Articulate 360

I currently use both Storyline 2  and Studio' 13 and I think that people in a similar role to me, but who don't use Studio '13 currently, will find that the addition of Studio 360 is a valuable tool. When someone just wants a "narrated PowerPoint" I think it is much faster to create it in Studio '13, in big part because of the bulk import of audio clips you can do, and because it runs inside ppt. I also like how it provides an overall timer for the entire presentation, and how it has the presenter panel where you can add someone's photo and bio. Then again, some people may not ever be called on to create simple narrated PowerPoints like this, but for me it saves a lot of time when the final product is a linear presentation and quiz.

Sometimes I actually use both - starting in Presenter to get the audio added to slides, and the quizzes created in Quizmaker, and then I import it all into Storyline where I can customize it more.

One question I have about Storyline 360 and Storyline 3. Will Storyline 360 be able to save in a file format that can be read by Storyline 3? And further down the line, will it be able to save in a format readable by Storyline 4, and so on? If the answer is yes, I would feel more comfortable buying into a subscription model. I think the hesitation I feel now is creating content that can only be maintained if I commit to an annual fee with no possible end in sight.

Hi Will, you should ask yourself the question if there will be any appropriate update in the future of SL3 and SL4 ;-) 

Hi Will,

In general, we'd like to avoid breaking changes between Storyline 360 and the next perpetual version of Storyline, but it happens.  Like, if we introduce a new dial style in version X, you'll need to use at least version X to edit and publish that dial style. So, if you're still on version W, you might see a message like, "this project includes a dial style that requires version X. Please upgrade to version X."  Our plan is to try and limit this though and keep it isolated to projects actually using new features.

When we release the next perpetual version of Storyline next year, it will not be the same application as Storyline 360.  Most notably, it will not include integration with the web apps in Articulate 360 such as Content Library and Articulate Review.

Hi Christian,

Are you referring to updates that we've done to each individual perpetual version to resolve issues and add in elements such as those documented in the release notes here for Storyline 2?  We'll continue to provide the same support we have in the past and continue to provide updates to fix issues. There isn't a schedule for those type of updates, so I can't say how often or how many would be involved, but if you look at the Storyline 2 release notes you'll see we did 11 updates, 4 of which were in the last 6 months alone.

If by chance someone is counting votes, please add mine. It is logical to make Storyline 360 the next version of Storyline 2, the exact version offered in the package. There's no other customer-oriented approach to take. No other company out there makes two versions of the same software. Thank you for listening.

That seems to be the general consensus Cheryl, just need to wait and see if we are listened to. 

Hi Ashley,

I'm not meaning the updates of SL2 for bugfixing and so one. I'm interested in that what I have descirbed in another post:

"I have just ordered a new SL2 offer with the PMP2 upgrade pack (SL3 and SL4) here at our internal purchase at Olympus Europe. And surprise, surprise the PMP2 is not on the list anymore. I heard the same thing from a colleague of an affiliated company, that they won't be able to puchase a PMP 1 or 2 licence. Also the reseller Interlake in Germany is not going to offer any PMP licence right now.　

So there really is an urgent matter that some of your staff should ensure what will happen to the standalone Storyline, it's updates(to SL3 and SL4) and furthermore the compatibility between 360 and SL2 or when happens 3.　

And PLEASE just don't tell us that it will happen somewhen in 2017. We also need a detailed feature list which features of 360 will be implemented in the coming versions of SL3. Then we could make further decisions here at our companys. 　

(Maybe decisions about what will happen with the PMP2 licences I have bought this year)"　

And further more. It is exactly that what was mentioned by Cheryl Hoover. Nobody is selling two similar products on different plattforms (Stand alone or cloud based). I'm not even sure if you have tha capacity to invest the ressources even in both 360 and SL2. And as this new payment design is bringing you more money, I'm really afraid that you cut off SL3 and SL4 in the future! That is how it looks like and that is the problem!

BR Christian

Hi Cheryl and others.  While you still not might like our approach regarding Storyline 360 and perpetual Storyline products, I just want to point out that when you say "no other company out there makes two versions of the same software" - I would point out that there a couple of companies that come to mind that do just that - Microsoft Office (Office 365 or Office 2016) and products within the Adobe creative suite (i.e. Lightroom Creative Cloud or Lightroom 6).  I'm sure there are numerous other examples, but these two companies came to mind.  And they do not keep their products at feature parity.  Subscription products are frequently updated; perpetual updates are packaged in new paid upgrade versions.  

I stand corrected. I should have been more specific by saying in my experience.

Copying what other companies do doesn't necessarily make it right, or a good idea.

Given the tremendous backlash and outrage 360 has caused, it might be worth reconsidering certain decisions.

Hi Christian,

Thanks for letting me know you had another discussion going, and I found it here.  Although you can no longer purchase PMP with the perpetual licenses the existing PMP set up you have is still valid and you'll be able to continue to utilize it as you have done in the past. The specifics of that are something I'd invite you to discuss with our Customer care team about how you'd go about upgrading to the next perpetual version with it - it's well beyond my area of expertise in the forums of support!

When we release the next perpetual version of Storyline next year, it will not be the same application as Storyline 360.  Most notably, it will not include integration with the web apps in Articulate 360 such as Content Library and Articulate Review.

In general, we'd like to avoid breaking changes between Storyline 360 and the next perpetual version of Storyline, but it happens.  Like, if we introduce a new dial style in version X, you'll need to use at least version X to edit and publish that dial style. So, if you're still on version W, you might see a message like, "this project includes a dial style that requires version X. Please upgrade to version X."  Our plan is to try and limit this though and keep it isolated to projects actually using new features.

I hope that helps clarify some of your additional questions. 

My apprehension is that Articulate is moving to a subscription model but the 360 tools don't offer backwards compatibility features that you sometimes see in other software that are on subscription models.

For example, I would feel more comfortable if Storyline 360 offered a "Save as SL2" option. I'm thinking of a scenario where one year, the subscription cost for Articulate 360 doesn't get approved and I need to switch back to SL2 for example. I recognize that  functions inherent to 360 files would no longer work in the downgraded file, but I could live with that because I would at least be able to salvage the revisions made to the content over the years. Maybe it could do what Microsoft products do and warn the user that certain things won't work in the earlier format (via a similar Compatibility Checker)? I would be fine with that. I just worry putting making my content more "expirable." I do realize that because operating systems and browsers change over the years that upgrading is inevitable anyway, but there is a difference between upgrading every year, and upgrading every two or three years.

The main fear is that moving to this would involve us putting all our courses into 360. If we then unsubscribed because (let's say hypothetically) Articulate were to drive the price up even further, we would lose ALL our content.

As it stands, we still have a lot of 09 content, which we can still work with because we still own 09, and don't need to pay some extra money to keep using it.

For a lot of our older content we simply don't have the time to upgrade to newer versions, so keeping 09 is fine.

Roll on SL3 I say. I'm sure Articulate will change their tune once a few months of not many subscribers kicks in.

Jake, my intent in pointing out the other companies was not to seek an endorsement of what we're doing, but rather to show several folks who claim no other companies do this - that in fact, this is what many companies do.   You and others on this thread have shared your candid feedback which is appreciated.  We value our passionate user base and will always try to improve based on your thoughtful input.  

Several members of the Articulate team (including myself) have just shared Articulate 360 with over 3000 attendees at DevLearn (an E-Learning Guild conference).   The feedback we received from conference attendees when we demoed the products was overwhelmingly positive and inspiring.  Rise and Review were considered game changers.   The ability to publish legacy SL1, SL2, Studio 09, and Studio '13 content with Storyline 360 and Studio 360 respectively, to make those legacy courses multi-device ready with our new HTML5 responsive player was universally praised.   Pricing was also discussed.  The tremendous backlash and outrage was notably absent at DevLearn from new prospects and existing customers alike. 

I'm not doubting the quality of the product, just the pricing and the manner it has been rolled out.

In my experience, pricing is rarely looked into that seriously at conferences, the key part there is the products themselves. Articulate always gets a great reception because of the quality of its products. The backlash may have been absent there, but it isn't here.

Whether or not a product is worth the price is irrelevant. It is whether it is a viable price.

I would love an Aston Martin, but unfortunately I can't afford one ;)

I'm trying not to start an argument here, though I know my comments might seem to not reflect that.

Agreed Jake.  It's not just the separate product and possible compatibility issues, it's the price.

I have 1 client with 1 module that has been pushing for the mobile player for about a year and wants it asap. He doesn't want to wait another year for SL3, but I don't feel I could subscribe to 360 for this 1 module and then have to pay very high subscription fees from now to eternity to be able to support it. Articulate has me in a bit of a bind that SL wasn't updated to match 360 at the same time.

Microsoft Office was brought up as an example, but it is important to note that they charge $69 per year, not $999.

Jake, no worries.  I love your passion.  It shows you care.  And, I too, would love an Aston Martin, but can't afford one.  

One thing I'd ask you to consider is to signup for a free, fully functional 30-day Articulate 360 trial and rather then dwell on price, I'd ask you to consider the overall value of the service.  I don't know what you charge your clients per hour to develop work, but if 360 can improve your productivity by 1 - 2 hours per month, you may find a positive ROI.  Several things to consider:

• How quickly you can create beautiful responsive content with Articulate Rise
• Using Articulate Review to get SME, stake-holder feedback while in production, may not only save you time, but I'm certain it will improve your client's experience
• The Articulate Live sessions (hosted by Tom Kuhlmann and other e-learning experts), might offer you useful tips that may save you time, but also improve your work.  And the ask me anything sessions, could prove very valuable to your unique needs.
• Content Library provides lots of great assets, but I know the beautiful pre-built interactions (with triggers, states, design already pre-built), can really accelerate your design process.  And you can tweak those to maintain a unique design.  
• You can develop any device content with Studio or Storyline without having to set any breakpoints or do any additional work.  What if you could go to existing clients and offer them legacy courses you've previously created for them as updated HTML5, multi-device responsive player courses with just the push of a Publish button.  

Anyway, I would really welcome your feedback if you do take a trial and are so inclined.  Thanks.

Fraser, I'm going to commit to you that we will reduce the price of Articulate 360 to $69 per year, when our unit sales of Articulate 360 reach the unit volume sales of Microsoft Office.  Last I heard they have an install base of over 750 million paid Office users.  :-)

Mark, I might take a trial for Rise, but I was part of the Beta test for 360, so I've used the rest of the offerings enough to know they are good ;)

As I mentioned, it's more the price and being locked into using set software. A lot of our legacy library is in Articulate 09 and we don't have the time to upgrade to a newer version of Studio. Because we purchased 09 perpetually we are able to go back and amend as necessary if we need to without having to resubscribe or pay again for the software.

For us at least a lot of 360 seems to be a perfect world case, yes, in a perfect world all our courses would be in the new storyline studio versions, but there just isn't the time/resources for that!

I think 360 is more worth it for small developers developing bespoke content, but for a large elearning company keeping a substantial internal library these kind of costs quickly spiral out of control.

It's pretty absurd that pricing for the subscription is basically the same as prior pricing for a perpetual license. 

As a team of 14 designers, we would have to spend $14,000~$18,000 on 360 licenses each year.

Adobe Captivate costs $29.99/month For us, that's  ~$5,000/year for 14 licenses. Compared to $14K-18K for 360 or Teams 360.

You can bet that finance dept isn't going to let us spend 3X more every year for a comparable product just because we like it a little better.

If Articulate doesn't move pricing closer to their competition, the customers will move to the competition. 

Hi Dan,

Thank you for sharing the image and pricing in regards to Captivate. This forum discussion has gotten a bit longer, and as such I did want to link back to Brian's answer on page one about our pricing structure and our continued support of perpetual licenses. In regards to pricing, the information in this chart is particularly helpful as if you compare pricing for Articulate 360 to other solutions that offer all of these features, it’s quite competitive.

If you have any questions about that, I'd also suggest talking with our Success team by reaching out here. They're a bit more prepared to handle those type of questions than the team who monitors and works in the forums - our background is technical in nature! :) 

I am not very happy with the pricing, with our awful exchange rate it makes no sense to upgrade at this point in time. You can subscribe to the Evolve tool, which is also based on the Adapt framework which is very decently priced and does more than the Articulate Rise's version. 

I hope Articulate gives more insight to what is coming to Storyline 3!

Thanks for sharing your perspective, K.  Let our success team know if you have any particular questions.  We'll keep everyone posted in 2017 when we've got more to share on Storyline 3!