Comments on: Have You Done Micropayments (In Games)

By: Juuso

Juuso — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:11:08 +0000

Thanks guys for the comments.

Here’s one nice read (check the player comments too):
http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2010/05/24/how-much-should-dlc-cost/comments

By: Tobias Scheuer

Tobias Scheuer — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:50:58 +0000

That anonymous posting 3 above is mine. No idea why the name has gone missing…

By: laurent

laurent — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:47:26 +0000

The best place to analyze how to place microtransactions in a game is the Mochi featured game list. The ninja kiwi guys last 2-3 games Bloons TD4 and SAS Zombie, show how micro-transactions in games should work. I would review those before trying it myself.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:25:36 +0000

I’ve only ever done in game purchasing in iPhone apps.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:47:55 +0000

I have only once bought something ingame, which was to support the developers. Got some eye candy for those few dollars, which didn’t affect gameplay at all.

Usually in any online game, if paying players do get too significant advantage, it will pull off the non-paying majority. So it’s actually not easy to get the balance right… things to pay for include time-savers, i.e. like mounts in Runes of Magic (or teleports like hermitC mentioned). Or longer build-lists, so you don’t have to log in several times a day to add to your build list (like I see currently in Lord of Ultima). Any sort of decorations, like furniture in Runes of Magic.

If a purchase expands the game, that is more difficult (haven’t seen anything like that working). Would exclude the non-paying majority, which is not a good thing…

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:50:02 +0000

I also bought some additional content for some XBLA games. Not sure if that counts.

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:49:39 +0000

Yeah I bought something on Facebook to test out someone else’s system.

Only 5% or less of players actually spend money in-game but it’s a numbers game, get 1,000,000 players and you’re set.

By: hermitC

hermitC — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:39:22 +0000

Good points.

An additional point I can come up with is time saving for money. An example would be a teleporting device or spell which can warp you back to a chosen point. It can save much time for a little fee.

By: Jarnik

Jarnik — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:52:14 +0000

Danc wrote a neat essay on monetizing in games – http://www.lostgarden.com/2009/07/flash-love-letter-2009-part-1.html (Generating value, Reaching customers – focused on Flash apps, but applicable on games in general)