Isn't it more or less the same already? Most profits nowadays come from the post-launch DLC sales, not the units sold at launch window, that's why games launch unfinished, and that's the reason we see games dropping down the prices sooner than ever before, it's all about building a large playerbase as soon as possible. Which all makes sense since spending a few bucks every now and then is much, MUCH easier on the wallet for most people than paying up front the full price, which at the end of the day turns out that people actually spend more, way more than they would otherwise, as seen with the mobile market and F2P titles (especially the latter is giving a tremendous competition to MP-oriented, fully priced titles).
No doubt.
Depending on the game, its way more important for giant player base free or cheap + mtx vs. lower player base $60 + mtx. If a game has an image of low user base, gamers will avoid it and then it's a lame duck. I don't remember too many games like this making a comeback. Maybe RS: Siege is one though.
That's why Activision (out of all greedy fucks) even does free Warzone. I bet there's tons of gamers who skip buying Call of Duty, but just milk free BR mode. Sounds counterintuitive since it looks like tons of sales will be lost, but it's got to be worth it. I dont buy mtx, my buddies dont (at least they claim they dont), but there's some random whale that's spent $500 on weapon skins or some shit to cover all of us cheapskates.
I dont see the quality of Warzone being bad. So at least Activision hasnt gimped quality yet.
It's a different time now. Traditionally, gamers would buy a game and dump it for something new. But the trend (esp for shooters) to go in cheap with mtx seems to be working. I'm not a shooter fan except for COD, but even I can admit the quality of those other F2P games seem to be pretty good. Just not my style.
All these Fortnites and Apex Legends can go on for another 5 years as long as the content coming out seems good. If this was 10 years ago, it would be pony up $60 for Fortnite 1, Fortnite 2, Fortnite 3.