Marketing Systems in Online Games

[HyperQuantum 362]

:excl: Before we proceed, I would like to state that this is NOT a political or government regime topic. The terms "free market" and "planned market" used in this topic refer to the Economics system in many online games we see nowadays.

 

Definition of Terms (Online Games)

Free Market - the prices for game items are set freely by consent between players, in which the laws and forces of supply and demand are free from any intervention by the developers.

 

Planned Market - the prices of game items are set entirely by the developers or any body which runs the gaming company, whereby the forces of demand and supply are easily manipulated to suit the game's overall economy.

 

Which is better?

There is no online game in this world that stands at the ends of the marketing spectrum. All games, AAA or indie, has a mixed marketing system with a fixed proportion of marketing freedom and developer plannings.

 

A free market certainly provides more marketing freedom for the players, not to mention that trading between players is allowed. This promotes a self-sustaining market system, and the interest of the players are protected by the prices set by themselves. However, this could bring damage to the gaming industry, as profits for players are more focused than profits for developers, which sustains the gaming industry itself.

 

A planned economy allows little to no economical interaction between players, but the good thing is that the profit which guarantees the survival of the game title is ensured. It prevents the market from possible hyperinflation or any other forms of damage, and the game industry is very well protected.

 

Tanki Online's Marketing System

Tanki Online's marketing system, in my opinion, is more of a planned economy whereby no trading can possibly be done between players. To put it blantly, the only trading is done between player and developer. Inflation rate, demand and supply, distribution of crystals, income equality/inequality are in the hands of the developers, giving them ease of access when it comes to protecting the game's financial success.

 

 

Examples of Slightly Free Market Games

MapleStory

Path of Exile

DDTank

Magic Campus

 

Examples of Planned Market Games

Tanki Online

World of Tanks

Counter Strike

 

I am interested to know what do you think about the marketing system of Tanki Online. Should it remain? Should it change?

Edited January 11, 2016 by HyperQuantum

[BlueDragon_tamki 3,204]

Idk yet

[dilsharox 2,395]

Global game economics? Interesting...