Who Done it

Recently I was introduce to an article entitled, "Who killed video games?"

The article outlined the basic design ideas behind most modern flash/smartphone app games.  These games are widespread and popular.  The article focused on the use of micro-transactions to earn revenue for the creators.  This is in contrast to traditional games which require an upfront price.

Along with the idea of this being the "FTP" or "Free to Play" and "FTUE" or "First Time User Experience" the article generally discusses how the companies that create these games try to craft them in such a way to make players want to pay more for what is already given to them for free.

After reading this I began to take a look at an online game I play called Eve Online.  Eve recently added micro-transactions in the form of the Noble Exchange.  The Noble Exchange or Nex as it is called in game is a seperate market for vanity item goods.  Here players can buy a couple new outfits, and in the future more content will be added.

When the Nex was introduced the player base in general revolted.  The forums were full of players angry about the intorduction of micro-transactions into the game, and in game riots sprang up across the in game universe protestin the new addition.

The Nex was added to the game in large part because teh creators of Eve were drawing criticism from other MMORPG creators.

With the introduction of the Nex market, CCP the creators of Eve released the new currency Aurum.  Aurum, or Aur is obtained by trading in game tokens called PLEX (Pilots License EXtensions) theses item are worth 30 days of game play time, and can be purchased for cast at a price of $19.99 for one or $15 times 2, 6 or 12, with a special promotional offer of 13 for the price of $199.

After reading the article I see how the introduction of the Nex and Aurum was a slight failure.  The main reason is that the price point is too high, $15 is hardly considered micro to many people.  Secondly, because of the Aurum pice for items in the Nex, a shirt for your character cost just enough Aurum that you needed 2 PLEX's or at least $30.00 to purchase.

There are several other game-related issues that caused teh massive uproar from the player base.  After reading the article I realize what some of the problems were in regards to teh introduction of secondary micro-transaction market in Eve Online.