Video games: Ex-Blizzard boss wants to introduce tipping for developers

Have you ever wished you could pay even more money for video games than you already do? Then the former boss of Blizzard has a great idea for you! Tips for game developers!

At least he has now announced on X that he would often like the opportunity to leave a little tip after an outstanding game.

“When I complete a game, there are some that just leave me in awe because they were such a great experience. At the end of the game, I’ve often thought, ‘I wish I could give these people another 10 or 20 dollars.’ “because it was worth more than my initial $70 and they weren’t trying to rip me off every second”.

Games like HZD, GoW, RDR2, BG3, Elden Ring, etc. I know $70 is a lot, but it’s an end-game option that I wish I had at times. Some games are so special.”

For Ybarra, Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, Read Dead Redemption 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring are good examples of video games worth tipping. However, he himself is fully aware that such an idea will not only be met with approval.

“I know most people won’t like this idea 🙂 By the way, I realize we’re tired of “tipping” in all other areas – but I see this differently than the pressure to tip that many face and to which they give feedback.”

He is probably alluding to the tipping culture in America. While in Germany a tip is a polite bonus, there the tip is included in the wages. This means that the waiters and employees there are dependent on it and the obligation to give tips is therefore even greater for customers.

The comments on Ybarra’s post are at least divided. While some see it as a great way to support small, independent developers, others accuse Ybarra of passing the industry’s problems onto customers.