The Pros and Cons of Free to Play Games

Free to play games have become quite popular in the United States, as there are many companies releasing free games and profiting from them with a freemium-like business model. Basically, they will release a free game with paid upgrades, and the players who upgrade will certainly gain an advantage over their competition. In addition, many free to play FPS games will have a store for weapons and upgrades. Free-to-play games are generally MMO's, as more people are playing online than ever before. In fact, even modern gaming consoles are starting to release free games, and one-time purchases are expected to decline. Instead, companies can put out a free video game with paid upgrades and profit more in the long run.

EA has put out a great deal of free-to-play games, such as Lord of Ultima, Need for Speed World and Battlefield Play4Free. Valve Corporation has also been using this free-to-play business model, by releasing games like Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2, which have received nothing but positive reviews and ratings. Turbine has released a free-to-play Dungeons & Dragons game called Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited.

So, are these games a success or do companies profit more from one-time purchased video games? The answer varies depending on the type of game one is purchasing, but it appears that free-to-play video games are more profitable. Turbine's "The Lord of the Rings Online tripled in profit once they started using the F2P game with a Cash shop option. Sony Online Entertainment converted their "EverQuest" game into a F2P game, which increased their item sales by 125% and three times more user sign ups than they had with the subscription model before.

In Russia and South Korea free-to-play games make up for 90% of the gaming market, as they were offering F2P games before they became a huge success in America.

Pros



The best thing about F2P games is that they are free, so you can get a chance to see if you like the game before you invest money into it. If you like the game and want to gain an advantage over other players then you can put money into the game. This business model has proven to be a success, and many people will spend a little money for new features or game add-ons.

Another great thing about free-to-play games is that many of them are just as good as one-time purchased games that go for $50. The graphics are great, and the multiplayer action is just as fun, if not better. Things are constantly added, so instead of buying the sequel to the game, you will get a free upgrade. Some games put out new maps, new weapons and other game add-ons throughout time, so you never know what to expect.



They are available on all operating systems, and even gaming consoles like the Microsoft Xbox 360 have started releasing F2P games. Even if you are on Linux you can find a great free-to-play, so they are available for everyone. Aside from the OS your computer is on, think about this. F2P games are available on all devices as well, including your phone. This must push game makers to put out more free-to-play games, as people can get just as much enjoyment out of a free game as they can a purchased one.

Cons



One of the biggest concerns that users face when they play a free online MMO is the fact that the servers are often congested and lag. Lag is an online gamer's worst fear, as it will completely take the fun out of playing the game. When this happens, the game player will often have a chance to purchase uncongested servers, so it can make them game slightly profitable.

Another problem that people face when playing F2P games is that there are often hackers who manage to screw something up, making the game unfair. Nobody wants to play with someone who is cheating; so many F2P games have failed due to bugs and hackers.

The most common complaint exclusive free-to-play games have is that there is a huge advantage for the players who can afford the upgrades. Thus the term Pay 2 Win was coined with some games offering ridiculous paid upgrades and features which make playing for free less enjoyable. Although not every F2P game is guilty of this, most of them will provide paid upgrades that give the player a huge advantage over others, almost letting them buy dominance over other players. This is something that you might notice in the mobile game, "Spartans," where players can purchase more "faith" and speed upgrades. It is also seen in the game Tiberium Alliances, where if you don't pay for extra repair time and command points you will definitely feel the wrath of players who did pay! Of course, if you have the money for game upgrades then this might not be a con for you.

Conclusion

Free-to-play games are likely the future of gaming, as nearly everyone has access to great F2P games. They aren't limited to one gaming console, as F2P games are available on all devices; personal computers, smartphones, and tablets. It is a win-win for both gamer and creators, as the games are highly profitable and fun to play at the same time. In the long run, a consumer is likely to put more into a free-to-play that stays relevant longer than a one-time purchased game. Games that are purchased one-time are often replaced by a newer sequel that needs to be purchased one-time, with a fee of $50 and up. F2P games are often updated and maintained, so new game add-ons, maps, and features can be added throughout time.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons and it is safe to say that F2P games are the future, as the demand and expectation for free games is at an all-time high. Gamers have caught on and realized that free games are just as good, so why spend $60 on a new CoD game when you can play a F2P game like Team Fortress 2?

Here are some video game trailers to popular F2P games:

Battlefield Play4Free Official Game Trailer



World of Tanks Game Trailer - Endless War



The Lord of the Rings Online Trailer



Command & Conquer: Tiberian Alliances Game Trailer