The way that video games make money has changed. Beginning in the mid-2000s, a novel monetisation strategy began to emerge in which games were not treated as products, but instead as sales platforms in which players were able to pay small amounts of real-world money in exchange for a range of in-game products. In recent years, the goods and services sold in this manner have become diverse and range from randomised rewards; to cosmetic items that affect how a player looks; to purchases which give players advantages when it comes to their ability to succeed in-game.