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Well there are the two types of "free" to play games, the ones that are malware and the ones that are "Pay" to win. With the latter, I think people are mostly

Well there are the two types of "free" to play games, the ones that are malware and the ones that are "Pay" to win. With the latter, I think people are mostly aware of how much they spend in the "Pay" to win games even if it's just for cosmetic items. The most common argument I hear is that it's no different than spending $3.00 on a coffee or a snack and it gives roughly the same amount of value, it's just a digital asset.

fxtentacle 5y ago
From what I've heard, a big issue is kids playing on their parents' phones and just clicking OK to all the in-app coins that they need to continue playing. And then at the end of the month, the parents receive a $2000 credit card bill and are shocked. Here's an example of a "game" that is basically gambling for kids: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-master/id406889139 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-master/id406889139 And here's the class action lawsuit where I heard about it: https://www.classaction.org/news/coin-master-mobile-casino-game-tilted-too-far-in-favor-of-the-house-class-action-says https://www.classaction.org/news/coin-master-mobile-casino-g... Here's another game that looks like it was for kids, but is actually a "social casino": https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-kingdom/id1462733996 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-kingdom/id1462733996 Or this one: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piggy-boom/id1129050711 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piggy-boom/id1129050711 "I am completely hooked on this game! I absolutely love it! I spend more money on this game than I do my own self! It’s worth it though!" Also, this article is excellent: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/monetizing-children https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/monetizing-children "the design technique that Zynga describes as “fun pain”, the idea is to inflict some very uncomfortable situation on a player in their game, and then offer to remove that situation in return for money. While the vast majority of adults will make the assessment that it is in their best interest to not spend the money and to just exit the application that is designed to hurt them, it is biologically harder to come to this conclusion if the decision maker is a child." "retailers will sell Zynga time cards for cash to children of any age, without the presence of an adult"

fxtentacle 5y ago

From what I've heard, a big issue is kids playing on their parents' phones and just clicking OK to all the in-app coins that they need to continue playing. And then at the end of the month, the parents receive a $2000 credit card bill and are shocked. Here's an example of a "game" that is basically gambling for kids: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-master/id406889139 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-master/id406889139 And here's the class action lawsuit where I heard about it: https://www.classaction.org/news/coin-master-mobile-casino-game-tilted-too-far-in-favor-of-the-house-class-action-says https://www.classaction.org/news/coin-master-mobile-casino-g... Here's another game that looks like it was for kids, but is actually a "social casino": https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-kingdom/id1462733996 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coin-kingdom/id1462733996 Or this one: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piggy-boom/id1129050711 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piggy-boom/id1129050711 "I am completely hooked on this game! I absolutely love it! I spend more money on this game than I do my own self! It’s worth it though!" Also, this article is excellent: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/monetizing-children https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/monetizing-children "the design technique that Zynga describes as “fun pain”, the idea is to inflict some very uncomfortable situation on a player in their game, and then offer to remove that situation in return for money. While the vast majority of adults will make the assessment that it is in their best interest to not spend the money and to just exit the application that is designed to hurt them, it is biologically harder to come to this conclusion if the decision maker is a child." "retailers will sell Zynga time cards for cash to children of any age, without the presence of an adult"