PODCAST · leisure

Play Now, Pay Later

by Anthony Fullone

Welcome to "Play Now, Pay Later", an examination of how video game pricing has changed over the years and how microtransactions have come to dominate the video game industry. In this podcast series, we'll look at the evolution of the video game industry, from the arcade machines and home consoles of the 80s and 90s to the digital worlds of today, full of free-to-play models and in-game purchases. Along the way, we will explore the emergence of microtransactions along with the gaming experience - the introduction of loot boxes and skins, and the growth of the pay-to-win, who-gets-the-coolest-Skins-or-weapons model. From paying for the first video game expansions, all the way to huge subscription-based services and many forms of microtransactions, we'll examine how these shifts in pricing have modified how developers made their games and how we, as gamers, play. You may even be able to read between the lines to find out how we as gamers can mold the gaming industry in the years to