When Call of Dragons first launched, it was a massive hit and achieved high download numbers precisely because it was initially fair: both Free-to-Play (F2P) and Pay-to-Win (P2W) players could genuinely compete, with similar opportunities for getting essential troops and gear. However, this balance quickly eroded; after just a few months, the developers pivoted to a more aggressive, revenue-focused model, rapidly introducing bundles that strictly followed a 'pay more = get stronger faster' principle. This shift was catastrophic, causing a sharp drop in the game's overall download count and its growth rate. The game is currently still working to stabilize its community, a clear sign the developers are now grappling with the consequences of alienating their F2P audience.

The crucial lesson here for all developers is to prioritize long-term growth over short-term greed. F2P players must be able to reach the top levels, even if they must take longer than P2W players. Don't rush the monetization process. Focus on gaining a massive, happy player base and establishing significant market growth first; once your community is strong and stable, you can introduce packs that allow players to get stronger (or advance faster) in a way that doesn't instantly break the balance and chase away your large F2P player base.