[arg_discuss] Micro-transaction models

[John Evans]

>Has anyone tried the micro-transaction model?


Just to let you know, the micro-transaction model has been used in
other games. It seems popular in Asian games, but there are some
Western ones that use it too. Puzzle Pirates has two different
payment models for high-end features: there's a monthly subscription
and there's a microtransaction system, "doubloons". (Players can
subscribe or they can use doubloons, but not both. Or they can
play for free and only get access to the "basic" features.)

http://www.puzzlepirates.com/Doubloons.xhtml
http://www.puzzlepirates.com/Pricing.xhtml

And of course there's Kingdom of Loathing. I'm not sure it's quite
"microtransaction" but it's worth mentioning...Pay $10 and you get
a "Mr. Accessory", an item which can be: 1) equipped, giving reasonably
powerful bonuses; or 2) Exchanged for unique items, some of which
are only sold for a month; or 3) Traded with other players for large
amounts of in-game currency (which can then be spent in-game for
many different benefits).

http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Mr._Accessory
http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Mr._Store

--John