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Megatrends In Game Development

Posted by Soulskill on from the dwarf-warriors-with-axes dept.

Gamasutra has a feature discussing some of the extremely common trends in current game design. Many publishers are looking at multi-player content and downloadable additions as necessities, rather than luxuries, for modern titles. Also on the rise is a focus on micro-payments; offering small-scale games, updates, and add-ons for a smaller fee than a full game. Similar to these is the subscription-based model, which Scott Jennings of NCSoft recently called "an arms race that few can even hope to compete in, much less win." From Gamasutra: "Games relying on micropayments are founded on a somewhat different logic. Like fast gaming, these games are conceived to be immediate hands-on experiences, but are also designed to entice the players to deepen their experience of the game by purchasing affordable additional components. This economic model is fast-growing in Asia, and we can expect to witness an important impact on the west — perhaps even a major one. The design for such games will have to be thoroughly adapted, even for established genres such as racing games or shooters."

4 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Uh, no. by Jaysyn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah, not intereseted in micropayment-based games.

    Find another sucker.

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
  2. Steam as a new game payment platform by Underfoot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think Steam / XBOX Live / Wii Ware / etc. have already started this "less than the price of a full game" model with quite a lot of success. I am often willing to pay $5-$10 to try something I am not willing to pay $40-$60 on.

    --
    I mentioned tinker-toys once in a post - now I'm modded down for life.
  3. Megatrends by Dude+McDude · · Score: 5, Funny

    He is my favourite Transformer.

  4. Plus: You pay for what you play... by Rollgunner · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a casual gamer, I find that with many MMO titles, I never get to experience the 'whole' game. In World of Warcraft, I do not have 39 buddies and two five-hour blocks of time a week, so I will never see a fair amount of the 'end game' despite the fact that I paid for it and continue paying for it. Analogies are suspect, but I somtimes feel as if i've paid $20 to see a movie, but am not allowed to watch the last reel.

    A game where you are charged a minimal fee for the 'basic' game, and optional additional charges for more 'hardcore' content would be fine by me.