Azri Sarum
BurgezzE.T.F
Public Disorder.
277
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Posted - 2014.01.27 03:04:00 -
[1] - Quote
Clone D wrote: What drives anyone to pay for a free game?
This question (and to an extent, those asking it) have always fascinated and puzzled me. I would argue a more interesting question is why would anyone choose 'not' to pay for a game. Ignoring the 'free' part of the free to play name for a moment, a free to play game is just like any other. It takes time, hours, resources to build, and is built to be profitable. People never quibble over paying for a non free to play game, even when they have microtransactions, and yet when a game is labeled as 'free to play' the question you asked suddenly comes up.
For me, there are a number of reasons why I buy items in FTP games. In DUST's case its the convenience of trying things I don't have the skill for. If I like them, i now know where to spend my 'harder to get' skill points. In other games there have been other convenience items that have been worth it, bank slots in path of exile for example. In others some really well done skins or costumes have been worth it, to customize my character.
There is also the desire to compensate a developer for their work. I enjoy DUST, and have put a good number of hours into it. I have used their servers and their bandwidth, I have no qualms about actually paying for these services. What I do find odd though is that players would not want to compensate a game for these things. They clearly enjoy it since they are playing it, and yet paying for it becomes this awkward issue?
As to one of your comments / questions about the price of these items, its mostly an artefact of the free to play model. With FTP games they realize that by going FTP they get a ton of players, but only small subset will be willing to pay for the game. That subset has to essentially pay for all of those who are unwilling or unable to pay for the game, and so the prices are set to accomplish that.
Clone D wrote: What is so great about this game that is causing people to devote their lives to it?
For me, the largest part is the New Eden universe. Its delightfully interesting, and deep if you choose to read the games backstory. It also never ceases to intrigue me, even when I would take breaks from playing EVE, i never stopped observing it.
It also can have a bit more impact than other games. Its sandbox nature means that actions have consequences. For example, if you get killed in say, COD, no big deal, you lost nothing, just respawn and carry on. Now same situation, but in DUST. You get killed, and now all of a sudden something was taken from you. The ***** who killed you cost you 100k or whatever. Because you can actually lose things, you care more about them.
You also bring your emotions more into the game. I know i have had moments in dust when certain players have just made me livid, far more than any other game has been able to do. Im talking controller breaking, burning a million isk just to kill that one guy sorts of mad. On the other side, the triumphs you can have, they just feel that much sweeter. You've all felt it, taking down that stupid proto heavy camping an objective with a starter suit and a remote explosive .
Hope that gives some insight on your questions.
EVE - Victor Maximus
DUST - Azri Sarum
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