Yep, I'm a Subscriber

[Overman]

A reprint of my Dec. 1 2009 blog post here:
http://z-studios.com/blog/2009/12/01/yep-im-a-subscriber/

Yep, I'm a Subscriber

A real shocker, I know, right? Moviestorm's new Subscription Plan has brought forth a lot of opinions - I believe someone even described it as a "furor," though being on holiday I remained blissfully ignorant of that. Opinions are mixed on the subject, and forming a confident opinion can be a bit of a challenge as speculation has given rise to some misunderstanding and even misinformation. Even my thoughts didn't solidify instantly on this, and I'm a self-proclaimed Moviestorm lover.

I had questions about the approach, and the thinking behind it. So you know what I did? I emailed one of the founders and asked him to help me understand.

What renewed my confidence wasn't his answer, though don't get me wrong, his answer addressed my questions 100%, it was candid and forthright and real. But that wasn't what tipped the scales for me. Rather, it was the fact that I knew I could email one of the founders and I knew I'd get a reply. It sounds deceivingly simplistic, but this fact was a reminder for me of one of the things that was special about Moviestorm from the very beginning - the level of engagement between the people making the program and the people using it.

Last night on the Wolf & Dulci Hour, Wolf was remarking at how enthused he was by all the evidence in iClone 4 that the users are being listened to. That the product isn't quite perfect in every regard, but that users can see direct evidence of their own feedback being held in high esteem. He's right. And that's exactly how most of the core Moviestorm users feel about Moviestorm and its developers, too.

And now - finally - the people who find themselves to be more than casual Moviestorm users have the opportunity to pay for the product. This isn't spin, honest. I realize that in the Era of Free it's easy to forget that paying for something can sometimes feel less like an obligation and more like a privilege. But that's how I feel about it. My subscription helps Johnnie Ingram and Andrew Kennedy and Chris Ollis and all the other many many hard working people at Moviestorm stay employed in the task of making Moviestorm a better product. And that's what I want them doing.

That being said, I recognize that subscription doesn't make sense for everyone. It doesn't make sense for Cathy; she has invested a lot of years and capital and energy in iClone and its great community. It doesn't make sense right now for Kate Fosk, who is taming the Wild West of OpenSim, not to mention Moviestorm isn't yet where she needs it to be useful and appealing to her.



But a subscription is a good move for me, as it's the platform where I've invested years and energy and, now, capital. It probably makes sense for Kate and Sherwin; Death in Venice is a superb demonstration of how they and Moviestorm "click." I imagine it makes sense for Iain Friar (IceAxe) and Jorge Campos (act3scene24), whose Moviestorm work recently took home the Machinima Expo and 48HFP grand prizes. And there are many others, on the movie-making and modding sides alike, for whom this is a good investment.

And the good news, made evident by the case Matt Kelland is making out there wherever he can, is that those who are only in need of Da Free Stuff and maybe the occasional content pack will still have plenty of things at their disposal.

Personally, I'd like to thank Moviestorm for recognizing the kind of transition needed to lift off smoothly from the land of Free, and not thrusting the entire price of the product on us all at once. I thank them because, I'd have paid that full price, with little hesitation. But I really can't afford to right now. I see their move as an expression of sensitivity not only to the significance of this change in business model, but also a sensitivity to these economic times we're in.

And if you sit down and do a comparison to the cost of other comparable software over a period of years, it's quite competitive pricing indeed.

So yeah, count me in as a subscriber. But count me out of treating this as some kind of divisive issue or one that puts products (or their communities) into the ring like Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. Let's save that kind of action and drama (and comedy) for our screenplays, where it's actually fun to see.

[primaveranz]

Curse you Overman, for writing just as well as you animate!

I totally agree with you, thanks for putting it so lucidly.

[Norrie]

Curse you Overman, for writing just as well as you animate!

I totally agree with you, thanks for putting it so lucidly.

Hear, hear.

[reptor7]

I'm right behind ya, Overman, just as soon as I complete this last episode I'm working on. Then it's a complete wipeout of the old files and a fresh start anew with a subscription come January.

[kv]

That is very well said, I am waiting to subscribe when paypal is available despite any previous concerns I had.

[Armanus]

I agree the subscription is a great idea with great value. I intend to subscribe, not only because I believe in the product but because I believe in the company.

I've been pretty vocal about my feelings on third-party content, and it doesn't have to do with the era of free (I like that term lol) but about the ability to use your own content and 3rd-party content bought from the someday-to-be modder's market without having to be forced into a subscription. I don't know if I will ever agree with that.

But here you are, giving me some much-needed perspective. Although I don't agree with that aspect of the subscription plan, I feel I can reconcile it. As was said before, curse you and your eloquence (in all seriousness, thanks Phil for your POV )

[iceaxe]

Overman, when will you stop being right?

Just stop it! It makes the rest of us feel inadequate.

[AngriBuddhist]

My main point of contention with the Subscription has been just that. Some people are in situations where the Subscription just doesn't make sense. I'm in a unique, or at least very rare, situation.

With the early work that I was doing on MS Guides, someone at MSL (Moviestorm Limited) rewarded me with a very large amount of MS Points. I used them all up and have purchased the remaining content that I was interested in. Others may be in a similar boat, having had MS Points, purchased everything, or purchased everything that they want. What then for us? The biggest draw, of a subscriptions benefits, the MS Points, have little meaning.

Once the dust had settled, I realized two things.

First, your first 800 points really isn't enough to go shopping. If you subscribe now, however, these points will build up and be there when you need them. If you don't, and you subscribe when you see something new and exciting, you won't have enough points for it and will have to purchase more. Better, I think, to be the early bird.

And second, how will I create a Modshop Guide addon if I don't have the Modshop?

Like kv, I'll be subscribing once PayPal is up and running.

[willshetterly]

I subscribed as soon as I got the email about subscribing. I still think modders should always have access to their own mods, but it's not a dealbreaker for me, or for my love of the program and admiration for the Moviestorm crew.

[Lionheart]

...Yeah, I'd still prefer if my third party mods remained intact.

(hey, there has to be SOMEONE against it, no?)

[Armanus]

Actually, some of the addons only cost 600 points, so you could get one right away after subscribing.

As far as it being more beneficial for the early bird, who knows? The way I see it, new users have a lot of content and only 800 points to spend. It will take them a long time to catch up, and they might not ever be able to own all the content on points alone (this is assuming a monthly release from MS). However, for users who already own all the current content and intend to purchase any new content, you will be able to get it without other considerations.

So it that respect, I think users who are already full of MS content have a leg up. The only way the subscription loses value for you is if MS creates content you're not interested in.

[Nahton]

Hello. My name is Nahton and......I'm...a...subscriber.

I have to say I was a little surprised at the subscription option vs. a one time purchase price and subsequent upgrade charges are the norm for

software purchases. My first reaction was actually positive though as I rationalized that I would be buying mod packs anyway to be able to make the

types of movies I want and the points that were given with the subscription were a nice surprise. I have to admit that the tide of protests did cause

me to step back and re-evaluate the situation.

It was inevitable that continuing to offer a full featured free program would not provide a viable long term business model. It is great that the

limited free version will allow those who want to try the program a suitable introduction and provide basic film making capabilities. The key for me is that MovieStorm survives in the long run and I'm willing to financially support that end. I've already experienced the demise of one off the shelf movie making tool (The Movies) and one base free one that was transitioning to a pay model (Antics). I'm willing to try the subscription payment model as in some respects how you pay and which way is better comes down to a matter of semantics. Once the development is gone the life of the engine is sure to follow, unless it is released into the open source world. So whether it's pay as you play vs pay up front (and for new versions later) as long as the pricing is reasonable it doesn't seem to make a difference to me.

I don't want to alienate the modders since I've always relied on them to produce my The Movies films. I believe I've looked at all arguments objectively and I have to say that I could never quite grasp the validity of the double payment for content argument or that MovieStorm was profiting off their efforts. Without the engine there is no modding. It's true the survival prospects could be improved by the modders efforts, but I can understand MovieStorm needing to make a profit and protect their core product as well. Any way, I've developed my reasoned viewpoint on this and read through the numerous thread here and on TMU and I really don't want to revive the debate. I do think some allowance should be made for modders who aren't filmmakers and want to make mods for others. From what I've read alternate payment options are under considerations.


I don't mean to sound like a fanboy but I have to say I as a Machinima/Anymation/Machinimation (or whatever you want to call it) tool, I love it. When I work with the program I am sometimes in awe of all the forethought and effort that must have gone into putting so much capability into a simple to use program. It just fits my sweet spot for what I want a program to be able to do without too much heavy lifting. Do I wish it could do more? Absolutely! There are some projects I have on the burner that could not be made at present with MovieStorm. I'm optimistic it's features and capabilities will improve and I'm looking at the recent developments as a positive sign that MovieStorm is going to be around for a while.

[EugeneE]

Overman,

Your post hits the nail on the head.

As you mentioned, the subcription fees keep the company in business and keeps the Moviestorm program going.

One of the best things about Moviestorm is how the developers listen to what we have to say. They have workers like Chris Ollis, Johnnie Ingram, etc checking out the forums and helping is with problems. This is great because is this day and age, most companies don't listen to what their customers/users want, they use teams of analysts who decide what the company has to do.

And yes, I subscribed once I got the email.


This post has been edited by EugeneE: Dec 4 2009, 07:45 AM

[stormy]

Overman,

Man it must have taken you weeks to get all that shoe polish off your face.
That was a ton of boot licking.
Sure hope Matt appreciates his shiny new shoes.

The problem is not about subscription it is about the meager available content.
Moviestorm is shooting itself in the foot.
First they run all kinds of fantastic giveaway deals on the content that does exist and then expect
people to subscribe.
Total lunacy.

Don't get me wrong, I love Moviestorm.
I'm a newbie and have purchased tons of content over the past year but
There is nothing useful left to buy.

Is it so difficult to create sets?
why are we still waiting for such basic environments as offices.
Don't those avatars have jobs? do they ever work?

Seriously though,
With the number of years Moviestorm has been around there should be a mountain of content instead of
the bare larder we are being manipulated into choosing from.

Moviestorm should either commit to seriously making new content or find a way to let others do it for them.
Without a megaton of new stuff users will walk away from this program.
And that would be a shame.

[AngriBuddhist]

Overman,

Man it must have taken you weeks to get all that shoe polish off your face.
That was a ton of boot licking.
Sure hope Matt appreciates his shiny new shoes.

Really? I agree with a few of your following statements but it makes it much harder to have a conversation about them when you choose to insult someone, especially someone with as much Moviestorm experience and creditability as Overman, in order to make your point or grab attention.

The problem is not about subscription it is about the meager available content. Moviestorm is shooting itself in the foot. First they run all kinds of fantastic giveaway deals on the content that does exist and then expect people to subscribe. Total lunacy.

By 'fantastic giveaway deals' I suppose you mean the pricing of the content as compared to iClone et al?

Don't get me wrong, I love Moviestorm. I'm a newbie and have purchased tons of content over the past year but There is nothing useful left to buy.

A good point which I've made a few times already. I suppose if we had a list of possible releases for 2010, this point could be eliminated. If you knew that there was a very good chance that there would be 4 content packs that you had to have this next year, you could feel good about getting a monthly subscription now and start accumulating points for later purchases.

Seriously though, With the number of years Moviestorm has been around there should be a mountain of content instead of the bare larder we are being manipulated into choosing from. Moviestorm should either commit to seriously making new content or find a way to let others do it for them. Without a megaton of new stuff users will walk away from this program. And that would be a shame.

Agreed. Agreed. Agreed. Agreed.

I'd guess that, over the years, Moviestorm has had to shift gears a number of times, taking focus away from content, onto the core product, over to UI design, back to content, redesigning content in development that no longer functions correctly due to changes in the core product, etc, etc, etc. Do I wish that wasn't the case? Yes. Do I wish they'd pump out a ton of new content? Yes. Have I been saying 'Finish the Modshop and get a Modder's Marketplace going'? Yes.

But as unlikely as all that may have been a month ago, I'm sure that the Subscriptions are an attempt to allow Moviestorm the resources that they need to make all that happen.

[s1e9a8n5]

But as unlikely as all that may have been a month ago, I'm sure that the Subscriptions are an attempt to allow Moviestorm the resources that they need to make all that happen.

Hopefully. I'd like to see and have more options.

[lucindamc123]

There is a lot of content available and a lot of animations. I have bought everything -- except for the music and that is only because I have a lot of musicians who let me or ask me to use their music in my films and sometimes write music for me. And it is expensive.

Again, please can we have a face customizer where we can add an image and also an easier way to design costumes? A motion editor would be nice too

As far as props and set design because of being able to make our own props and such, they are doing great with that. As I have always said, it is the animation and puppets that need work. They are great but we need more variety.

And I have asked this, as many other people have, a lot and we never get an answer. Is there a reason because of the programming that this cannot be done? Is this ever going to happen?

I will continue to subscribe and buy the software and continue to use it to make movies but I also use other programs. I make a lot of movies and I need a lot of resources.

[Moviestorm]

I'd guess that, over the years, Moviestorm has had to shift gears a number of times, taking focus away from content, onto the core product, over to UI design, back to content, redesigning content in development that no longer functions correctly due to changes in the core product, etc, etc, etc.

That pretty much sums it up.

On the other hand, look at what we do have:

• 65 stock sets - all customisable
• 87 stock characters - all customisable
• over 120 costumes - nearly all customisable
• over 60 heads - almost all customisable, about half of which are morphable
• dozens of hairstyles - all tintable, some of which are morphable
• over 650 props including furniture, trees, buildings, weapons, musical instruments and vehicles, 26 of which can be carried
• over 450 music tracks
• over 300 animations - check this out for what you can do with one character and about half the packs

Sure, we'd like to have more. A lot more. And there will be more - in the last week alone we've shipped you the female monster heads, plus a load of Christmas items. There's more ready to go out in January too.

And yes, we're working on a face customiser.

[Armanus]

And yes, we're working on a face customiser.

Well that just made my day!

[lucindamc123]

Fantastic about a face customization utility. All in all I feel the new pricing system will make Moviestorm less expensive and more affordable for people -- especially with the option to rent addons for a period of time.