When thinking about gaming business models it's important to think about the con...

When thinking about gaming business models it's important to think about the context in the history of gaming.

Since in the 1980s in addition to retail and digital sales the business models we've seen have included:

  * Pay-to-play arcade games
  * Premium hint lines
  * Add-on content sales
  * In-game sponsorship (Zool, sports games)
  * Shareware
  * Advertorial games (McDonalds Land)
  * Subscription fees
  * Peripheral sales
  * Real money betting
  * UGC Rev shares
  * Membership clubs
  * Game rental
  * In game ads
  * IAP 
  * Virtual items

IAP is likely here to stay, but just like the many many business models that have existed before, it'll likely become one of many in use.