APB Reloaded: Game trials are ‘antiquated’ in F2P world

In-game trials are “antiquated” in an industry that has accepted free-to-play models, according to Joseph Willmon, associate director of game operations for GamersFirst, the firm behind F2P title APB: Reloaded.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com about the stigma around free-to-play models, Willmon explained:

“More and more US publishers are converting existing titles to Free2Play as they realize that the retail business model doesn’t serve their game’s needs.

“However, many are still using the antiquated trial period concept in order to retain market share that’s starting to slip. On the player side, more and more gamers are discovering that these Free2Play titles are not the poorly designed an unpolished titles that once populated the Free2Play Market, but high-quality, involving titles. So yes, I’d say that the stigma is changing to our favour.”

Describing the differences between trials and free-to-play models, he stated:

“Trial versions and the Free2Play model are very different. Trial versions rely on gamers to sample a small portion of the game, then ask players to purchase the “full version” once they have either run out or time (time gating) or hit a certain level (level gating).

“Free2Play games remove the cost barrier that charging as much as $50.00 per game creates, and open the game up to potential players that otherwise wouldn’t even look at it. By letting players experience the game, they get to pay for what they want and like, and opposed to being dictated to by a developer/publisher on how much they can spend.

“Additionally, by letting premium players play alongside free players, free players can see first-hand the benefits, and if it’s are worth their investment. It works well for both sides, mostly because the players get what they want from the game, and we, as the developer and publisher, have to deliver a good gaming experience or else we lose them.”

Gamersfirst took control of failed MMO All Points Bulletin last year and has now transformed the game into a free-to-play title.

Click here to read our full interview with Gamersfirst’s Joseph Willmon.