Submitted by bonemech_meatsuit t3_yrdpp1 in gaming
The BP craze seems to be a few years old now, which, I think was the industry's response to loot crates being flagged gambling. At first I thought it seemed great - tons of skins and cosmetic dlc for a few bucks, and if you play enough, the next month is free? Awesome.
But ive done this a handful of times now, and honestly it absolutely kills the gaming experience for me. Instead of casually playing a round or two of a game, I find myself logging hours and hours like a timecard to feel like I'm making progress. Sure, it's fun to get rewards, but it's not fun if I feel obligated to spend that much free time grinding just to complete the thing I already paid for.
I saw a comment on a rocket league thread where someone said you "only" have to play 2-3 hours a day to be able to easily finish the pass. At that point, the game is a chore - not a game.
After my most recent CoD pass expired unfinished, I resolved to not buy them anymore, and I'll say - logging on to play a round or two, them logging off without worrying about some progress bar, has made playing actually fun again, and a good reminder to game because I enjoy it, not because I have to.
Edit: to be clear I have zero problem with battle passes existing, if people want to purchase them for their own enjoyment, go for it. They are a better alternative than loot boxes but they are designed to get people addicted to the game. This postwas moreso commentary on me having found enjoyment in gaming again, after removing something that was turning it into a grind with a time limit.