Web-based MMORPGs

I have been playing a web-based MMORPG: Realm of the Mad God produced by Wild Shadow Studios.  This game is even more retro than Clan Lord (if you can believe that) as the graphics are a blocky, pixelated throw-back to the old Legend of Zelda game.

This game does a number of things very well:

• It allows many people to play online using just a web browser (and the Flash plugin).
• It is free to play.
• It relies on microtransactions for revenue.

Long have I dreamed of seeing Clan Lord move from an application-based game to a web-based game, and RotMG is an example that such a transition is possible.  One of the major downsides is that there is rampant cheating within this game – apparently it is quite a simple matter of writing an add-on which enables one to boost the character's stats, granting unlimited health/speed/defense and such.  It may be possible to move from an application-based format to a web-based format but, based on the current security technologies, it does not appear that such a transition would be beneficial for Clan Lord.

Cheating aside, RotMG is still a fun game to play.  I have found myself repeatedly spending a couple of dollars for a few vanity items.  I have thought about microtransactions in Clan Lord, but in its current format, CL doesn't really need microtransactions.  If CL were ever to become a free-to-play web game, then perhaps such a business model could be reevaluated.

Maybe I should learn how to write Flash games for the web!

Money Can Buy Happiness

Today Valve released an excellent update for their Team Fortress 2 game.  In addition to numerous new items, mini-games and new clothing, they created the in-game Mann Co. Store.  This store enables players to spend real-world money to get game-world gear.

Most of the character classes for TF2 have items sets.  These are comprised of individual items which, when all are equipped, give an additional bonus/ability.  While these items may be found randomly within the game, many players opted to spend the money and outright obtain all of the completed sets.  It was rather remarkable to listen to players comment on their purchased items (literally listen – many of the players use team speak): one individual spent $60 at the Mann Co. Store and was very happy with his tricked-out sniper.

Some other cool things available at the in-game store are paint and name tags.  Paint enables a player to change the color of certain items, such as the color of a hat.  Name tags allow players to change the name of certain items.  There are also some new clothing accessories which are available only through the Mann Co. Store; these special items may not be found nor created within TF2.  They are available only through the in-game store.

I like the idea of spending a couple of dollars to customize your character.  The prices are low enough to make this an enticing option.  This lead me to wonder: (a) will this business model be successful for Valve, and (b) can a similar business model be applied to Clan Lord?  Joe has stated that he never wanted CL to be the type of game where players could buy in-game advantages, but what about allowing players to pay real world money for in-game vanity?  Would CL players pay $1.99 for a unique female fen healer icon, or pay $2.99 for a unique permanent skin dye?

My TF2 teammates were very happy with their purchases.  I guess money can buy happiness!