Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it been used already?

Posted by amichail on Monday September 16, 2019 @02:58PM
from the ask-hn dept.

The idea is to have freemium games that are completely free as long as you maintain a streak of passing at least one level per day.

When your streak ends, you would lose progress (e.g., a passed level becomes "unpassed" for each day that you don't pass a level).

You would only pay to avoid having to replay "unpassed" levels.

Do you think this model would be successful? Has it already been used in some game(s)?

( 8 comments | 6 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by sgillen on Monday September 16, 2019 @03:31PM (#20987719)

I've never seen it before, to be honest though I don't see this being a successful model. The people not playing every day are already those who are not really hooked on your game, I think most people that come back to a game after "unpassing", would probably just quit the game entirely, and anyone who shells out for the levels they already beat will probably feel resentful.

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by sp332 on Monday September 16, 2019 @03:08PM (#20987474)

I don't know if it's been used. But not only would you not make money from your most motivated players, you'd be pushing away players who have shown some interest and that you want to encourage.

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by amichail on Monday September 16, 2019 @03:53PM (#20987917)

But maybe you would get better word of mouth from the most motivated players?

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by gitgud on Monday September 16, 2019 @06:20PM (#20989127)

I have seen a similar mechanic in a game called [1] "Smash Hit". The free version would basically just disable saving. Once you paid a few dollars for the premium version, you could save your progress. I liked the model.

Having streaks might stress-out and frustrate the users...

[1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediocre.s...

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by gt2 on Monday September 16, 2019 @08:58PM (#20990137)

Great game! Recently tried it again after some years.

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by benologist on Monday September 16, 2019 @03:06PM (#20987452)

Temporarily unlocking content we've been charging once for unlimited access to sounds surprisingly ethical, said an EA spokesperson.

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by Harrymon12 on Monday September 16, 2019 @10:50PM (#20990831)

Is gamehag ok? They've been giving steam games as long as you maintain some little task for them.

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Re:Ask HN: Is this a better model for freemium games? Has it... by armatav on Wednesday September 18, 2019 @12:00AM (#21002281)

This idea is amazing - exchange attention for saving cash.

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