How Much Money Do Free-To-Play MMOs Make?

simoniker writes "Over at Gamasutra, a new feature article discusses how much money free-to-play MMO games make, with specific real-world stats from game developers willing to discuss how they make money with microtransaction-based PC games. In particular, Puzzle Pirates co-creator Daniel James reveals that 'the average revenue per user (ARPU) is between one and two dollars a month, but only about 10% of his player base has ever paid him anything. As a result, he says, approximately 5,000 gamers are generating the $230,000 in revenue he sees each month.' It's obviously quite a different model from the regular $15/month for World Of Warcraft, but it evidently works for some companies."

I think 6

[geekoid]

is it 6? I'm guessing 6, 6 right?

"approximately 5,000 gamers are generating the $230,000 in revenue he sees each month."

If you knew, why the hell did you ask me?

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[Capt.DrumkenBum]

"ransacking the couch for ramen money" That sounds really dirty to me for some reason.
Is that what you kids are calling it these days? In my day was just called it sex, I guess I am just old.
Get off my lawn.

Re:bad math

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, however your spell it, I love buying Squishies from that guy.

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[Plaid Phantom]

No no: that Mac is *why* they're plundering the furniture. ;)

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[Ihmhi]

What about this guy [slashdot.org]?

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[Darinbob]

Kids these days. When I was in school, we ransacked the couch for ramen.

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[syousef]

Actually, as an openly gay mac user, I have to say...

There's a special version of Mac based on your sexual orientation? Damn! I knew Apple's DRM was getting restrictive but this is ridiculous!

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[Veggiesama]

You heard it here on Slashdot first, gentlemen. Gay men aren't attracted to your operating system.

We already knew they weren't aroused by the size of your external hard drive, but the jury's still out on whether or not you should wear an anti-virus shield when having unprotected file-sharing with another anonymous gay man. Some call this controversial practice "bare-backuping," and it remains highly controversial in online gay communities.

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[drinkypoo]

Actually, as an openly gay mac user, I have to say I've gotten far more dick when I leave my computer at home.

What about your iPhone?

Shazam!

Re:Dear free MMO companies

[polle404]

You read the article, AND researched the game?
You ARE new here!