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#monetization#lootboxes#microtransactions

The Addictive Cost Of Predatory Videogame Monetization (The Jimquisition)

Stephanie Sterling

714K subscribers • 1 video on Hallway

YouTube
  • Recommended by 2 people: 2 on Hacker News.
  • Presented by Stephanie Sterling, host of The Jimquisition
  • May be out of date. Uploaded 7 years ago, in an area where tools change fast.
  • An opinion. It argues one side of a question engineers disagree on.

Beginner. No background in the topic needed.

1.2M views7 years ago2 recommendations

Game developmentGame design

Stephanie Sterling examines the psychological and financial impact of predatory monetization tactics like loot boxes and microtransactions in video games.

patreon.com/jimquisition thejimquisition.com thejimporium.com Aggressive monetization tactics have undoubtedly lowered the quality for many so-called "AAA" games. The shameless number of microtransactions and loot boxes have made them grinding and shallow "services" instead of complete videogames. When we talk about the impact microtransactions and loot boxes have on players, however, we often argue in abstract terms. Not today. Today we look at the human cost of predatory monetization - the impact that exploitative business models have on their vulnerable targets. To really hammer it home, we'll have to meet Torulf Jernström, a mobile studio CEO whose tactics for hunting "whales" - the prime targets of microtransactions - sound scarily like instructions for selling drugs. From "Hook Habit Hobby" to the "IKEA Effect," you're about to learn just how low this industry's tricks get. This industry has truly sold its soul. Strap in, because this gets horrible. And if I'm to be remembered for any single Jimquisition, I'd like it to be this one. #Microtransactions #Money #Addiction #JimSterling #Jimquisition __ Twitter: twitter.com/jimsterling Facebook: facebook.com/jimsterling0 Jim’s Big Ego (No Relation): bigego.com/ Bandcamp of the Sax Dragon - carlcatron.bandcamp.com Nathan Hanover - youtube.com/channel/UC-8L7n7l11PJM6FFcI6Ju8A

Why it's here

2 people recommend this

What people say. Recommended as a powerful overview of the predatory nature of microtransactions and their impact on vulnerable players.

d3nj4lon Hacker News • Recommends

On “Gamers allege EA uses dynamic difficulty adjustment so players spend more money”

It's sickening, really. Jim Sterling's video on lootboxes 1 really hammered it home for me, especially the section where he quotes from a talk by one such developer 2. The talk is literally titled "Let's go whaling", a reference to getting people to "whale" the game by paying tons of money. Fate Grand Order, a gacha game, even lampshades it: > What’s interesting about Fate/Grand Order is that the game’s marketing features a vicious caricature of dedicated players. She’s a slobbering, lecherous, gambling-addicted little monster. > Fans love her. From [3] 1: link to this video 2: link 3: link
View on Hacker News

bytehowlon Hacker News • Recommends

On “I hate what video games have become”

This video by Jim Sterling is a good overview of how knowingly sinister microtransactions truly are, with a couple narrated testimonies of people who fell for them despite not being able to afford them. link to this video
View on Hacker News

AlexandrBon Hacker News • Mentions

On “Genshin Impact made more money in its first year than any other game”

While some whales are definitely high-earning professionals who can afford it, not all of them are. I'd be curious to see research on what the split is. It's hard not to notice, however, that gacha games heavily rely on the same kind of skinner-box gambling systems as actual gambling uses with little of the regulation around payouts, transparency, and age restrictions. People who have problems with gambling, report having problems with gacha as well. See also this video of some testimonials: link to this video
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