Raccoon Logic: "Allow individuals to own the game they purchased"

Developers at Raccoon Logic, the team behind "Revenge of the Savage Planet," are advocating for a decline in the post-release monetization of video games through microtransactions. They are championing the return of the traditional model where consumers pay once for a game.

In an interview at Gamescom, detailed more in an article at GamesIndustry.biz, co-founder Alex Hutchinson discussed the importance of multiple exposures to reach audiences. He reminisced about their former project, "Journey to the Savage Planet," which transitioned from Google Stadia to consoles and later included a comprehensive edition with additional content.

According to Hutchinson, generating revenue often involves re-releasing a game to breathe new life into it, whether that involves updates, expansions, or making it available on fresh platforms. This approach can help ensure the game's continued success.

Despite the industry's shift towards persistent revenue streams like microtransactions, Hutchinson expressed skepticism. "It's not a healthy approach," he remarked, asserting that such tactics often exploit players by extracting ongoing payments rather than offering straightforward sales.

He critiqued current trends: "AI is causing job loss. Microtransactions, meanwhile, nickel and dime consumers. Why not let buyers own their purchase without these tactics?"

The teaser for "Revenge of the Savage Planet" humorously lists values like 'No DRM', 'No AI content', and 'No microtransactions.' When asked if this was merely for a joke or indicated a genuine industry stance, Hutchinson clarified that they genuinely intend to sell the game authentically without these modern monetization strategies.

He further noted, citing Nintendo as an example, that straightforward sales strategies can be very successful. He criticized the industry's race toward low prices, and emphasized that offering a complete product for sale is valid.

Reid Schneider, fellow co-founder and studio head, observed a shift in the gaming world. Numerous games transitioning from free-to-play to premium paid models exemplify this change. He cited examples like "ARC Raiders" by Embark Studios and others that have altered their models for sustainability reasons.

Schneider highlighted how exorbitant development costs once demanded free-to-play formats when courting investors. However, a re-evaluation seems to be underway, with numerous games opting for premium pricing instead.

Hutchinson reiterated the potential pitfalls of past strategies, where only a few big titles thrived. He suggested a return to more traditional sales models could allow a diverse array of games to find commercial success.

Further insights into Raccoon Logic's development process for their upcoming title, can be found in the full interview available online.