In PinWiz's post on the "Articles" section of this website a few days ago, it says:
"NOTE : All purchases will be handled strictly within The Pinball Arcade and you will be required to add funds to your steam wallet for all in-game purchases."
I'd like to have some discussion about why it works this way, and whether it's the best way. I must admit I have concerns.
Zen Studios offers each table pack for Pinball FX2 outside the game on their main Steam product page for Pinball FX2. This has some big advantages:
- Buyers can pay by any regular Steam payment method, not limited to the Steam Wallet
- The Steam client's purchase system is more familiar and trustworthy than a game's ad hoc purchase design
- You can see a list of every table pack and their prices at a glance without entering the game
So I wonder why The Pinball Arcade has chosen not to work like Pinball FX2?
I haven't seen TPA go live on Steam yet (due to last weekend's delay... which was caused by problems implementing the in-game purchase prices, natch), but I'm concerned that you won't even be able to see the prices for table and season packs unless you're in the game. Knowing what TPA's interface looks like on other platforms, it's woefully inadequate at showing a clear overview of all prices.
"NOTE : All purchases will be handled strictly within The Pinball Arcade and you will be required to add funds to your steam wallet for all in-game purchases."
I'd like to have some discussion about why it works this way, and whether it's the best way. I must admit I have concerns.
Zen Studios offers each table pack for Pinball FX2 outside the game on their main Steam product page for Pinball FX2. This has some big advantages:
- Buyers can pay by any regular Steam payment method, not limited to the Steam Wallet
- The Steam client's purchase system is more familiar and trustworthy than a game's ad hoc purchase design
- You can see a list of every table pack and their prices at a glance without entering the game
So I wonder why The Pinball Arcade has chosen not to work like Pinball FX2?
I haven't seen TPA go live on Steam yet (due to last weekend's delay... which was caused by problems implementing the in-game purchase prices, natch), but I'm concerned that you won't even be able to see the prices for table and season packs unless you're in the game. Knowing what TPA's interface looks like on other platforms, it's woefully inadequate at showing a clear overview of all prices.
I can't imagine Steam sales hurt publishers -- it leads to many more sales than they would have ever got before. I took the plunge with Pinball FX2 in the last Steam sale, which means I am another person with Pinball FX2 on my computer, which means I am another person who may buy more tables in the future.
