Let's say you're interested in buying a MMO game. This isn't your first MMO, and it won't be the last one you buy. But the games industry - which, of course, needs income to survive - has special ways of making you pay. There's three main methods, and let's say that EVERY MMO you play after this point, including this one you plan on getting right now, will use TWO - not one, two - of these pricing methods. Which two would you prefer?
Subscription: Every month you play your MMO, you have to pay $15. Even if you only play one day in that month, it will still have cost you $15.
Pros: If you don't like the game, you can opt out after only paying a fraction of standard price.
Cons: If you DO like the game, money will constantly have to be pumped into it, like an IV drip.
Microtransactions: In the MMO, you can pay extra real money for special weapons, items, skins, etc., to improve your character.
Pros: It is completely optional, and a nice way to show your support if you really like the game.
Cons: If you don't use them, other players will, which can get unbalanced easily. Plus, the game sort of expects you to use them, so that gets antagonistic as well.
Retail: Before you can start playing, you must pay $60 for the game. This price never goes down (unless they're getting desperate), and it is impossible to play without paying.
Pros: You only pay this once, and it's the standard practice for this industry.
Cons: One of the main hooks of MMOs when they first came out was that you didn't have to pay up front for this. Plus, in conjunction with the other things you pay for, it seems a little unfair when $60 doesn't get you the whole game.
Subscription: Every month you play your MMO, you have to pay $15. Even if you only play one day in that month, it will still have cost you $15.
Pros: If you don't like the game, you can opt out after only paying a fraction of standard price.
Cons: If you DO like the game, money will constantly have to be pumped into it, like an IV drip.
Microtransactions: In the MMO, you can pay extra real money for special weapons, items, skins, etc., to improve your character.
Pros: It is completely optional, and a nice way to show your support if you really like the game.
Cons: If you don't use them, other players will, which can get unbalanced easily. Plus, the game sort of expects you to use them, so that gets antagonistic as well.
Retail: Before you can start playing, you must pay $60 for the game. This price never goes down (unless they're getting desperate), and it is impossible to play without paying.
Pros: You only pay this once, and it's the standard practice for this industry.
Cons: One of the main hooks of MMOs when they first came out was that you didn't have to pay up front for this. Plus, in conjunction with the other things you pay for, it seems a little unfair when $60 doesn't get you the whole game.
