Over time, various payment models have emerged in MMORPGs. Which one do you prefer?
Here’s the deal: In order for ongoing games like MMORPGs to produce new content over a long period, they need to make money, of course. To stay afloat, developers have tried various payment models in recent years: Pay2Play, Buy2Play, and Free2Play.
Often, all these models have additional means of funding, such as a cash shop with cosmetic items or premium subscriptions that offer gameplay advantages. However, they differ in their fundamentals and the financial “entry barrier” for players:
- 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).
- With Buy2Play, players have to purchase the MMORPG once and can then play without restrictions (Examples: Guild Wars 2, ESO).
- Free2Play MMORPGs are those that do not require players to pay money to gain access to the game (Examples: Blade & Soul, TERA)
So tell us: Which payment model do you like the most? How strongly does the payment model of an MMORPG influence your decision to play it? What experiences have you had with the different payment models? Share your answers in the comments.
How can I vote? You can cast your vote in the survey tool under the article. Note that each user can only vote once, and the vote cannot be undone.
The survey ends on February 13.
Have fun voting!
