The Dark Side of Disney Dreamlight Valley's Monetization Techniques

Disney Dreamlight Valley's latest update, Remembering, has brought about exciting new missions and plot developments for players to explore. In addition, a new character has been introduced to the game, providing even more opportunities for interaction. However, the update also includes a new in-game shop item that may raise some concerns among players. The Dream Bundle requires premium currency, purchased with real-world money, and offers more than just cosmetic items, setting it apart from previous in-game purchases.

Locking Dreamlight Valley Quest Content Behind a Paywall

The Dream Bundle has raised concerns as it is the first instance where actual gameplay content is locked behind a paywall, as opposed to cosmetic items that only affect the player's appearance or in-game home. In previous instances, sidequests in Dreamlight Valley were locked behind the friendship meter of the character giving out the quest, but this is no longer the case. The Moonstone store has also faced criticism from fans due to the high cost of its premium currency items, and the fact that it can take months to afford some of the more expensive items, even with the ability to earn 50 free Moonstones per day. The FOMO design of the store, which cycles items on a weekly basis, adds to the predatory nature of the store and its effect on players in the Dreamlight Valley community.

Premium Content in Disney Dreamlight Valley's Early Access

The FOMO of the Moonstone store is exacerbated by several factors, particularly the Dream Bundle which requires payment to access actual content. Additionally, Disney Dreamlight Valley is still in Early Access and has paid-DLC before its official release, which is compounded by the fact that early access players have already paid to play. Although there are plans to make Dreamlight Valley free-to-play in the future, it is currently a pay-to-play title with multiple premium editions. This approach seems unusual, as players are required to pay for additional premiums to access all the content, even though what they have already paid for does not constitute a complete game.

The implementation of FOMO designs in Dreamlight Valley raises concerns about the direction of its development. If the premium Dream Bundles continue to utilize these tactics, it may exploit players with addictive tendencies. Furthermore, the persistent red dot notification on unpurchased content only adds to the pressure to spend more money on a game that is still in development and for which players have already paid for access. This issue is relevant across all platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, where Disney Dreamlight Valley is currently available in Early Access.