paytoplay

Pay-to-play, sometimes written as paytoplay, is a business model in which users must pay a fee to participate or access the main features of a product or service. In video games, this typically means a subscription, a one-time purchase, or a required entry fee to join multiplayer servers or to play the core game, as distinct from free-to-play titles that rely on optional purchases or cosmetics for revenue.

The model has been common in traditional subscription MMOs, which charged monthly fees for continued access. It has also appeared in competitive contexts such as paid-entry tournaments, where players must pay to enter and the prize pool is funded by entrants. Some titles employ a base game sale plus paid expansions or content unlocks that gate additional features behind a paywall.

Benefits cited include predictable revenue streams, funding for servers and development, and a clear value proposition for ongoing content. Critics argue pay-to-play can create barriers for new or casual players and may contribute to a pay-to-win environment if paid content affects gameplay balance. However, pay-to-play focuses on access rather than directly increasing in-game power; pay-to-win typically refers to advantages gained through purchases.

In the broader market, many developers have shifted toward free-to-play models with optional microtransactions, reducing entry barriers while monetizing ongoing activity. Pay-to-play remains in use for certain subscriptions, legacy titles, or regulated competitive environments.

Related concepts include pay-to-win, subscription models, freemium approaches, microtransactions, and esports.