VCON is a 1-day exploration into how Games-as-a-Service and Virtual Items have changed the playbook forever. Led by the game industry's most sought-after CEO's, founders, visionaries, and executives, we'll discuss the industry's undisputed transition to this new business model, as well as its ramifications on development, product management, operations, and strategy.

1. GDC 2010How Games-as-a-Service & Virtual Items Have Changed the Playbook Forever John Smedley President, Sony Online Entertainment

3. Over 60% of EQ & EQ II subscribers have purchased virtual items from the in-game Marketplace

4. Over 325 unique items available for purchase

5. Over 560,000 virtual items purchased LTD

6. Additional dedicated development resources support evolving business model

8. EverQuest Marketplace Item preview with description and all details Search Functionality & Item Categories Add funds to your Wallet directly in-game Marketplace look and feel consistent with traditional EQ UI

9. EverQuest II Marketplace Dedicated placement in Welcome Screen with current Wallet Balance

10. EverQuest II Marketplace Items organized/catalogued by category and type Item preview includes item description and all details Add funds to your Wallet directly in-game Marketplace look and feel consistent with traditional EQ II UI

12. 9 million registered users in less than a year

13. Over 1,000 unique items available for purchase

14. Hybrid business model includes Membership, Virtual Item Commerce, and Advertising

15. Over 3 millionvirtual items purchased LTD

17. Free Realms Marketplace Customized pre-game loading screens feature rotating content offers, promotions & advertisements POSA retail cards available at top retailers

18. Free Realms Marketplace Feature all-new virtual item content with dedicated loading screens

19. Free Realms Marketplace New player splash screen with 250 SC bonus Players introduced to virtual item categories upon entry Membership upgrade button

20. Free Realms Marketplace Membership splash screen upon entry Game content, items and discounts promote Membership benefits

22. New Content

23. Virtual Items

24. Activities

25. Daily spin rewards

27. Free Realms Marketplace Additional commerce UI built into game content

28. Free Realms Marketplace All commerce points lead to main Marketplace Storefront Item of the DayFeature Membership up-sell Top Sellers Item organization by categories Redeem game codes and retail POSA cards directly in-game

29. Free Realms Marketplace Active SC Marketplace Search functionality Funding directly in-game

30. Free Realms Marketplace Six funding options to purchase SC

31. Free Realms Marketplace Simple credit card account form with secure authentication

32. Free Realms Marketplace Easy to understand code redemption

33. Free Realms Marketplace Membership option available directly in-game Use Credit Card or SC for Membership purchase

34. Free Realms Marketplace Highly detailed virtual item listings Wallet balance, Add funds

35. Free Realms Marketplace Robust item preview feature…

36. Free Realms Marketplace Commerce window stays active for instant point-of-sale …showcases item directly on character in-game

37. Free Realms Marketplace SC icons denote virtual items for purchase

38. Free Realms Marketplace Virtual item commerce presented by NPCs

39. Free Realms Marketplace SC icon with NPC merchant opens Marketplace

40. Free Realms Marketplace Merchant takes you directly to specific virtual item for purchase

42. Where to buy game cards

45. Pox Nora added to SOE’s suite of games in January 2009

46. Live Gamer Marketplace integrated in February 2010

47. Over 55 unique items for purchase including Packs, Avatars, Campaigns and Game Tokens

50. Add funds option

51. Item categories

53. POX NORA Marketplace Multiplefunding options include Credit Card, Retail SC Cards and PayPal

54. POX NORA Marketplace Seamless integration with PayPal payment provider

55. POX NORA Marketplace Station Cash secure funding purchase via PayPal in under 30 seconds

56. POX NORA Marketplace Credit Card purchase method with stored payment option and simplified accountform

57. POX NORA Marketplace Multiple Credit Cards can be stored for future payment purchases

58. POX NORA Marketplace Click to buy items using Station Cash in your Wallet

59. POX NORA Marketplace Virtual item purchased in less than 5 seconds