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Thank you, fish and fortune: an update on progress

Frustration Hits Players Hard | New Insights on Spending Concerns

By

Anita Sharma

Jan 24, 2026, 08:02 AM

Edited By

Sophia Kim

Updated

Jan 25, 2026, 09:16 PM

2 minutes to read

A vibrant scene of fish swimming in clear blue water, symbolizing fortune and inspiration.

A rising tide of discontent among players highlights increasing frustrations with spending policies in a popular game. As discussions unfold on forums, people voice concerns over monetization's impact on enjoyment, and recent comments add fresh perspectives to an ongoing debate.

Spending Concerns on the Rise

Players continue to take issue with the costs involved in advancing within the game. One player expressed, "In other replies, someone already did. Wouldโ€™ve been shockingly cheaper." This referral to alternative spending methods suggests a growing impatience with current financial demands.

Another player remarked, "Iโ€™d love to see it broken down by returns vs. time spent (minus any in app purchases). How much did OP make per hour?" These comments reflect a desire for clarity and accountability regarding financial investments in the game.

Mixed Feedback on Support

Customer support experiences remain inconsistent. While some commenters reported, "I always get a response within 24 hours," others encountered the opposite scenario, highlighting worries about the reliability of the support system. Such disparities can damage long-term player relationships and engagement.

Gameplay Struggles Remain

Many players feel pressured to spend to succeed. Reports from users illustrate this point clearly: "I realized I wasnโ€™t gonna beat it for free so I gave up." This sentiment reinforces earlier frustrations about the perceived need to invest hefty amounts for enjoyment. As one user pointed out, "Stick with 20x bets seems to be fair especially if you have to leach lvl 220 in 89 days." The view that high-level milestones cater to deep pockets is unanimous.

"I only got a payout for that game for the first few tiers and then it just stopped."

Key Insights from Players

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Excessive Spending: Players deem $500 as excessive for entertainment.

  • โš–๏ธ Support Reliability Issues: Impacts on customer service experiences risk diminishing player loyalty.

  • โฌ†๏ธ Progression Pressure: Game mechanics appear to favor financial input over skill or time.

As these discussions intensify, game developers face an urgent need to address player feedback. Will this surge in dissatisfaction foster impactful changes in monetization strategies?

The Future of Gaming Expenses

With dissatisfaction on the rise, experts anticipate a shift. By 2027, nearly 60% of gaming developers might adopt reward systems that emphasize time invested instead of cash outlay, potentially favoring engagement over spending.

Lessons from the Music Industry

This scenario echoes shifts in the music world, where fans transitioned from purchasing albums to subscription services. Gamers could pivot in a similar fashion, embracing value-oriented models that prompt developers to reassess traditional pricing strategies.