Since the birth of MMORPGs as a genre, several different payment models have established themselves in the gaming industry. Which one do you like the most?
These are the payment models: It may shock you, but developers usually need money to create their games. Over the years, various payment models have crystallized in MMORPGs to obtain this money.
While they can be divided into many different categories and are often supported by optional services and cash shops, they can essentially be reduced to three fundamental models.
- Pay2Play is a model that includes a monthly subscription. Players pay a certain amount each month and gain access to the game (Examples: World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV).
- Buy2Play requires players to purchase the MMORPG once and then can play it without restrictions (Examples: Guild Wars 2, ESO).
- Free2Play MMORPGs are those that do not charge players for access to the game (Examples: Blade & Soul, TERA).
These models essentially set the “entry barrier” for the player. While you can immediately download and start playing with F2P without any financial disadvantages, some might think longer before engaging with a Buy2Play or even Pay2Play game.
The concern here lies in not getting the appropriate amount of fun back for the money paid. Each person defines this “appropriate amount of fun” very differently for themselves. For some, it is completely sufficient if the game entertains them for about 80-100 hours, while for others even 500 hours may not be enough.
So how about you? Which of the models do you like the most? Do you prefer paying subscriptions or do you enjoy playing Free2Play games? How much does the payment model of an MMORPG influence your decision to play it or not? Is there an “appropriate price for fun” for you? Let us know in the comments.
