So-called “freemium” models are rapidly becoming the de-facto standard for all sorts of software and services. MMOGs (and virtual environments like Second Life) are among the places that it is easiest to spot, but you’ll see it in all sorts of software and services these days.

These services have a basic service that is free to all users, and premium accounts for which you pay a bit extra.

It’s also pretty easy to spot which of these will take off and which won’t.

While there are always some exceptions, the successful models have a basic account that is the standard account. The premium user pays more to get more. More opportunity, more options, more service.

The unsuccessful models treat the premium account as a standard account. The free user gets less than the standard service.

It might seem a bit of a subtle distinction, but there it is.

For an example, when it comes to software, technical support is essentially a basic feature – almost everyone is going to need it from time to time. Services without that support fall on the wrong side of the line. Technical support is simply part of the cost of doing business.

Sure, premium accounts should be able to pay for better. More frequent support, better response times, priority support. Whatever the company feels that the premium users’ dollars are buying.

Skimping on the basics doesn’t actually generate incentive to pony-up and join the premium set, though.

Actually, Linden Lab missed a golden opportunity with Second Life groups. Group slots themselves are a resource hog. When it became possible to have larger numbers of groups the Lab should probably have left basic accounts at just ten, or maybe twelve.

Got a premium account? Have five more group slots. Own an estate? Have another five – or even ten more. Have another two group slots for every land-tier level you’re paying for each month. There’s a premium incentive right there. Why the heck not? You’re a committed, paying user, and your additional benefits should reflect that.

By this stage – some years down the track now – the Lab should have made it additionally possible to log in to your account on the Web and simply lease as many extra group slots from the Lab as you’re willing to pay for, whether you’re a basic account or not. You’d be paying for those by the month, but if you wanted them, you could have them.

The mantra for successful freemium models is “The basic user is the standard user”. If you don’t make the basic user happy, they’re not going to care about becoming a premium user. You can give the premium users more, but it’s foolish to short-sheet the free accounts on any basic expectations.

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Tags: Free-to-play MMOG, Freemium model, Linden Lab / Linden Research Inc, Opinion, Second Life