Capcom’s Deep Down is one of the prettiest upcoming games for the PlayStation 4, thanks to its fiery new Panta Rhei engine. It seems to take what was good about Dragon’s Dogma (which is not much, according to some) and expand upon that. For fans of Dragon’s Dogma and games like Dark Souls, it’s enticing, with one caveat; it’s a free to play game. Capcom’s explained why.
In a shareholders’ meeting (via Siliconera), the company explained its free-to-play philosophy, and related why they feel that Deep Down will benefit from being free to play as opposed to being a traditional retail title.
“We understand that there are some risks,” a company rep said, “partly because Deep Down is our first free-to-play game for a next-generation console. But we believe that risk taking to some extent is required in part because this title is the starting point for our growth in content sales for next-generation consoles.
“Furthermore, a business model in which we do not simply sell games has the advantage of giving us access to feedback from users. We are able to use that information to solve issues, so we plan to refine and update Deep Down for some time.”
Deep Down is coming to the PlayStation 4 as an exclusive – though we unfortunately have no idea when it will be arriving. They also don’t expect to make much money from the game… until they start monetising the hell out of it, of course.
“We have not decided when to launch this title. But since we will use the free-to-play business model, earnings will probably be small in the first fiscal year regardless of when we start this service because of depreciation expenses. We anticipate earnings from this title for longer term starting in the following fiscal year.”
I’m still not sold on free-to-play games. They require a balance between offering substantial gameplay for free while still managing to extract money from players and it’s a balance that’s not particularly easy to get right. It’s not one, frankly, that I’m confident Capcom of all people will manage to achieve.
Last Updated: July 30, 2014
Umar GAAAAHH!
July 30, 2014 at 09:03
So I guess this game will charge you R200 for a fast-travel crystal?
Dean
July 30, 2014 at 09:24
Dude, that’s the 5 potion health pack. The crystal is R350….
Umar GAAAAHH!
July 30, 2014 at 09:37
Snap! Then Deep Down Arose will give you 2 fast crystals for R350
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 30, 2014 at 09:03
So I guess this game will charge you R200 for a fast-travel crystal?
Dean
July 30, 2014 at 09:24
Dude, that’s the 5 potion health pack. The crystal is R350….
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 30, 2014 at 09:37
Snap! Then Deep Down Arose will give you 2 fast crystals for R350
Brady miaau
July 30, 2014 at 09:06
Sort like putting the drunk in charge of the var
Brady miaau
July 30, 2014 at 09:06
Sort like putting the drunk in charge of the var
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:07
I bet someone at Capcom said “We need to go deeper! Deeper into their wallets.”
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:07
I bet someone at Capcom said “We need to go deeper! Deeper into their wallets.”
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:10
4/10!!!!!!!!!DAFUUUUUQ
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:10
4/10!!!!!!!!!DAFUUUUUQ
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:11
Dayum, I re-read about 10 comments of the fated 4/10 article, so much of bile and hate
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:17
O_o before my time apparently, Had to hand out some extra upvotes.
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
Seriously, there are some (in plain afrikaans) doose on that article. At least they are gone now, spending the rest of their miserable lives as they see fit in whatever manner.
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:19
*dose
Umar GAAAAHH!
July 30, 2014 at 09:20
English Nazi, Afrikaans Nazi….WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:50
You forgot a question mark at the end there Umar…
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:23
I saw, too lazy, didn’t care.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:41
Disgusting 😀
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 10:19
XD
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:11
Dayum, I re-read about 10 comments of the fated 4/10 article, so much of bile and hate
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:17
O_o before my time apparently, Had to hand out some extra upvotes.
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
Seriously, there are some (in plain afrikaans) doose on that article. At least they are gone now, spending the rest of their miserable lives as they see fit in whatever manner.
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:19
*dose
Umar GAAAAHH!!!
July 30, 2014 at 09:20
English Nazi, Afrikaans Nazi….WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
July 30, 2014 at 09:50
You forgot a question mark at the end there Umar…
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:23
I saw, too lazy, didn’t care.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:41
Disgusting 😀
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 10:19
XD
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:12
I still say PS2 does F2P right. You only ever need to spend cash on camouflage which any Infiltrator would tell you help bugger all when being looked at through a sniper scope. Plus the game is so much fun I am more than happy to pay the subscription fees.
So if Deep Down can do something similar then I will throw money at it.
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:12
I still say PS2 does F2P right. You only ever need to spend cash on camouflage which any Infiltrator would tell you help bugger all when being looked at through a sniper scope. Plus the game is so much fun I am more than happy to pay the subscription fees.
So if Deep Down can do something similar then I will throw money at it.
Sith JJ
July 30, 2014 at 09:16
Why I won’t play Deep Down.
F2P
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:19
Well you can download it and check it out without paying. (That’s how they lure you in, like Candy Crush)
Rince&pop
July 30, 2014 at 09:24
Damn straight. I refuse to play anything F2P. Sell it for $60, make it a FULL game, and I’ll buy it.
ToshZA
July 30, 2014 at 09:50
I know this is an old-hat example, but DOTA2 has provided almost 1500 hours of entertainment for me, for free. So…
Errol The Terrible
July 30, 2014 at 11:05
When last have you bought a “FULL” game for $60?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:26
It’s worth a go to see if you like something. I spent 70 hours on Loadout, didn’t pay a cent. I’ve spent around 100 hours now in Warframe, bought the starter pack on special for $14 – good value for money I think.
Kensei Seraph
July 30, 2014 at 09:38
Hunter’s founder pack for me.
Excal Prime and a decent amount of plat.
Sith JJ
July 30, 2014 at 10:44
Only F2P that I’ve had enjoyment from so far is Tiny Death Star. Race Room was great, but after you realise that it’ll cost you the price of a game to drive on an actual existent track clicking the uninstall button gets really easy.
Sith JJ
July 30, 2014 at 09:16
Why I won’t play Deep Down.
F2P
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:19
Well you can download it it and check it out without paying. (That’s how they lure you in, like Candy Crush)
Rince&pop
July 30, 2014 at 09:24
Damn straight. I refuse to play anything F2P. Sell it for $60, make it a FULL game, and I’ll buy it.
ToshZA
July 30, 2014 at 09:50
I know this is an old-hat example, but DOTA2 has provided almost 1500 hours of entertainment for me, for free. So…
Errol The Terrible
July 30, 2014 at 11:05
When last have you bought a “FULL” game for $60?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:26
It’s worth a go to see if you like something. I spent 70 hours on Loadout, didn’t pay a cent. I’ve spent around 100 hours now in Warframe, bought the starter pack on special for $14 – good value for money I think.
Kensei Seraph
July 30, 2014 at 09:38
Hunter’s founder pack for me.
Excal Prime and a decent amount of plat.
Sith JJ
July 30, 2014 at 10:44
Only F2P that I’ve had enjoyment from so far is Tiny Death Star. Race Room was great, but after you realise that it’ll cost you the price of a game to drive on an actual existent track clicking the uninstall button gets really easy.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
Because deep down they know it’s not worth paying for?
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
Because deep down they know it’s not worth paying for?
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2014 at 09:18
XD
Rince&pop
July 30, 2014 at 09:23
NO…
Rince&pop
July 30, 2014 at 09:23
NO…
fred
July 30, 2014 at 09:45
looks good!
fred
July 30, 2014 at 09:45
looks good!
ToshZA
July 30, 2014 at 09:52
F2P can be done right. But time will tell if this is one of those rare moments when it is, or just another addition to the steriotype. It still looks interesting enough to try, either way.
ToshZA
July 30, 2014 at 09:52
F2P can be done right. But time will tell if this is one of those rare moments when it is, or just another addition to the steriotype. It still looks interesting enough to try, either way.
CypherGate
July 30, 2014 at 10:52
I tried a few free 2 play games and im not sold on them. Most are like grind fests and even grinding takes millions of years and even then it hardly brings any sort of enjoyment in achieving that level 3 shield. Hell no… I play games to relax and have ultimately… FUN…. who has the time nowadays to sit 4 – 8 hours a day playing a game (grinding)? I could do that when i was like 16 or 18 years old. Not anymore lol
CypherGate
July 30, 2014 at 10:52
I tried a few free 2 play games and im not sold on them. Most are like grind fests and even grinding takes millions of years and even then it hardly brings any sort of enjoyment in achieving that level 3 shield. Hell no… I play games to relax and have ultimately… FUN…. who has the time nowadays to sit 4 – 8 hours a day playing a game (grinding)? I could do that when i was like 16 or 18 years old. Not anymore lol
Wraith
July 30, 2014 at 11:29
As long as the base game is playable and enjoyable, count me in. I love me some dark souls action, so this is strongly on my radar.
Wraith
July 30, 2014 at 11:29
As long as the base game is playable and enjoyable, count me in. I love me some dark souls action, so this is strongly on my radar.
Ryanza
July 30, 2014 at 12:17
Since Microsoft announced their plan on full hardcore DRM for their console, it is a clear indication of where the industry is going. Fully online digital. No retail, no offline play.
If you look at the Xbox 360, it’s roughly half of all Xbox 360 users that use Xbox Live. There is much less than half that keeps their gold account going.
Since Microsoft’s DRM announcement, the games that has been shown off has mostly got to do with online muliplayer, servers, for games that looks like they should be offline single player games.
In this article I read, Capcom, shareholders, investment, earnings will be small. To me that means that Capcom is looking to increase the install base of digital only users, so that they can sell more useless DLC.
DRM, DLC, online connected single player, muliplayer only games, free to play, ect, is all about trying to get you to waste your money on digital bullshit.
If half of Xbox 360 users and half of PS3 users are offline never connecting online. That means that 80 million people are getting told to fuck off.
Don’t support DRM