If it hasn't died already, the end of downloading demos is nearing. Third-party companies frustrated with game sales are opting to give their games a free-to-play option to attract more gamers. Could this be the go-to move that so many MMOs and mobile games have gone to?
Tecmo's release of Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate will have two versions of the game available - the full retail edition and a special stripped down edition only for the PS3 as a download. [Geek]
Released this coming September, DOA5 Ultimate has been developed by Team Ninja and will be available as a full, paid-for game on disc for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. However, a limited basic version will also be offered as an experiment only on the PS3 as a download. It will only include four characters alongside all the game modes with the exception of story mode.
The sequel to Dragon's Dogma, DD Quest, will be a PlayStation Vita exclusive and will also implement the free-to-play model. In this version, executive producer Hideaki Itsuno told Polygon that players will be given the full quest with options to purchase things to make the quest easier.
"We decided to go with downloadable and free-to-play at an early stage," Itsuno commented. "A lot of games in that genre haven't featured much gameplay or made money purchases feel like the whole point of it. We wanted a game where it was fun to think, where it was fully playable and addictive. This is a serious, full-on RPG, and it's built to play seriously. However, there may be people who don't have much time to play or don't want to spend a lot of time in this or that part of it. For that, we have [purchasable] items that might help out people."
The free-to-play model is a trend that more games may go to. It gives gamers a vast library immediately with the limitation only being how much storage space is available on their console. Think of a better version of Google Play with so many great games available to download immediately.
Both the gamers and the developers win in a format like this. Players can get the brand new games immediately instead of holding off for a complete discount or simply buying a used copy -- companies get no income off of used games. Developers then can continue to gain revenue on games by either stripping the game down and making other modes available to purchase or implementing helpful items for players to buy to aid them through a game.
Downloadable content works in gaining more income on a video game. Enhancing that model seems like the best way to go instead of restricting full retail games to prevent them from reaching the used games market.
[Photo credit: Flickr/GamingShogun]
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