The critical distinction between the arcade and mobile freemium models is that arcade pricing was skill-based. It's entirely possible to complete Raiden or Stre

The critical distinction between the arcade and mobile freemium models is that arcade pricing was skill-based. It's entirely possible to complete Raiden or Street Fighter on a single credit, and indeed the 1-credit-challenge is a convention that keeps a lot of people playing emulated arcade games. If you tried to "1cc" most mobile games, it would take a fixed amount of time while you wait for your gems or energy or whatever to recharge, and you'd spend most of your time refraining from playing. The two models are certainly on the same evolutionary line, but mobile freemium games are a more blatant and direct psychological hack. The "challenge" is from overcoming your inbuilt desires and delaying gratification - exactly the sort of boring, responsible, real-life stuff people play games to avoid.