|
|
|
|
|
|
by a13o
1248 days ago
|
|
|
I think game monetization is over-scrutinized for a couple of reasons. One, it's fresh - games had a fixed cost for about 25 years. Notice I didn't say it's new, because games had similar monetization tactics if you go back far enough to arcade tokens. Two, the most vocal players are not yet in the income-earning years of their life which makes them incredibly price sensitive. Once they get older and have a better grasp of time and money, they may decide spending $200/month on a game you enjoy daily from the toilet is on par with other hobbies they could have, and more convenient. From another angle, consider grocery stores which purposely arrange their stock inefficiently to make you walk deeper into the store. And force you into data collection price clubs by withholding competitive prices. This stuff is just as 'exploitative' as dark patterns, but with only a fraction the digital ink spilled over it. (I'm doing my part!) |
|
|
Monetization schemes lay on a spectrum, but even arcade tokens lie on the tamer end in comparison to modern schemes. The biggest difference: the only Advantage most arcade tokens would give you is an extra life (i.e. a skilled player can get away with minimal pay). I am aware of 0 arcade games that give you extra speed, damage, or max HP just because you put in another coin while that is INCREDIBLY common with modern monetization schemes.
> Once they get older and have a better grasp of time and money, they may decide spending $200/month on a game you enjoy daily from the toilet is on par with other hobbies they could have, and more convenient.
Sure and I won't argue against continually spending money on games. I think its a really good thing that helps develop content and keeps the game alive (I think $60 for modern AAA games is absolutely ludicrous; it was $60 back in the 90s or 80s and it certainly hasn't kept up with inflation and dev-costs).
> I think game monetization is over-scrutinized for a couple of reasons.
My stance:
* The stuff most people spend money on (i.e. in-app-purchases for lootbox/gambling opportunities) is bad for gaming because they encourage BS game designs that artificially restricts progress and incentivizes psycologically manipulative tactics
* These BS game designs make the games worse (as a "pure" game) 99% of the time
I basically haven't touched a modern AAA game in 5+ years because of this. In terms of gameplay, indie games have been way more interesting and diverse. And I give 0 shits about graphics.