Which payment model do you prefer in MMORPGs?

Since the birth of MMORPGs as a genre, several different payment models have established themselves in the gaming industry. Which one do you like the most?

There are these payment models: It might shock you, but developers usually need money to develop their games. In order to get this money, various payment models have emerged from MMORPGs over the years.

While they can be broken down into many different categories, and often backed up by optional services and cash shops, at their core they can be traced back to three most basic.

• Pay2Play is a model that includes a monthly subscription. Players pay a certain amount each month and get access to the game in return (examples: World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV).
• At Buy2Play, players have to purchase the MMORPG once and can then play without restrictions (examples: Guild Wars 2, ESO).
• Free2Play MMORPGs are those that do not require players to pay in order to gain access to the game (examples: Blade & Soul, TERA).

These models determine, so to speak, the “entry barrier” for the player. While you can download directly from F2P and get started without any financial disadvantages, one or the other will think twice before touching a Buy2Play or even Pay2Play game.

The concern here is that you won’t get a fair amount of fun back for the money you pay. How about you guys?

This is how you vote: You can cast your vote in the poll tool below. Remember that you only have one vote and the choice cannot be reversed.

So let’s go: Which of the models do you like the most? Do you like to pay subscriptions or do you prefer to play Free2Play games? How much does the payment model of an MMORPG influence the decision whether you will play it or not? Is there a “fair price for fun” for you guys? Let us know in the comments.