Are modern video games harmful to society due to microtransactions?

[khaine21x3 789]

Back in the days you could pay a certain amount of money for a video but these days video game developers for all platforms are moving towards a microtrasanction black hole model where players could spend ridiculous amount of money to obtain certain virtual items and unlock features.

 

I knew people who spent hundreds to thousands of dollars on video games ranging from free to play mmorpgs virtual items to smart phone games, I believe they have the same psychological effect as gambling and such model are harmful to society.

[Aaramus 449]

Depends on the game really. With the market moving towards Free to Play, micro transactions are the only way for the company to make money. This however can be a bit of risk as they could potentially be called out for "pay to win". Games that do this very well are Planetside 2 and League of Legends.

 

However, two recent examples of games doing this wrongly are The War Z and Dead Space 3. As far as I know, The War Z is pretty much pay to win, you can buy guns early on and you have to buy ammo as well as being able to pay to revive your character instantly. Dead Space 3 puts micro transactions into a single player game, perhaps the most stupid thing you can do with the model. I mean why would you even think about putting it in? It's a complete immersion breaker and just ruins the point of the single player mode.

 

I agree that perhaps people do spend too much, but as with gambling they know what they're doing with their money and if they don't have any self control over their finances then they need to stop playing that game. However it's not the same as gambling in that you don't get anything of any value back, just a virtual item and I do think people know that.

[khaine21x3 789]

I agree that perhaps people do spend too much, but as with gambling they know what they're doing with their money and if they don't have any self control over their finances then they need to stop playing that game. However it's not the same as gambling in that you don't get anything of any value back, just a virtual item and I do think people know that.

 

Well you could always sell virtual items/accounts or use existing asset as an investment for more virtual items then selling them for a profit if the game is an mmorpg but yeah there's no returns if you pay for them in a single player game or games that are designed not to have any kind of economy.

 

Selling virtual items in single player games have become common and some games already charge hundreds of dollars for a player to collect em all.

[Leafeon 2,702]

You know, this is actually a really good idea for a discussion.

 

Anyways, I'm not really sure. Both points for each debate are great. But I think I'll go with yes, as that debate seems to be stronger. As the rules used on virtual object are not the same as real objects, that's an issue. People are spending real money on such things, and it should be treated like real objects.

[Aaramus 449]

Well you could always sell virtual items/accounts or use existing asset as an investment for more virtual items then selling them for a profit if the game is an mmorpg but yeah there's no returns if you pay for them in a single player game or games that are designed not to have any kind of economy.

 

Selling virtual items in single player games have become common and some games already charge hundreds of dollars for a player to collect em all.

 

Then that's up to the player whether they want to spend that money or not. You should think about that purchase the same way you'd think about anything else you would buy. They're not forced to spend that money and while certain games do require a person to spend money to progress (an example is actually the mobile MLP Gameloft game) you don't have to spend it.

[CapnKrunk 307]

Micro transactions arent harmful to society.It's the choice YOU make to make video games harmful or not.Although some games make you pay a lot.Like map packs.They used to be 800 Microsoft points.Now it's 1200 Microsoft points.So The increased prices on stuff can have an effect too.

[khaine21x3 789]

Micro transactions arent harmful to society.It's the choice YOU make to make video games harmful or not.Although some games make you pay a lot.Like map packs.They used to be 800 Microsoft points.Now it's 1200 Microsoft points.So The increased prices on stuff can have an effect too.

 

Well you're not forced to pay for anything but like some people are addicted to obtaining more items or power by paying increasing amount of money especially if said game is a free to play mmorpg.Other detrimental effects on society includes lower fertility rate as people spend most of their income on virtual items instead of raising a family.

[Shining Wing 201]

Microtransactions by themselves are not harmful to society. Take Team Fortress 2, for instance. You're not required to pay anything to enjoy the game. You don't pay for balance. You only buy what you want to buy.

[Commander Urdnot 2,680]

I don't think it's harmful to society, but I do think it's harmful to the games.

 

The games seem to be less about the experience, and more about how to make it as painful as possible unless you spend real money to get "Exclusive" in-game currency.

Edited February 4, 2013 by UrdiePie

[DusK 1,264]

I voted no, mainly because in any given situation, it's not microtransactions that result in the addictive behavior so much as the game itself.

 

Also, since when does this specific type of addictive behavior of one person negatively impact society at large? I could understand this argument for substance abuse, because that could negatively impact other people in certain ways, but some dude sitting in his mom's basement gaming all day isn't exactly a detriment to society as a whole.

Edited February 4, 2013 by DusK

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well,  since the development of Free to Play's are on Steam nowadays. I think, that it can't be harmful to society at all.

Since, they are just video games.

[Aaramus 449]

 

Other detrimental effects on society includes lower fertility rate as people spend most of their income on virtual items instead of raising a family.

 

Well that's not true, since when did buying in game items have a biological effect on the human body? 

 

What you're saying is a very small minority of people who have an issue with their self control, this relates to pretty much everything including gambling, shopping for other items and even the consumption of alcohol. This is not a new thing.

[Zygen 6,066]

I think if you are rational and have self control there is no problems with micro transactions, they allow people who don't wanna pay for stuff to not pay, and people who want to pay for stuff to pay.

 

I'll agree that there are some Pay2Win type games out there which are a bit abusive of the system, but there is instances where its totally fine aswell.

 

Really you can get addicted to something and start spending money on it and it can be anything. Its your choice though, If you can't demonstrate any self control then you'll have to pay the price or start to learn some.

[khaine21x3 789]

I voted no, mainly because in any given situation, it's not microtransactions that result in the addictive behavior so much as the game itself.

 

Also, since when does this specific type of addictive behavior of one person negatively impact society at large? I could understand this argument for substance abuse, because that could negatively impact other people in certain ways, but some dude sitting in his mom's basement gaming all day isn't exactly a detriment to society as a whole.

 

He's gonna be robbing yo ass when he runs out of money to buy more virtual items and maybe even participate in more heinous criminals activities, it's not all that different from addiction to soft drugs.

 

But let me be clear that I don't support banning soft drugs while I do support banning microtransactions in videogames because banning drugs creates drug cartels and black markets while allowing video games to only be sold in traditional way or charge monthly fee does not cause people to seek out microtransaction games on the black market.

Edited February 4, 2013 by khaine21x3

[DusK 1,264]

He's gonna be robbing yo ass when he runs out of money to buy more virtual items and maybe even participate in more heinous criminals activities, it's not all that different from addiction to soft drugs.

You're severely overestimating the aggression and gall of your average basement dweller. Your average mouthbreathing neckbeard isn't gonna go out and rob people when their WoW subscription dries up. They just bitch about it and rock back and forth in a corner.

[Tacit Moon 100]

 

It’s absolutely not harmful.

 

I myself never partake in micro transactions.

 

But I don’t think they’re bad.

 

It’s every gamers right to pay twice the price, to play half the time.

 

[khaine21x3 789]

You're severely overestimating the aggression and gall of your average basement dweller. Your average mouthbreathing neckbeard isn't gonna go out and rob people when their WoW subscription dries up. They just bitch about it and rock back and forth in a corner.

 

Wow's microtransactiosn are mostly services, I'm talking about those free to play mmorpgs like runes of magic or LOTRO where you can pay thousands of dollars and be stronger than 100 free players.There is a real adrenaline rush being overpowered and murdering every other person in the game, it's also why most video games are going this route.

Edited February 4, 2013 by khaine21x3

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Again, this is a necessary cost of capitalism. You have to remember that in the end, money is worthless, so no, it is not harmful to society.

[Betez 1,734]

Eh, a little bit I guess. It does depend on what kind of game it is. I do believe that better graphics don't make a better game, but all the while, I feel like it's under control.

[khaine21x3 789]

Again, this is a necessary cost of capitalism. You have to remember that in the end, money is worthless, so no, it is not harmful to society.

 

Health inspectors for restaurants, car safety laws and such are not necessary but they're implemented anyway for the well being of society so there are some things that should be regulated or banned.I'm advocating the banning of certain payment models, not video games or certain content in them.

 

If everything is justified under capitalism then child labor should be legal and all forms of subsided education program abolished.(well I actually approve of those two ideas)

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Health inspectors for restaurants, car safety laws and such are not necessary but they're implemented anyway for the well being of society so there are some things that should be regulated or banned.I'm advocating the banning of certain payment models, not video games or certain content in them.

 

If everything is justified under capitalism then child labor should be legal and all forms of subsided education program abolished.(well I actually approve of those two ideas)

Your point is invalid, they're not forcing you to buy the games. If there is something wrong with their payment model they won't be succesful.