One of the big problems with this, I think, is putting your eggs in one basket.
Publisher: "oh, hey, lots of people use microtransactions and enjoy F2P! Let's make games they like!"
Customer: "but I don't want those things..." *stops buying those games*
Publisher just lost part of their audience in pursuit of making one kind of game that appeals to a specific demographic. Shouldn't a wider variety of experiences that appeal to different demographics and interest groups be good?
It's like how so many people are focused on competitive multiplayer these days, and totally ignoring the fact that expressive fun-based games have a huge appeal, and when done well (Minecraft, Skyrim, Arkham City), they sell like bonkers. Most publishers are interested in chasing the Uncharteds or Leagues, so they completely ignore this market.
Publisher: "oh, hey, lots of people use microtransactions and enjoy F2P! Let's make games they like!"
Customer: "but I don't want those things..." *stops buying those games*
Publisher just lost part of their audience in pursuit of making one kind of game that appeals to a specific demographic. Shouldn't a wider variety of experiences that appeal to different demographics and interest groups be good?
It's like how so many people are focused on competitive multiplayer these days, and totally ignoring the fact that expressive fun-based games have a huge appeal, and when done well (Minecraft, Skyrim, Arkham City), they sell like bonkers. Most publishers are interested in chasing the Uncharteds or Leagues, so they completely ignore this market.