I completely understand your desire to want to separate yourself from the pitchfork brigade, I really do, but I don't know why TA seems to be so hesitant in calling out this particular implementation of F2P for what it is - simple greed (and even I feel like I'm being dragged into the pitchfork brigade just by saying that!). Many other F2P games put fun gameplay first, and the enjoyment of that fun gameplay leads to abundant and successful IAPs (Nimblebit's games, Temple Run, etc.) RR3 definitely has put monetisation over and above gameplay (the fixing part, not the actual driving part). Real Racing now just feels like another Farmville...
Here's what I don't understand from people defending this price model. Yes, we all know this game took millions and millions to make. But I can say with almost certainty if this has been priced at $6.99 or even more that it would have easily made that money back. Look at the Infinity Blade games. Those cost a lot to make but if I recall Epic has said they were their most profitable games EVER (believe that even includes the Gears of Wars games). There were IAPs in the IB games too but they did not imposes as much hinderance to gameplay as these sound. I could understand if Real Racing wasn't an established franchise. But it is and I think it would have blown away profits in a premium model. They could have even included some IAP for really impatient people who want upgrades quicker.
EXACTLY! This game may see a massive number of downloads shortly after release, but seeing as though it's NOT a casual game like Temple Run, the only people who are going to want to play it for any great length of time are the original demographic, who would've paid top Dollar for it anyway. This game is garnering a lot of interest because of the controversy, and as such, it's getting a lot of headlines too. This game WILL download well initially, but I'm not sure we'll be seeing a Real Racing 4. This controversy will put an end to that. Eli has mentioned this game in the same breath as Gran Turismo on the PlayStation, but whilst GT will always be remembered fondly, RR3 will always be remembered as the one that killed the series.
Guys, wtf is going on? I just unlocked the MP4-12C using gold coins I collected in-game. Then I joined the v8 International cup with the MP4-12C. And you know what? YOU KNOW WHAT? I was 1st before the first corner. LIke in 4 seconds I was first. From 22. ANd I won the race by 3 km. Where is the sense? Where is the balance? Everything is so artificial in the game. I am seething with rage inside.
Man this whole situation is a mess. I guess using this thread to talk about the game itself is basically out the window now. What a rain-pissing black cloud that has formed over the most anticipated release of the year so far. Too bad they didn't just make a universal build for ten bucks, it would probably be up there with the most heralded releases in iOS history. Now, it's coming out tonight, and my anticipation is non-existent.
I'm not moaning. I'm stating my opinion, just like you. And believe me when I say I won't be downloading it.
Thanks Awp. Critical thinking is so rare these days. Way easier to bend over as EA/WETFE masters wish.
What you say is very true. This is the way to make the game. This is the way to do business. If you're a developer. Unfortunately, it means you end up making a product that a lot of your customers will complain about. I used to work in advertising, and I worked really hard, coming up with what I thought was great creative work, but at the end of the day, it was still advertising I was producing, and no customers actually wants to see advertising. As such, as it was very soul-sapping. I kind of equate freemium games to this - it might make money for the developers, but surely it must be disheartening for Firemonkeys to force their customers to wait between races just so that they can make money from them.
ugh... this thead grows one page everytime i finish reading one page (stealing some inserted TA reading time while working)
http://www.droidgamers.com/index.php/game-news/android-game-news/5544-ea-to-release-first-ever-freemium-tetris-game-onto-mobile-soon
Whilst I might have put it more politely than khaotikbk, he is correct here. Rather than TA saying "oh well, this is where iOS gaming is heading, let's just go with it", maybe you should be using all your front page articles to point out how sad this situation has become. Call RR3 out for what it really is. TouchArcade carries a lot of weight, and what you say has the power to change the iOS gaming industry, it really does. Rather than give up and say this is what it is like now, suck it up - why not say this is not how it should have ended up, let's take it back. There is no reason why EA couldn't have released this game exactly as it is now with the one addition of a one-time IAP that removes all timers and turns this into a "proper" Real Racing game. That way the freebie-grabbers are happy and the previous demographic is happy too. The customers are happy, the developers are happy, everyone wins. As khaotikbk said, this is now totally about making as much profit as possible in any way possible, regardless of the quality and enjoyment of the product. If that's what the developers want to do, and if they succeed, then good for them. No, really, good for them. If I'm being honest, given half a chance I'd sell my soul for a truckload of cash and then move on to something else too. But I wouldn't expect anyone to like me for it, and EA shouldn't either.
http://www.droidgamers.com/index.php/game-news/site-news-rants/5546-rant-shit-just-got-real-the-timer-based-freemium-system-in-real-racing-3-stinks
Lol. Now that's how you put EA in its place. First proper "mainstream" (are they even mainstream?) article on this BS.
You have a point about attachment rate. As a fan of Paradox's games, I confess to buying more than my fair share of DLC (don't even ask how much I've spent on music DLC for Crusader Kings 2 or how much I am looking forward to the "Heart of Darkness" expansion to Victoria 2). The problem is that Real Racing HAD THAT! What astonishes me most about all this, is that while yes, freemium is, unfortunately, the way to go for most developers and games, I am not sold that it was necessary for THIS game. The popularity and high ratings of the previous editions plus the marketing machine that is EA could have easily allowed a premium, $6.99 Real Racing 3 to make a very decent profit. There has been a discussion about how few premium titles are in the top 10 list of grossing apps, and I feel that Real Racing 3 could easily have been one of those few. And as far as attachment rate for DLC, obviously I can't say for certain how well that will go, but I am sure that a number of RR fans also play Forza... so they would certainly be conditioned to car/track DLC packs...
Good read. I hope some iOS reviewers put this in its place. Unfortunately, many will probably just blow it off as "well, freemium is just the trend" and give EA a pass.
