First of all i want to mention, Not all paid services are bad, It's how they are able to keep the service running.
But there's a line between paid and a straight up scam. Profit isn't a bad thing. But it has a major role in what service you're selling and how that benefits the user. In this case we'll do a price/satisfaction ratio (p/s). 1:1 is where both parties are satisfied whereas 1:2 is where the consumer gets most of the satisfaction. 2:1 where the developer satisfaction is prioritized, and it says a massive f*ck you to the consumer.
1:1 Or 1:2 - The bright side
In this ratio of paid software is where we (the consumer) want to be and most likely will be if both parties have calculated everything.
Paid services are justifiable as long as
Tools that are constantly updated with valuable features.
Services with high development or maintenance costs (e.g., cloud-based platforms).
Niche software for specific industries.
2:1 - The dark side
In this ratio is where developer satisfaction comes at the expense of consumers. Examples include:
Subscription fatigue: Software that could easily be sold as a one-time purchase but is locked behind a recurring fee (e.g., Adobe's switch to subscription-only).
Microtransactions and DLCs: Games or apps that feel incomplete without constant additional purchases.
Overly restrictive DRM: Software that penalizes legitimate buyers more than pirates (e.g., Denuvo slowing down games).
Manipulation tactics
Often times paid services use manipulation tactics to pressure you, giving them money.
Freemium: Freemium is a business model that offers both a free and a premium version of the service, While this may seem like a bright tactic, often times the free version of the service is so bad that it essentially becomes a ladder to climb to the "premium" prices.
Exclusive Club Syndrome: This tactic relies on creating artificial hierarchies within a community by giving "premium" users exclusive perks like private channels, special roles, or enhanced functionality, while deliberately restricting features for regular users. It uses social visibility as a motivator to pressure non-paying members to upgrade.
Conclusion
Always watch out with whom you're working with or whom you're buying from. If you're creating your own paid service, Please take note of all of this and consider checking if it even needs to be paid. If you're developing a game with paid items, consider making some items available via challenges/quests. It gives non-paying users a welcoming feel, Like they belong there.
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