Top Ten Free-to-Play Games - Trick Question

[Ralsu]

Different Design Models to Generate Revenue

Ever analyzing the ways companies deliver their free-to-play games while still trying to make a little money, Ten Ton Hammer's Danny "Ralsu" Gourley examines the question of whether “open games” (F2P titles that make their money via item malls) or “closed games” (free-to-play games that restrict some elements of gameplay) have more success. Is there a clear winner, or is the whole thing a trick question?

In poorly-designed open game formats, gamers who spend money can complete content that freeloaders have access to but no realistic chance to finish or failure to spend money creates a rift between freeloaders and those who buy things from the item mall.

Read "Trick Question" to see what else Ralsu has to say.

[unholyblackdeath]

I am going to have to disagree with you a bit here. Those games you mentioned like dungeon runners that block content should not be considered F2P. They should not be on your list. It bugs me every time I read it. You just wrote an article giving the reasons why Dungeon Runners is not F2P then you draw the entirely wrong conclusion from your own observations. How is that even possible?

If there are not ten truly free to play games, then just do a top 2 list for now until someone else gets the point and makes another F2P game. Lets stop giving games like dungeon Runner legitimacy by calling them "Free To Play".

This adds to the problem and tells the devs its ok to make money by being dishonest.

[Ralsu]

To me, DR IS free-to-play because you can run any dungeon, kill any boss, and attain any level without paying. It's the games that block you from dungeons or say "Level 30 is all you get" that are incomplete without paying to me.

I see inability to access the Giant Can of Whoop Ass in DR without paying as NO different that the inability to access the scrolls and potions sold in the Item Mall for Atlantica. The difference is that DR will let you loot those premium items even if you don't pay, but you'll never be able to equip them because your account is not flagged. Meanwhile, Atlantica will let you trade some of the item mall items. Anyone who ends up with them can use them.

Now, the mixing of pay items with non-paying customers is another issue for debate. Some F2P gamers say it has a negative impact on the game. The sale of item mall consumables for in-game gold could support gold farming. I'm not touching that. Still, I'll stand beside the notion that you can "finish" DR without ever paying. There will be items you cannot access (just as with any F2P game with an item mall), but you can do the whole game. They just put the items in game automatically and flag accounts rather than dealing with an item mall and individual purchases. Their model favors the Western gamer who likes a flat rate.

And if none of that makes sense or you still disagree, that's cool. You clearly have a set of parameters in mind when you are shopping F2P games, and no one's opinion is more important that your own!

[unholyblackdeath]

I do see what you mean, but .

I just think they should go ahead and be honest and call it a subscription game, same with Runescape. They are not gaining the pay to play market because those players over look free to play all together. If they are going for that demographic, just call it like it is. It is the dishonesty that turns me off. The only items in Atlantica that you have to pay for are convenience items and mounts. All the high end equipment is available to anyone who can find or craft it. That is true free to play. A games's content is not just the levels and dungeons, it includes equipment, potions and the whole deal. You can't use your loot unless you subscribe? Not free.

I am not against free to play games or subscription games, I just don't want to be lied to. I can be hardheaded about such things and I am a picky consumer. If you want my cash, don't ever lie to me, end of story.

Either way you look at it, Atlantica and Runes of Magic do it so much better than those other games, that they should not even be considered in the same class. They will make more money and be more honest at the same time, imagine that!

[xifu]

After reading this week's Top Ten F2P article, I am surprised that you kept Mabinogi on the list. I recommend taking it off the list until they adjust the aging system. You can always put the game back on the list after the developers address the issue.