because a large part of its target audience (including "casual" fans) happen to be in the age group to have lots of disposable income. I'm pretty sure all the funny beer and car commercials are not targetted at broke teenagers.

Obviously a lot of folks here don't agree with the pricing model, and personally I doubt I would buy a ticket as I already paid for a full year of GSL, but only time will tell if this works out for MLG or not (and I doubt they'd publicly announce their profits/losses). Enthusiasm is great, but money makes the world go around. If there's not more money going into the system, it's unreasonable to think that events will just magically get bigger and better.
CinnaBuns
Profile Joined August 2011
United States34 Posts
February 18 2012 23:50 GMT
#172
On February 19 2012 08:03 Cpadolf wrote:
Don't really mind at all that they are charging money for it, they are a business and are simply trying to make things go around. But I won't buy since I'll probably only have time to watch a fraction of the games anyway, plus ASUS ROG looks pretty good as well.

Show nested quote +
On February 19 2012 02:53 jackdaniels wrote:
I don't think there is a market for it. Right now $20 is a lot, especially for Europe which is going through a big recession.


Depends largely on which part of Europe you are talking about. We're relatively fine over here (certainly better than the U.S, as far as I know).


Don't worry about us in the US just yet

We have similar unemployment rates. Sweden has higher GDP per capita. US has higher purchasing power per capita (PPP). All in all I'd say we're pretty similar.
peekn
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States1152 Posts
February 19 2012 00:13 GMT
#173
Ouch didn't think that the poll would look that bad... :/
mint_julep
Profile Joined October 2009
United States254 Posts
February 19 2012 01:39 GMT
#174
On February 16 2012 17:38 iEatWoofers wrote:
20 $ isn't that much... cheap bastards.


Yeah,well... everything's relative.

+ Show Spoiler +
(Also, your math sucks, but that's a story for the end of this logic based rant.)


Some people have already pointed out, reasonably, that much of the pro SC2 fan base is high school and college students who don't have a lot of cash laying around. A lot of others happen to live in a fucked economy.

A few other people have pointed out, reasonably, that the GSL costs less in terms of $/content, while the production values and level of competition (at the very least least for code S) is generally higher.

(There's also the frustrating-ass-annoyance of already being a gold member and then being told to cough up more cash, event by event, to keep watching while not knowing if or when they might jack up the prices again on a whim.)

Actually, there's a precise total of zero "cheap bastard"-ish things about not wanting to spend more money for an inferior product. EoL. But especially when someone may or may not have the resources at their disposal that another (possibly snide-assed, condescending) individual happens to.

...

That being said, 20 bucks ain't shit to me either - but I wouldn't pay this on principle. I get more kick ass content than I have time to watch on the GSL anyway.

As much as $20 doesn't hurt my personal pockets, $20 every single event when I'm already MLG Gold, AND spending hundreds on (better) yearly GSL/GSTL pass content is money I'd rather spend on a few decent bottles of scotch to sip while I watch the real championship.

TL;DR:

MLG
: Wait until you have a better product than your competition before charge more than them in a less convenient way.
I hope Plexa's sig is right.
Jisall
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States2054 Posts
February 19 2012 02:07 GMT
#175
90% drop in viewers it looks like. Seems unviable.
Monk: Because being a badass is more fun then playing a dude wearing a scarf.. ... Ite fuck it, Witch Doctor cuz I like killing stuff in a timely mannor.
laharl23
Profile Joined February 2011
United States582 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-19 02:15:43
February 19 2012 02:15 GMT
#176
Why don't tournaments just run longer ads?

wouldn't having 250,000 viewers and running like 4-5 long ads (like any real television show) be a lot more money than having people pay 20 dollars to watch it?
NhcErco
Profile Joined February 2012
Norway3 Posts
February 19 2012 02:48 GMT
#177
eh, you guys know that u still get all the things u got before for free right? that this MLG Arena thing, isnt the same as the MLG's we've seen before? and that u still get the old Mlg's for free right?
They are ADDING PPV's.. not changing the tourneys they have had before..
CCa1ss1e
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada3231 Posts
February 19 2012 02:56 GMT
#178
Just bought a ticket.. probably wouldn't do it every time..but, I want to check this out and maybe the winter championships.

Go MLG!!

XD
~ The Ultimate Weapon
Kahuna.
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada196 Posts
February 19 2012 05:21 GMT
#179
What has happened here is quite simple... MLG's pricing analysts have made a serious mistake. They'll learn from it and price their next PPV tournaments accordingly. Simple as that: extremely poor pricing strategy. At $9.99, they would've done fine... At $20.00, not so much. I'm willing to bet that at $9.99 this event would've been a lot more profitable. Oh well... MLG's loss.
"Sorry, I'm allergic to bullshit."
mastergriggy
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States1312 Posts
February 19 2012 05:26 GMT
#180
I had no problem buying a gsl season ticket. If MLG gave me the same content as GOM did for the same price, I'd buy it immediately. But why on earth would I pay so much for one event when (A) GOM gives you way more for way less (B) Assembly is the same weekend so I'm not gonna miss out, and (C) with all the technical issues MLG has had before, I wouldn't even be sure if I got to see the whole event? Not worth the money imo.
Write your own song!
Valor55
Profile Joined August 2011
United States11 Posts
February 19 2012 05:48 GMT
#181
I had no issues whatsoever with purchasing a GSL season ticket and as it would seem many people(including myself) use it as a benchmark for quality and payment structure.

That being said, I feel MLG content is far inferior(add to it that there's simply far less content) to a GSL subscription. I understand the motivation to move to a PPV structure, but you'd think that they would have evaluated their product and price point a bit more thoroughly before coming out with this as it really makes no sense given the other products out there.

Ultimately I'll be voting with my dollar come MLG day and will not be paying to view.
Ownos
Profile Joined July 2010
United States2147 Posts
February 19 2012 07:12 GMT
#182
On February 19 2012 08:29 slammered wrote:
do other sports fans have to pay to watch their sport? no, commercials, advertisements, and charisma all get them their funding.


Yes?
...deeper and deeper into the bowels of El Diablo
Mingle
Profile Joined June 2011
United Kingdom26 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-19 12:32:29
February 19 2012 12:31 GMT
#183
Its a measly 20 bucks or about 15 pounds for me, im planning on spending more than that on beer to have while watching it!

Edit: We all say we want to see e-sports grow, well this is one of the viable ways to make it grow.
StrafeJD
Profile Joined November 2011
United States39 Posts
February 19 2012 16:08 GMT
#184
This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen, this is worse than NASL. they are going to lose soo many viewer, and with them in competition with out tournanments maybe the players will choose to go to those instead of MLG because of the loss of viewers.
https://twitter.com/#!/StrafeJD
NotTheMonker
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States131 Posts
February 19 2012 16:52 GMT
#185
I think it depends more on my plans that weekend. If I'm doing something else, I'll be more ok with missing it. If I'm not doing anything, I'll certainly pay the 20 bucks because I really enjoy watching the MLG's live.
You cant be a good rapper without rhymes, and you cant be a good Pokemon trainer without CATCHING MORE POKEMON.
WeavingHarp9
Profile Joined June 2011
Sweden23 Posts
February 19 2012 19:55 GMT
#186
While sports are stepping away from pay-per-view MLG decides to step towards it? The future is like some already have said, commercials, advertisements, sponsors and of course, seat tickets(aka live content) and I for one does not consider a stream to be live content. Live content is when you visit one of the events and can see the players. Have the viewers pay for that instead like in real life. I for one wont pay for this, one because I feel screwed over being a gold member and for one having to pay way way more to watch SC2 on tv then any other sport i follow(soccer is free, tennis is free and pool is free if you dont count paying for the channel theyre on and that is something I feel I'm doing as a Gold Member at MLG)

With that said I think MLG have made a mistake with this and if they go plus with this I doubt they needed to take that much for the ticket could have lowered it and gotten alot more customers.
6pool much!?
cameler
Profile Joined December 2011
Canada99 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-19 20:08:18
February 19 2012 20:07 GMT
#187
I do feel bad saying this, but I would NEVER pay to watch SC2 when I can watch great streamers already making good bucks or just streaming for the love of the audience and some dollars. I get my fix from underground players like kuroa, kawaiirice, and that blackla guy.

What would make me pay to watch MLG? I dont really get all personal and I dont have favourite players like the children these days. OMG IDRA OMG HUK I LUV MORROW 4LIEK EVA... yeah that aint me, and I wont be paying to watch anyone play a game of SC2 for a loooong time.

Boneheaded move imo.
Everyday I thank God I escaped from the Starcraft universe when I did. Saved so many hours of my life.
WeavingHarp9
Profile Joined June 2011
Sweden23 Posts
February 19 2012 20:28 GMT
#188
For me its really not about the players, its much more about the casters tbh. if I would have a favourite it would prolly be Thorzain or Naniwa but in the end Im happy with quality matches with good casting. Watching pov is not my thing and I'd gladly pay for watching sc2(I am) but there's a limit really. +200usd per year to watch sc2? thats alot more then I have ever payed for soccer or tennis :C (not counting watching them at a stadium ofc)
6pool much!?
Tx3Jorge
Profile Joined September 2011
United States32 Posts
February 19 2012 21:49 GMT
#189
20 dollars for a 3 day tournament is too much. thats how much a gsl season ticket costs which has a higher production value, produces better games, and lasts a whole month.
smd bro, smd.
CROrens
Profile Joined May 2007
Croatia1005 Posts
February 19 2012 23:14 GMT
#190
ill put it this way. there is no sport in the world you have to pay to watch, why should it be so with esports then?
There is no problem that cannot be solved by the use of high explosives. - Anonymous ......||......Hyuk fan! \o/
FenrirSc2
Profile Joined March 2011
United States3 Posts
February 20 2012 02:52 GMT
#191
20 dollars is more than reasonable for 20 hours of gameplay. I spend upwards to 10 dollars for 2 hours of a movie at a movie theater. All that 20 dollars is saying is that MLG believes that e-sports is getting big enough to support it, and from my perspective that is really good for everyone. Plus there are more than enough ways to pool 20 bucks ranging from friends grouping together to watch it or just going to a Barcraft is you are of age. But, in all honesty if you still feel like you are being ripped off you can wait a week for them to put all the games online!!
Lastly, all matches will of course be made available free to everyone as VOD, one week after the Arena wraps up.
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
Grimberht
Profile Joined July 2011
Canada6 Posts
February 20 2012 04:48 GMT
#192
Honestly, I wouldn't have care to paid for it. 20$ for participating in growing eSport aint a big deal... but since I've been spit in the face for being a Gold member... I won't.

Revoked my gold membership too... I dont blame Sundance, I think he's been put into a tough spot, but hey! I dont like the way we've been treated and they should be ashamed of doing such bad business at a time like this... They want to suck the money from the suckers who already paid... oh well!! Goodluck with you're ingenious business model!

2012 look like it couldve have been the year of eSport... but greed is ruining it.

Shame on those who think their money make them intitled to drain out the growth of this communty and a big round of applause to all those who are working tirelessly for little money\no money to make it happen!!! Its gonna be from the ground up... not from the top down!


All the world's a stage and men merely players!
NEEDZMOAR
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
Sweden1277 Posts
February 20 2012 10:10 GMT
#193
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S



Nothing's free. When we watch streams of other things we "pay" by being manipulated by commercials and sponsors.
RaZaCGaming
Profile Joined May 2011
Netherlands4 Posts
February 20 2012 10:48 GMT
#194
On February 15 2012 08:09 eXigent. wrote:
man there seems to be such an uproar about shelling out a measly $20. I can make that in less than an hour at work...why are people soo thrifty? I guarantee 99% of you have spent $20 on something alot stupider than a MLG ticket.


I have to work about 2.5 hours to get $20... And then the fact that the streams will most likely run while i'm sleeping makes it completely usesless for me. A pity i loved MLG last year
Barleyarley
Profile Joined April 2011
United Kingdom20 Posts
February 20 2012 15:08 GMT
#195
I'm not particularly happy about it, I have been a Halo fan for a long time so have followed MLG for a while, I was very pleased to see they would be hosting SC2 at their events but I don't understand why they have to change to a model that charges the viewer so much.

They have been running an extremely successful business model that runs off of advertising revenue for a long time, I see no long term benefits from cutting the viewership that they have built up just to make a little extra at the expense of their fans.Why change a popular and successful model?
SohcranA
Profile Joined November 2010
United States36 Posts
February 20 2012 17:54 GMT
#196
GSL is more content, for less money, with better games. I don't know where MLG gets the nerve.
VanBuKK
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany6 Posts
February 20 2012 18:11 GMT
#197
lol they loose 70% of the<<r viewers ^^ american capitalism
Quoten Knoten
jarf1337
Profile Joined July 2010
United States146 Posts
February 20 2012 18:58 GMT
#198
This thread makes me want to buy multiple tickets. The good things in life aren't free.
wut kan i dew
Sejanus
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Lithuania550 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-20 19:12:16
February 20 2012 19:11 GMT
#199
It starts to look like everyone's trying to cash in from E-Sports as much as possible while it lasts...

Well lets just repeat the "It's good for the E-Sports" mantra and hand over our money. (Not really).
Friends don't let friends massacre civilians
KrsOne
Profile Joined March 2011
United States64 Posts
February 20 2012 21:02 GMT
#200
20$ for 3 days of Starcraft is laughable.
Life is to short so love the one you got, cause you might get run over or you might get shot-Sublime
Frostmister
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden77 Posts
February 20 2012 22:32 GMT
#201
If they only had a 5 euro alternative
"This matchup makes me wanna commit suicide" - Naniwa
kittensrcute
Profile Joined August 2010
United States617 Posts
February 21 2012 00:02 GMT
#202
On February 20 2012 01:08 StrafeJD wrote:
This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen, this is worse than NASL. they are going to lose soo many viewer, and with them in competition with out tournanments maybe the players will choose to go to those instead of MLG because of the loss of viewers.

Worse than NASL? I don't think I'd go that far. But I do think MLG should have started off with a $10 fee or coupled some deals with Gold/Silver membership.
The_Darkness
Profile Joined December 2011
United States910 Posts
February 21 2012 00:23 GMT
#203
I'm really suprised at the price point MLG set. To echo the other comments in this thread, it really doesn't make any sense in light of ASUS ROG's being free and GomTV's providing superior (and more) content for virtually the same price (it's actually cheaper I believe you just buy the ticket with ads). Anyway, I would have thought that a $5 price point might be more reasonable, but perhaps they figure that demand is generally inelastic -- ie, raising prices generally won't decrease demand. Perhaps that's right - basically the same number of people will sign up whether they charge $5 for a ticket or $20 for a ticket; thus it makes sense to just charge $20.
To be is to be the value of a bound variable.
Cratosch
Profile Joined October 2011
Germany8 Posts
February 21 2012 00:54 GMT
#204
There are lots of actvities I can enjoy on a weekend for around 20$. Spending a day at the zoo, watching a movie, going to the club, heck...if i double up i can go to an amusement park and ride the rollercoasters all day. There are also lots of activities I can enjoy for free. Friends for example or playing videogames. I could even play Starcraft or I can watch free lifestreams or TV.

Allthough I make a lot more than 20$ an hour I would never ever pay 20$ for a single SC2 tournament. I think for 1/4th of the price you would get at least 5 times the viewers. The TL-Poll represents allready the hardcore SC2-fans. You Can't extrapolate from that. Outside TL even less people will be willing to pay that amount of money. Outside of North America this will attract very few people.

In Germany pay-TV as a whole is a failure. Germans in general are not willing to pay money for TV. WWE-PPVs for example cost 15€, Wrestlemania 20€. Those PPVs don't get even 10.000 buys in Germany.
I would bet 20$ that not even 100 people from Germany will buy that MLG-ticket.

Then there are lots of countries where 20$ are actually a lot of money.

I think its a shame to have a tournament with some of the best players and only a few 1.000 people watching. I honestly don't believe that that is the way to grow. Imagine you are trying to recrute a friend to watch SC2: "Hey...you really should watch this...where? Online!...You do have a credit card, have you?....Why?...costs 20 bucks of course!....Thats not to much, it's a bargain! Nestea is playing!.... Who Nestea is? Man!"
Aserrin
Profile Joined October 2011
Uruguay231 Posts
February 21 2012 06:15 GMT
#205
I don't feel bad for the guys at MLG, they made this decission and will fail tremendously, as it's one of the worse courses of action to take. So, whatever.

But I think the worst will be if they try to put the blame on the viewers for not supporting the event, instead of themselves. Who wants to bet?
Ordained
Profile Joined June 2010
United States779 Posts
February 21 2012 07:56 GMT
#206
Starcraft is just not a "sport" that people are willing to pay money to watch apparently.
"You are not trying to win, you are trying to be awesome" -Day[9]
famousfrank
Profile Joined November 2010
Sweden2 Posts
February 21 2012 09:16 GMT
#207
Are we going to be able to watch any matches at all without paying 20$?
m0ck
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
4194 Posts
February 21 2012 11:04 GMT
#208
Though I agree that a 5 dollars prize is much smarter, especially considering how well that price-point holds up in something like app-stores, one thing that you have to remember, is that twitch is probably taking a cut from the price and that a price of something as low as 5 dollars may not make MLG any money.
MrBenybob
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
United Kingdom2 Posts
February 21 2012 13:08 GMT
#209
I feel that if we want E sports to expand into something like football, rugby or other competitive sports we need to invest into the sport. Let's just hope that MLG will use our money to expand and increase in quality not fill their pockets. We need to just wait and see what happens but personally I am buying it at the end of the month.
I've got one rule, everyone fights no one quits. If you don't do your job I'll shoot you myself!
Svennedude
Profile Joined April 2011
Belgium86 Posts
February 21 2012 14:24 GMT
#210
On February 15 2012 13:59 dAPhREAk wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 13:03 Corsica wrote:
only 10 % will pay...thats 64+62 = x * 20

=2520

thats only 126 ppl, i guess they just hungry for money, so even if small amount (say 5000) will buy this ticket then they have 5000*20 =100,000 in revenue which is nice...

Standard capitalistic nature for love of money i guess

shame on a business to try and make money off its product. mlg started out small with sc2 and has invested a lot of money into making it a bigger and better tournament. they should be able to profit off their investment. the market will determine whether it is successful.


they are already makings money trough the ads and all the people coming to the tournament. it actually just means like any other company they want to make "more" money. its not like they woudn't survive with out it. companies just feel like they have to have a few million/billion banked for some reason. (once a company smells money it only gets worse)
mangomango
Profile Joined September 2009
United States265 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-21 14:30:04
February 21 2012 14:28 GMT
#211
I bought a ticket. But I thought $10 would have been a better price (I'm with iNcontroL on this one.). I want to see e-sports grow. So I support it. That costs money. And I want to see more money going to the players and promoters (and casters - because someday Mini-Wheat is going to go to college). And that costs money. So let Sundance be Sundance. They will find their price point then we can get on with the serious business of having fun.
Husky: Every drone you lose is like a needle in the eye. Nony: probes win $10k (Earn it! Idra Fighting) :P
Mnemosyne13
Profile Joined December 2011
Sweden3 Posts
February 21 2012 14:52 GMT
#212
On February 15 2012 07:53 VIPlol wrote:
I feel like most people in this community wants everything to be handed out free to 'em :S


If you pay or not depends on your economic situation vs how good you find the service to be. I dont like commercials but I prefer that over paying with a credit card. Everyone wants my money no matter where I go, its not an unlimited resource for me. Except for that im not too happy about using my credit card over the internet.

I wont even pay 50 cent for this. But I dont mind watching 10 ad,s. Theres not one buissness model that fits everyone, you need several to catch as many "customers" as possible.
Experience is the benchmark of maturity.
raginglemon
Profile Joined September 2010
Japan64 Posts
February 21 2012 14:58 GMT
#213
On February 21 2012 16:56 Ordained wrote:
Starcraft is just not a "sport" that people are willing to pay money to watch apparently.


People are willing to pay, but I believe people aren't willing to pay $20 for what MLG is offering. The gom tickets are much better value for your eSports dollar when you compare to the two content producers. Currently SC2 just isn't a big enough sport to warrant PPV type of subscription, there aren't many sports out there that are (UFC and Boxing are the only ones that come to mind, all other sports have moved away from the PPV model).
dAPhREAk
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Nauru12397 Posts
February 21 2012 16:27 GMT
#214
On February 21 2012 23:24 Svennedude wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 13:59 dAPhREAk wrote:
On February 15 2012 13:03 Corsica wrote:
only 10 % will pay...thats 64+62 = x * 20

=2520

thats only 126 ppl, i guess they just hungry for money, so even if small amount (say 5000) will buy this ticket then they have 5000*20 =100,000 in revenue which is nice...

Standard capitalistic nature for love of money i guess

shame on a business to try and make money off its product. mlg started out small with sc2 and has invested a lot of money into making it a bigger and better tournament. they should be able to profit off their investment. the market will determine whether it is successful.


they are already makings money trough the ads and all the people coming to the tournament. it actually just means like any other company they want to make "more" money. its not like they woudn't survive with out it. companies just feel like they have to have a few million/billion banked for some reason. (once a company smells money it only gets worse)

sundance said they dont make any real money off of ads, because most people use adblock. so what is your basis for saying they are making money off ads?

also, this is an online tournament. there are no people going to the event, so they dont make any money that way as well.

finally, your idea that they are making millions/billions is just ludicrous. i would be surprised if they are even in the black.
HistRevist
Profile Joined July 2011
9 Posts
February 21 2012 16:47 GMT
#215
On February 21 2012 09:54 Cratosch wrote:
I think its a shame to have a tournament with some of the best players and only a few 1.000 people watching. "

A few thousands, maybe in their dreams?
Negius
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
Netherlands290 Posts
February 21 2012 16:58 GMT
#216
I'm someone who doesn't mind spending a bit money to support e-sports (I am paying for the premium GSL tickets, instead of the light variant, for example), but I simply cannot understand why the price that was chosen is this high. $ 20 is too much for me, with a tournament which has (maybe) the best players in the world, but only lasts one weekend. I would easily pay $ 5, maybe I will consider $ 7,50, but around $ 10 it doesn't give me any satisfaction any more and I will start to think: "what if I bought this instead".

Maybe MLG could've offered an annual pass for $ 50 (which is still a lot of money), with the championships included. Or maybe they should make this tournament last longer, keeping it online, with a huge list of players playing on several weekends in pool play and elimination brackets. But of course, we'll have to wait and see the results of this $ 20 price tag, if they get enough money to support the event, it won't change. If they see they lose a lot of viewers, so their advertising income will go down, they'll probably reconsider.

I think they've done the wrong thing. If an AOL tournament costs $ 4,99, I believe almost every SC2 fan will buy a ticket for 4,99 which will result in huge income. At least comparing to 10 percent of people who probably pay $ 20 now.
[Terran] mvp | maru | innovation | mma [Protoss] mc | squirtle [Zerg] nestea | soo
vx70GTOJudgexv
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States3161 Posts
February 21 2012 16:58 GMT
#217
On February 21 2012 23:24 Svennedude wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 15 2012 13:59 dAPhREAk wrote:
On February 15 2012 13:03 Corsica wrote:
only 10 % will pay...thats 64+62 = x * 20

=2520

thats only 126 ppl, i guess they just hungry for money, so even if small amount (say 5000) will buy this ticket then they have 5000*20 =100,000 in revenue which is nice...

Standard capitalistic nature for love of money i guess

shame on a business to try and make money off its product. mlg started out small with sc2 and has invested a lot of money into making it a bigger and better tournament. they should be able to profit off their investment. the market will determine whether it is successful.


they are already makings money trough the ads and all the people coming to the tournament. it actually just means like any other company they want to make "more" money. its not like they woudn't survive with out it. companies just feel like they have to have a few million/billion banked for some reason. (once a company smells money it only gets worse)


Where do you have these numbers from exactly?
(-_-) BW for ever. #1 Iris fan.
ArchoN[VenoM]
Profile Joined January 2010
United States90 Posts
February 21 2012 17:02 GMT
#218
They will lose the average fans if they keep this up. YES, there are some hardcore SC2 fans that will always be around but that wont make up for the majority casual gamers lost if they do this with the pricing. I dont like it at all and im really dissapointed. I understand business but at the same time this is a game we all play for free online. Esports cannot break anymore ground if things like this keep happening.
Life with every breath ~Bushido
dAPhREAk
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Nauru12397 Posts
February 21 2012 17:07 GMT
#219
On February 22 2012 02:02 ArchoN[VenoM] wrote:
They will lose the average fans if they keep this up. YES, there are some hardcore SC2 fans that will always be around but that wont make up for the majority casual gamers lost if they do this with the pricing. I dont like it at all and im really dissapointed. I understand business but at the same time this is a game we all play for free online. Esports cannot break anymore ground if things like this keep happening.

the thing is, if the average fans are not going to pay for these events, then it doesnt make sense for MLG to keep having these events. they are in it as a business, and sundance has to prove to investors and mlg's management that it makes sense to keep this going. if they can make more money elsewhere, they will jump ship, and then the sc2 community loses another tournament. the idea itself (PPV) is not bad; the amount is a different matter. they should have started smaller. they, unfortunately, have turned this into an all-in and have not given themselves any leeway if people are willing to pay $10, but not $20.
spacesharksmaster
Profile Joined January 2012
5 Posts
February 21 2012 19:54 GMT
#220
I mean really they have to think of who they are trying to promote to Most of the people that follow star craft are in high school or college. I mean you do have a couple of the older crowd but they are not the majority. Now MLG has a huge problem on their hands most college kids are dead broke and most high school kids would not be able to get their parents to fork over the money for such a event. So I say if MLG does not change their minds before the first competition I think they have a record low of viewers.
SPACCCCCCE SHARRRRKKKKKKKSSSSS
tehbone
Profile Joined November 2011
Germany4 Posts
February 21 2012 21:04 GMT
#221
paid already 30$ for the one year stream access. I'm not going to pay another 30$ for a weekend of qualification
MyTHicaL
Profile Joined November 2005
France1070 Posts
February 21 2012 21:31 GMT
#222
Just an embarassment. MLG and GOM, their prices are ridiculous compared to normal tv channels, they should attempt to get the money purely from sponsers not from the fans - there was never any question of payment for starcraft 1 VODs why is this different now? I will never pay to watch starcraft, especially not at these ridiculous prices.
Added to the fact that this completely screws over any/all gold mlg members zzz.
Flamingo777
Profile Joined October 2010
United States1190 Posts
February 21 2012 21:52 GMT
#223
On February 15 2012 11:24 Love and Justice wrote:
If I pay for the MLG PPV will there still be commercials?

MLG does all of their commercials in the breaks between action anyways. Previously, aside from a higher quality stream, even if commercials were removed (Although I don't know if they were, or not) the only difference would be staring at an audience while commercials ran, or simply watching the commercials, both of which aren't entertaining.
TerransHill
Profile Joined February 2011
Germany572 Posts
February 21 2012 23:59 GMT
#224
Wow, according to this poll MLG is going to lose 77% of their viewers. Looks like this completly backfires on them.
Respect my authoritah!!
TLsc3
Profile Joined January 2011
Australia11 Posts
February 22 2012 01:03 GMT
#225
good idea to try out something new but little too expensive. I would pay if it would be like $30 something for whole year (2012).
I have GOM yearly subscription & I'm getting most out of it GSL. They are thinking it like UFC but its not UFC. esports is still new to outer world so hmmm not so sure.........and fuck slasher-You are doing great I'm proud of U.
hell no rules here we are trying to accomplish something
Akash1223
Profile Joined March 2011
United States91 Posts
February 22 2012 01:10 GMT
#226
With current variety of tournaments out there, I can't imagine why anyone would pay to watch any tournament, including MLG and GSL. You can watch a big tournament for free with top players basically every other week; not to mention lesser tournaments like online cups or whatever and streams. There's way to much high quality free starcraft to ever warrant paying for it.
BearStorm
Profile Joined September 2010
United States795 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-22 02:33:19
February 22 2012 02:32 GMT
#227
Since this is the first of many events that will probably be PPV, I really just want to see how much quality content they can offer (that is within their control). If they can deliver an experience that unlike anything I have witnessed in the past then maybe I will consider it in the future. I wouldn't mind paying if they offered the ability to follow specific players, and did pieces where you can really get to know the players instead of interviews that are filled with fluff.

Also to all the people who are trying to compare this with GOM. You need to realize that MLG has been providing free replays/vods where as GSL does not. So it all comes down to which you value more, vods or stream. Personally I think people are not giving MLG enough credit for the quality content they have been providing for free. Also this event is much better compared to Arena of Legends instead of the GSL. So please, reconsider your opinion if you are pissed off and up in arms against MLG.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."
Kaitlin
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2958 Posts
February 22 2012 06:52 GMT
#228
On February 22 2012 08:59 TerransHill wrote:
Wow, according to this poll MLG is going to lose 77% of their viewers. Looks like this completly backfires on them.


Did everyone who voted in that poll pay for their content previously ?
TerransHill
Profile Joined February 2011
Germany572 Posts
February 22 2012 11:20 GMT
#229
On February 22 2012 15:52 Kaitlin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 22 2012 08:59 TerransHill wrote:
Wow, according to this poll MLG is going to lose 77% of their viewers. Looks like this completly backfires on them.


Did everyone who voted in that poll pay for their content previously ?


Maybe not everyone but they atleast watched commercials, spread the word etc. Growth is way better than a few people who buy a ticket for 20$. If MLG/esports gets bigger, it gets more attractive to sponsors, more people are going to purchase premium stuff etc.

I can understand that they probably need cash badly, but there have to be other ways. With this 20$ PPV they're committing suicide.
Respect my authoritah!!
darkxzzy
Profile Joined February 2011
Germany31 Posts
February 22 2012 12:04 GMT
#230
all complain about the prices but i think thats right cause gomtv is cheap i mean look how many think they do for the community now even talkshows...

but 20 bucks for 3 day ??
MattyClutch
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States711 Posts
February 22 2012 15:54 GMT
#231
On February 22 2012 15:52 Kaitlin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 22 2012 08:59 TerransHill wrote:
Wow, according to this poll MLG is going to lose 77% of their viewers. Looks like this completly backfires on them.


Did everyone who voted in that poll pay for their content previously ?



Well based on the current votes they are going to get over $45k just from TL viewers. That said I have MLG Gold for the year and I think I am going to pass on this, so some of us that payed previously won't be signing up for this. It just seems a bit much to me. I pay them for a year of MLG and the very first event they have they want another $15-20 from me? For just a weekend event? I could get a lot more bang for my buck from the GSL or NASL (both of which I have).
Nihn'kas Neehn
CROrens
Profile Joined May 2007
Croatia1005 Posts
February 22 2012 16:25 GMT
#232
On February 21 2012 03:58 jarf1337 wrote:
This thread makes me want to buy multiple tickets. The good things in life aren't free.


any other sport is
There is no problem that cannot be solved by the use of high explosives. - Anonymous ......||......Hyuk fan! \o/
CROrens
Profile Joined May 2007
Croatia1005 Posts
February 22 2012 16:29 GMT
#233
On February 19 2012 16:12 Ownos wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 19 2012 08:29 slammered wrote:
do other sports fans have to pay to watch their sport? no, commercials, advertisements, and charisma all get them their funding.


Yes?


no. here TV is free, and I watch sports on TV, dont you?
There is no problem that cannot be solved by the use of high explosives. - Anonymous ......||......Hyuk fan! \o/
WeavingHarp9
Profile Joined June 2011
Sweden23 Posts
February 22 2012 17:17 GMT
#234
free TV? thats not bad, not many countries got that :O most countries pay for a tv license and most for different getups like cable/satellite channels etc.. But its ALOT cheaper then this thats for sure(considering what you get out of it you could almost call it free I suppose ~~)
6pool much!?
blackone
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany1314 Posts
February 22 2012 19:10 GMT
#235
It's waaaaaaay too expensive imho. 20$ is about what I pay for TV per month. 30 days, 24 hours, hundreds of channels. It's also more than a month of MLB.tv costs which gets me a full month of baseball (that's around 400 games of a sports). 20$ for one weekend of MLG isn't in the "wow, that's kind of pricey" range for me, it's in the "lol wtf this is a joke, right?" range.
Vash_SC2
Profile Joined January 2012
United States122 Posts
February 22 2012 19:22 GMT
#236
This poll shows how out numbered we as adults 18+ with jobs are...against these silly little children who haven't worked ever. T.T
"Own-ed" - CatZ
Vash_SC2
Profile Joined January 2012
United States122 Posts
February 22 2012 19:23 GMT
#237
On February 22 2012 21:04 darkxzzy wrote:
all complain about the prices but i think thats right cause gomtv is cheap i mean look how many think they do for the community now even talkshows...

but 20 bucks for 3 day ??

ummm what about ufc....$60 for 3-4 hours?
"Own-ed" - CatZ
blackone
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany1314 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-22 19:32:25
February 22 2012 19:30 GMT
#238
Correct, there is one (two if you count pro wrestling) sport out of thousands that's more expensive.

On February 23 2012 04:22 The_Stampede wrote:
This poll shows how out numbered we as adults 18+ with jobs are...against these silly little children who haven't worked ever. T.T

That's the single worst strawman I have ever read in TL. Really? Everybody who thinks it's too expensive doesn't work? I don't care if 20$ isn't much in the grand scheme of things, I'd also not pay 20$ for a bubblegum, even though I like bubblegum and I could spare 20$.
saulinsky
Profile Joined February 2012
2 Posts
February 22 2012 19:54 GMT
#239
I think it's important to look at this from a historical perspective. Baseball started out with many different professional leagues, and before that, teams were developed very locally. For the longest time, Baseball was an extremely affordable past time to engage in and the development of the system of games was very localized. Now, MLB dominates baseball.

Here's my point, I can get content from many different leagues in starcraft for free. MLG is one league, why should I have to pay money to watch the MLG tournament, as opposed to the plethora of other leagues that have content for free with the same players?

dAPhREAk
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Nauru12397 Posts
February 22 2012 20:06 GMT
#240
On February 23 2012 04:54 saulinsky wrote:
I think it's important to look at this from a historical perspective. Baseball started out with many different professional leagues, and before that, teams were developed very locally. For the longest time, Baseball was an extremely affordable past time to engage in and the development of the system of games was very localized. Now, MLB dominates baseball.

Here's my point, I can get content from many different leagues in starcraft for free. MLG is one league, why should I have to pay money to watch the MLG tournament, as opposed to the plethora of other leagues that have content for free with the same players?


you dont have to do anything. its a market system. if you dont feel MLG's price is reasonable, then don't pay it. if enough people agree with you, they will lower or eliminate the price for next time (or they will just stop producing this type of content). however, if enough people are willing to pay for it, then you can continue to watch the other tournaments for free (assuming they don't adopt MLG's PPV model), and those of us who are willing to pay will get to keep enjoying higher-end content from MLG for a price (hopefully higher end).
St3MoR
Profile Joined November 2002
Spain3256 Posts
February 22 2012 20:41 GMT
#241
according to this poll MLG will get from TL over 40k $ roughly half of it coming from customers who arent even sure about the fair price of the service offered, and would rather have this than "possibly" more while keeping people happy. Sad, and this numbers are only from TL, more communities out there that would probably show not very different results % wise.

8.95 mlg, i'm ok with you trying, but I feel you should rethink this for the next event, before you lose (more) supporters.
Prophet in TL of the Makoto0124 ways
Kernen
Profile Joined July 2011
United States84 Posts
February 23 2012 01:25 GMT
#242
MLG can say goodnight. 15,000 people who say they aren't going to pay for it and a FREE event on at the same time(Asus ROG). This is going to get crushed.
A hellion donut with a marauder filling, not so tasty. - DJ Wheat
Blossom
Profile Joined May 2011
United Kingdom87 Posts
February 23 2012 01:55 GMT
#243
I am very disapointed with the move by MLG. I've been a MLG fan for years (back to Halo 2) and I didn't mind buying silver membership when that came out. My computer isn't even good enough to run higher quality streaming but I enjoy the content a lot and wanted to give something back. But, there's a limit. I think it is horrible that you ask people to buy subscriptions and then run extra content behind that which the subscribers still have to pay for. Especially 20 bucks? That's way to high of a price.

On a side note: We all talk about "expanding esports", etc... but MLG going in the opposite direction. We want everybody to watch the content and let them try it out. I've had friends over to watch MLG events previously and some have immediately gone out to buy the game- others haven't. My point is this: how can we expect to "expand" esports when the content is inaccessible to those that simply want to view the game?. One of the first times I ever watched MLG I just randomly went on the site on day and was fascinated by the live event. This is where other streams exceed MLG.

So, unfortunately, I won't be watching next weekends show and I'll probably unsubscribe from my silver membership.

Win
Sieni
Profile Joined December 2011
Finland10 Posts
February 23 2012 02:45 GMT
#244
It's not that 20 bucks is too much, but when you live in Finland and propably are not going to be able to watch much of the content live course of the weird hours, it becomes alot. for me atleast. soo.. Asus ROG it is.
daweed
Profile Joined February 2012
Belgium1 Post
February 23 2012 05:03 GMT
#245
First, i think that players win to much money!

After, make money with esport ok but without that the spectator made expenses!!!

With new concept of MLG, spectators pay simply the players!

I cant imagine that an organization as the MLG have no sponsor such as one travel company, food company drink, hotel, furnitures pc,...,...,..

Make a trip has Wall Street, they know how to grow some money.. and make all world in the bread soup..


gn1k
Profile Joined July 2010
United States441 Posts
February 23 2012 06:56 GMT
#246
Need option for: Wouldn't pay $20, but will go to BarCraft to watch
Creator of Street Empires and APM TD
RmoteCntrld
Profile Joined June 2010
United States596 Posts
February 23 2012 07:46 GMT
#247
Why isn't there an option for "Don't care what the price is not going to pay"
Mambo
Profile Joined February 2012
Denmark1338 Posts
February 23 2012 11:06 GMT
#248
To be honest i see the value of the 20$ for such a stacked tournament. MLG has proven (after several faults) that they can provide polished content. If this event had a free stream i would watch this over ASUS ROG for sure (i would prolly watch both), just because of the players in it. But since it is ppv and since i havent got loads of cash atm im gonna "settle" for ASUS ROG. I think tho they should have priced it at 10$ but thats just me.
Boxer | MVP | Taeja | TLO | Grubby | Bunny (danish)
ydeer1993
Profile Joined January 2012
United Kingdom569 Posts
February 23 2012 19:15 GMT
#249
day2 i bet the price drops to 5/10$ because not enough bought it and everyone watching ASUS
**MMA** - MVP - Seed !
Noelani
Profile Joined May 2010
55 Posts
February 25 2012 12:17 GMT
#250
I'm sure there will be a pirate re-stream, and that's what I'll be watching.
Ampster
Profile Joined August 2011
31 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-02-28 17:27:55
February 28 2012 11:04 GMT
#251
I'm not against or for the MLG's PPV model. I think its good that they're trying out something and having more models in existence in the Esports industry is definitely better having less. I guess time will tell whether it is a viable model or not in the long run.

Personally, I like the model of having a free stream option with ads more, I like having more options provided than less. I feel the model is more accessible and keeps everyone happy.
•Players getting the exposure they needed
•Premium viewers getting additional contents (behind the scenes, player coverage, post-games analysis sessions, etc) and special features (stream viewing customization and features)
•Free viewers being able to watch
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