The most recent podcast, podcast 23, was about micro-transactions. I think everyone would agree that thus far, micro-transactions have been macro-thievery. For the amount of money required, the amount of content delivered is very small. Step back a bit, and you can see the history leading up to this terrible concept.

Exhibit A: The Expansion
For quite some time, gamer’s have had the option of purchasing the add-on or expansion pack for various games. Memorable expansions I can think of include Diablo II:Lord of Destruction, Opposing Force for HL1, or Conquerors for Age of Empires 2. Expansions reuse large portions of game assets but expand the game a significant degree. The expansion is a shorter version of a full sequel.

Exhibit B: Pay-to-Play
Noticably introduced with the release of Everquest in 1999, pay to play offers a rolling update of content delivered for the price of a periodic fee.

Exhibit C: Episodic content
While not necessarily a new idea, it is gaining viability now after the release of episode 1 and SIN on steam. Episodic content is very similar to the expansion, but is significantly smaller. Episodic content can be independant of a direct “predecssor”.

Exhibit D: Micro Transaction
Content is offered in individual segments for a fee based on the quantity of content and the developers greed.

So, where does one draw the line for unacceptable cost per unit of gaming goodness (a somewhat intangible unit to define). I have bought a large number of expansions. I knew what content I was getting beforehand from reviews or demos and I could play that content until my eyes bled from cathode rays.

To date I have not payed a monthly fee for a game. I think it is fundamentally wrong. The thought that I have to pay one third the price of the game simply to play it another month… it “aggravates” me. Not only that, but the content I am getting I have no control over. You mentioned SWG as a game that was FUBAR’d by the developer… imagine paying a year’s subscription to have that happen…

If I quit playing a Pay-to-play game and came back half a year later, all the content generated in that time would be available to me yes? So what are those other shmos who are still playing in my absence really paying for? Server fees?

Micro transactions and episodic content are the latest ideas to bleed money from the loyal consumer’s pocket. I doubt pay-to-play and microtransactions will be exclusive either… people can sell their virtual crap online, I imagine the publishers want a piece of that action.

One thing I will say about micro transactions and episodic content, at least they are optional. At least I know beforehand what I will be getting for my money. This fact is why I haven’t made any microtransactions or bought any episodes, I knew in advance they weren’t worth the asking price. I have seen many wail and gnash their teeth at these new forms of revenue generation and then go play WoW or some other pay-to-play game. Through this contradiction they are saying pay-to-play fees are acceptable, trivial even. I think they are far worse.