You might have missed the riots in the streets over lockboxes these past few months, but we assure you, the controversy is very real. One game where this won’t be a problem? City of Titans.
The team opened up about its business model this week, explaining how it will make money as an indie superhero MMORPG. Despite needing revenue as badly as any other small game, City of Titans promised not to include lockboxes as part of its business plan. For the record, the game is adopting a buy-to-play model with a cash shop and optional subscription.
“We’ve put a great deal of thought into how to finance profitably but ethically,” the team said.
“We recognize the reality of game addiction, and want to ensure this is difficult for our players to develop. Instead of lockboxes, our booster packs — bundles of related unlocks sold together for a discount — will include a bonus chance to win something else. So, for example, you might buy the Ninja Pack (just a random name for now), and you would gain the ninjitsu animation set, multiple props associated with the ninja, ninja costume set unlock, and a random extra piece from somewhere else in the game. The booster packs already contain a predetermined list of items of appropriate value — the random bonus is gratis.”
