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Paid content in videogames (DLC, loot boxes, passes, currencies, "surprise mechanics" and - new! - pay more or wait!)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:29 pm
by jawa_
Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-27-ea-putting-micro-transactions-into-all-of-our-games

Really looking forward to next-gen :shifty:

EDIT: Originally this thread was titled "Micro transactions in all games (EA)" but I've updated it as the chat has evolved into a general talk about the increasing levels of DLC / season passes / "micro" transactions / loot boxes in videogames.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:36 pm
by Rubix
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:39 pm
by Garth
I thought they were already doing this.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:40 pm
by Errkal
I don't mind so much if it means the game is cheaper, and if the stuff you buy doesn't give you a massive advantage. There is a fine balance to strike.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:40 pm
by TheTurnipKing
Given that I don't play any EA games, this doesn't actually effect me at all. It's certainly not going to suddenly make me run out the door screaming in glee and start purchasing EA games with wild abandon.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:41 pm
by TheTurnipKing
Errkal wrote:I don't mind so much if it means the game is cheaper, and if the stuff you buy doesn't give you a massive advantage. There is a fine balance to strike.

:lol:

Take a look at Dead Space 3 if you want an idea how this is going to be implemented.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:42 pm
by Zellery
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

Well they keep releasing ME3 multiplayer addons for free for some reason. I'd wager their weapon packs micro transactions are doing well.

I have no problem with it as long as it continues to not get in the way of the gamer who just wants to play normally.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:45 pm
by Codename 47
So long as they don't do something stupid like lock out half the game and force us to unlock it by buying multiple Micro transactions, then I'm not too fussed about this. So if i buy Fifa or Mass Effect 4, i should be able to play and complete the game without having to waste money on micro transactions. If it got to the stage where missions or teams were locked and had to be bought then that's when i certainly would have a problem. So long as they keep it reduced to bonus crap like weapons then good luck to them I guess.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:45 pm
by Rax
TheTurnipKing wrote:
Errkal wrote:I don't mind so much if it means the game is cheaper, and if the stuff you buy doesn't give you a massive advantage. There is a fine balance to strike.

:lol:

Take a look at Dead Space 3 if you want an idea how this is going to be implemented.

I heard it was implemented quite well there? Everything for purchase could be earned by playing and the in game purchases only got you the stuff sooner?

Im ok with that kind of approach, (I still dont see why someone whould pay more to play less of the game) as long as they dont add a bunch of stuff you have to buy to be able to play the game properly.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:48 pm
by satriales
Errkal wrote:I don't mind so much if it means the game is cheaper

EA have already said they are looking at increasing the price of games to $70 in the US.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:53 pm
by Cuttooth
The games industry seems determined to gobble itself right up.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:54 pm
by Rubix
Zellery wrote:
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

Well they keep releasing ME3 multiplayer addons for free for some reason. I'd wager their weapon packs micro transactions are doing well.

I have no problem with it as long as it continues to not get in the way of the gamer who just wants to play normally.


Depends how it's executed. They are doing it for a reason and it's not to help gamers I assure you but to feed on people who want the most from their games and will buy everything.

When I buy a game id like to have everything the game has to offer (not including about DLC that's an add on)

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:56 pm
by Christopher
Cuttooth wrote:The games industry seems determined to gobble itself right up.


Crazy times.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:04 pm
by JChalmers

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:04 pm
by Xeno
Greed is good.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:11 pm
by Lotus
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

If people are buying this styff, then EA's way of spinning that is what they've said above.

Personally it's not a huge problem for me, but if someone played online a lot, it could impact there. What if you want to play Tiger Woods online, but someone has a certain club that's only available through buying it and is making them a lot better. It's a simplistic example, but if you want any chance of competing, you're going to have to buy it as well.

If people can start buying things that put them at an advantage over others, be it a gun, vehicle or piece of sports equipment, it's money for EA as it means other people will have to buy them as well to keep on a level playing field.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:15 pm
by tomvek
I don't really mind as long as the MT are basically shortcuts for things like extra XP, weapons etc you would unlock by playing the game normally. If they kept lots of cool things out of the game and put them behind a pay wall day 1, then it would probably annoy me more especially if you're paying full price for the game already.

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:20 pm
by TheTurnipKing
Lotus wrote:
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

If people are buying this styff, then EA's way of spinning that is what they've said above.

Personally it's not a huge problem for me, but if someone played online a lot, it could impact there. What if you want to play Tiger Woods online, but someone has a certain club that's only available through buying it and is making them a lot better. It's a simplistic example, but if you want any chance of competing, you're going to have to buy it as well.

If people can start buying things that put them at an advantage over others, be it a gun, vehicle or piece of sports equipment, it's money for EA as it means other people will have to buy them as well to keep on a level playing field.

Assuming people keep playing, instead of giving up in disgust and finding something better to do with their time.

And if the have-nots stop playing, who've you got left to show off your shiny purchases to?

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:20 pm
by Rubix
Lotus wrote:
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

If people are buying this styff, then EA's way of spinning that is what they've said above.

Personally it's not a huge problem for me, but if someone played online a lot, it could impact there. What if you want to play Tiger Woods online, but someone has a certain club that's only available through buying it and is making them a lot better. It's a simplistic example, but if you want any chance of competing, you're going to have to buy it as well.

If people can start buying things that put them at an advantage over others, be it a gun, vehicle or piece of sports equipment, it's money for EA as it means other people will have to buy them as well to keep on a level playing field.


As long as its not thrown in your face like most iPhone games. Either way it's not helping gamers more using them!

Re: Micro transactions in all games (EA)

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:20 pm
by Lotus
TheTurnipKing wrote:
Lotus wrote:
Rubix wrote:
Consumers are enjoying and embracing that way of the business


Who is, WHO?

Apart from people who play games on Facebook!

If people are buying this styff, then EA's way of spinning that is what they've said above.

Personally it's not a huge problem for me, but if someone played online a lot, it could impact there. What if you want to play Tiger Woods online, but someone has a certain club that's only available through buying it and is making them a lot better. It's a simplistic example, but if you want any chance of competing, you're going to have to buy it as well.

If people can start buying things that put them at an advantage over others, be it a gun, vehicle or piece of sports equipment, it's money for EA as it means other people will have to buy them as well to keep on a level playing field.

Assuming people keep playing, instead of giving up in disgust and finding something better to do with their time.

Yeah don't worry, they will.