I have been playing a PvP MMO which allows players to spend real-life money to get in-game money and buy items from the in-game economy. Of course, it is a terrible idea to do this and anyone who does it is getting ripped off because the game has full loot mechanics and they die instantly because they usually know nothing about the game, but
By playing it, I am directly contributing to their player numbers and the economy which allows it to function. Indeed, one could argue this is the same for capital itself and that my decision to live is similarly morally questionable, and therefore the entire question is silly, but it still doesn’t sit right with me.
Am I not directly contributing to a system that uses the vulnerable to make large amount of money? Am I not doing so in a way that isn’t actually essential to my happiness or quality of life?
I think, in the mean time, I will move to a different game.
Not any more or less than occasionally buying a beer or buying a new phone while the old one works well.
Shitty practices shouldn’t be supported, but it’s still possible to engage with them without supporting them too much.
I personally think there’s soooo many games, the choices are so vast, it’s really up to everyone individually if they get into one.
I also think it’s important to send positive messages. E.g. if the game does something well, like a less exploitatory update, tell them you like when they do stuff like that.
We live under capitalism and there really isn’t any way around it. You aren’t exploiting people, you’re just playing a game. It’d be kinda like asking if you’re contributing to the exploitation of workers cause you bought something at Walmart.
Morality has nothing to do with it. Is it wasting your money? Is there somewhere better it could be spent for making you healthy, happy, or entertained. If not, play it, I guess.
Is it actually making you happy to play it? Because that’s what made me quit the gacha game I was in for 5 years.
I play guild wars 2 and it has a “spend real money to get in game money” system, although it’s probably one of the least predatory ones I’ve encountered. I don’t really think it’s a big deal, or at least it’s nowhere near that of a gacha game (in fact I think they actually cap the amount you can buy per month to prevent people from going nuts and bankrupting themselves).
IMO I don’t think you’re contributing to exploitation by playing something like that unless you’re involved in one of those blockchain games that have digital landlords lol
