While it does make a catchy headline, please stop confusing RMT with micro-transactions. RMT usually is associated with unauthorized player-to-player commerce / gold farming.
If you object to a micro-transaction business model (or aspects of it in a certain game), than say so..
One could make the same argument about the price of subscriptions.
The other factor in modest (but still impressive) 3rd party Wii sales is that most of the third party publishers bet strongly AGAINST the Wii at launch and put their resources against the PS3 and Xbox 360 (remember EA, at least, admitted this).
A big factor in the "mini-game" problem with the Wii grows out of this early neglect and efforts to catch up with the popularity of the Wii that they had not anticipated.
Certainly not Nintendo's fault, one way or the other.
The other factor to consider for publishers is development cost. The often criticized graphics for the Wii allow developers to spend less money on development for the title reducing their risk, allowing the to put more titles out, and making the games more profitable.
Since the lead time for games is 2 to 3 years, it is likely that by next year's E3 we will be seeing more games and more flagship games for the Wii. As the leading console by sales, publishers would be foolish not to direct their best resources towards the console. Graphics certainly don't drive great game design. There continue to be some amazing new games that appear for the PS2.
Its not just the VCs who see money. After all, pretty much every online game reports substantial bans for gold farming every month. If that is not a clear indicator of market demand, what is?
The Daily Grind: When does RMT cross the line?
Apr 9th 2009 11:29AM (Massively)If you object to a micro-transaction business model (or aspects of it in a certain game), than say so..
One could make the same argument about the price of subscriptions.
Free-to-Play / Pay-to-Craft?
Account security is your responsibility, not Blizzard's
Feb 27th 2009 4:26PM (WoW)I think you misconstrued my article significantly.
As I noted in my clarifying comments, it does not matter one bit that the problem is the players' responsibility (and it is).
The game company gets stuck paying for the consequences of the players' folly (they do) regardless.
The company gets the chargebacks & complaints.
Visa and Mastercard and Paypal do not care who screwed up, the vendor is liable and gets to pay (at least in the US).
Therefore, whether the game company wants to be responsible or not, they are accountable for the security of their customers' computers.
Its not fair, but it is real.
The Digital Continuum: Five criminally unused MMO settings part 2
Feb 7th 2009 11:54AM (Massively)Korean government to pour $200 billion into gaming industry
Dec 5th 2008 4:38PM (Massively)http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812040008.html
Still impressive, but not US bank bailout impressive
Nintendo releases third-party sales chart, NPD clarifies some details
Aug 9th 2008 11:50AM (Joystiq)A big factor in the "mini-game" problem with the Wii grows out of this early neglect and efforts to catch up with the popularity of the Wii that they had not anticipated.
Certainly not Nintendo's fault, one way or the other.
The other factor to consider for publishers is development cost. The often criticized graphics for the Wii allow developers to spend less money on development for the title reducing their risk, allowing the to put more titles out, and making the games more profitable.
Since the lead time for games is 2 to 3 years, it is likely that by next year's E3 we will be seeing more games and more flagship games for the Wii. As the leading console by sales, publishers would be foolish not to direct their best resources towards the console. Graphics certainly don't drive great game design. There continue to be some amazing new games that appear for the PS2.
Live Gamer will attempt making RMT legit and official
Dec 18th 2007 10:47AM (Massively)