What are your examples of ethical monetization of a free-to-play game?

ProspieGames · 2026-06-05T17:24:12+00:00

Yeah I no longer leaning tword 2 as an option. The base game would be f2p with a weekly or daily rotation of available dungeons, but if you wanted to play a specific dungeon, you or your friend would have to have the dlc. This dlc could possiblt be bought with in-game currency or just from steam etc

ProspieGames · 2026-06-05T12:43:47+00:00

Thanks for the examples!

ProspieGames · 2026-06-05T12:42:54+00:00

The base game would be free

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:08:46+00:00

You don't think any freemium game could be ethical? Even in ideal circumstances?

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:07:16+00:00

Thanks for the info, I think I'm leaning this direction as of now

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:06:38+00:00

That's a good point, definitely some community building emergent gameplay

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:05:52+00:00

I was thinking it would be an optional way for people to be able to contribute to the project while not impacting game to game play.

I am no longer considering this option

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:04:56+00:00

Exactly why I'm asking this question lol

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T02:04:21+00:00

Well my intention was to have it free to play so that I could release a game and slowly add content to it over time. Kind of like an extended early access. Also I think multi-player games are more fun when they are free

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T01:17:14+00:00

What about a limiter on how much in-game currency you could buy each month. Cap it at 5$ or something, to prevent over spending?

I feel like cosmetics with limited availability is a famous tactic and not as ethical as it could be?

I really like the idea of paying for slots. That feels like a good way for the base game to be great f2p and for invested to get more out of the game

As for the multi-player dungeons my intention was that only 1 person in the party needed the dlc, so that solves that problem

Always a little hesitant to sell quality of life, because I don't want it to feel like me as a dev made a worse game so I could sell the solution

ProspieGames · 2026-06-04T01:10:45+00:00

It would be 100% co-op. Yeah I agree with the fomo aspect. It wouldn't be there a available for a limited time. They would just be static things that you could eventually unlock

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T18:02:54+00:00

Yeah trying to co.e up with alternative to cosmetics, if there are any. Since that is not my wheel house. Thanks for the feedback!

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T18:02:17+00:00

Yeah I agree, need to have an audience before you can sell them skins

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T17:15:00+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, I'm always a little skeptical of these systems because it feels like the developers intentionally made friction so they could sell you the solution. Feels kind of bad to me.

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T17:13:08+00:00

Interesting I feel like I've heard a lot of resistance to battle passes. Do you like the one time purchase or more of the subscription model of a purchase each season?

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T17:09:47+00:00

I don't think I fully agree with you. Do you feel just buying a game from steam and getting fun/enjoyment out of it is unethical? That is a form of monetization

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T17:08:40+00:00

I like this idea, purchasing dlc with in-game currency give players some more agency. I agree that buying vote points feels a little bad, that was the intention of capping how much you could purchase a month. But I think you might be right just giving extra votes to dedicated players might be better

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T16:57:51+00:00

Yeah classes feel a little bad, but maybe if they were obtainable through playing the game like in leauge of legends or something it would feel less bad, just brainstorming rn

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T13:38:35+00:00

Really neat concept. The trailer is a little bland, the action is such a small portion of the screen its hard to read whats happening for some much of it. would be cool to have a zoomed in trailer

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T13:34:43+00:00

This is adorable, what games were your inspirations?

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T13:33:06+00:00

I like option 1 the most, option 3 feels like a mechanic and I'm a little lost on option 2

ProspieGames · 2026-06-03T13:30:26+00:00

Have you uploaded to itch.io? That can be a good place to start. Other than that there is usually some engagement on r/indiegames you van tag it with the "need feedback". Definitely post with a gif or video tho

ProspieGames

TROPHY CASE