Here's the approach I've thought of for my own game project: If you want to be on the leader-boards and be a high level competitive player, there's only one mi

Here's the approach I've thought of for my own game project: If you want to be on the leader-boards and be a high level competitive player, there's only one micro-transaction you're allowed to have. ($1 monthly membership to "Stellar Exploration Corps.") Meanwhile, on another site like Indiegogo, there would be a number of digital assets offered as rewards for funders. One could pay $25, $75, $200, $1000 dollars to become an interstellar tycoon, alien spy, or a space pirate lord -- basically, you pay money to have a chance to inhabit the world as an important person. These "funder" characters would then have access to a catalog of conventional micro-transactions. In doing so, they would be funding and building content for the competitive player base. Basically, becoming NPCs from the POV of the competitive players. Naturally, "Stellar Exploration Corps" members wouldn't be allowed to trade items or currency with the other characters. ("Conflict of Interest.")