Perfect World is a name you might have heard. Chance are, you play one of their games. This Chinese company has been making inroads into the western gaming market through a strategy of free-to-play games backed by an unending stream of cash shop virtual goods. In the States, Perfect World pulls the strings of puppet-company Cryptic Studios. That means City of Heroes and Star Trek Online are now PWE games, and have already felt the corruption of this company’s free-to-play plans. Check out this interview with Alan Chen, the fellow responsible for Perfect World’s local conquests. VentureBeat has the story.
The free-to-play model has proven a very strong concept, and that success has given PWE infinite money to play around with. The big problem is that eastern games aren’t good with pacing. They throw advertisements for the cash shop at you with a relentless zeal, and fill your screen with new offers to buy buy buy. Star Trek Online is already showing signs of this overbearing enthusiasm with how it announces lockbox lottery winners across the system with unskippable messages right in the middle of the screen.
Cash shops are fine, but best to play it cool, you know?
I have filed many complaints about the software and players. Nothing is ever done.
Death threats, racial slurs, verbal abuse, homophobic attacks.
Their staff is completely worthless.
I have sent in over 30 tickets in 2 months, filed 2 complaints on the BBB and they refuse to refund me.
They are a F on the BBB and consumer fraud complaints will be hearing from me.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY