Max Schaefer from the development studio Echtra Games recently spoke a bit about the monetization model of the upcoming MMO Torchlight Frontiers. They promise to refrain from Pay2Win mechanics, meaning an aggressive cash shop.
Schaefer rules out Pay2Win because there is nothing to win in Torchlight Frontiers. Additionally, the development studio speaks out against gambling methods and monetization types that can be exploited in a deceptive manner.
Free2Play without Pay2Win
What payment model does Torchlight Frontiers offer? Echtra Games wants to bring the hack-and-slash MMO to market as a Free2Play game. However, Echtra Games CEO Max Schaefer assures that there will be no Pay2Win elements.
- The payment model of Torchlight Frontiers still needs to develop
- Not every game can, according to Max Schaefer, successfully utilize the same Free2Play model
- There should be no gambling elements
- Players should always feel like they have the chance to earn something in the game, such as special loot
- There might be special items like relic weapons in the shop that can also be earned through gameplay
- The shop will mainly consist of cosmetic items and decor for housing
- The contents of the shop will be adjusted based on player feedback during live operations
- There are no premium areas that only paying customers can access
They want to learn from other Free2Play games: Echtra Games is aware that there are many Free2Play games with unfair payment models. Therefore, the team closely monitors the market. They observe what works, what doesn’t, and what resonates particularly well with players. All this will be considered in implementing their own monetization model.
Reserved joy among fans
This is what fans think: Many players find the ideas good but remain somewhat skeptical. They want to first see how the system works in the game and whether there are still one or two Pay2Win elements present.
What status is the MMO currently in? The “Diablo MMO” Torchlight Frontiers will start an alpha stress test on November 16, for which invitations are currently being sent out. The release is planned for 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
