ApexPC:Actually, I seem to recall reading that WGT lowered - by 1/2 - the greens fees for the 2 TruGolf courses a couple/some years back, and, we are often given a chance to play the TruGolf courses for free.
The prices were lowered presumably due to a lack of demand. The Price Demand Curve could be applied in this case - reduce the price, consumption increases.
And unlike a real golf course, once the course is released, there is very little upkeep - how often do you see the ground staff working furiously to repair divots, coring greens, cutting fairways etc.? Once it is developed, the "millions of rounds played" become sheer profit - by virtue of the majority of those player paying for balls. I wont even mention the fact the advertising probably covers all of the development costs - or should if the WGT marketing staff have half a brain.
We do have a choice of paying for equipment, or playing for free, but we do not get a choice of tiering up, where the game becomes to hard to play and enjoy as a 230 yard drive is akin to a 90 year old teeing off.
Yes WGT is a business, and as such is designed to make profits, but there is one unique aspect of WGT - it is effectively a monopoly. Therefore there is no market mechanism that drives prices, and as Dedbunny says, if players boycotted the site, then that price demand curve comes into play.
WGT is a great game, great courses but the apparent greed and seemingly total lack of respect for its customers will drive players away in droves id something viable did come along. As Jim said - it appears they will not care as the cash is already in the bank.
I play less these days, some days I will not play and I know of many who never play now, or if they do, the bugs that never get fixed just drive them away again. If it was not in my CC, I would simply walk away - a great bunch of guys - and that is why WGT is partially successful.
But then the CC's get shafted as well. New implementations poorly thought through was just another example of not actually looking long term, but looking at avenues to increase cash flow.
I suppose the advantage of being a monopoly, you charge what you want, offer no customer service, shoddy programming and do not fix issues unless it concerns revenue and stick your finger up at the customer.
This latest incident is proof, a mistake costing $$, you fix immediately - other problems have existed for years and nothing happens.
In hindsight, the dedbunny is right, we must be fricken stupid.