#Poll #tip #developers #completing #game
You can participate in a poll at the bottom of this post. This poll stems from a social media post that I saw. Because last week Mike Ybarra brought up an interesting topic.
The former president of Blizzard Entertainment said in a tweet that he would like to be able to tip a game. In his tweet he explains that there are games that are so special to him that he is willing to give 10 or 20 euros as a tip. He mentions Elden Ring, Horizon Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2 as examples. Top games that I would personally pay 80 or 90 euros for. But would I also do that as a tip?
I’ve thought about this idea for a while, as a player, since I’ve been diving into single player games lately.
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…
— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) April 11, 2024
I find Ybarra’s statement interesting, but I would not be in favor of it. First of all, I think games are expensive enough as it is. For 95% of the games I play, I see no added value in this, and honestly I assume that the publisher has already included enough profit margin in the price they ask for the game.
There are also other considerations that make me less than enthusiastic about Ybarra’s proposal. For example, I see a risk that the developer profession will be eroded even more and the salary will decrease, with a contractual arrangement that extra salary can be earned through a tip. Like the 18-year-old waiter on the terrace, who can earn a good living in a sunny summer, but depends on many factors. Compensating a meager salary as a developer with a tip seems to me to be a completely undesirable situation, partly because as a developer you do not have full control over how the game is marketed and at what time it is released.
And then there’s the pessimistic side of me that says that tip won’t go to the developers at all, but mainly to the Mike Ybarra’s themselves in this industry: the top 1% in the industry who are already making tons of money. In short, the more I think about it, the dumber I think – with respect – Ybarra’s proposal. I think the best show of appreciation we as gamers can give back to developers is: enthusiasm! Talking about games, sharing screenshots on social media, convincing friends to get that one game. Speaking of which, have you gotten Sea of Thieves yet? And give Elden Ring a try, the game is now on sale!
Anywho, what do you think of Ybarra’s proposal?
Laden …
