3 ms·
Great points, but a bit misleading if the intent is to present this as something new under the sun. The illogical decision to buy a game boost that will not rec
by javadocmd 10y ago
Great points, but a bit misleading if the intent is to present this as something new under the sun. The illogical decision to buy a game boost that will not recoup its cost is not much different from buying a name-brand pair of sunglasses instead of $5 cheapies. Both cases lack any marginal utility in the purchasing decision, so the purchase is justified by marketing. That is, a story is created that the consumer either accepts or denies.
In the game, playing with the boost is more "fun", because you have more agency in the game and thus feel more powerful. You are temporarily unburdened from the artificial limitations of the game.
With sunglasses, there are (often illusory) promises of quality or imaginary utility, or participation in a social narrative that says a certain configuration of plastic is more fashionable than another. Or plain old conspicuous consumption, also a social narrative.
Simply put, IAPs did not invent this style of anti-economic behavior.
- x3n0ph3n3 10y agoThere can be social utility to higher-cost plastic with a brand on it while the same is much harder to argue about an in-app purchase.
- javadocmd 10y agoIf you're in a friendly competition with your friends to gain the high score, there is in fact social utility around IAPs. Also works with complete strangers if you have a particularly competitive streak.
- AbrahamParangi 10y agoI would argue that the analogy isn't really there because expensive consumer products can confer utility just by being expensive. In a very simple, animal way having difficult-to-attain things communicates that you have the ability to recruit significant resources and therefore are a cool and important guy or gal and deserve respect and consideration. Whereas having a lot of game points communicates that you may be an addict.
- javadocmd 10y agoThat is conspicuous consumption, and digital goods can perform this function just as well. As an extreme example, the "I Am Rich" app. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Rich https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Rich
- dmoy 10y agoExpensive consumer products CAN confer utility just by being expensive. See e.g. studies on wine ratings vis a vis knowledge of price. It is disturbing to me, but it is the reality of things :/
- kristianp 10y agoYou're missing the point. Usually these games have a number of currencies and no fixed exchange rate between them. Your sunglass analogy uses a single currency. The article also talks about the lack of profit in using the currency. You buy gems or diamonds, but spending them doesn't help game progress, but just provides visual flair.