For the makers of LEGO Minifigures, switching from Free2Play to Buy2Play was an important step. In the interview, it is even referred to as a kind of redemption that makes the developers’ work more enjoyable.
It’s easier to make a good B2P game
Most MMORPGs take the – unfortunately now – traditional route from Pay2Play to Free2Play once the initial hype has faded. In the child-friendly MMO LEGO Minifigures, a different way has been taken and the Free2Play payment model has been turned into a “purchase model.” The game has been on sale on Steam for a few days now. In an interview, several interesting points were raised that could provide insights for other games as well.
“You feel dirty when you develop a game based on microtransactions,” is one of the most striking statements. One must place content behind certain hurdles, because you want to earn money with the game. After the switch, this would no longer be a problem, as one can simply focus on developing “outstanding content” without having to think about new funding options.
Moreover, it is significantly easier to develop a good B2P game than a good F2P game. It is only understandable if you do not have to categorize customers into first-class (paying) and second-class (free).
Especially for a game for children, the switch seems to have been sensible. Many parents do not want to pay monthly fees or provide their credit card information for an online game.
