The first free-to-play game in history is considered to have emerged in October 1999 with QuizQuiz, which appeared for mobile phones in South Korea. Players could answer trivia questions or do puzzles in the style of Reversi. It lasted until 2004 and managed to survive based on microtransactions, which were a novelty at the time. Now, 25 years later, paying for an apparently free game seems like the most normal thing in the world. Perhaps more than we realize.
“Free,” wink, wink
Nowadays, you can name a series of free-to-play games instantly and almost without blinking: Fortnite, Fall Guys, Candy Crush, Guild Wars 2, World of Tanks, Marvel Snap, The Sims 5, and so on. And you know what to do: if you want to get new items, unlock full seasons, new characters, or keep playing without seeing ads, the studios will be happy to accommodate you.
So much so that a new study claims that 82% of adult gamers have spent money on games of this style at some point. It’s not surprising, given that 85% of Generation Z and 80% of millennials watch esports in the United States. Gamers spent 45 billion hours on gaming websites and apps alone in 2023. If video games are such an important part of your life, of course you’ll spend a few extra dollars.
You may have wondered how it’s possible for people to spend money on a free game and if it’s really viable, but here’s the answer: more than four out of five adults in the United States have spent money on games, and that allows for more games of this style, causing a vicious cycle. More games, more money, more profits, and we’re back to square one.
And to think that not long ago, South Park was making fun of the topic. You’ll see things, Cartman.
