Gaming has changed a lot over the years. Whereas once players would spend money upfront to own a game and then have access to all its features, the industry has increasingly moved towards a different payment structure. This means that sometimes players can begin the game for free or for a very small fee and then can spend money as they progress through the game. But is it worth spending real money in online games?
Online Slots
The online casino industry utilized this format for spending real money before any other form of gaming did. It makes sense in the context of the games and how players interact with the site. The main reason for this is that playing online casino games comes with a chance of winning back some of the money you spend.
Spending real money is a key aspect of playing online casino games, such as online slots, and is built into the gameplay to add tension and excitement for players. For instance, as this list shows, many online casino sites offer special introductory offers in the form of welcome bonuses for those new to the site. This gives players a taste of what spending real money on online games is like.
Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming really helped popularise the spending of real money in online games. The apps were usually downloadable for free. Most hooked players with the gameplay and then included microtransactions so players could gain added benefits in the game by spending real money. This could be the ability to purchase more in-game things, such as in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood. Real money can buy K coins, which are converted into in-game energy, which is needed to complete tasks.
Candy Crush Saga also allows players to spend real money to gain in-game benefits in the form of extra lives to help players progress through the levels with more of a safety net. In 2018 alone, players spent $4.2 million per day collectively on the block-breaking game.
Is It Worth It?
The primary question here is: is it worth it? Some would argue that spending real money allows players to enjoy the games more. The main point of the games is to bring enjoyment to players, so if spending real money does this, then it is worth it. Others argue that as, in mobile gaming, there are no tangible benefits, the money isn’t really achieving anything.
Online casino games are different as there is a chance that the money can be recouped. But spending money for a better car in Kim Kardashian’s game doesn’t really benefit a player’s life in any meaningful way. Unless, of course, they gain tremendous enjoyment from it.
Downloadable Content
Spending money on games in addition to purchasing them is also prevalent across consoles. The latest Arma 3 Creator DLC shows this, as players are expected to spend more on additional material for the game. In a roundabout way, even Nintendo asked players to spend more money than they would normally have done by releasing two versions of every main Pokémon game. Players needed to have access to both to complete the game.
Spending real money in online games isn’t for everyone but it does give those who want to access additional benefits a chance to engage with these. Each form of spending real money is different and provides players an enhanced experience when playing.
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