The Daily Grind: What do you think of 'freemium' MMOs?
There's a new flavour in town and it's called 'freemium'. A mish-mash of 'free' and 'premium', it's the latest buzzword to describe MMOs like Free Realms. The game is free and there are no monthly subscriptions but if you want the whole package like extra characters or the ability to buy in-game items, then you will need to upgrade your account or find your credit card.
This idea did not begin with Free Realms, of course. Linden Lab has been charging a land tax and offering an exchange rate for Linden Dollars since the beginning of Second Life and has created numerous in-game and real world millionaires as a result. There are also dozens of free-to-play titles which give you the option of buying potions or weapons to enhance your game. But I wonder, is the idea of a 'freemium' just a regular MMO but with an incentive to hook you in? Do you buy virtual items to enhance your game but part with real money? Do you think titles like Free Realms and Second Life are more about getting people to pay for an enhanced version of the game?
