Comments on: Trends in free-to-play gaming

Online gaming is a brave new world of economic development. What can be learned from gaming may be applicable to open source as well.

[silvervein]

You failed to mention what they ARE doing for revenue aside from virtual goods.

[alampitt]

Dave, for your readers' background information, it looks like Nexon indeed uses a "pay for add-on" business model, but it is oriented more towards mostly "personalized experience" rather than features/functions.
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http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/maplestory/news.html?sid=6162389

"innovative cash shop offers players the option to use real currency to pay for game enhancements -- from cosmetic items such as haircuts and plastic surgery coupons to virtual pets that can be trained to sit, stand, and breathe fire. This feature is purely optional and players can try out items prior to purchase in a virtual dressing room."

The foundation of all Nexon America titles is the "item" business model, in which users access the full game for free and can later opt to pay for game enhancements.
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Personalization might work for a consumer business model, but I suspect businesses typically do not say "fantastic product, but do you have it in blue? I will pay big money for blue." I suspect that businesses opt for add-on features/functions, eg, pertaining to niche or high-performance requirements, rather than personalization.

Wouldn't you agree? I am interested to know if you have other ideas.
-andrew

[daverosenberg]

Good points. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. Personally I think that personalization flies for awhile but only when non-recurring.

[crusadex]

off the subject a bit.Why doesn't a game company make an OS.The unreal engine is stable,networkable,3D,lends itself well to input output.if you think about it these guys have been making OS's all along,probably better ones than MS or linux can come up with becuase gamers are alot more fuss about glitches and loopholes.