Microsoft, Sony pushing F2P for next-gen, says Epic VP
Epic Games VP Mark Rein says Microsoft and Sony are both actively courting developers regarding their next consoles' strengths using the free-to-play business model.
Both Sony and Microsoft are hopping aboard the free-to-play models in the next generation, according to Epic Games VP Mark Rein. Speaking at the UK's Game Horizon conference, Rein said that the two companies are both actively courting developers with talk of F2P models and in-app purchases.
"The next-gen consoles are going to be fully embracing the free-to-play and these IAP-type business models," Rein said, according to Joystiq. "So in case you don't know that I'm putting that out there. Sony and Microsoft are both going heavily in that area." Asked for evidence, Rein said, "I'm telling you what they're telling developers."
Sony's move into F2P isn't surprising, as it already supports some like Dust 514 on the PlayStation 3. This month's issue of Game Informer also reveals that Sony itself is working on a F2P title, and we recently learned that Blacklight Retribution will be free-to-play on the PlayStation 4. Microsoft's F2P plans are more mysterious, but that might change after it officially announces the next Xbox on May 21.
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replySteve Watts posted a new article, Microsoft, Sony pushing F2P for next-gen, says Epic VP.
Epic Games VP Mark Rein says Microsoft and Sony are both actively courting developers regarding their next consoles' strengths using the free-to-play business model.-
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Sounds more like Mark Rein marketing himself, as he is wont to do. Notice that he's not mentioning Epic's position in all this, at least not yet. Probably for some E3 unveil.
The UK Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating in-app purchases after hearing plenty of complaints of kids running up huge bills when they click a button to buy stuff while playing games on their phone: http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2013/33-13#.UYxHWKUTvfY
Also, Develop did a survey of 400 apps with in-app purchasing, and under a third had notification of in-app purchases: http://www.develop-online.net/news/44130/Less-than-a-third-of-apps-warn-offer-IAP-warnings
Developers as a whole appear to be confused on how to tackle IAP warnings. While many use a standard warning statement, others ignore this completely.
Long-standing free-to-play consumers and those well versed in the industry will know all to well about how the business model works, but the casual consumer will be unaware of what awaits them.
Some developers have recently suggested that the industry should ‘self regulate’, and claim they should be trusted to do so. But with no clear consensus for an industry-wide standard, let alone a store standard, few app publishers have a clear track record.
Emphasis above is mine. Developers want a laissez-faire market, but it's arguably because there are so many gullible fish in the water right now, in such a young market. So, surprise, Mark Rein is talking tons about in-app purchases and free to play, now that the next console platforms at least facilitate it, if not outright embrace it.
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