---
title: "OpenAI's gamified subsidies"
date: 2026-07-04
canonical: https://solmaz.io/x/2073533956813947037/
x_url: https://x.com/onusoz/status/2073533956813947037
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

OpenAI is following the ASPAVA strategy, with gamified subsidies

ASPAVA is a type of kebab shop from turkey. These shops usually serve mid quality food

But despite that, the majority loves them. That's because they serve free stuff throughout

They serve free sides at the beginning. They serve free sides during the main course. They serve free dessert at the end. They serve free tea as many times as you like

Some of them give you so much "free" food that you feel like you are stealing. A lot of people frequent these shops not because they like it a lot, but because they are addicted to getting things for free

Main dish portions are made smaller in order to breakeven with so many side dishes, which I feel is analogous to what is happening with GPT these days---though I can't prove it

NVIDIA is not a car, and OpenAI is not kebab. I don't know if codex resets cost OpenAI much, but if they are, then they might be a waste of resources

Developers are the most disloyal customer group. Once the subsidies are gone, they can switch away in the blink of an eye