Free-to-play games: a microcosm of society?

Have you ever played free-to-play games, like Homescapes by Playrix? I enjoy them sometimes, particularly when I’m stuck waiting for something and just have my phone. A thought struck me recently: these free-to-play games are an interesting little microcosm of (American) society, an exaggerated illustration of the differences in daily life between the Haves and the Have-nots. If you can afford to put a lot of money into the game (for microtransactions), it becomes faster, easier, and more interesting to play. If you are on a strict budget, however, or are just careful to be mindful about your spending in these games, it can be slow and frustrating, more than it is fun.

Compare this to the Haves and Have-nots in society at large. If money is not a concern to you, day-to day, then life is more likely to be generally enjoyable. If money is a large concern (because you don’t have enough), then your life is likely to be more stressful, and you are less likely to be able to reach a place of self-actualization (pursuing passions, creativity, or personal growth). This is not to say that folks with money don’t have problems! But, consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

If a person doesn’t have enough food on a daily basis, or stable housing, self-actualization is virtually impossible. It’s not a matter of having a positive attitude, because how can you have a positive attitude if there’s not enough food to eat, or enough clean water to drink? But if the basic necessities are covered because you were born into a family who already has sufficient resources? You won’t need to worry about the first two levels of the pyramid. You would already be two or more steps closer to being the best YOU you can be.

I can only speak for American society—are things different where you are? What do you think of this comparison? Let me know in the comments!