Read on Twitter
people just coming out here and ignoring that those with impulse control issues and other vulnerabilities dont exist. It's a weird ableist and dangerous business model that preys in the weak. A lot of the people affected that spend stupid amounts don't realise they're trapped. https://twitter.com/gnstruggles/status/1330818203224825859
Like a significant portion of revenue, often even the majority of it, comes from 'whales' that spend thousands upon thousands every month. And these players aren't usually rich or anything, they're just the vulnerable population this monetisation model was designed to entrap
It's not only unssustainable but it's unethical down to it's very concept. The lower barrier to entry is only there for this reason too. Gacha should be far more heavily regulated like real gambling is to accommodate for this but it constantly avoids doing so
https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/03/01/why-its-scary-when-0-15-mobile-gamers-bring-in-50-of-the-revenue/
https://www.adweek.com/digital/infographic-whales-account-for-70-of-in-app-purchase-revenue/
https://www.blog.udonis.co/mobile-marketing/mobile-games/mobile-games-whales
Here are a couple articles detailing this behaviour. You will also find that companies will specifically target this vulnerable playerbase for it's profit, as in the last one. They know what they're doing
https://www.adweek.com/digital/infographic-whales-account-for-70-of-in-app-purchase-revenue/
https://www.blog.udonis.co/mobile-marketing/mobile-games/mobile-games-whales
Here are a couple articles detailing this behaviour. You will also find that companies will specifically target this vulnerable playerbase for it's profit, as in the last one. They know what they're doing
People are also admitting it's gambling then pretending that's ok as it is. Gambling is heavily regulated and strictly controlled. Only adults can gamble legally. Anyone and their dog can download genshin impact and become embroiled in all this because there is no regulation.
Shouldn't people be surprised that a free game on the top charts of the world's largest app storefront utilises the same business models as shady back alley gambling? The fact that it's designed to do so unregulated? Why defend this? I'm not saying it's limited to genshin but...
Gacha and similar business models should absolutely be criticised at every given chance. Just because they suit you well or seem to be fair to you doesn't mean that's what they're like that for all those that play them. They aren't designed to be. They are predatory in nature.
