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Free-to-play
"Free-to-play" ("F2P" or "FtP") video games are games that give players access to a significant portion of their content for free. The term "free-to-play business model" or simply, "free-to-play model", refers collectively to business models that ultimately result in the creation of free-to-play games. Games that adhere to free-to-play business models are distinct from traditional premium games, which require payment before use. Free-to-play games are not to be confused with freeware games, which are entirely costless. Accordingly, free-to-play games are sometimes called "free-to-start" due to not being entirely free. Certain free-to-play games have also been labeled as " pay-to-win"—that is, that players can pay to obtain competitive advantages over other players. There are several kinds of ways that free-to-play games generate money, despite being mostly free. A common method is based on the freemium software model, in which users are incentivised to make small purchases ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Microtransaction
Microtransaction (mtx) refers to a business model where users can purchase in-game virtual goods with micropayments. Microtransactions are often used in free-to-play games to provide a revenue source for the developers. While microtransactions are a staple of the mobile app market, they are also seen on PC software such as Valve's Steam digital distribution platform, as well as console gaming. Free-to-play games that include a microtransaction model are sometimes referred to as "freemium". Another term, " pay-to-win", is sometimes used pejoratively to refer to games where purchasing items in-game can give a player an advantage over other players, particularly if the items cannot be obtained through free means. The objective with a free-to-play microtransaction model is to involve more players in the game by providing desirable items or features that players can purchase if they lack the skill or available time to earn these through regular game play. Also, presumably the game de ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VALORANT
''Valorant'' is a 2020 First-person shooter, first-person tactical shooter, tactical hero shooter video game developed and published by Riot Games. A free-to-play game, ''Valorant'' takes inspiration from the ''Counter-Strike'' series, borrowing several mechanics such as the buy menu, spray patterns, and inaccuracy while moving. Development started in 2014 and was teased under the codename ''Project A'' in 2019; the game was released on June 2, 2020 for Microsoft Windows, Windows. It was ported to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox Series X/S in June 2024, albeit without Cross-platform play, crossplay between PC and console clients. Gameplay ''Valorant'' is a team-based First-person shooter, first-person tactical shooter, tactical hero shooter set in the near future. Players play as one of a set of Agents, characters based on several countries and cultures around the world. In the main game mode, players are assigned to either the attacking or defending t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) is an American video game company headquartered in Redwood City, California. Founded in May 1982 by former Apple Inc., Apple employee Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer game industry and promoted the designers and programmers responsible for its games as "software artists". EA published numerous games and some productivity software for personal computers, all of which were developed by external individuals or groups until 1987's ''Skate or Die!'' The company shifted toward internal game studios, often through acquisitions, such as Distinctive Software becoming EA Canada in 1991. Into the 21st century, EA develops and publishes games of established franchises, including ''Battlefield (video game series), Battlefield'', ''Need for Speed'', ''The Sims'', ''Medal of Honor (video game series), Medal of Honor'', ''Command & Conquer'', ''Dead Space'', ''Mass Effect'', ''Dragon Age'', ''Army of Two (series), Army of Two'', ''A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
League Of Legends
''League of Legends'' (''LoL'', commonly referred to as ''League'', is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games. Inspired by ''Defense of the Ancients'', a Mod (video games), custom map for ''Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III'', Riot's founders sought to develop a stand-alone game in the same genre. Since its release in October 2009, ''League'' has been free-to-play and is monetized through Freemium, purchasable character customization. The game is available for Windows and macOS. In the game, two teams of five players battle in player-versus-player combat, each team occupying and defending their half of the map. Each of the ten players controls a character, known as a "champion", with unique abilities and differing styles of play. During a match, champions become more powerful by collecting experience points, earning gold, and purchasing Item (game terminology), items to defeat the opposing team. In ''League''s main mode, Su ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fortnite
''Fortnite'' is an online video game and game platform developed by Epic Games and released in 2017. It is available in seven distinct game mode versions that otherwise share the same general gameplay and game engine: '' Fortnite Battle Royale'', a battle royale game in which up to 100 players fight to be the last person standing; '' Fortnite: Save the World'', a cooperative hybrid tower defense- shooter and survival game in which up to four players fight off zombie-like creatures and defend objects with traps and fortifications they can build; '' Fortnite Creative'', in which players are given complete freedom to create worlds and battle arenas; '' Lego Fortnite'', an open world game collection divided between survival game ''Lego Fortnite Odyssey'' and social game ''Lego Fortnite Brick Life''; '' Rocket Racing'', a racing game; '' Fortnite Festival'', a rhythm game; and '' Fortnite Ballistic'', a tactical first-person shooter currently in early access. All game mode ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apex Legends
''Apex Legends'' is a 2019 Battle royale game, battle royale-hero shooter video game developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, set in the same science fiction universe as Respawn's ''Titanfall'' series. It is offered free-to-play and is continuously updated under the games as a service model; the game was originally released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in February 2019 and was followed by versions for Nintendo Switch in 2021 and both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022, with all supporting cross-platform play, cross-platform multiplayer. A Mobile game, mobile version designed for touchscreens was briefly available until its discontinuation in 2023. Before the match, players form into two- or three-player squads, and select from Player character, pre-designed characters with distinctive abilities, known as "Legends". The game has three gameplay modes - Trios, Duos and Solos. In "Battle royale game, Battle Royale", up to 20 three-perso ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Video Game Publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that have been developed either internally by the publisher or externally by a video game developer. They often finance the development, sometimes by paying a video game developer (the publisher calls this ''external development'') and sometimes by paying an internal staff of developers called a ''studio''. The large video game publishers also distribute the games they publish, while some smaller publishers instead hire distribution companies (or larger video game publishers) to distribute the games they publish. Other functions usually performed by the publisher include deciding on and paying for any licenses that are used by the game; paying for localization; layout, printing, and possibly the writing of the user manual; and the creation of graphic design elements such as the box design. Some large publishers with vertical structure also own publishing subsidiaries (labels). Large publishers also attempt to boos ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nexon
Nexon Co., Ltd. (formerly ) is a South Korean video game developer and publisher. It develops and publishes titles including ''MapleStory'', ''Crazyracing Kartrider'', ''Sudden Attack'', ''Dungeon & Fighter'', ''The First Descendant'', and ''Blue Archive''. Headquartered in Japan, the company has offices in South Korea, the United States, Taiwan, and Thailand. Nexon was founded in Seoul, South Korea, in 1994 by Kim Jung-ju. In 2005, the company moved its headquarters to Tokyo, Japan. However, its largest shareholder is an investment and holding company NXC, headquartered in Jeju Province, South Korea. History Nexon was established in Seoul, South Korea, on December 26, 1994. It developed and published its first title, ''Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds'', in 1996, which the company continues to service. Numerous other games followed, such as ''Dark Ages: Online Roleplaying'', ''Elemental Saga'', ''QuizQuiz (video game), QuizQuiz'', ''KartRider'', ''Elancia'', and ''Shattered ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
In-game Advertising
In-game advertising (IGA) is advertising in electronic games. IGA differs from advergames, which refers to games specifically made to advertise a product. The IGA industry is large and growing. In-game advertising generated $34 million in 2004, $56 million in 2005, $80 million in 2006, and $295 million in 2007. In 2009, spending on IGA was estimated to reach $699 million USD, $1 billion by 2014Arif Durrani (2009-05-26). "Screen Digest forecasts $1bn boom for in-game advertising"Brandrepublic http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/908125/Screen-Digest-forecasts-1bn-boom-in-game-advertising/. Retrieved 2011-04-14. and according to ''Forbes'' is anticipated to grow to $7.2 billion by 2016. The earliest known IGA was the 1978 computer game '' Adventureland'', which inserted a self-promotional advertisement for its next game, '' Pirate Adventure''."The Making of Adventureland". EDGE (162): 104–107. May 2006. IGA can be integrated into the game either through a display in the backgro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Freemium
Freemium, a portmanteau of the words "free" and "premium", is a pricing strategy by which a basic product or service is provided free of charge, but money (a premium) is charged for additional features, services, or virtual (online) or physical (offline) goods that expand the functionality of the free version of the software. This business model has been used in the software industry since the 1980s. A subset of this model used by the video game industry is called free-to-play. Origin The business model has been in use for software since the 1980s. The term ''freemium'' to describe this model appears to have been created much later, in response to a 2006 blog post by venture capitalist Fred Wilson summarizing the model:Give your service away for free, possibly ad supported but maybe not, acquire a lot of customers very efficiently through word of mouth, referral networks, organic search marketing, etc., then offer premium-priced value-added services or an enhanced version of y ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MapleStory
''MapleStory'' () is a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game, developed by South Korean company Wizet. Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, published by various companies (such as Nexon). Players travel the "Maple World", defeating monsters and developing their characters' skills and abilities as is typical in role-playing video games. Players can interact with others in many ways, including chatting and trading. Groups of players can band together in parties to hunt monsters and share rewards, and can also form guilds to interact more easily with each other. Players additionally have the option to visit the in-game "Cash Shop" to purchase a variety of character appearances or gameplay enhancements with real money. In July 2010, the Korean version of the game was revised in a patch named the "Big Bang". Other versions followed suit and have since received the Big Bang update. Later in the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
