Traditionally, pay to win refered to a situation in a videogame where paying real life money gave the player any sort of advantageous or otherwise gameplay-altering (non-cosmetic) effect or object. These could range from acquiring regular in game items that can be obtained easily through regular gameplay to powerful items and advantages via the use of real money, whether exclusively or not.
Nowadays, the meaning of the expression varies slightly. It is mostly used to describe games which either have significantly powerful perks or items exclusively obtained with real money or excessively grindy games where the advantage obtained by using real money can be accomplished through gameplay, albeit taking very long to obtain.
Some players argue that pay to win only applies to online games, in which paying real money can give players an edge over players who simply play the game in order to unlock more weapons, characters, progression, etc. while others consider it can apply to any kind of game (including single player titles) where paying real money gives an advantage to the player.
Games which merely offer some minor advantages (in game objects, currency, experience boosts...) via microtransactions, DLCs or other bonuses are regarded by most as not pay to win, even though they technically fit that description in the traditional sense, since they are still considered advantages tied to real world money.
Nowadays, the meaning of the expression varies slightly. It is mostly used to describe games which either have significantly powerful perks or items exclusively obtained with real money or excessively grindy games where the advantage obtained by using real money can be accomplished through gameplay, albeit taking very long to obtain.
Some players argue that pay to win only applies to online games, in which paying real money can give players an edge over players who simply play the game in order to unlock more weapons, characters, progression, etc. while others consider it can apply to any kind of game (including single player titles) where paying real money gives an advantage to the player.
Games which merely offer some minor advantages (in game objects, currency, experience boosts...) via microtransactions, DLCs or other bonuses are regarded by most as not pay to win, even though they technically fit that description in the traditional sense, since they are still considered advantages tied to real world money.
+ You can pay real money in this game to obtain powerful weapons?
- Yes, but you can also earn them by playing the game normally
+ That is still pay to win
+ This game has no multiplayer, it is not pay to win
- You can still pay for advantages, even if they don't help you beat other real players, so it is pay to win
- Yes, but you can also earn them by playing the game normally
+ That is still pay to win
+ This game has no multiplayer, it is not pay to win
- You can still pay for advantages, even if they don't help you beat other real players, so it is pay to win
by LarsGontiel May 20, 2020
Pay to Win is a situation in gaming (usually MMOs or Massively Multiplayer Online games) where companies allow you to buy items or advantages with real money that cannot be obtained normally by playing the game.
An exception to the rule is that if an item/advantage can be obtained in-game but the acquisition time is unreasonably long, that can also be considered Pay to Win.
An exception to the rule is that if an item/advantage can be obtained in-game but the acquisition time is unreasonably long, that can also be considered Pay to Win.
You can only get the top-rated equipment in this game from the real money store... this game is Pay to Win at it's worst.
by Kaedan August 10, 2018
Any game policy where specific content needed to win is locked behind pay walls. Forcing people to pay, in order to access said content. While none can gain access to the content though other in game methods (combat, trading, etc)
by MortVent September 09, 2016
by SubIeveI February 18, 2023
Pay To Win AKA P2W. when you are paying for advantage which normal players don't have access to unless they either pay too or will have to grind very long (weeks and months).
you can buy a weapon in a game which has 50 damage, while you can buy same type of weapon for REAL money which has 60 damage. that is Pay To Win
you can buy a weapon for 10000 gold, for each 10-15min match you get 100 gold, while you can buy it for real money instantly.
you can buy a weapon for 10000 gold, for each 10-15min match you get 100 gold, while you can buy it for real money instantly.
by King Of Hell April 23, 2015
Random guy: OMG! DCU Online is is FREE TO PLAY!
Day one purchaser: God fucking damnit
Random skeptic: You mean pay-to-win, right?
Day one purchaser: God fucking damnit
Random skeptic: You mean pay-to-win, right?
by Flash Dude December 15, 2011
That dude is level 1 and has all the characters unlocked with the highest tier abilities while I didn't pay and have none, play it dirty and pay-to-win noob.
by didyoupay February 09, 2017