I appreciate that while I may not personally like the new subscription model, it is what you have chosen. I also understand that no matter how much I do lament the fact that I can't "own" the game anymore, or even permanently own the expansions we already had a chance to buy with the old model, games with online functionality have recurring costs and you have to make a living.
I do however wish you would consider implementing alternative payment models. I know that the current prices may not seem exorbitant to some people, but for others (adult with a job here, just probably from the "wrong" country), this is a significant amount of money out of the monthly budget. Not being able to ease ourselves into that cost expansion by expansion is a real loss.
Monthly recurring payments would make sense for a subscription based game. Even if they added up to a significantly higher total yearly cost (in order to cover for your extra operational expenses), they are simply easier to deal with for people living paycheck to paycheck than a lump sum of money in advance. The option to cancel when things get extra tough would also make the risk of purchase feel easier to handle. And as a bonus, such a model may get new players through the door easier.
Alternatively, have you maybe considered just lowballing the subscription to just one new expansion? It wouldn't be ideal, but at least it would be something that allows entry to people on lower budgets. I may be reaching at straws here, but I think you can see my frustration and my desire to find a way to keep enjoying the game.
I'm liking the new browser client so far, despite some of the missing features, and I look forward to any improvements you make down the line. I only wish there was a way for us to finally have some new cards to play with - which won't be possible with the current model.
I do however wish you would consider implementing alternative payment models. I know that the current prices may not seem exorbitant to some people, but for others (adult with a job here, just probably from the "wrong" country), this is a significant amount of money out of the monthly budget. Not being able to ease ourselves into that cost expansion by expansion is a real loss.
Monthly recurring payments would make sense for a subscription based game. Even if they added up to a significantly higher total yearly cost (in order to cover for your extra operational expenses), they are simply easier to deal with for people living paycheck to paycheck than a lump sum of money in advance. The option to cancel when things get extra tough would also make the risk of purchase feel easier to handle. And as a bonus, such a model may get new players through the door easier.
Alternatively, have you maybe considered just lowballing the subscription to just one new expansion? It wouldn't be ideal, but at least it would be something that allows entry to people on lower budgets. I may be reaching at straws here, but I think you can see my frustration and my desire to find a way to keep enjoying the game.
I'm liking the new browser client so far, despite some of the missing features, and I look forward to any improvements you make down the line. I only wish there was a way for us to finally have some new cards to play with - which won't be possible with the current model.