Free 2 Play what and why?
by Donald "Yadot" Harris · in General Discussion · 05/03/2007 (6:13 pm) · 4 replies
Now I consider myself a business man most of all since I have yet to push my game out to completion. But there is one thing that has started bothering me as of late. This Free2play craze. I see millions of different and yet barely entertaining games out on the net. I don't understand how these people are making money. Can someone break down the marketing plan behind these games?
#2
05/04/2007 (12:53 pm)
Free 2 play games (like G-Potato) actually make money by selling in game items, weapons, ships, etc. I really don't have any stats on how they are making money or if it's at all profitable but they are in fact working it that way. They are, i would guess, hoping the player gets hooked and wants to advance to the level of their friends who have also purchased upgraded items. But you are right the games are pretty horrible, buggy and rushed with very little attention to detail.
#3
And in fact, there's a big paradox: it's free to play, but only the rich gamers can have a good character, with good stats, good stuff, ... (in MMORPGs I mean ^^)
I agree with ando, F2P games are good for getting known. But for making money, I don't think so. For me it's more like a test, a test where you get some money and then you reinvest the money in the production of the other game you are making, which will be much better (normally).
05/04/2007 (1:11 pm)
I totally agree with you, the quality of these games is often horrible, they are not optimized, ...And in fact, there's a big paradox: it's free to play, but only the rich gamers can have a good character, with good stats, good stuff, ... (in MMORPGs I mean ^^)
I agree with ando, F2P games are good for getting known. But for making money, I don't think so. For me it's more like a test, a test where you get some money and then you reinvest the money in the production of the other game you are making, which will be much better (normally).
#4
05/04/2007 (3:09 pm)
I wonder how difficult would it be to change that thought process. I mean personally I am to the point where I don't even click the link to look at them. I almost look at them as industry spam. Thanks for clearing that up guys. I always wondered how that worked. 
Torque 3D Owner ando
If your an indie it is good to have a complete game out there, if it is free it can attract other like minded developers, future customers, media interest, basicly it can establish you. I think the important part is to follow it up with you money making project.