Nick,
It is good to hear that you are considering other options. I would disagree somewhat with you about people not being willing to part with the $50.00 up front. I think MAN is easily as good as any strategy game that I have played (including Civ, etc.) from a pure enjoyment of the game point of view.
The thing is that with the way you allow players to fully immerse in the game and community when evaluating the product, they have already tried the game and like it. The $7.00 startup fee would be more of a factor if you didn't allow someone to play online games at all with the trial edition. I really think that once someone gets to the point of being willing to dig out the credit card then they are commited to the game for $7.00 or $50.00.
Here are two ideas:
1. Charge the $50.00 up front but offer a 30 day money back gaurantee. This way the option is there for the guy who is not 100% sure he likes the game. And statictically you will get VERY few returns due to human nature.
2. Offer the month to month pricing but also offer a more reasonable 1 year pricing. Present these options when someone goes to register for the first time (all US$):
$6.95 - 1 Month
$25.00 - 3 Months
$35.00 - 6 Months
$50.00 - 1 Year (Best Value)
This way you get everyone. I think you would get about 80-90% of people choosing the $50.00 option.
Personally I still think that option 1 would work pretty good, but there are compromises that can be made. One rule of software marketing that I have read about and seen in practice in our company is to get as much money from the customer when they are excitied about the product - when it is new to them. We offer bundles, support policies, etc. up front at the point of purchase because customers are much more likely to pay the money up front than to pay it out 6 months down the road.
- Goldeye
P.S. - One other idea: When "Phantom Renaissance" comes out offer folks a free version of Massive Assault (not MAN) as an incentive is they choose the $50.00 per year subscription option. Sweeten the pot. You have nothing to lose in this case.
I'll post other ideas as I thnk of them if you want me to. I am full of ideas.