Top Ten Free-to-Play Games - Selling Lemons or Selling Hats
In the latest Top Ten Free-to-Play Games, Danny "Ralsu" Gourley dissects the apprehension about the choices F2P gamers have when a game uses an item mall. He cuts to the meat of the issue, acknowledging that many F2P item malls leave players feeling as though they've dealt with a sleazy used car salesman. And he offers a breath of fresh air with the approach used by NDOORS for Atlantica Online:
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As a fan of F2P games, I'd like to tell readers that being afraid of item malls makes as much sense as the square root of negative one. Unfortunately, many F2P titles validate the fear, and instead I have to convince you why you should ignore your instincts when considering the item mall for Atlantica Online.
While I agree with the two points you made, I think you missed other really critical issues, which are that many players don't purchase from items malls either because they can't (no funds, no credit cards, too young, etc...) or won't (don't believe in paying to play, feel it's their right to play for free, etc...). Of course, these issues really pertain to the higher level question of "Who's playing F2P games and why?"
Another factor is "investment". Many players won't purchase items because they don't play a game enough to justify the expense.
I don't specifically look for F2P games, but I'm always willing to give a new game a shot to see if I like it or not. I don't really care whether it's F2P or P2P. That being said, for me to consider a game to really be an F2P then I think I should be able to play the game for free without being forced to purchase items or subscribe in order to continue advancing, unlock content, avoid being so horribly gimped as to not be able to effectively play the game and similar other reasons. If a game limits you so much, then it's not really F2P, in my opinion.
I think some games get the revenue model right, such as Atlantica Online and Dungeon Runners. Neither game requires you to spend a cent to play, although there are definite incentives for paying.
Out of the 10 games in this week's list, I've played and enjoyed four (Atlantica, Wizard101, Dungeon Runners and Exteel). I would consider three of those four true F2Ps, based on my definition above. I don't consider Wizard101 to be a true F2P, because you must either subscribe or use microtransactions to unlock content. It's a fantastic game, IMO, but I don't think it can really be called F2P.
I don't consider Wizard101 to be a true F2P, because you must either subscribe or use microtransactions to unlock content. It's a fantastic game, IMO, but I don't think it can really be called F2P.
I agree with this, and it has been eating at me. I think the game is fantastic for as long as you can play it for free. And I think the price is reasonable. But...I think its time on the list is short now.
I've been sucked by friends into both Age of Conan and Warhammer Online, but I'm still relying on you to tell me if something awesome comes along in F2P.
How far have you gotten in Atlantica? Personally, I hit a wall in that game around level 60, although I will get back into it one day.
I agree that Wizard 101 doesn't qualify as a free to play game. It's like calling Vanguard free for having a free trial area (or that was their plan when I heard from them at DragonCon this year).
Since Wizard101 lets you play for free (even if its limited), I see no problem with it on this list, until something else knocks it off. Enough of its free for you to decide if you really like it.
My daughter recently wanted an item from the Cash Shop on Domo. They wanted you to spend $150 on anything to get this item for "free". I laughed indicating that nobody would spend $150 dollars on a f2p game. I was WAY wrong. Lots of people spent that.
If the Item Mall/Cash shop spending is less than $15 a month, I guess I could see it as reasonable. But XP boosters, upgrade books, badges, rings, and other consumables would cost much more than that on most f2p games. I'd rather switch to a p2p model - with fixed costs.
Top Ten Free-to-Play Games - Selling Lemons or Selling Hats
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