Business-wise, free-to-play (F2P) hasn't been the most attractive model for the mainstream companies. But the amount of gamers flocking toward the blossoming market hasn't dwindled by far.
In the 2008 MI6 Game Marketing Conference,
a trio of massively-multiplayer online gaming icons were sure that the F2P business model was more than just growing, however - it was likely to be the 'way to go' from here on out.
"Free-to-play online worlds are the future," said Craig Sherman of Gaia Interactive, makers of Gaia. Daniel James of Three Rings Design (Puzzle Pirates) and Min Kim of Nexon (MapleStory) also shared similar sentiments.
Small ripples - the start of big waves?
Now that's interesting, given the timeliness of their opinions. You see, not long before MI6 2008 MMO panel was formed, a European game developer company, namely Digital Illusions CE (DICE), became one of very, very few mainstream Western companies to toy around with the F2P business model.
Known for their work on the Battlefield series on PCs and Macs, DICE soon wowed the world when they announced Battlefield Heroes - a free-to-download, free-to-play spin-off of the oft-boxed franchise.
Of course, people held their breath and forcibly kept their hopes in moderation, for many knew that Electronic Arts - who owns the rights to publishing any Battlefield game in existence - was unlikely to agree with the concept of "free".
But DICE has been steadily pitching the game to the superstar publisher. To the relief of thousands of gamers out there, EA - or "the new EA," rather - seems to have been nodding in approval since day one of the title's development cycle.
And there's
little surprise there. Unbeknownst to many, the publishing giant gained some popularity with a slice of the Asian gaming population when they decided that the only way to defeat piracy was to offer one of their more popular sports games for a low price. A ridiculously low price, in fact - they went from retail tags to absolutely free.
Article Source: www.associatedcontent.com
