Yes, I’m about to explain why I don’t mind in-app purchases in mobile games, or IAPs as they’re more commonly known. But before you grab your torches and pitchforks, let me preface this opinion piece by telling you that I am a gamer – I might be on the slightly casual side, but I’ve logged more hours on Destiny this week than I care to mention publicly. I get where many people are coming from when they are up in arms about so-called “debilitating” IAPs in a game, and I get that gamers just want an unadulterated experience without having to worry about microtransactions and downloadable content (or DLC for short). But this is my story about why I don’t mind it all that much.
Dat gamer stare doe…
I’m a pretty average guy – girlfriend, likes gadgets, works 9am-5pm (though it’s more like 9am-9pm sometimes), and only cares about fitness when its convenient. I don’t have too many hobbies, so when I have a spare moment, I like to play games – Xbox, PC, Android are my weapons of choice. Â Just like any other gamer, I love nothing more than to sit on the couch and play games for several hours at a time, but unfortunately I don’t get too many opportunities to do this between work, chores, and writing annoying opinion pieces like this. Which makes me resort to mobile games primarily.
More like *insert insult here* Keeper
Now, I’m hardly the most travelled mobile gamer, but I’ve played my fair share. And as many of you reading this will know, the prevalence of the IAPs (in-app purchases) in mobile games is on the rise. Many of these games are considered to have “gone too far” in their pursuit of revenue. A prime example of this is Dungeon Keeper, published by EA, who many in the gaming community believe has defecated on the legacy of its 1997 predecessor, leaving only a steaming pile of unplayable, cash-obsessed gameplay thanks to its IAPs. Now, some of you may have read my review of that game, but in summary, I quite enjoyed the game, much to the behest of all the commenters on that post. Really, I should have written this opinion post then, but you know how time gets away from you sometimes…
Don’t mind if I do… NOT
In essence, the reason why I enjoyed it, and why I don’t mind games with IAPs in general, is that it adds a level of discipline into my gaming. Now I realize that this goes against the core nature of gaming as it is by definition a leisure activity (except for those fortunate enough to do it for a living), but in a life dominated by schedules and obligations, a game that restricts me to 15-20 minutes of gameplay every 6 to 12 hours, is actually a welcome thing. Now, I’m not trying to sway anybody’s opinion of IAPs, or to try and defend them in any way shape or form – I still believe developers and publishers should probably tone it down a little, especially when microtransactions start becoming insta-win conditions (this is as opposed to insta-boosts).
Is it just about money?
I will say, however, that people need to start getting used to games with IAPs. Sure, there needs to be lots more innovation in how and where they are used, but they are definitely here to stay, largely thanks to how much money they earn publishers – and arguably curbs game piracy. I think we as hardcore gamers also need to stop looking at mobile games (with IAPs) through the guise of a hardcore gamer – yes, you have every right to hate it, and I get that it’s hard to play a game which forcibly restricts your gameplay on a time - or money – basis, but this, in essence, is no different to the constraints that games regularly put on us all the time; we just happen to accept these because they aren’t time-based constraints. It’s entirely feasible for someone to be engaged with a game with IAPs in it without pandering to the paradigm of microtransations; nobody is forcing you to pay for anything if you don’t want to. Again, I’m not saying that IAPs are good, or even necessary (though I will admit people need to earn a living), but I think it’s worth putting your prejudices aside now and then, opening your mind, and trying one of these games one day instead of swearing off them instinctively – you might even find something you like.
But that’s enough from me – you can grab your torches and pitchforks now. Feel free to let me know your thoughts (and hate) in the comments below.
