Is it necessary for modern FPS games to have unlocks and points to be competitive in the market?

[NerfedFalcon]

If a mainstream FPS video game isn't Call of Duty in a different wrapper, it won't sell. So yeah, I guess it is needed.

Well. Let's look at the other Call of Duty knockoffs...

[ul]
[li]Crysis 2 might've sold a little better than the original, didn't come close to Call of Duty. Mainly noted for the things it does different from Call of Duty rather than what it does the same.[/li]
[li]Homefront is about as much of a hollow Call of Duty knockoff as you can get. Did so badly the whole studio tanked.[/li]
[li]Medal of Honor--need I even raise that specter?[/li]
[/ul]

Can't think of too many more off the top of my head, buuuuut... you get the idea. These are the most high-profile COD knockoffs ever, and they all either straight-up tanked or just plain didn't sell that well. Wanna re-think your platform?

Did they have RPG elements? If not, they're not exactly the same, and therefore (being not CoD) they sold badly for the OP's reason.

 

[phatty500]

honestly rewards are all that can keep me interested in a game. in a way i like to have a sense of working towards something. any acheivements or unlocks i feel keep the game fresh for me and often also help me innovate. unlocks that make you use a certain weapon or perform a certain task make me actually use that weapon and perform that task and i find it keeps the game fresh for me for alot longer.

 

[NickCaligo42]

If a mainstream FPS video game isn't Call of Duty in a different wrapper, it won't sell. So yeah, I guess it is needed.

Well. Let's look at the other Call of Duty knockoffs...

[ul]
[li]Crysis 2 might've sold a little better than the original, didn't come close to Call of Duty. Mainly noted for the things it does different from Call of Duty rather than what it does the same.[/li]
[li]Homefront is about as much of a hollow Call of Duty knockoff as you can get. Did so badly the whole studio tanked.[/li]
[li]Medal of Honor--need I even raise that specter?[/li]
[/ul]

Can't think of too many more off the top of my head, buuuuut... you get the idea. These are the most high-profile COD knockoffs ever, and they all either straight-up tanked or just plain didn't sell that well. Wanna re-think your platform?

Did they have RPG elements? If not, they're not exactly the same, and therefore (being not CoD) they sold badly for the OP's reason.

Yeah, they did. Experience points and unlocks, that was the MO for all the games I listed. Evidently that didn't make them sell better.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

If a mainstream FPS video game isn't Call of Duty in a different wrapper, it won't sell. So yeah, I guess it is needed.

Well. Let's look at the other Call of Duty knockoffs...

[ul]
[li]Crysis 2 might've sold a little better than the original, didn't come close to Call of Duty. Mainly noted for the things it does different from Call of Duty rather than what it does the same.[/li]
[li]Homefront is about as much of a hollow Call of Duty knockoff as you can get. Did so badly the whole studio tanked.[/li]
[li]Medal of Honor--need I even raise that specter?[/li]
[/ul]

Can't think of too many more off the top of my head, buuuuut... you get the idea. These are the most high-profile COD knockoffs ever, and they all either straight-up tanked or just plain didn't sell that well. Wanna re-think your platform?

Did they have RPG elements? If not, they're not exactly the same, and therefore (being not CoD) they sold badly for the OP's reason.

Yeah, they did. Experience points and unlocks, that was the MO for all the games I listed. Evidently that didn't make them sell better.

Here's the thing: the people who are into games like Call of Duty, are all already playing Call of Duty. So I guess my OP should have been 'if it isn't Call of Duty, it'll flop'.

 

[WolfThomas]

I like the way it is in Rainbow 6 vegas, you still have a good selection of weapons and armour at the start that can do whatever you need. But the unlocked stuff gives you something to work for and to make your character special to you.

Also you get rewarded for all the kills you get singleplay, coop, multiplayer, terrorist hunt. Whatever play style you like, you get rewarded for it. As long as you are playing you're being rewarded be it the tutuorial of the main campaign or a deathmatch online.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I am yet to see an FPS bring it to the point where I would care about the unlocks, or rather I want it on a game I care about playing.