“Pay-to-win” aka P2W is a term used by online gamers for any game system or mechanic that allows a player to acquire advantages over other players using real-world money.
pay to win
Massively Overthinking: The best MMOs of the decade
A few years back, we did a cheeky Massively Overthinking about our five favorite MMORPGs of all time. It was quite a potent list...
Perfect Ten: Counting Fallout 76’s many post-nuclear flubs
I'll admit that I was the first one out of my seat, applauding wildly, when Fallout 76 was first announced at Bethesda's E3 showcase...
The Elder Scrolls Online introduces new cash shop pet that increases your inventory and raises some eyebrows
Generally speaking, The Elder Scrolls Online has some pretty good and adorable pets, but all they really do is just look cute. The latest...
Lord of the Rings Online’s level 120 gear system sows pay-to-win lockbox confusion
LOTRO's Minas Morgul expansion released a few days ago, which naturally changed a number of things around. One thing it did shift is how...
Desert Oasis: Discerning the best purchases in Black Desert’s cash shop
I've always been someone who goes against the grain, and MMOs are no exception. Part of the reason I enjoy Black Desert so much is...
The Daily Grind: What other MMOs need the ‘Archeage Unchained’ treatment?
Last year, it seemed like the trend was legacy servers for everyone. This year, the anti-pay-to-win push has been big, with ArcheAge Unchained at...
Fight or Kite: Albion Online has the potential to be the perfect mobile MMO
You know, I am regularly sitting in a waiting room for my turn to be called back to the doctor or at the lube...
Massively Overthinking: Are you boycotting Blizzard?
Tyler's piece this week about the Blizzard he loved being dead actually brought tears to my eyes. It hurts to lose a game and...
Here’s what we learned from PlanetSide Arena’s brief demo event yesterday
Yesterday's invite-only PlanetSide Arena demo event was a quickie - it was over in two hours. But already the hype is building for the...
Massively Overthinking: Do you ever feel guilty about ‘freeloading’ in a free-to-play MMO?
A few weeks back, Massively OP's Ben Griggs made an observation that I bet some readers can relate to. He mentioned that in his...
The Soapbox: No, the MMO genre is not dead – but it could use a little positivity
One of my favorite idioms is "dead as a doornail." It always reminds me of the time I got sent out of my 10th...
Massively on the Go: Pokemon Go’s third anniversary report card
Well hey, it seems like it's another birthday for Pokemon Go, so you all know what we have for the anniversary party: another report card!...
EVE Online controversy breaks out over new starter pack, CCP addresses the community
EVE Online has a long and complicated history when it comes to the debate surrounding microtransactions. The playerbase literally revolted against developer CCP Games...
Massively Overthinking: The one about MMO superfans, zealots, and insidious tribalism
We recently received two pieces of mail from longtime MOP readers and commenters that worked together perfectly to form a unified topic. Alex emailed...
The Daily Grind: What’s been the biggest change to the MMORPG genre in the last 20 years?
A while back, there was a thread on Reddit from a younger MMO player who was curious about changes to the way players perceived...
Interview: Astellia’s westernization covers everything from monetization and VO to dodging and grouping
It seems as if every time we write about incoming MMORPG Astellia, confusion over its guiding principles dominates the ensuing discussion. One of those...
Lawful Neutral: Why Josh Hawley’s lockbox regulation Senate bill is dead-on-arrival
There's a special place in my heart for lootboxes and exploitative monetization, and that place is somewhere below the revulsion I feel for Martin...
Anti-lootbox Senator claims gaming lobbyists are getting worried; Nintendo pulls mobile titles from Belgium over lootboxes
It's a day that ends in "y" and so that means some fresh lootbox-related news to share with you fine folks!
First up is an...
Massively Overthinking: Unpopular MMORPG opinions
Unpopular opinions: We all have them. In fact we have so many that it's a straight up meme. This week's Massively Overthinking is one...
US Senator takes aim at lockboxes and pay-to-win with ‘Protecting Children From Abusive Games Act’
The gamblebox issue isn't dying down any time soon, it appears. As Kotaku first reported, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has announced he plans to...
