Revolutionizing Free To Play

Sony announced that Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) would focus on creating FTP games. They started by converting their game “DC Universe Online” from a paid subscription to FTP, and other games they’ve produced such as “Planetside 2″ is FTP on PS4.
Ok great! We can expect more FTP games from Sony in the future, but whats this?! Capcom is entering the FTP market as well?

Capcom’s upcoming title Deep Down for the Playstation 4 (PS4) is looking great so far. Its using Capcom’s newly created the ”Panta Rhei” game engine which optimizes graphics and development efficiency. You can get a look at the game and the power of the “Panta Rhei” engine in the trailer below.

The graphics, while pretty, pale in comparison to what I find most interesting about the new title, the fact that Deep Down is an exclusive Free To Play (FTP) game from a 3rd party studio.

Now of course deals have been made before between companies to offer exclusive content, but the kicker here is the FTP aspect.
While it may not be the biggest, this definitely isn’t a small budget title. Capcom is putting lots of time, and resources into the project and is willing to depend on the micro-transactions which will likely be in the game, to earn revenue.
Whether or not the game can be modified to run on the Xbox One is debatable, but Capcom’s final decision to not do so instantly decreases their market size while increasing their risk of not making profit.
The success or failure of Deep Down will either provoke an interest from other game companies to make similar moves, or crush their desire all together.

Its obvious that Sony is trying to use the allure of “more bang for your buck” to help market themselves this gaming generation. First the amazing offerings from their Playstation Plus service, then the focus on FTP games from in house studios, now they even have 3rd party studios joining their side offering a FTP game. We know about Capcom, but maybe Sony has also made deals with other game developers to provide FTP games exclusively for their Playstation brand.

It will be interesting to see if either Microsoft or Nintendo also have similar agreements in place, or if they will introduce them in the future. Who knows, maybe they will take a different approach to marketing altogether. We’ve seen a glimpse of Sony’s hand and they’ve placed their bet, time to see if the competition will call, raise, or fold.