Free 2 Play or Buy outright?

leerzeichn93: I am just a user, I have noidea what brings more money, content and quality.

I am personally old-school. I love to buy my games once. There can be some good f2p games too. DLCs are also okay, if they give you a fair amount of content. I personally never bough a subscription based app for gaming and fitness and probably never will.

trryldne: Personally, I prefer games like that paid upright. Any substantial additions, I don't mind paying as DLC

Flubert_Harnsworth: As a consumer I would absolutely prefer to pay upfront.

The amount of subscription services out there drives me insane. There are a lot of apps out there that I would love to get but I refuse to because of their subscription model.

And if you do go the purchase route let me know what your app is I just got my quest this week and I’m looking for a good fitness app.

Oh and as someone has said you can sell additional content as one time purchases for additional income and to support maintenance and improvements.

Puiucs: I think the Beat Saber model is the best one for VR right now (a mix of base game purchase + some mtx). Too few will pay a sub that is profitable for you and f2p might not bring in enough microtransaction depending on your development expenses.

You really have to do your homework on the F2P model if you want to implement it.

Carnage_317: I would suggest having a free-to-play base "mode" of some sort, along with paid DLCs. This allows the casual user to enjoy your game without any monetary investment. I'm always happy to spend money on in-game purchases/DLCs if I enjoy the base game, but subscription models are an immediate turn-off for me.

Just for context of demographic, I'm in my mid 20s. Also, the idea of a fitness VR game sounds great! I've enjoyed Beat Saber so much for that reason.

MoistestJackfruit: I'd buy outright I am firmly against subscription models. I dont mind paid optional add ons and dlc levels/songs.

If your game has unique mechanics I might be interested at f2p, but if its just another punch / chop / slice objects moving toward you in a lane like 99% of other fitness apps I'm not interested tbh

Post this question in r/vrfit too

Bigoldthrowaway86: I probably wouldn’t give your game a look if it was subscription based. I want to pay for content once and then own it (as best you can on a purely digital system)

The caveat being is that I would be happy to pay for DLC if it were a game I liked.

Walkabout Mini golf for example seem to release a new course every month or so and I do not see myself stopping buying these anytime soon. So it feels almost like a subscription for myself and many others but just in the form of regular, high quality, affordable DLC that you then own.

sunneyjim: I'd be happy for free to play with dlc, but many of the free to play games with dlc are crap. Maybe a small price for the game, and I'd be happy to pay for any good dlc. I am not subscribing to a game.

poinifie: I'd say a sub model would probably net you more money.

strangemusicfan009na: I use mine for working out kinda but not through any normal fitness apps persay but I wouldn't be signing up for another subscription there are to many already lol like another user said some dlc eventually maybe would be okay but buying the full game outright would be the ideal way

Thinklikedanny: I would gladly offer my insight, as I am very active when it comes to fitness apps in VR

I have a subscription to a fitness app that I love and would probably be adverse to adding on. With that said, I always do the free trials with anything new that comes along to see if it's better than what I'm currently using.

I definitely don't mind paying a one tome cost for something of value. There's no problem there. If you can offer a couple of free sessions or classes within the app, kind of like Les Mills body combat, which is an amazing app. Try that.

I'll tell you what I don't like... free to play than DLC. I rarely buy the add-ons and end up deleting the app after like two weeks or not playing at all consistently because I know that there's will be eventual limitations, The only way this is acceptable for me is if you really bring in the value the only app that I've ever done this for is walkabout mini golf. They got me to pay for the app, then got me to pay for a ton of DLC good for them but it's one of the best VR games out there and it's social, so not sure if yours has a multiplayer functionality, but that also adds to the value of being willing to pay for DLC For exclusive classes and worlds.

Either way, keep us posted cause I'm super excited to try your app and thanks for contributing to the fitness app list because they are 40% of why I use my headset, supplementary workouts

I'm probably not your target audience, but personally I actively avoid any new subscriptions. I've got more than I want or need already. I'd much rather buy something once and just own it. For a fitness game especially I'd suggest a robust free trial to help users justify the purchase.

djseto: One time. I was using SuperNatural for a while and I got tired of paying subscriptions. Everything is subscriptions based and like many I’m tired of being nickel and dimed for every game/app/service in my life. I’ve basically sworn off subscriptions for games. F2P is even worse for kids games. When kids meltdown because they can’t get things, have to wait X minutes to access next level (I effing hate this) etc. , it’s a nightmare for parents. Feels like im being held hostage by my kids and developers. I don’t mind paying for more content provided the game isn’t so stripped down that it’s basically “winnable” in a few days without ponying up more money.

austin_apple: As someone who is beyond tired of subscriptions and constantly having to fork over more money for more features, buying outright sounds ideal. Give people access to something great, not anxiety they’ll keep having to pay more.

nurpleclamps: I can't stand all these new fitness subscriptions. Everything that has to do with fitness has a subscription now. I avoid those like the plague.

depaul6: One-time purchase is ideal for me. I love Les Mills BodyCombat for that reason. I don't mind spending $20-40 outright if the content is good and there is a good amount of content. I wouldn't mind paying $10 every year or so for significant add-ons (such as drastically new workouts, like if you add planks or weight training exercises that weren't included in the initial release).

As others have said, subscriptions aren't what I'd recommend as it will be hard to outdo Supernatural. Free to play with currencies end up feeling like you're being nickel and dimed.

Create a premium product, with premium content, and people will be willing to pay a premium for it.

Just a suggestion, although I'm not sure how practical it may be for VR, but having something that enforces and aides in proper form will be great to see.

slmiami: I much prefer paid outright. However, as having formally been in the software business I understand how a subscription model leads to a healthy revenue stream and allows for continuous development and improvement of a product. My favorite fitness app is Les Mills; they have done a great job with the base product and continue to release new workouts and features which is amazing! I also find the recent lower subscription pricing for Supernatural to be worthwhile and it offers me a ton of variety with a constant stream of new workouts and great music. So the subscription model with great value can work for me too.

ratsareniceanimals: Make it good, I'll buy outright.

infinitychaosx: To be honest, a program that has a moderate one-time purchase but advertises that it has additional features unlockable with use sounds uniquely motivating to me. Like, if I bought into the atmosphere and story of the gamification, I definitely have experience playing games where I'll grind out some in-game currency rather than spend "real" money and unlock things that way (Gold in MTG Arena instead of Gems). It would feel rewarding to know I'm earning gold in a game I'm interested in just by showing up and working out regularly. Sounds interesting and promising!

i-liketurtles: So I had the FitXR subscription for one month, at which point personally I cancelled and bought the les Mills body combat outright. Personally they were close enough in features and I prefer that one off payment. Subscription got £10 of my money, outright got £20

Kimpak: For me personally I prefer to buy a game outright. But, especially with VR, having a demo goes a long way in my decision to buy said game.

SadLoser14: Either F2P with DLC or buy outright with DLC. Monthly subscriptions is a good way to make 90% of possible users completely turn away.

Nblhorn: I think there is a market for a GOOD fitness game with a one time purchase, and maybe DLCs as an additional source of income for you.
Similar model to games like Beat Saber, Puzzling Places, Synth Riders, where you can unlock additional tracks or levels for smaller one time payments.

People are tired of subscriptions and I would imagine the amount of people who willingly spend 10$ a month for yet another subscription will be pretty low.

Morveniel: One-time purchase, like Les Mills, would be ideal for me.

Mister_Brevity: What annoys about f2p is, there is every incentive in the world to make things worse then charge the customer to un-crapify them. I am not cost sensitive, but I am value sensitive. $10 a month had better be a veritable fountain of new content to justify the cost - I’d much rather spend $25 on an app once, and maybe deal with some inexpensive DLC later than deal with developers trying to manipulate me into a monthly. I don’t know about everyone else, but I am tired of being nickeled and dimed. When a dev announced f2p with a monthly battle pass or similar I just skip the game entirely.

CasuallyCompetitive: My mom just bought a Quest and was excited about a fitness game she saw. She was very disappointed to see it required a monthly membership.

JediGRONDmaster: For the user, a one time purchase (with potential one time purchase dlc/ add ons). I don’t know what would make you more money though, but I imagine most people (including myself) wouldn’t buy a subscription.

OfficialLaunch: Absolutely an outright purchase, unless the subscription is like $3 a month.

If you can build a good product and make it a subscription that’s so cheap you will undercut all of the other VR fitness apps and will likely get a good subscription base.

Original_Pune: f2p with option to purchase the full version or outright purchase.

Personally, I don't touch anything subscription based, but I'm more than willing to buy a good product (and sequels)

redditfriendguy: Personally I do not look at free experiences at all. I only pay. Probably going to be biased in here though. If your game is kid themed at all you should do f2p

jinjabradman: Pay once for base game. Add-ons/DLC on a sliding scale - the more you buy, the longer you play and earn loyalty 'points', the cheaper it gets.

A returning customer generates more revenue by word of mouth / social media.

Hope it goes well. If you build a great VR experience that can also (partly) be done without controllers (including sports drills/sims) you might have a winner in your hands!

JustCallMeTere: I do not sub to any game so I would rather buy it or program.

szymb: Run a bunch of ads with the different payment models and see which gets more clicks. Lean Start Up methodology says in customer interviews ask about past action, what people are doing- vs what they say they want. People will say things like "I don't drink" if you ask if they drink alcohol, but if you ask when was the last time you had alcohol they'll respond "last week at my cousin's wedding." Maybe questions like- what fitness apps do you have? What do you pay? Do you have subscriptions to any VR games? Which? Why?

General-Height-7027: A little bit unrelated, as its just my personal taste.
I feel that the best fitness apps in VR right now are not fitness apps.

To me the best ones are Pistol Whip, Beat Saber and Thrill of the fight, those are the ones that make me go back to have some fun. The actual fitness apps I feel are boring, dont bring in me the fun or competitive side, so I would rather actually exercise at home/gym than put the VR headset for it.

H4v0cH3lls1ng: Buy outright, pay for DLC later if I find it worth it/something I like.

amtexe: I really don’t like committing to a monthly subscription for these fitness apps. I already pay for Netflix, Quest +, Amazon Prime, et cetera. As well as a real gym membership.

Unless you managed to have the subscription at a dirt cheap price (I’m talking no more than $1.99 p.m.) or provide more value than my other subscriptions (unlikely), I would much rather pay an upfront fee.

Maybe the best of both worlds is a few select F2P experiences, and an upfront price to pay for premium exercises. That way, from a business perspective, I get to try out the quality of the app with no strings attached (no “1 week free/sign up” or having to refund through the Meta store) and if I enjoy it, I can purchase it.

mandelmanden: If you are F2P, you really should look in to how to monetise properly instead of having everything be paywalled or priced grossly high. If you are free, your product should be completely usable and not just a shell where you're unable to do much without paying. Constant nagging about paying more is also terrible.

If your game is f2p and has monetisation, your game should make me WANT to pay for stuff in it, not have payments be mandatory.

I would personally prefer a proper product that I pay for and then can expand upon with DLC if it's good and properly developed.

Sabbathius: I'll start backwards.

Monthly fee is a big fat NOPE from me. Not happening. I seriously doubt I would do this even for MMOs any more, most modern ones are just not good enough to justify that. And I certainly wouldn't even consider it for a fitness app. That's a death kiss for a game.

One time purchase would work, but I don't think I would drop $30 outright on a fitness app, especially a largely derivative one (are we punching flying balls again?). It can work, but I think it needs a demo. A good one. If a demo is really good and sucks me in, I'd have no problem paying $20-30 for a full version.

F2P is safest, but also probably least profitable. Also I don't know if there's multiplayer, if any, but F2P pretty much guarantees a ton of screeching children, which will instantly drive away most adults. So F2P is a double-edged sword. But it's the best go get people to try, without needing a dedicated demo made.

NighthunterDK: Probably doing a similar thing to Beatsaber wouldn't be too bad, depending on what applications you'd call "premium"

joellapit: I think free2play with a few workouts for free but then you can pay for each new game/workout you want. I hate EVERYTHING being a subscription but realize it’s sometimes necessary

Left-Membership8838: Please do outright buy. Subscriptions are the bain of gamers existence. DLC's are cool though, please do those.

DrunkenGerbils: User feedback will almost always be that people prefer to buy once. The reality of the game industry is that it’s hard to make money this way though. I would imagine this is even more true for VR games since $30 is on the higher end of game prices and Meta takes their cut out of that as well if you sell through their store. Free to play is probably the smarter business decision honestly.

PlaneWolf2893: Outright is my preference

anarchyguru: Subscription is meh

astland: I would never subscribe to an app. Charge me and be done with it. I'd also want a free demo. There WAY to many apps that look nice, but as soon as you buy them, you can see they are half done and will likely never be finished.

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Cahir101: Honestly, I hate subscriptions. I think it's not fair to keep paying monthly for game, even if you constantly update it. I would just charge normally. Keep us updated, I'm actually looking for a good fitness vr game.

Lo__Lox: Thank god we get another vr fitness game! /s