Jaffe working on free-to-play shooter

David Jaffe talks about his new start-up and its first project: a free-to-play, browser-based third-person shooter.

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David Jaffe has gone fairly quiet since leaving Eat Sleep Play, which is unusual for the outspoken developer. Though his next project wasn't talked about formally at any press events, he's revealed personally that his new start-up is working on a free-to-play, browser-based third-person shooter.

"I hate free-to-play but I love aspects of it," Jaffe told GamesIndustry.biz. "I love the instant-on, I love the low to no barrier of entry to get all kinds of people to jump in and play, I love the fact that you're sitting there at lunch and can play for five minutes or you can get sucked in and play for three hours."

On the other hand, Jaffe says he hates the business model and its reliance on microtransactions. "You can listen to the developers all day long tell you it's not pay to win, but you know, it kind of is pay to win. I'm not saying they're evil or they're lying - but one of the things they like to say is pay with your time or pay with your money. Well both of those are really shitty."

He hasn't worked out the details of how his F2P shooter will be modeled differently, but he's trying to build a team of like-minded developers. "For me it's about starting a company and finding the right group of people that really believe in this vision that there's great stuff about free-to-play but we want to make it genuinely for gamers. And I know a lot of people say that, but what they mean is we're making games that are thematically and mechanically appealing to gamers, but then we're going to f**k it all up with a business model that kind of pisses gamers off and keeps gamers away."

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  • reply
    June 8, 2012 10:00 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Jaffe working on free-to-play shooter.

    David Jaffe talks about his new start-up and its first project: a free-to-play, browser-based third-person shooter.

    • reply
      June 8, 2012 10:15 AM

      I'm really starting to hate this F2P burst........

      • reply
        June 8, 2012 10:23 AM

        The game industry sure loves trends.

      • reply
        June 8, 2012 10:31 AM

        well there is some good F2P stuff: tf2, dota2, lol.

      • reply
        June 8, 2012 10:36 AM

        I agree what the shit is up with it? I guess it makes money and that is all what matters.

        • reply
          June 8, 2012 10:43 AM

          would you like to pay $60 to see if you like this game, or would you prefer to pay $0 and play for as long as you want? hm...

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            June 8, 2012 10:56 AM

            How about $0 for a demo and $50 for the game? How about these companies actually make shooters worth $50 to $60 in the first place? I'm fine with the model the way it has been.

          • reply
            June 8, 2012 9:41 PM

            Invalid question; I can pay $0 to see a Giant Bomb Quick Look of a game (or YouTube search for gameplay videos) before committing $60 to it. This is with the requirement that no games are bought before release (which makes it easier to wait for gameplay videos and reviews of substance, not just IGN box quotes).

      • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        June 8, 2012 1:20 PM

        When you're making a multiplayer game, establishing a playerbase is the #1 priority. If you fail at that then the game dies in a few weeks never to be seen again. F2P is easily the best way to gain new players if you're not Call of Duty or Halo. Games like League of Legends, Tribes: Ascend, etc would not be where they are without being F2P.

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