You know as well as I do that when you are playing a Free-to-play(F2P) game, chances are that there is bound to have an in-game shop that allows you to purchase in-game goods with the use of real cash. So then, what exactly is the point to spending real money to buy virtual goods?
1. The game makers will earn money. As buyers, we are ensuring that they get paid so that they can update and improve the game further.
Though this may sound like the game developers are creating games for the mere sake of earning money, this fact is true. However, if the game developers were to consider a different option of earning money for example, instead of a F2P game, the game will be paid subscription. However, if the game fails to attract players, the game itself will lose more than it gains.
2. I buy virtual goods so I can brag to my friends.
This may be true to some extent. Take Trickster Online for example, the game has a cash shop(It is called MyShop in the game but players like to call it MyHax) which sells powerful equipments for real money. Players who are able to burn excessive amount of cash are able to purchase these overly powerful equipments and finally ruining the game. This somehow created a sense that people who are unable to buy these equipments are weak in the game. Excessive bragging in the game then led to the game developers patching the game to fit the requests of the buyers.
An example of a virtual good with stats.
3. I look great in that, I want it.
This opinion may be biased in reasoning but is also why many players are willing to buy virtual goods. Take AdventureQuest Worlds for example. The game does have in-game equipments that is purchasable only via real money. However, those equipments have absolutely no purpose, stats or use other than fashion. But because these equipments are not only slightly cheaper than most virtual goods out there, they look great.
An example of a virtual good for fashion.
Judging from all of these reasons, what is your reason for buying virtual goods?
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For games that has stats, i buy using real cashis not for bragging, but to help me kill monster easier, this way, you get to level up easier and higher and you could challenge stronger monster, which makes the game more fun. Nobody want toplay a game which is so hard that you cant level up or only able to fight against a few monster.
ReplyDeleteAs for other game, yes, i would buy clothes in order to make my avatar nicer, but there is another purpose. It is easier to differentiate between yours and other people's avatar., especially in a crowded area (e.g battle area)
Usually i would avoid games which sells strong equipments in cash, as i feel that it is unfair to people who doesn't buy cash. For games with cash items for cosmetic purposes only, i would not buy anything, unless i know that i am playing for a long time, it is not very expensive, and i get tempted. I still feel that it is a waste of money to buy cash items in games, but sometimes as you play, temptation may change your mind.
ReplyDeleteIf one need to spend alot of money to become strong in the game, i will not play it as it would not be fun because the only thing that matter is the amount of money spent, not the amount of time you played.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I didn't buy virtual goods before. I don't know how it's like, and I don't think I will ever buy them. Maybe it's not my interest.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to ever buy virtual goods, I guess my reason would be "I am forced to."
I don't think that spending money on virtual goods will have any benefits on me, therefore I would choose to avoid it.
I am not someone who is into games so the only probablility of me buying virtual goods would be as a gift for someone.
ReplyDeletei dont play games so ive got no idea ah
ReplyDeletenth much, since it's just a game.
ReplyDeleteYou highlight a few interesting points about the issue. Do you have any personal experience with this, or your friends? It would be useful to provide us with some examples/case studies.
ReplyDeleteDo you believe in using real cash for virtual goods?
I've bought virtual items before. Looking back, I was pretty stupid back then. I don't have many regrets though; I believe that as long as something makes you happy, it's alright to spend a little to get it. I was young, and had a slightly warped sense of happiness.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've come to hate Free-to-play games that employ the micropayment system. More often than not, they advertise the game as free, but then give a large advantage to paying customers. I understand it's a business model, but...
@Ben: I have experienced the same thing as you did. I almost came to hate F2P games because I played a game that allows you to buy virtual goods with stats using real money. It changed the community to the point that I hated it. However, I still invest a reasonable amount of money in some F2P games. However, I make sure that the virtual goods I buy do not contain stats and are for in-game fashion purposes only.
ReplyDelete~Kathleen Kwan
I don't really involve myself in games. I have never buy virtual goods before. So, maybe i will buy the virtual goods cause i was forced to buy.
ReplyDelete& moreover,i would avoid myself to buy virtual goods cause it's a waste of money.
@Hamizah: Yeah, that's true. Some people may think that buying virtual goods is a waste of money but if you look through the eyes of someone who likes the online game/in-game avatar, you will expect the person to want to invest some money on virtual goods.
ReplyDelete~Kathleen Kwan
Regarding the point on 'being forced to buy', when buying virtual goods, there is no such thing as being forced to buy. If you don't want to buy, you can just quit the game. All F2P games will never force people to buy virtual goods. However, I agree with Wei Jun. Most F2P games would try to tempt people into buying virtual goods, not force them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hamizah. I think buying virtual goods is a waste of money.
ReplyDelete-Hafizah
for certain games. the idea of virtual goods is good if it does not destroy the balance of the game. for many games i've seen people buying virtual items with real cash without earning it themselves. it seems like a buig pain to alot of gamers. if it was just for the looks i dont think i would mind.
ReplyDeleteCash items do have thier appeal, but sometimes the price range of this items can be rather expensive, I rather spend $20 on a nice meal rather than a virtual avatar that has no practical use. But yeah, i get tempted sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI think you're talking about virtual-real money trading. But yes, there are those out there who have virtual goods by getting other people to buy for them.
ReplyDelete@Edmund: It depends on the game and how the creators convert real money to virtual cash for you to purchase virtual goods.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like to pay money to play games.(torrents FTW! lol) If the game gives me enough freedom to do as much as I want to a good extent, I wont pay. If not, I wont play it or pay it UNLESS the game is good.
ReplyDeleteAlso I feel that even if you were to wear like a cool person on a game, for example : Maplestory, its NOT cool to look like one and still get pwned by a balrog.
i am noob at most games so i dun buy and even play much.
ReplyDelete