It's a pretty detailed look at what goes into deciding to implement a FTP model in a game, how specific models are devised, and some of the overall benefits and problems FTPs face in the Western market. On why the FTP may be a really viable option for (good) indie games, Cheng had this to say:

Luckily Nexon has the standpoint that we're not going to release the game until it's a quality game. And in fact, if you get into this business you realize that you can't make money if you don't have a quality game. It's not like retail business where you have to ship at a certain date or you're going to lose money. It's not like that at all. You want this game to keep going and going and going. And also you're not investing huge amounts of money, you don't a 100 person team working on this project. We have eleven people working on this project. And so it's tiny and we're going to keep at it until we have a really good product. And in terms of the fun value, the fun versus the business, I think the key thing to remember is that in this business you have to make the game fun first before you can make any money. And if you take it the other direction you're just going to fail. That's the only conclusion.

It's a meaty interview, especially if you're interested in the FTP model and how it's getting implemented in a wider variety of games than just the stereotypical 'crappy Asian MMO.' We'll have to wait a while to see if it turns out to be a good bet for Sugar Rush, but Cheng seems pretty enthusiastic.

Interview: Klei's Jamie Cheng On Indie Free-To-Play With Sugar Rush [Worlds in Motion]

Look, none of this is really all that important. The important thing here is that if I don't get a Maple Story 7-eleven cup, someone is going to die. Statistically speaking someone is going to die anyway, but getting a collector's cup with a cute little pirate standing on a mushroom on its surface would assure everyone that I wasn't directly involved.

Nexon and 7-Eleven® Launch ‘Where You Play for Free’ Slurpee® and Online Games Campaign

Millions Can Instantly Experience Nexon’s Free, High-Quality Online Games via Redeemable Codes on Branded Slurpee® Cups and Game DVD Giveaways

LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nexon America, a world leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, and 7-Eleven, Inc. have kicked off the “Where You Play for Free” Slurpee® drink campaign in the U.S. to introduce and promote the world of free-to-play online games.

The promotion, running now through Dec. 31 in more than 5,600 participating U.S. 7-Eleven® stores, includes four Nexon-branded 22-oz. Slurpee cups, each featuring different eye-popping images from Nexon’s games: MapleStory, Mabinogi, Combat Arms and Sugar Rush.

7-Eleven customers also receive a collectible Nexon game DVD with the purchase of a 22-oz. or larger-size Slurpee beverage while supplies last. The DVD features the four Nexon games on the branded cups so users can easily download these games onto their PC.

Each Nexon-themed Slurpee cup has an exclusive game code that is redeemable for customized 7-Eleven and Slurpee-branded in-game virtual items in the four games. The game code also provides 7-Eleven customers access to participate in the closed beta stage of the highly anticipated MMO game Sugar Rush, which is scheduled to launch in early 2009. Customers can learn more by visiting http://slurpee.nexon.net.

“7-Eleven is a great advocate of free-to-play online games, and now millions of its customers will have the chance to join in the fun through the pre-loaded DVDs that allow them to quickly install our games with the click of the mouse,” said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. “Then, once they’re in one of our games, which span from role playing to first-person shooters, they can use the Slurpee game codes to access free, exclusive content.”

To further commemorate the promotion, 7-Eleven also introduced a new, promotional flavor, Vanilla Créme, a variation of vanilla that mixes well with other Slurpee flavors. For more information on all things Slurpee, go to www.Slurpee.com.

“We’ve seen great success with the Nexon pre-paid cash cards and this partnership further solidifies 7-Eleven as a premier gaming destination,” said Brad Haga, 7-Eleven’s senior product director of services. “Free-to-play games are more popular than ever in North America, and with Nexon, we can deliver a dynamic experience for our customers looking for great entertainment.”

Nexon offers gamers a chance to select one of the following options with a Slurpee game code:

— Combat Arms (http://combatarms.nexon.net)

— 7-Eleven-branded cap and supply case (which offers a random weapon to use)

— Mabinogi (http://mabinogi.nexon.net)

— Slurpee potion which has healing powers (20 potions per code)

— MapleStory (http://maplestory.nexon.net)

— 7-Eleven-themed Double Experience Points card, which lasts for one hour

— Sugar Rush (http://sugarrush.nexon.net)

— Exclusive closed beta access and Slurpee set, which includes a Slurpee-style straw, 7-Eleven T-shirt and Slurpee hair with cap

Honestly I have no earthly clue what is going on here, but it is nice to see a title coming from Nexon that didn't originate somewhere on the other side of the planet.

Closed Beta Registration NOW OPEN!! [Nexon Forums]