320°

Are All Microtransactions Bad?

Microtransactions are the hot topic today in almost gaming environment. Are they all really as nefarious as we make them out to be? We believe some can actually be really good for a developer's support of a particular game. Let's discuss which are good, and which are bad.

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cultureofgaming.com
C-H-E-F2255d ago

GTAV has the best dlc/paid mt balance.showed b used as standard nidel

UCForce2255d ago

I don’t think so. Remember GTA V Apocalypse UPDATE ? In free roam, you can screw people with beam cannon in GTA online. Low level players got screwed by high level player. Yeah, that’s the problem with MT in full price games.

C-H-E-F2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

low level players will always be screwed by high level players that's the perk to being high level. LMAO

*standard model* (OP)

Army_of_Darkness2254d ago

Personally, micro transactions for me is what ruins the joys of replayability. I remember back in the days when after I cleared a game, it would give me several New skins, levels and even weapon unlocks for a new game + mode, so would I play a single player campaign again because of that?! F#*K yeah I would! But these days, you have to pay for that stuff. Utter bullshit.

UCForce2255d ago

“low level players will always be screwed by high level players that's the perk to being high level. LMAO” But not like this.

Belinker3002255d ago

Absolutely not,there is a ridiculous amount of grinding or buying shark cards just to purchase items such as bunkers etc just to participate in new heists and DLC content

mastiffchild2254d ago

GTAV and its shark cards and online only dlc is not great. Rockstar promised proper free iirc single player dlc but greed prevailed, we got just theists etc for online and yet more shark card bs.

If you love gta online it's okay but it's still not great and the shark cards situation stinks.

Overall, though, mtx are fine in free to play games by and large esp done like Warframe. In a full price release though? Publishers et al need to make sure it's stuff we never used to get as part of an original game, that any extras carry value and no pay to win or gambling random reward loot boxes that create addictions.

Belinker3002255d ago

You are pretty much locked out of any new content thru updates unless you spend big ingame cash

C-H-E-F2254d ago

Nope i never bought a shark card and have around 800 million, i just played the game alot, and buy things that I want.

Belinker3002254d ago

Played the game a lot is an understatement,most of us have a life outside videogames also

chiefJohn1172255d ago

Heck no, I stopped playing GTA v mp because of the grind it takes to earn money and buy that top car for races, etc only to see a someone have 2+ million from shark cards and that top car burn you

C-H-E-F2254d ago

How when you have to WIN races to unlock car parts to upgrade with?? having 2 million won't give you the part, lOl you sir are mis-informed.

2255d ago
Rachel_Alucard2255d ago

Yeah I love spending hundreds of hours abusing car selling to just get enough to afford one limited vehicle. How about even more millions just to participate in any of the new content they add? You know its bad when people are afraid of Red dead given this track record.

PapaBop2254d ago

This time last year I'd have agreed with you however they're actually really bad for it now. Every new content update they do involves an expensive pay wall in order to both take part in the new missions and to be able to buy the coolest new stuff. See that new awesome helicopter from past GTA games you just have to own in GTA Online? Well first you'll need to buy a hangar to store it in.. roughly 2m, want to modify your brand spanking new helicopter? That'll set you back an additional 300-500k to add a mod shop to your hangar, think your hangar is looking a little dull? We got you covered, get a special new paint job for the low low price of 200k! Oh and that helicopter you wanted, that'll be another 4m. GTA Online is a terrible example of the balance. Yeah you can definitely earn enough money to buy all this just from playing but you'll be putting in a ton of hours grinding stuff to make that sort of money.

Z5012254d ago

I think you misspelled Warframe/

Retroman2254d ago

If it not Automatically in the game @ 60.00 i'll play untill unlocked. FK MT scams

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2254d ago
UCForce2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

Well, Microtranaction is not belong in full price games. MT is only acceptable in Free to Play. Now if there is MT that done right, I would have give it to Warframe and it’s free.

Obscure_Observer2255d ago

@UCForce

No, no every microtransaction is bad and you better get used to see more and more MTs on full priced games or leave console gaming.

Did you saw the patch notes for the next Horizon Zero Dawn update? It will feature new in game menu options to buy dlc. So there you have it. Microtransactions on Horizon Zero Dawn. Welcome to Kodera´s age!

Goldby2255d ago

Microtransaction tons aren't the same as Dlc.

Microtransaction are something already in the game normally locked behind a paywall.
Dlc normally need to be downloaded, and on top of that dlc tends to include more value than MT.

In horizons case, it's a whole. New area available, with its own story and items.

Try harder

UCForce2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

You didn’t play Diablo 2, did you ? That game have expansion pack. Bloodborne have expansion pack. I’m sorry but you are getting blinded here. MT and paid DLC are no innocent. But they are completely different. Like I said before, MT is a loop hole and Paid DLC is when you purchased it and can keep it.

Edit : Then where is it ? I only see Frozen Wild and Spanish language pack (free).

notachance2255d ago

let there be known that obscure_observer thinks MT = DLC

Goldenarmz2255d ago

MT in Free to play are fine, as that is how they tend to make their money. And it usually doesnt effect game play. That is completely Fine. Maple Story had this, most fb games have this. But when i pay 60 bucks for a game, and then 40% of the game is locked away behind MT or piecemealed out to me thats when we have issues. But MT in Free to play is a model that fits those kind of games.

BlaqMagiq12255d ago

Umm all of that is DLC that adds to the game not microtransactions. You look like an idiot right now.

Kribwalker2255d ago

@goldby ucforce and blaqmagiq

If you replaced a $50 season pass with MTs and the $50 worth of DLC expansion is now free where is the problem with that?

So let it be known, These three would rather spend $50 on a season pass then have others buy MTs that don’t affect the game and get the same DLC for free.

Because that’s literally what this is. Free DLC for everyone, MTs for those that chose vs Paid DLC and segregating the player base

Eonjay2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

You don't know what you are talking about but like any internet troll you initially come off as a real person. To even explain to you would be pointless because you were wrong on purpose but don't care.

Krib, most people would rather. It have doc or passes. They want to give the devs their money and walk away. MT are insanely worse than both. This article is about Mts can we stop trying to make them good?

Kribwalker2255d ago

@Eonjay

I’m sorry but i got 2 years of continued expansions that normally would have cost $20 each for free (because i didn’t buy any MTs) in halo 5, because of optional cosmetic MTS. I would rather have that then no Mts and Season Pass

Why would you rather chose to pay for DLC when, if they add 100% optional MTs, especially those that can be earned with in game cash, you could get all of that extra content for free.

It makes no sense. You people are saying “I’d rather buy a complete $60 then buy a $50 season pass” instead of “Ill buy my $60 game, the developers will give me the expansions for free (instead of $50 or whatever they cost) and i don’t even have to spend another dime”

$60 + optional cosmetic Mts = Free DLC and Expasions >>>>value then $60 + $50 expansions no MTs.

One of them is $60 and a complete game and extra content. One is $60 for a complete game and you have to pay for more expansions.

Aenea2254d ago

Since when are MT's the same as DLC?

I agreed with the first part, the 2nd part is just anti-Sony drivel...

Kribwalker2254d ago

@Ziggur

You are getting worthwhile story DLC or worthwhile Maps for free, with optional MTs.

Optional MTs you don’t have to buy.

Worthwhile DLC - Free
Worthwhile DLC- $50

which would you choose?

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 2254d ago
Kribwalker2255d ago

No MT should be in a full price game unless it creates free DLC and Expansions. There i fixed it for you. Other wise you should be against paid DLC and expansions in games, as instead of paying for a big transaction to get DLC you get optional MTs and free dlc. Way better model for everyone.

UCForce2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

How about this ? Doing like Witcher 3 free dlc and expansion. That way better than your option. Horizon Zero Dawn have similar Witcher 3 approach. Free update and expansion pack that worth price. Again, you didn’t play Diablo 2, did you ?

Kribwalker2255d ago

the witcher 3 and horizon zero dawn had paid expansions.

Sea of thieves won’t have paid expansions. rather optional MTs. I’d rather have optional MTs then paid expansions

UCForce2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

Did I said expansion packs are free ? No. But those are worth the price. Again, you didn’t play Diablo 2, did you ? How about this ? A microtranaction that done right, it has to be Warframe, not Sea Of Thieves. Sorry, but MT should belong to Free to Play model. Paid dlc and MT are not innocent. But here the difference, MT is loop hole and paid dlc is where you can keep it forever.

Rachel_Alucard2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

CD project flat out said they always to do something really substantial outside of the mini dlcs they were giving away for free. But ofc they have to charge for it as that's something that requires thousands of man hours to create as opposed to something you can make in a week. As I know Witcher 3 is the only game still sticking to the 1999 model of video games which is how it should be because the new way is run by pure greed, but ofc people are going to jump on the "free dlc" marketing lines these publishers want.

ziggurcat2254d ago

@krib:

I'd rather have worthwhile story expansions than useless cosmetic MTs.

Kribwalker2254d ago

@ziggur

but you are getting worthwhile expansions. But you don’t have to pay for them because there are optional MTs in the game that are funding it. So you get your worthwhile expansions for free, instead of buying it.

So you would rather give away your money then not buy MTs and get everything for free. You guys I swear.

Look at overwatch. It has Loot boxes, but it has had an endless supply of content you don’t need to spend a dime on. New levels, new characters. everything. Free. Because of optional cosmetic loot boxes.
Halo 5. halo 5 has had a tonne of content more then 14 new maps added for $0

Battle of Shadow and Light was the first content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained four forge maps and was released on November 18, 2015.
Cartographer's Gift was the second content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained four maps and was released on December 16, 2015.
Infinity's Armory was the third content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained two maps and was released on January 26, 2016.
Hammer Storm was the fourth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained one map and was released on February 24, 2016.
Ghosts of Meridian was the fifth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained two maps and was released on April 6, 2016.
Memories of Reach was the sixth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained one Arena map and was released on May 12, 2016
Warzone Firefight was the eighth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained four maps and was released on June 29, 2016
Anvil's Legacy was the ninth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained two maps and was released on September 8, 2016
Monitor's Bounty was the tenth content update for Halo 5: Guardians. It contained two Forge canvases and a customs game browser and was released on December 8, 2016

All free if you chose not to buy MTs. No player base seperation. No additional money. $60 you get the full game, MTs that can be earned in game, and more then 14 extra levels and modes. How is that bad? How is it better to have spent $50 on all that content?

ziggurcat2254d ago

"So you would rather give away your money then not buy MTs and get everything for free. You guys I swear. "

No, krib. I said I would rather worthwhile story expansions than useless cosmetic MTs. You guys I swear.

ziggurcat2254d ago (Edited 2254d ago )

@krib:

again - worthwhile story expansions, not useless cosmetic MTs. Nowhere have I said anything about money.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 2254d ago
Aenea2254d ago

Alright, playing devil's advocate here:
Games are getting bigger every year and become more expensive to make, yet game prices are the same as 20 years ago.
MT's is one of the ways to cover those costs. Yes, if a game is successful it even will give a nice chunk of extra profits which can be used to invest into more risky (smaller and bigger) projects. Without it many a game can't be made or they wouldn't dare to make it.

Even if you think they don't need the extra income to cover game development it's still ensuring a huge chunk of money that you and your shareholders can't go without.

What would you do as a game publisher?
- make less games and only make ones that are sure hits, but with way, way less content
- up the game prices
- or something else?

2253d ago
2253d ago
OB1Biker2255d ago

From the article:
'I think it is important to be able to tell the difference between these types of microtransactions. Consumers should not put all microtransactions under the same umbrella. Some are bad, but I believe some can be very beneficial. It seems there are two camps. Those who say “there are microtransactions, not interested.” And those who say “what’s a microtransaction?” Although holding companies accountable is important, it’s also important to understand the differences among in-game purchases. Not all are created equal.'

And its the journalists job to inform the public about FACTS and respect the readers intelligence, as opposed to disinformation and 'strong opinion' for whatever reason that we keep seeing.

Obscure_Observer2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

@OB1Biker

@OB1Biker

All IN GAME purchases are Microtransactions! Doesn´t matter if dlcs, expension packs, weapons, maps, comestics or loot boxes. So yeah, there´s a difference. Imo, some MTs are bad and some are good. I rather pay for HZD dlc than wait for a sequel to discover more about Aloy´s universe.

porkChop2255d ago

Expansions are not microtransactions. They're expansions. Clearly you don't know what microtransactions are.

Obscure_Observer2255d ago

@porkChop

YOU don´t know what microtransactions are! I said any aditional content behind a paywall through IN GAME, i´ll repeat: IN GAME OPTIONS, are microtransactions!

Goldby2255d ago

Micro = small
Transaction = exchange money for something.

Microtransaction = small money for something in the game

Since when is a 20-30$ considered a small purchase?

Next thing you'll start saying is that a full fledgedigital game is a mt for the psn/Xbox live

UCForce2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

You getting blinded. Expansion packs are way different than MT. Have you played Diablo 2 before ? I thought people said that i’m hypocrites person which is true, but i’m not going too far with it. Now you are being hypocrites.

Rachel_Alucard2255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

@Obscure

The term Microtransaction wasn't even a word until Microsoft made it a thing when they cut up expansion content and sold bits and pieces of it in small fees to make more money when Xbox live launched. They passed this strategy on to other big publishers and here we are today. We've had expansions since the 80's in games. How out of touch are you with everything?

2255d ago
Aenea2254d ago (Edited 2254d ago )

DLC doesn't cost a small amount therefor the name MICRO transactions already is a false way to describe them.

Plus, we all know, except you apparently, that DLC aren't the same thing as MT's.

And what's with the "in game options"? thing? Every. single. DLC. in. existence has been behind a pay wall in game! Ok, some maybe not, but what the heck of a difference does it make if the game shows you there is an expansion or not when it's exactly the same thing???

Because it seems that is what you're saying: if a game mentions there's an expansion in it's UI and can guide you to the online store than you count it as an MT and when the game doesn't mention it anywhere it suddenly is not an MT, right? That's an absurd way of thinking...

-------------

Also, I know the definition of 'content' can indeed cover skins or any other cosmetic item in a game (for most people), but to me that just doesn't sound right. Additional content for me is content that you can play, new levels/areas, etc. not a cosmetic item.

In that way there's also a huge difference between MT's and DLC....

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2254d ago
StifflerK2255d ago

MT's have no place in full priced games.
But MT's in Free To Play is fine.

It's true some types of MT are worse than others, but that's no justification for their inclusion, and still - people shouldn't have to pay extra just to enjoy a game they already payed full price for.

Same with cosmetic MT's , it wasn't so long ago that features like that were unlockable in-game at no extra cost - so why do we have to pay for it now???

Publishers are trying to make MT's the norm, don't let them.

Kribwalker2255d ago

so what are your thoughts on DLC? because DLCnwill cost you $20-50 to continue to enjoy the game.

UCForce2255d ago

I don’t like it of course. But I prefer business model like Witcher 3 and Horizon Zero Dawn. Both games give us a free update and free dlc and an expansion packs that worth price. So I choose my third option. A free dlc and expansion pack.

DJStotty2254d ago

i would rather have full paid expansions for games over MT's any day of the week

StifflerK2254d ago

For DLC - I'm okay with it so long as:
- it isn't content cut from the base game,
- it's optional,
- it's worth the price they're asking for it.

I prefer expansion packs rather than the 'games as a service ' model.

MrVux0002255d ago (Edited 2255d ago )

-There should be no microtransactions in full-priced-games, but we have our selves to thank for making that happen.
-Cosmetic-only-type-microtran sactions in Free-to-Play games are justifiable.
-P2W-type-microtransactions in both full-priced and free-to-play games are absolutely not justifiable.

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230°

Tomb Raider Remastered just quietly censored one in-game detail

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered players are ticked off by the game’s most recent patch, which censors in-game pin-up posters of Lara Croft.

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gamingbible.com
rlow16h ago

This is why gaming is screwed. When people change things to fit someone’s agenda, it’s a slippery slope downhill.

Christopher5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Even if that agenda is of the developer? Way to remove developer rights.

***One player called it a “huge problem with modern games,” saying they can now be “ruined AFTER people buy them”.***

The level of drama. Yes, I recall sitting there for more hours than I did anything else in the game. These two pinups are the core of the game, after all!

coolbeans4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

rlow1's cringe catastrophizing aside, I do think developers *ought* to strive to maintain an original work to the best of their ability. The language of a "remaster" tacitly implies that - for good or ill - what's being resold is what fans remember but better.

Profchaos4h ago

Games can be ruined after purchasing them yeah we know this not from this but from GTA IV which had half it's radio content patched out due to licensing expirations and to me that was a huge deal.

This pin up poster is a bit of nonsense but the whole argument of modern games can be ruined post launch is Absol true.

DedicatedDark3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

It's not their work to censor. They are incharge of restoration & remastering the work, not overwriting it.

Barlos2h ago

It's not the agenda of the developer though, they're pandering and trying to increase their ESG score.

Way to support censorship...

victorMaje2h ago

It’s not the end of the world for sure, but I understand the hate towards this kind of change. I believe it’s also a matter of principle.

Imagine a Picasso painting being restored & the restorer deciding there aren’t enough strokes, or some lines aren’t straight enough or curved enough…not sure it would/should sit well with people.

Have all original devs signed off on this change? Even if it’s the case, are we saying older gamers are better mentally equipped to process what was there than current gamers, hence the change?

Enough time ago the case was made that games are an art form. We’re supposed to have won that case.
So which is it? Are games art or not?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
Eidolon2h ago

Hasn't this been happened for over a decade since remasters? I can't see that it's any worse now. Maybe if Sweet Baby starts getting their hands on remasters we will definitely have a problem.

Rebel_Scum5h ago

tbh I dont see something like this as censorship. Does anyone else not find it strange for someone to stick pin ups of themsleves in a locker room?

Now of it was a pin up of some half naked firefighters it might make sense as Lara might like that, and if they removed that I would cry censorship. But removing pin ups of the main character, yeah I get it.

Barlos2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

It's a game, and they were placed there for the audience. It's not real life. If it was, she wouldn't have fought a T-Rex now would she?

Yes, it's censorship but it's a bit less in your face. If they were in the original game, then they should have been in the remasters. It's bad enough that they have that ridiculous unnecessary warning at the start, but then they start removing things post launch. I don't care how small the change, they shouldn't be doing it. It's nothing but ESG pandering but in a subtle way.

Rebel_Scum48m ago

Look bro, if you have pictures of yourself naked on a bear skin rug up in your house let me tell you, its not normal.

SimpleDad1h ago

By the year 2030, this remaster collection will totally be changed and censored. Probably will remove Lara as a playable character. It's ridiculous. Glad that my family didn't buy this.
I still have Tomb Raider 2 PS1 as a memory.

CobraKai1h ago

It’s mentioned in the article, and it’s a point i 100% agree with, it’s the fact that they can censor a game after you buy it. That’s total bullshit.

Killer2020UK54m ago

Whilst it's an overreaction to say this has "ruined" the game, it's still problematic that this has happened post launch and for many, post-purchase.

I don't want someone to change a product for the worse after I've bought it. The same goes for implementing micro transactions after reviews.

I wonder why they did this? Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

maykhausonninh46m ago

Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

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100°

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster Review – You Are Your Job, Apparently

Gary Green said: In a time where an enhanced, 3D remake of Final Fantasy III already exists, it’s hard to argue that Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster is the definitive version we were expecting. With Final Fantasy III already being the last in the series to be translated and make its way west, this is something of a slap in the face for the fans. Still, let’s not be disheartened. There may be many shortfalls in this edition of Final Fantasy III, however there’s no denying that this classic JRPG still holds some nostalgic value, even if it struggles to break away from its original hardware limitations.

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pslegends.com
FACTUAL evidence6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

It’s funny I’m seeing these articles about pixel remaster, and I just platinumed 1-4 within 8 days lol. I’ve been on FF5 for about a week now. Let’s just say 5 was the start of FF having content like crazy. I should have the plat within 2-3 days.

70°

Warframe's Protea Prime Access launches on all platforms on May 1st, 2024

"Digital Extremes are today very happy and proud to announce that Warframe’s next highlightly anticipated Prime form launches soon with Protea Prime Access arriving on all platforms on May 1st, 2024." - Digital Extremes.