Cheap games are just as bad as free-to-play games.
Cheap games are just as bad as free-to-play games.
Based on what I observe and have played, discounted games seem no less problematic than free-to-play titles. Consider "Counter Strike: Global Offensive." Prior to the recent summer discounts, the player base hovered around 40 to 50 thousand at any time. After the sale dropped the price to just $3, the active player count jumped to roughly 150 thousand. The issue here is that when a game becomes extremely affordable, almost anyone will grab it. Before, only dedicated players would pay the full price. This mirrors what happened with TF2—hardcore fans kept playing until it shifted to free-to-play, after which the core community gradually faded. I’m worried this pattern could repeat with Counter Strike and even see similar changes in Payday 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this and whether you think a shift to F2P would be preferable or if eliminating some of these sales would be better.
Every match should cost $500 to attract only serious players. I don't agree, but I understand your perspective.
Affordable games let players try them out and gauge their interest without spending a lot of money. It might not be ideal right now, but those who don’t want to play tend to disappear faster than those eager to start. In the example of CS:GO, it seems to pit newcomers against each other.
CS has a history of being a tough, skill-driven title. You either evolve or fade away. Casual players often jump in during these drops, but they usually don’t stick around long—especially when the game has a dedicated fanbase. I don’t own CS because I realize I’ll never match those who’ve been playing for years. My speed has slowed down over time. These kinds of sales can revive a game like Payday. Veterans will be upset with newcomers, but eventually you’ll have players who can still play it, which feels like a sweet win.
This game is straightforward but suffers from poor graphics. It's already surpassed titles like Battlefield, and even Call of Duty offers better overall quality.
If you dislike a low-cost game because of the players, not its mechanics, that's a bit judgmental.
You can purchase Witcher 2 for just $3, and it's considered one of the top games in terms of quality, appearance, and enjoyment.