Game Over: How Influencers and Predatory Practices Are Tanking ARPGs

[Rob⛧Slayer]

You ever notice how folks are just letting their favorite game genres go down the toilet, all because of slick marketing scams? Free-to-play has turned into a codeword for "we're gonna drain your wallet dry," and a chunk of this mess falls on those YouTubers and Twitch streamers hawking shoddy game designs like snake oil salesmen.

Anyone who thinks game developers can't make a buck the old-fashioned way has been drinking the Kool-Aid, probably fed to them by some shady streamer or developer with a hidden agenda. It's obvious now that the defenders of these scammy models are neck-deep in the sunk cost fallacy, and they want to drag the rest of us into their quagmire. Instead, let's hold these developers, publishers, and influencers' feet to the fire for their deceit and borderline criminal antics.

Free-to-play games? Total con jobs. Games-as-a-service? All hype, no substance. These models are designed to mess with your head, putting the good stuff—like cosmetics and basic features—behind a paywall. They've warped how we see and play games, and in the low-rent world of free-to-play, you'll never truly get what's missing compared to a straightforward, honest sales model.

Remember when games actually gave you something worth your time? Earning cosmetics was a badge of honor, proof of your skill and dedication. Now, you can buy your way into looking like a big shot, making real achievements meaningless. Tencent and GGG have trashed the industry’s integrity with their shady tactics.

Even Diablo III managed to keep live service going without resorting to dirty tricks. They handed out seasonal cosmetics with the base game, each class getting unique rewards. Nowadays, games drip-feed you content and milk you for every penny.

Influencers like Darth Microtransaction, Raxxanterax, and Rhykker are some of the worst offenders. They've sold out for fame and sponsorships, betraying the community’s real interests and going easy on publishers. They're helping to sink the genre, focused more on personal gain than on preserving the soul of ARPGs.

Tencent and GGG are throwing money at YouTubers and Twitch influencers to push their sketchy models, grooming players into accepting their con games disguised as "fun."

In Path of Exile and ARPG circles, you've got people like Raxxanterax, Rhykker, and Darth Microtransactions pulling the strings. The OTK network, Tectone, Mizkif, and Asmongold are doing the same in the open-world action RPG arena. In FPS and action shooters, figures like NickMercs, TimtheTatman, and Dr. Disrespect are spreading the deceit.

Then you've got Hasan Piker slamming xQc, Trainwreck, and Adin Ross for promoting gambling, while he's pocketing Tencent cash to push their "free-to-play" scams. This trend of influencers selling out for Tencent's dirty money is wrecking the western gaming market.

The 'free-to-play' model is a con, pure and simple, playing on the sunk cost fallacy. Players keep dumping time and money into these games even as they get less and less out of them. Their emotional and financial investment makes it tough to walk away, even when the genre’s quality and integrity are shot.

Publishers and developers have perfected the art of audience manipulation, prioritizing marketing over real game development. We need to get back to honest gaming, where the focus is on enjoyment and player well-being, not squeezing every cent out of us. We must hold these influencers accountable and push for a gaming industry that respects players and the heart of our beloved genres.

A straight-up honest release would mean a full game launch, season passes included, and expansions every couple of years—none of these anti-consumer gimmicks that Tencent has polluted the industry with.

I almost caved and bought Diablo IV's expansion in the sale, and PoE 2 was tempting until I reminded myself there's no real reward in playing these games as they are now. We desperately need everyone on board to save the genre from Tencent’s clutches. The only way to do this is by spreading the word about what’s really going on.


Please read Salt Engineer's post where he provides an in-depth analysis of how Tencent's acquisition of various gaming companies, including GGG, has led to predatory monetization practices that prioritize profits over player experience. The post delves into Tencent's history and ethics, outlining how their influence has changed the gaming landscape, particularly in the ARPG genre. It also criticizes influencers who promote these deceptive models, drawing attention to the negative impact on the industry. By reading this, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the broader implications of corporate control in gaming and why it's crucial to support indie developers who prioritize genuine player enjoyment.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/2694490/discussions/0/565867433751007187/

[ClAyMoRe*]

Sorry to tell you the truth , but this is not singleplayer game, it will be free to play and cosmetics is best way to keep it running.

[Sound Zero]

So, it's a free to play game....what would you rather they sell to pay the bills?

Whining about a costume you can't afford while the loot that helps you play the game is sorely lacking. I don't think it's the influencers that are the problem here...

[TheMasterBlaster]

come on dude. OPTIONAL cosmetics is not a 'focus on profits' and it's not an exploit for extra cash. BTW, you are complaining about a game that will be FREE after early access. I've played PoE for over 2K hours and never spent a penny on cosmetics or extra stash tabs. yep, that's 2K hours of fun I've had for several years, FOR FREE.

[smoketrees]

I'm new to POE but aren't cosmetics in this game pretty much just a way for the player to pay for a free game if they want to?

Not sure how it relates to streamers either as most of them I've seen have been against silly monetisation.

[M1Combat]

Uhh... well aside from the fact that I simply disagree... the entire premise which you've based your complaint on is also just wrong. As in just plain old incorrect.

You can still collect a set of bespoke items for a build and wear them. Old school players know what they look like.

You'll get there someday...

Wear some cool cosmetics in the mean time if you like.

[Sel Und Irae]

The MTX is how they intend to pay the bills, I don't agree with all the good stuff being MTX but at same time it keeps the lights on. Only other thing they could do is mandatory Subscription and people HATE that, But will happily hand over 60$ of cosmetics.

You see the same thing in Star Citizen, People will pay for that stuff now but guarantee people will go full ooga booga mode if CIG tried to implement subscription to play the game.

[UEE-Navy]

Crazy how you don't have to buy anything.

[Echo2Omega]

Vote with your wallet.

And keep voting with your wallet.

Ubisoft got the message, Sort of.

[GeirOve]

any other game, thats in EA with a MTX store would be roasted

[Not a Cop]

I would love to see your off the cuff breakdown of development costs vs earnings for PoE2.

[rio]

It's a free to play game bub

Go to the call of duty forums and complain there

[ClAyMoRe*]

Originally posted by Rob⛧Pentakill:

Originally posted by smoketrees:

I'm new to POE but aren't cosmetics in this game pretty much just a way for the player to pay for a free game if they want to?

Not sure how it relates to streamers either as most of them I've seen have been against silly monetisation.

That's the narrative they push, but they've locked one of the most rewarding aspects of the genre behind a paywall, with streaming platforms eagerly fueling irresponsible consumer behavior. Earning cosmetics used to actually mean something—when you earned them, it felt genuinely rewarding. Before all this, when you saw someone with a specific cosmetic, you knew the effort they'd put in and what they'd achieved. Now, you can just buy it. You walk into towns and dungeons now and see low-level characters who look like they've already completed endgame. It’s bad game design.

what is your alternative, have ptw boosts instead?

[Nira]

I also don't like the feeling of having demi-gods in the low level lobby but this is really not that impactful for the benefit of having a free to play game updated for so long. What i hope is that non-cosmetics will look good. One thing I prefer in Diablo 4 is the look of the armors and the mog system. So far Poe 2 fare better than PoE 1, witch armors look good.

[smoketrees]

Originally posted by Rob⛧Pentakill:

Originally posted by smoketrees:

I'm new to POE but aren't cosmetics in this game pretty much just a way for the player to pay for a free game if they want to?

Not sure how it relates to streamers either as most of them I've seen have been against silly monetisation.

That's the narrative they push, but they've locked one of the most rewarding aspects of the genre behind a paywall, with streaming platforms eagerly fueling irresponsible consumer behavior. Earning cosmetics used to actually mean something—when you earned them, it felt genuinely rewarding. Before all this, when you saw someone with a specific cosmetic, you knew the effort they'd put in and what they'd achieved. Now, you can just buy it. You walk into towns and dungeons now and see low-level characters who look like they've already completed endgame. It’s bad game design.

I wish they'd lock in on me and make cosmetics that don't look like they're based on an edgy 13 year old's Sonic OC.

[NexAngelus *X*]

ur inverted star in ur name says enough. troll harder