Novel pricing structures, a scientific view

[Julius]

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/a ... 9/5989/325

And for the German speakers more details here:
http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/32/32968/1.html

Basically what they found out is that the Pay-What-You-Want model (as seen recently often in the indi / linux gaming world) works even better if you promise to share the profit with a charity. You get more cash and the charity is an added bonus. Their explanation is that the charity aspect lowers the amount of free riders, who pay only minimal amounts.

Sound interesting maybe also for OS game projects with commercial aspirations.

I have the feeling though that the Pay-What-You-Want model loses it's strength once the novelty is over.

[andrewj]

I have the feeling though that the Pay-What-You-Want model loses it's strength once the novelty is over.

I think so too.

[Modplan Man]

Pay what you want model on its own is a kind of give it away and pray model, but if you were to combine it with other incentives - not just charities - it works well, e.g. a CD + case version for paying over a certain amount, bundle another game in, merchandise etc. This way you still give them freedom to set their own price but you can still give people a reason to give more.