HomeStation Presents: The Upload, Episode #24 — Freemium Gaming Business Models
by Jersquall, HSM Podcast Editor
If you think about it, Home has quite a number of free gaming experiences to enjoy; it is entirely possible now to spend days in Home, immersed in nothing but its games, and indeed be quite entertained. For those of you who remember Home’s earliest days, this is a dramatic expansion of activities and pleasant diversions.
Some games in Home utilize a freemium business model: that the game itself is free to play, but enhancements may be purchased which dramatically improve the game. OrbRunner. Novus Prime. SodiumOne. Sodium2. Both Midways. The Casino. The list goes on. And, most notably, freemium gaming microtransactions now consistently dominate SCEA Home’s top-ten sales lists, month after month.
So now it’s time to examine different freemium business models in Home. And HomeStation is determined to do this in a most interesting way: with a videocast.
Machinima is an insane amount of work, and a videocast, in particular, can be mind-numbing to put together. In particular, take a look at how this episode is constructed: HSM is trying to construct a videocast in which the video is just as entertaining as the audio. This means multiple (and frequent) cuts instead of long master shots, VH-1 “Pop-Up Video” tidbits, and a genuine attempt to have the video follow the audio or relate to it in some fashion. Obviously this is still a work in progress — this is only the third videocast HSM has published so far — but we hope that the end product is something which you find enjoyable.
What’s your take on Home’s freemium business models? Which developers do you think have the best formula? Let us know.
March 10th, 2012 by Jersquall | 2 comments
Jersquall is a retired Home Community Volunteer, co-founder of Club HOMEinformer, and podcast commentator for HomeStation Magazine. His views expressed in HSM are his own.
Another great podcast, this time I have to agree with all of your observations. Keeping games within Home updated is very important if the developers want to maintain a user base. I also liked the reference to rpg’s in Home being a must have at some point. I hope the powers that be are listening and see what a great idea and money maker such a game would be.
I like the new Videocast format, but why the link for the AUDIO Podcast is not included any more?
I used to enjoy this podcast -subscription- a lot, via my Smartphone. I mean, both options would be great.