How Free-to-Play Games Ruined the Gaming Industry

Welcome back to JudgeGray TV!
In this video, Judge discusses how the rise of free-to-play games has changed — and in many ways, hurt — the gaming industry.

Before the free-to-play era, studios had to make complete, high-quality games because success depended on sales. If a game was bad, people simply didn’t buy it. That pressure forced developers to deliver full, polished experiences.

Now, the business model has shifted. Free-to-play titles rely on microtransactions, cosmetics, and battle passes — not the quality of the base game. As long as players log in and spend, studios profit, even if the game itself isn’t that great. This has completely changed incentives and expectations for players and developers alike.

Judge breaks down why this model has damaged creativity, player trust, and long-term quality — and what needs to change if gaming is going to recover.

💬 Do you think free-to-play games are hurting the industry, or are they just the new normal? Let’s talk in the comments.

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