A few weeks back, I overheard my kids complaining about some custom Minecraft server that was apparently trying to monetize survival mode, which seemed ridiculous to them because if they wanted that, they’d just go back to their own free servers. My 10-year-old joked that “next they’d try to monetize love.”
To be honest, I’m surprised that somebody out there in the multiplayer and MMO space hasn’t tried. Studios have literally monetized everything from chat to ponies to extra hotbars to being able to hide your damn hat. Why not guild membership and friends lists?
For this week’s Massively Overthinking, let’s talk about monetization dealbreakers. I want to hear about the absolute dumbest things you’ve seen an MMO try to charge for – and what buyables you absolutely will not under any circumstances pay for.
Ben Griggs (@braxwolf): I’ve spent a lot of money on what many MMO players would consider “dumb things” in World of Warships, so this question is a little convicting. Even so, I do draw the line at purchasing ships that can/will be available for free via tech tree grind. Even worse are the loot boxes that have the chance to contain a version of a free ship like the latest anime collabs.
Brianna Royce (@nbrianna, blog):Â I get a very big frowny face when I think about how Albion Online charges $15 per character to not suck. I ran a couple toons for a while, but it’s been a big reason I haven’t gone back. I understand the desire to not let people run 20 farms and destroy a sandbox economy, but there are plenty of other ways around that that aren’t so gauche.
As for dealbreakers… I don’t buy lockboxes. Never have, never will. See, it’s one thing if you want to put a $200 house in the cash shop. That’s stupid, but at least you’re being honestly greedy. But lockboxes are dishonest. They’re just a carnival trick, a different kind of harpoon for whales who are particularly bad at math. Gross.
Carlo Lacsina (@UltraMudkipEX, YouTube, Twitch): Back in the early days of mobile ARPGs, a few games required you to PAY REAL MONEY FOR HEALTH POTIONS. They didn’t drop in the game, and the only way to get them without paying was to wait for it to recharge. NOPE. I don’t even remember which one did it and I don’t care. That’s dumb!!!!!
Chris Neal (@wolfyseyes, blog):Â When you monetize cosmetic options – not cosmetics but the ability to do things like change your armor, dye your outfit, or hide unwanted item pieces – that’s an immediate bounce off of the game for me.
Actually, monetizing any meager gameplay option is beyond the pale. I’m basically looking at SWTOR’s whole ass in this regard, like hotbars or the ability to use modifiable gear. And while that’s the easiest piñata to bash, plenty of others are guilty of this crime, like every game that claps a real money price tag on things like expanding inventory.
Last but not least, and it shouldn’t be said but I feel like it has to: eff lockboxes. You know what I do when an MMO drops a lockbox in my inventory? I immediately delete it. And I do it with a smile on my face and hatred for the money guys in my heart.
But the most ridiculous monetization I’ve witnessed still goes to Palia’s pricing for full outfits. Now I will openly admit that I have bought a cosmetic set from FFXIV’s store purely to get one pair of nice-looking shoes, but that’s because I have the ability to just use that pair of shoes. In Palia, you buy the whole outfit and use the whole outfit without any apparent way to mix and match. Even as regular game rewards let you do precisely that! It’s absurd. Or perhaps more accurately, it’s greedy as hell.
Sam Kash (@thesamkash): I didn’t think I’ll ever pay for a battle pass. They clearly must profitable because basically every multiplayer game includes it as a paid option. They just love letting you see the rewards you would’ve unlocked if you had been playing versus the free track.
Tyler Edwards (blog): I heard some games are crazy enough to charge you just for the ability to log in. (Yes, I’m complaining about subscriptions again.)
Every week, join the Massively OP staff for Massively Overthinking column, a multi-writer roundtable in which we discuss the MMO industry topics du jour – and then invite you to join the fray in the comments. Overthinking it is literally the whole point. Your turn!
