Gutspiller
08-11-2003, 10:32 AM
Companies searching for ways to tap into the growing online gaming business have a radical new approach: Give the product away for free.
Online games are adding millions of new players each year, but business models haven't adapted to accommodate the new playing population. People still have to purchase the game, and then pay a monthly fee -- usually about $10.
However, casual gamers wary of shelling out monthly subscription fees are the driving force behind this growth, according to an economic study completed by the Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry trade group. Casual gamer numbers are expected to reach 55 million by 2004, up from 39 million in 2000.
The changing population is forcing companies to rethink their business strategies.
Wired.com (http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,59947,00.html)
Online games are adding millions of new players each year, but business models haven't adapted to accommodate the new playing population. People still have to purchase the game, and then pay a monthly fee -- usually about $10.
However, casual gamers wary of shelling out monthly subscription fees are the driving force behind this growth, according to an economic study completed by the Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry trade group. Casual gamer numbers are expected to reach 55 million by 2004, up from 39 million in 2000.
The changing population is forcing companies to rethink their business strategies.
Wired.com (http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,59947,00.html)