Microtransactions and Their Role in Full-Priced Retail Games
There are expectations when playing games on certain platforms. PC games are likely to have loads of modding capabilities, for example. Another common feature that is found in mobile or Facebook games are microtransactions; purchases you make from within the game. These usually range anywhere from exclusive items to more in-game money.
It makes sense to include this financial model into small and addictive games, but what about full-priced retail titles? Seems like EA is taking a chance on that very idea with the upcoming Dead Space 3.
In Dead Space 3, there will be the ability to craft new weapons out of resources you pick up along the way. Alternatively, there seems to be an option to download additional supplies if the player feels so inclined (i.e., lazy) at an additional cost. Associate Producer Yara Khoury went into a bit of detail on this.
Microtransactions in Dead Space 3
There was initially some concern over potentially just buying prime resources early in the game to create the best weapons. Khoury, however, quickly shot this down.
At the very least, the integrity of the game can't simply be bought out. Regardless, I'm still pondering on one specific question burning in my mind. Do microtransactions even belong in a full-priced retail game like this?
Electronic Arts has had to fight off many criticisms recently whether it's the way they handle acquired game franchises or backdoor business deals. It's not 100% clear whether or not the decision to add this financial model into Dead Space 3 was EA's. For now, I'm just going to say that it's most likely the case. Even if so, I can't say I blame them.
Like any business, EA looks for ways to maximize profits. What better way to do that than offer the option for consumers to spend more money? This is purely an optional thing for gamers who may be too lazy to scavenge resources that are already accessible for those willing to put in the time. If someone is willing to spend the money, then that's their choice. This isn't like what Capcom pulled off with their on-disc DLC fiasco.
Let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below!
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
Alexandria815
If the game shows what you expected it to be, then I guess, the price won't matter anymore. - Kale Flagg
darkhyrulelord
EA be greedy. Personally, I don't think that they should exist beyond DLC maybe.
OctoCamo
I'm not lazy, I'm just extremely inpatient when it comes to grinding or gathering resources. So naturally having option to skip ahead a bit to the point where game starts being fun makes me happy. To me, time is more valuable than pocket change.
Board_games_r_evil
the problem to me isnt really microtransactions but the pay to win model. In dead space 3 there are technically two ways to beat the game, you can outwit your enemies, explore and search all areas to scavenge for ammo and use your weapons sparingly and strategically or you can just buy the best weapon with real money and plow thru the game. I really dont understand wats the point of actually playing dead space 3 if ur just gonna spend even more money to beat it but people can do whatever the hell they want with their money.
The 2nd thing that will bother me the most is if EA tries to shove this microtransaction thing down my throat like over charging for upgrades or weapons and constantly reminding me that i can unlock it for just a dollar or unlock everything for $10 "WOW WHAT A DEAL!!!!" although if they do this im pretty sure it will raise their profits like crazy considering people like to spend money like nothing
seniormeld
You see, the reason the microtransactions existed was to make up for low cost or f2p games. They were the "support dev" option, this is basically saying that EA has made this game so expensive that the initial $60 from sales is not enough. It sends the message "that $60 was not enough to support the dev team, oh poor us who spent so much money and you just let dead space be a dead franchise because you could pay some more money." That is the problem here, they expect the consumer to make up for their poor financial system instead of making less expensive games.
Ruzlok
Some people just don't realize that there is a whole consumer market out there of people who like to spend copious amounts of money on microtransaction games. The microtransactions aren't aimed at all of you complainers, it's aimed at those aforementioned people. Furthermore, it's optional to play the game, so why the bitching? It's just there. If you don't like it, you can ignore it.
mesorocks
That's the problem, we know that there are people who will dump money into this and this will cause future problems. You'll never know what kind of level they will take this to, possible making it incredibly slow to gather materials or having materials that you have to buy if you want to create an item. I understand that its optional, but just the fact that your paying for material that's already in the game which you can easily just gather throughout the game gets me a little upset. YOUR PAYING FOR CONTENT THAT'S ALREADY ON THE DISC! Sorry, but that's just how I feel.
alondite345
I say they shouldn't exist. If the game was free-to-play and an optional weapon or in-game item was offered at a fair price, understandable.
RiaraTan
Microtransactions only work on free to play games... Look at Square Enix on the ios device and you need not look further for how dumb these companies are trying to "maximize profits".
CaztheGamerGuy
No, they do not. Micro-transactions are merely greedy tactics done by companies that have far more money than any of us will ever see in our lives. While they're not as despicable as, say, on disc DLC, the way they word it makes it sound like they're trying to extend play time for Dead Space 3 or make you pay up in order to get to the good weapons right from the start. EA, when did you become so... wrong?