Fortnite is Generating More Revenue Than Any Other Free Game Ever (recode.net)
Fortnite: Battle Royale has brought in more revenue in a single month than any other game of its kind, industry estimates suggest. Recode: The free-to-play game hit a new revenue record of $318 million in May, according to SuperData Research. That puts Fornite well ahead of other breakout games like Pokemon Go and Clash of Clans, and it's all the more spectacular when you realize the multi-platform game launched on consoles just eight months ago and on iOS just three months ago. Since then, Fortnite has brought in more than $1.2 billion in revenue, all of which comes from nonessential in-app purchases, for stuff like clothing and dance moves.
I'm fine using the default skin for my beer, and my FortNite characters. That's all you pay for in the game: cosmetics.
Well fortnite is as legit free to play as it gets. I don't like the game but can't knock their business model.
..for $20 cosmetic items. Yeah, as in two-zero.... ten plus ten.
People that work at gamestop cant believe how many kids are dragging their parents in just to purchase these gift cards that let you buy skins.
Not to mention the fact that the game is on nearly every platform now. It's a digital clothing store in the form of a video game.
It's also pretty fun. I grew tired of it fairly quickly, but I'd never say it's a bad game. When you consider epic is pouring all their resources into it, it better be doing okay
Back in the 1980's and 1990's we had Shareware. These were programs that you can download, copy with other and use. Some of them had a Trial Time Period, where you can use the full version for a period of time, then you have access to a reduced features, or not work at all. But most others Offered additional Levels, and other goodies if you were to actually purchase the software.
I see many of these free to play games with extra purchases as just an extension of the Shareware concept. However the problem that I feel is most concerning is the lack of a cap in how much you are going to pay for it. Say an $80 fee (The cost of a good console game) where everything is unlocked, and you can use the game and stay current. But that isn't the case, because it is easy to nickle and dime your way into people paying much more. Often for just something fun at the moment.
Granted this is still probably better then what people will pay for beer where they drink it, get a buzz, and then feel sick in the morning.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
I think you get the beer for free well chilled, well carbonated, in a nice high quality bottle, and comes with a free bottle opener.
But if you want it served in an elegant stein, a decorative glass, or delivered by a hot barmaid, then you can pay $$$$ for it.
The fact that they've made $1.2 Billion off that business model is amazing. Good for them, but damn the average person is a complete idiot.
How pointless does your life have to be to see value in buying, with actual money, no less, some fancy virtual clothing for your virtual character? Some 3D model that's probably re-used again and again with different textures, took half an hour for some game artist to produce a shitload of them that the company can now charge you premium for, and extra-platinum if you get the one with the golden pixelated stars on the right side, just under the virtual pocket. No, you can't really wear it or put anything in that pocket, but look at the face of the other players when they see how fabulous your character is looking now!*
Note: Other players' faces may or may not be visible. Virtual belt and virtual shoes sold separately. We will totally release the same clothing model with a mildly different texture soon enough and we'll offer it for a "special price" for early adopters.
I really like freemium games that push cosmetics only such as skins, dance moves, and other non-essentials. It opens up the game to the most people, levels the playing field between players who pay and those who don't, and still allows a fun incentive to invest in the development of the game. I can't stand and refuse to become invested in games that use loot boxes using actual currency as the method to obtain end game content, must have equipment, or are the only way to get it in a reasonable amount of time.
So to start with, I think Fortnight is doing this free to play right. You can truly play as much as you like, any items you can buy are pretty much just fun graphical enhancements for your avatar.
However I would quibble slightly that the graphics only re-skins give a small advantage - simply from a camo standpoint, if you buy a darker outfit you are going to be harder to see from a distance against the landscape or in a shadow. Almost all of the really good players I've seen have darker outfits... with the occasional exception of someone showing off wearing a hot pink teddy bear or something else really vibrant.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
there's no loot boxes/ trading cards in this game, guess you never played it
you said they actually could care less than they do.. you mean couldn't care less.