“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
Interview: Astellia deep-dives its dungeon systems and Western tweaks
Incoming buy-to-play MMORPG Astellia has been a whirlwind in 2019 as Nexon and Barunson EA have prepared the game for release in the west:...
Fallout 76 is introducing controversial repair kits to the in-game store after promising no P2W
Back in October 2018, Bethsoft's Pete Hines verbally pounded on the desk stating that Fallout 76's in-game store wouldn't feature pay-to-win items. That insistence...
Massively Overthinking: If an MMO item is buyable with gold, does that excuse its presence in the cash shop?
This week's Overthinking topic comes from longtime MOP reader and commenter Sally Bowls. It's about monetization, but it's a nuanced argument we don't see...
Desert Oasis: Reframing player perceptions of Pearl Abyss’ MMO Black Desert
Hello and welcome to our revival of the Black Desert column! The Desert Nomad decided it was time to reroll for the new meta, and...
Legends of Aria pulls controversial item from in-game store as dungeon patch and anti-gank spell go live
This week we've been covering the unfolding concern over Legends of Aria's newly instituted in-game store, specifically the release of a power hour potion...
Legends of Aria players grumble over perceived pay-to-win items in new cash shop
Yesterday, Legends of Aria players were startled to see the new cash-shop in the early access version of the game. Upsetting players even more...
Astellia confirms it’ll be buy-to-play in the west, won’t be a ‘smash-and-grab’
At PAX South this weekend, Astellia reps did indeed sit for a panel on the game as promised - a panel hosted, apparently "at...
Interview: Astellia’s western team on pay-to-win, themeparks, and dodging early access and battle royale
Yesterday we covered the news that South Korean born MMORPG Astellia is heading westward in 2019, with its holy trinity classes, solid PvE and...
Massively on the Go: The key MMO features in The Walking Dead Our World
As a franchise, The Walking Dead is probably past its prime, but I'm admittedly still a bit of a fan. In fact, I was playing...
Interview: Bless Online on early access, pay-to-win, and its western refuge on Steam
Last night's bombshell that Bless Online is closing down its final Korean servers, leaving the game's Steam version in the west as the only...
Valve’s Artifact will feature no moderation and no cards earned through play
Oh boy.
If you've avoided hearing about Valve's upcoming digital card game, Artifact, you might want to take a look at the latest interview from...
Massively Overthinking: Pay-to-win vs. cosmetics in MMOs and virtual worlds
MOP Patron Avaera has entreated us to debate the problems of pay-to-win and cosmetic gear, and indulge him we shall.
"The idea that good MMOs...
Star Wars Galaxies fans are working on an emulator for the game’s TCG
I haven't been making any secret of how much fun I'm having in the Star Wars Galaxies Legends emulator (and thanks so much to...
PvP-centric sub MMO/MOBA hybrid EverFeud has launched its $105K Kickstarter
As we foretold yesterday, the PvP-focused MOBA/MMO hybrid EverFeud has officially launched its Kickstarter today. Developer PSB Entertainment has described the title as a hyper-competitive...
Pokemon Go’s second anniversary report card sees high marks for content and innovation
Today is Pokemon Go's second-year anniversary. Last year's report card had to grapple with things like the game's rapid rise and fall as a fad,...
Fortnite: Pollsters and academics examine purchases, pay-to-win, and motivation vs. addiction
Remember the old adage that less than 10% of a free-to-play playerbase pay for the other 90%? A poll conducted by LendEDU and Pollfish...
The Daily Grind: What are some useful alternatives to the term ‘pay-to-win’?
Deep into the Relay article on whether Star Citizen is pay-to-win that we covered a while back, the author, Commander Llama, said something I...
Hands-on: The Jurassic World Alive ARG shows promise, but not for MMO fans
Ludia's Jurassic World Alive isn't being marketed as an MMO, but it is an augmented reality game that involves roaming in the real world for virtual...
Bless Online players riot and request refunds over missing endgame PvP, cash shop shenanigans, and duping as Steam reviews plummet
If you thought the Bless Online community was in meltdown after two days of early access headaches, wait until you see the reaction to...
The Daily Grind: Should running multiple MMO accounts be considered pay-to-win?
In the comments of a recent Daily Grind, MOP commenter Sally reminded me that a certain MOP writer who shall remain nameless (Larry!) had...
