
Video games these days come in different shapes and sizes. We see the release of hundreds of video games every year for each genre. Some of these video games are amazing and worth every penny, while others are not up to the mark. There also exist video games that are free-to-play, and people wonder how these games are able to generate money.
One thing a lot of people think is that free stuff is “free.” By this, I meant that if something is free, you are the product. Social Media is a big example of this, as you don’t have to pay a single penny to create an account on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and you can use them for free however you like. As for video games that are free, these rely on in-game transactions.
Most video games these days have their own in-game currency that can be earned through different methods. While you can acquire it directly in the game by completing various tasks, it can even be purchased using real-life money. This is done by those players who want to quickly become rich in the game. For instance, you can buy WoW Gold, the central currency of World of Warcraft.
How In-Game Currencies Are Earned
First, let’s take a look at how these in-game currencies can be earned. Every video game has its own in-game currency, and it can be anything such as Gold, Silver, Coins, and so on. In most cases, whenever you complete a task or a mission, you are rewarded with a certain amount of in-game currency. For instance, in World of Warcraft, you can earn gold by completing quests. There are various other activities that can help earn it as well, such as taking down powerful mobs, selling stuff at the Auction House, and more. This is only for World of Warcraft, and things are different in other video games.
Purpose Behind In-Game Currencies
Now, coming down to the purpose behind these in-game currencies. A big reason they exist is to help players feel like they are part of the real world. We all know that you need money to buy something in real life, and you just can’t survive without it. And there are many video games where you need to earn to survive.
In-game currencies can be used to purchase different kinds of stuff. They can be used to purchase weapons that can help you against your enemies, vehicles or mounts that can help you quickly travel from one place to another, different crafting resources, and so on. However, cosmetic items are something on which players spend the most amount of money.
For those who don’t know, cosmetic items in video games are something through which you can customize your character. These cosmetic items can include skins, costumes, and much more. By using these items, players can make their character stand out from the rest. Apex Legends is a prime example of how important cosmetic items are
Its creators have managed to earn millions through it, thanks to these in-game cosmetic items. The in-game currency of Apex Legends comes in the form of Apex Coins, and these can be purchased using real-life money. The in-game store of the battle royale is updated from time to time, and with each update, we see new stuff in it. As for players, they rush to buy new stuff. They pay no attention to how much money they are spending on these items. All they care about is getting the new skins for their characters to look better than everyone else. While this may sound stupid to some, the developers are still earning tons of cash through this strategy.
A big reason why players are always willing to spend money in the in-game store is that developers are always introducing new stuff. Games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone, and a couple more are updated weekly or monthly. We get to see new items in their in-game store from time to time, and players are always eager to buy new content. They don’t care about how much money they are spending. All they care about is getting the new skins for their characters to look better than everyone else. While this may sound stupid to some, the developers are still earning tons of cash through this strategy.
We also see seasonal events in different video games that follow a certain theme. For instance, on Christmas, many games host Christmas events that feature a snow theme. During these events, we get to see event-exclusive skins as well. These skins manage to sell quickly. The reason behind this is they are exclusive and are not easy to get. Players know that their only chance of buying these skins is through the event, so they waste no time in making a purchase in the in-game store.
There have been times when people have complained about these in-game stores, but this is only because their children were careless. For instance, a mother once claimed that her son stole her credit card to purchase V-Bucks, the in-game currency of Fortnite. Now, this isn’t the fault of the developers, as they aren’t asking people to steal money to purchase stuff in their game. Sure, they do market their products, but they are not forcing anyone to buy them.
Conclusion
If you ask me, I don’t see the trend of in-game purchases ever going down. In fact, I only see it increasing in the coming years. New games are being released every year, and each one offers something new for players to buy. If a game is free to play and it manages to attract millions of players, it becomes a cash stream for the developers. This isn’t wrong, as the developers spent years developing their video games, and it is only right for them to earn money through the in-game store. After all, customizing characters using different cosmetic items is a fun process, and it makes you develop a special connection with your character.