freemium games are nasty, manipulative and similar to gambling

[lhldn]

OK I might be pretty slow on the uptake of this.

It I've recently had a go on Kim kardiashian and clash of clans. Both of these games are free to download, addictive but incredibly time consuming unless you pay money. They design the games to be very limiting to people that dont pay money.

A truly disgusting model, preying on people's tendency toward addictiveness and exploiting that weakness to the full. I believe such games should be re-categorized as gambling*, and made subject to the very same laws, restrictions ans regulations as every form of gambling.

*Strictly speaking it may not be gambling, I realize that, but the way it operates, the psychological effect it has on people, etc., in effect the similarities are eery.

I play clash. Lvl 103 now with a very nearly maxed town hall 9. I've paid £2.99 in total. I've been thinking I might buy more gems soon as I enjoy the game so much I'd like to support the developers. YABU

GoGo
I agree wrt supporting the developers. There's a game called Murder Files on iPad made by a company called Blue Toad. I get the impression they're small developers but the game was SO funny, well made and engaging.... I didn't spend money but I would in the future on them.

This thread has turned into another mumsnet cliche where everyone is perfect lol

Like the junk food threads where everyone is able to resist junk food and our kids all self regulate with sweets, when the general population is getting fatter.

OP Is the grip shop open yet?

This article sums up my thoughts www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/195806/chasing_the_whale_examining_the_.php

DS 2 says you can play Clash of Clans perfectly well without any further purchases (and as he plays on my iPad on which in app purchases are switched off, I believe him).

He says however you really need to swerve Rollercoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile, as he has found that impossible to play without ticket purchases (but says 1-3 are good).

I'm intrigued to know why you think anyone would bother developing games for you to play for nothing. It's an actual job, you know - people don't do it for the good of their health.

It is possible to play these games and not spend a penny if you don't want to , it's a thing called willpower.
I have the kardashian game and haven't spent any money on it.
I disagree about hayday, i love it! Been playing for months and months( ok longer, too long)and never used any real money.
I'v only spent money in two games and neither of them needed you to use real money to get futher, i just really wanted to buy the things in the game!'v only ever spent £5.
If a game needs you to spend real money then i simply delete it, it's not hard.

Beyond i was thinking that, i watched that ep last week ??

YABU, and a bit daft. I play a few 'Freemium' games, and yes, it can be slower and you don't do as well as people who do pay, but it is perfectly ossicle to enjoy them without spending a single penny.

I don't have in app purchases enabled on my device, so no chance of any accidental spending, and find them just fine.

I always feel slightly guilty, after all the programmers, designers and coders who provide the games need to be paid, but I figure it must work out for them overall.

As others have said, you CAN Spend money on lots of things, but you don't HAVE to. Why are these games any different?

Nonsense.

Have to say, all your posts make you sound like a journo looking to write a filler story.

Actually, what seems to have happened is that OTHER MN cliche where OP says 'AIBU', everyone else says 'Yes, YABU' and then OP blames everyone else instead of accepting the verdict...

Yanbu. It's like clothes shops - those bastards let you try before you buy too, and then you have to spend all your money buying ALL THE CLOTHES

Ban clothes shops, it's disgusting the way they prey on people with shopping addictions luring them in with their changing rooms

I play family guy never paid a penny! I just use the hack