PopCap: Going free-to-play with Plants vs. Zombies 2 is worth the 'flak'

PopCap CEO Dave Roberts has admitted the publisher is having to deal with "a lot of flak" due to the misconception that "free-to-play is so evil".

Speaking following the launch of Plants vs. Zombies 2 – crticised by some for going the free-to-play route, despite having rocketed up the app charts after just a few hours on sale – Roberts insisted that the franchise's F2P switch made sense.

"Part of it is, look we can now talk to a million people in a day or two million people in a day or five million people, or whatever it is going to end up with today," offered Roberts.

"That's a huge deal. People forget that freemium can really be a great thing because we are really showing a lot of people the game, and they are excited about it."

Indeed, Roberts was adamant that the shift made sense on all levels and wouldn't hinder the title's ability to make money.

"If you look at the top grossing list [in the App Store] right now, I think you have to get down to 70 or 80 or 90 before you see a paid game. That's the sad truth," said Roberts.

"People have decided that free-to-play is a better way for them to monetise."

Plants vs. Zombies 2

[source: GeekWire]