More Evidence of Free-to-play Model Adoption
Posted Thursday, February 19th, 2009 by Jennifer
(source: combatarms.nexon.net)
The free-to-play game model has proven widely popular in Asia, but until recently game publishers directed to the North American audience have clung to more traditional revenue models. The companies that adopted the new trend here are seeing tremendous user growth, and now many top game developers are following suit.
As Virtual Goods News reported of game publisher Nexon’s free-to-play title, Combat Arms, “Since the game launched in October 2008 in North America, its first million users were likely registered within roughly a month’s time.” Those numbers are pretty significant, and roughly 4 months later they are at 2million and growing.
On Acclaim’s free-to-play games, James Brightman writes in his article on Game Daily:
“The free-to-play business model has been working well for Acclaim and the so called “freemium” market has been growing rapidly. Acclaim has in development or has already published 20 multiplayer online games; the company is ultimately looking to become the biggest online game publisher in the U.S.”
Brightman also notes Acclaim’s CEO as quoting they will soon announce their 10 millionth registered player. Not bad at all.
Though skeptics do exist on the sustainability of this model, after watching companies such as Acclaim and Nexon report this type of growth, it looks like competition will be heating up for free-to-play market share.
To succeed, publishers will need to continually refine their revenue strategy and the options they offer their users. Luckily, Sometrics is here to help.
(via - Virtual Goods News and Game Daily)
