DaemonLasher wrote:Unless the cost put into a browser based game is substantial enough to need funding, then Browser based games should be free. If you wanted to make a game for money, You wouldn't make a browser based, You would make a real game.

Koldunk wrote:

DaemonLasher wrote:Unless the cost put into a browser based game is substantial enough to need funding, then Browser based games should be free. If you wanted to make a game for money, You wouldn't make a browser based, You would make a real game.

Any browser based game requires time and resources. Don't you think the people involved deserve to be compensated for that time if others show interest in their product? Whether they spent a hundred hours or a thousand, they deserve the opportunity to cash in on their dedication.

I think the real issue here is not one of absolutes, but of individual perception. The link Guardian put up goes into this at detail, but at the core I believe people misunderstand the word "free". Most browser based games are not free in the traditional sense as they use ads, donation and microtransactions to supplement the recurring costs of maintaining the game and the initial cost from development. Although you can play these games for free, casual gamers are forced to "pay" to remain competitive and in most cases, even hardcore players are tempted by the edge.

As far as a "retail box" or subscription model browser game goes I think they have a steep hill to climb. I know there's some on the market, but it's a crowded market to hope for success with that business model.

Anyway, money to developers= more development= happy gamers... Yay!