In a recent interview, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra made a bold suggestion for the gaming industry – players should be able to tip developers after completing a game. Ybarra believes that some games are worth more than the initial purchase price and players should have the option to show their appreciation through tipping.
Ybarra pointed to games like Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, and Red Dead Redemption 2 as examples that have made him consider this tipping model. While tipping in big budget gaming is rare, many independent developers have virtual tip jars or ways to donate to the studio.
Some players have suggested alternative ways to support developers, such as buying a game twice or gifting it to a friend. However, the current generation of consoles has seen game prices rise to $70, leading to frustration among players for additional microtransactions.
Some publishers have launched microtransaction stores post-release to avoid negative reviews, but have faced backlash from players. Ybarra’s former employer Blizzard operates on a subscription model for World of Warcraft, but also sells additional items in games like Overwatch 2 and Hearthstone.
Ybarra’s suggestion has sparked a debate within the gaming community about the value of games and how developers should be compensated. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if more developers embrace a tipping model as a way for players to support their favorite games and studios.