0x10c will "probably" have a monthly subscription, says Persson

Markus “Notch” Persson has said he and his team are kicking around ideas on how to monetize 0x10c, however, due to server costs, it will "probably" come with a monthly subscription.

Speaking with PC Gamer, Persson said the idea in the game is for players to have their own spaceships, but he'd like to see players forming crews as well.

"The idea is kind of to allow for both. It’s still not clear how we’re going to monetize the game – but the rough idea I have right now is to have an MMOish part called the multiverse," he explained.

"It’ll probably be monthly subscription because of the cost of running all the CPUs on the server. The idea is that one subscription gives you one generator. If a CPU in the game costs us this much money to emulate then it has to consume an equal proportion of the wattage from the generator. So several people could play on one ship with one generator if they wanted. I think that’d be the most fun, but I know a lot of people just want to pilot their own ship.

"That part of the game kind of grew stronger after we played the Artemis Ship Simulator."

Persson said the team may change the business model should players want "some kind of free-to-play system," using microtransactions.

"Not that it is really free – because the expected revenue for a free-to-play game is higher than from the paying customers," he said. "For games which have been designed around [microtransactions] I think it’s fine. I mean just look at games like Magic the Gathering or even Scrolls – they’re based around collection, so it’s fine.

"I think Valve managed to somehow change Team Fortress 2 into a different game where it fit. It’s not the same game as it was when it was released but it’s still an entertaining game. We could monetize it from Minecraft sales, I guess. But then all of 0x10c development is going to be a monetary burden.

"It puts it in the situation where it’s more like a charity game – but you’re still charging for it. I’d rather have it be self-sustaining or it feels wrong."

Monetizing the game, he said, would keep it off Kickstarter, which he feels is an avenue that when used by established developers becomes a bit sticky. Plus, Mojang has "enough money" to where it doesn't "need to raise money before making a game."

As for when an alpha version of the game will be made available, Persson said it will be released "when it is fun."