Game Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Game Monetization.
Latest coverage
World of Warcraft: Forever devs have "no plans" to implement Tokens or level boosts, confirms Blizzard, as…
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that World of Warcraft: Forever will not feature WoW Tokens or purchasable experience boosts at launch. Associate production director Clayton Stone emphasized the importance of the leveling journey, stating there are currently no plans for such microtransactions. Despite Blizzard's assurances, some players on social media express skepticism about the long-term commitment to this monetization-free approach.
Legends of Aria Eternal arrives to Steam September 10 with a box price and dedicated server capability
Legends of Aria Eternal, the second reboot of the sandbox MMORPG, will launch on Steam on September 10th. This version introduces dedicated server capabilities allowing players to host and customize their own servers, alongside changes to gear acquisition and a return to a swappable skills system. The game will have a one-time purchase price with no subscription or premium gates.
Data: 96% of studios now run a direct-to-consumer web store or plan to
A survey by FastSpring and Omdia reveals that 96% of game studios either operate or plan to launch a direct-to-consumer (D2C) web store. Recent regulatory changes, particularly concerning Apple and Google, have increased developer confidence in D2C's future value, with many planning to increase investment and launch stores within the next year.
Jagex’s current CEO dreams of RuneScape being the biggest MMORPG on the planet
Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy expressed his ambition for RuneScape to become the number one MMORPG globally, aiming for at least three large, growing RuneScape titles serving a combined audience of millions. He also discussed the impact of recent monetization changes, lessons learned from RuneScape: Dragonwilds, and strategies for better serving Asian and U.S. markets.
Former Dragon Age producer thinks product placement could replace microtransactions
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests product placement as a potential alternative to microtransactions in video games. He argues that relying heavily on in-game purchases can lead developers to design games around high-spending players rather than the overall player experience. Darrah believes product placement could help fund projects without pushing every game towards a live service model, potentially fostering more variety in game development.
'We don't have to fire 1000 people to keep it working': Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with '$500,000 paid out to date'
Facepunch Studios' game creation platform s&box, set to release on Steam on April 28, will feature a community-focused model where developers are paid through 'The Play Fund,' generated from Garry's Mod profits. The company emphasizes that developers retain full ownership of their creations and can export them to Steam without revenue sharing, aiming for a sustainable ecosystem where developer success directly benefits the platform.
Pokemon Champions is off to a rough start – here’s why
Pokemon Champions has launched with significant performance issues and a lack of content, disappointing fans despite some quality-of-life improvements. The game suffers from choppy frame rates, clunky menus, a limited roster, and restrictive gameplay options, raising concerns about its future and monetization model.
The Destiny gacha game is cutting the gacha garbage because "wolves do not beg for scraps, and they certainly do…
NetEase is overhauling the gacha mechanics in its Destiny game, Destiny Rising, with Season 4. The update will remove daily energy limits, offer free characters, and introduce a character fragment system to bypass the traditional gacha banner for acquiring new characters. This shift aims to move away from RNG-based monetization towards a more player-friendly progression system.
Issues and Activism
Players of The Sims 4 are protesting Electronic Arts' decision to implement taxes on paid mods within the game's marketplace. This move has sparked significant backlash from the community, who view it as an exploitative monetization strategy.
By: Shiva_16au
The author expresses disappointment with the direction of modern Final Fantasy games, specifically mentioning Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and contrasts them with older titles like Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, X, and XIII. They view newer games as primarily money-making products and intend to watch gameplay on YouTube rather than purchase them due to time constraints and perceived greed.