As a mobile phone user, you are bound to stumble upon a pay-to-win game sooner or later, and most likely you won’t recognize it at first. The derogatory ‘pay-to-win’ term applies to online games in which the most important elements are either locked or very time-consuming unless you pay to get them. Sounds annoying, right? But why do these apps thrive then? Are there any worthwhile pay-to-win games at all, or is it better to steer clear of them? Let’s dig it out!
Monetizing Beyond Measure: Recognizing a Fraud
The greed of the gaming industry manifests itself in many ways, but the most devastating one is ripping off gamesters by forcing them to buy their way to the top. This undermines the principle of fair play and puts the gamer in an unpleasant situation when he has to choose between quitting the game or spending the money that usually he cannot afford to spend.
Not to be caught with your pants down, dig deeper before you become addicted. Estimate the following:
- Fairness of the app reviews. Dozens of websites, including Freelancer.com and Upwork, sell reviews, but artificial feedback is easy to recognize. If all reviews are general, preaching to the choir, written in the same style, or look-alike, this is a sign to double-check the information.
- App Store rankings. Developers encourage players to download their games before abusing them with in-app purchases or use download bots, which is especially true for the free App Store rankings. Don’t rely solely on the app rankings, as most developers hide their true face behind welcome treats and bonuses.
- Top Grossing Rank vs. Rank in the Free/Paid App Store List. It’s a rare case when a reliable application topping the Grossing Rank plummets in other rankings. And if it does, it’s a red flag, as hardly a game making huge revenues cannot we welcomed by the community.
Some pay-to-win games try to be sneaky and won’t let you know the concept of the game before you get ‘hooked’ on it, so one may rightfully claim that gambling games are better since they have all the rules explained and described in terms and conditions. Also, they have clear wagering requirements.
Betting at IOS websites, as well as wagering at Android-compatible gambling sites, is as plain as day, so many unfortunate gamesters tricked by pay-to-win games eventually turn into gamblers. It’s better to be aware of the necessity to spend money than accidentally discover it somewhere in the middle of the game, is it?
Notable Exceptions
Despite the sad trend of misusing players’ trust, there are a few dozens of brilliant mobile games with no in-app purchases.
- Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic. The modest in-app purchases neither give you an advantage in the game nor empty your pocket. Available for IOS and Android, Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic is nothing but pure entertainment in the amusement park.
- 911 Operator. Being able to buy all the paid items for only $8, you won’t feel ripped off when answering 911 calls in this 5-bucks IOS and Android app.
- Game Dev Tycoon. Aspiring game developers, especially fractals lovers, are guaranteed to have a ball while making video games in this video game. Play your way from an amateur to one of the leading game-devs on IOS or Android. No strings attached.
It is worth noting that, even though micro-payments in the apps like above generate gigantic revenues, the paid upgrades in no way interfere with the gaming process, thereby equaling all the players budget-wise.
To Pay to Win, or Not to Pay to Win, that is the Question
The concern of most players is not the ‘pay-to-win’ concept itself (as it’s a personal choice) but rather the poor strategy of hiding it behind lucrative welcome bonuses and perks with the only purpose of making the gamer addicted and destroying his reasonable decision-making.
On the other hand, if the developer implements some sense and actual value in the paid upgrades, as well as complies with the principle of fair play by providing alternative (free) ways to access the paid elements instead of squeezing money out of users by all means, it does have the right to exist and thrive on the mobile gaming market.
