When it comes to free games versus paid-for games, I enjoy a game a lot more if I’ve paid for it.
Buying a game is one more risky decision that can be very rewarding, the rest are in-game. Just like playing a game and choosing between two weapons when you can only carry one.
Is the price of the game one more atom in a list of rewarding game ingredients?
Purchasing a well priced game make me feel great. An agonising decision is my favourite! Of course if the game sucks then I feel bad, and that’s not a good thing.
Something to think about when you go to price your game. Is the act of buying a game, a game we play with ourselves?
Note: New to game atoms? read Danc’s post on The Chemistry of Game Design
Purchasing a game can very much be seen as a skill atom. It involves
- Signaling to the player that the action is valuable
- The act of completing the purchase
- The delivery of the new content to player
- The feedback to the player that their action was either a success or a failure.
You see purchasing-type game mechanics throughout games. Real world purchasing can be modeled using the same techniques as in game purchasing. It is a fun exercise.
Great post!
Danc.
Insightful comment, thanks!