| Maybe this is just semantics, but I disagree with your mention that the goals aren't mutually exclusive. The number of parameters you can optimize for is limited (to one, in my opinion). While a premium game might also be attempting to optimize for profit, there is a greater distance between theory and data about what will achieve the highest profit. Therefore, we game developers (the individuals making the game), who may be more motivated by making a quality game than profit per se, are able/allowed to push harder on creating a fun experience. It is more difficult for business interests to require compromising gameplay for profit when not armed with the data that freemium games provide. I have loved working on premium video games (~20 year career, mostly RPGs and RTSs). I expect I would find it soul-crushing to work on a freemium game where I had to compromise player experience for the sake of profit. (I do not disagree with your later point that freemium games can be fun (and still must be, to some degree) and I cannot comment on Genshin Impact specifically.) Edit: I suppose I'm also attempting to point out that there can be a significant difference between what is motivating the corporate entity funding the game and the people who are actually creating it. |
It's a difficult question with no single answer.