April 15th 2024.
Have you ever played a single-player game that left you in complete awe? The kind of game that you just can't stop thinking about even after you've finished it? Well, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra wants to make sure that the developers behind these games are properly recognized for their hard work.
In light of the recent wave of layoffs in the gaming industry, Ybarra has suggested a system where players can give tips directly to game developers. He believes that this will not only supplement their pay, which is often not as high as we may think, but also show them that their work is truly appreciated.
Ybarra's idea was sparked by his own experiences with single-player games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Gears Of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring. These games left such a lasting impression on him that he wished he could give the developers an extra $10 or $20 for their amazing work.
Of course, this idea is heavily influenced by American tipping culture, where customers are expected to leave a tip for service staff who are not paid a living wage. But Ybarra recognizes that tipping has slowly crept into other industries and is becoming more common in countries where it is not a cultural norm.
Despite the potential backlash, Ybarra believes that this would be a different kind of tipping scenario, as players would not feel pressured to leave a tip. And while it may not be clear how the tip money would reach the developers, it could be a viable option for indie studios who already have virtual tip jars.
However, some users have pointed out that there are other ways to support indie developers, such as buying microtransactions or gifting games on platforms like Steam. Ybarra's suggestion also raises questions about how the tip money would be distributed among the developers and not just the publishers.
But with the ongoing layoffs in the industry, it's clear that something needs to be done to better compensate game developers for their hard work. And Ybarra's idea is definitely worth considering as a way to show appreciation for the amazing experiences that single-player games provide.
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