Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra recently suggested an interesting concept that has sparked a debate among gamers - the idea of being able to tip developers after completing a game. In a post on X, Ybarra expressed his admiration for certain games that left him in awe of the experience, making him wish he could show his appreciation by giving the developers an extra monetary reward.
I've thought about this idea for a while, as a player, since I've been diving into single player games lately.
— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) April 11, 2024
When I beat a game, there are some that just leave me in awe of how amazing the experience was. At the end of the game, I've often thought "I wish I could give these…
Ybarra mentioned games like Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Elden Ring as examples of titles that he felt were worth more than their initial purchase price. He highlighted the fact that these games didn't rely on constant microtransactions to enhance the player experience, which made him consider the idea of tipping as a way to reward the developers for their hard work.
While tipping is commonly seen in service industries such as restaurants and bars, it's a relatively uncommon practice in the world of big-budget gaming. Independent developers often have virtual tip jars or donation options, but this concept has yet to be widely adopted by major publishers.
With the current trend of game prices increasing, many players have voiced their frustration over paying $70 for a game only to be bombarded with additional microtransactions and in-game purchases. Publishers defend the price hikes by citing rising development costs, but gamers are becoming increasingly skeptical of these justifications.
Some publishers have attempted to mitigate the negative reaction to microtransactions by introducing them post-release, rather than including them in the initial game experience. However, this strategy hasn't always been well-received by the gaming community, as seen in the recent backlash against Namco Bandai for the Tekken Fight Pass in Tekken 8.
Ybarra's proposal raises interesting questions about how players perceive the value of a game and how they choose to support developers. While some may argue that buying a game twice or purchasing additional in-game content is already a form of tipping, the concept of a direct financial reward for developers after completing a game is a new and intriguing idea.
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