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110°

Are Microtransactions really that bad?

Are microtransactions really such a bad thing? Have they ruined Forza and Gran Turismo? No, of course not, and here's why.

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Godmars2904557d ago

If a game, especially a full $60 retail title, is built around them, has been designed towards making you buy them, then yes. Yes they are.

That's the question with GT6 now: How hard is it in game to earn its cars? Forza took slack for reducing content and putting it behind a technical paywall with apparently too many hours needed to get through it normally, so it the same for GT6?

GutZ314557d ago

"Micro" Transactions can be fine, but when the price is not so micro, and the game makes it all but impossible to get something without paying for it with real currency, then its "Macro" Transactions, and no one wants that shit, mobile or otherwise.

Gamingcapacity4556d ago

Micro transactions are just ways to get more money from gamers. The problem is when publishers take things out of the game so the can make DLC packs. I hate when the DLC pack are already on the disk but you have to pay to unlock them.

DLC packs should be on the scale of GTA4 episodes. Or something that developers have spent time and money doing.

Volkama4557d ago (Edited 4557d ago )

It's not really about one game or the other's approach though. When we've all accepted micro-transactions into our retail games on the basis that "X game is OK, I wont use the transactions and I don't mind if other people do" (which is the argument people put forward repeatedly) what do you think the publishers will do next?

The answer of course is that they will try to find ways to maximise their new revenue stream. The end result is a bad place, and gamers really should fight tooth and nail to resist.

Zichu4557d ago

I definitely agree with this. People are somehow trying to make one side look good and the other side look bad. I'm talking about Forza and Gran Turismo.

It doesn't matter if one makes it harder to earn vehicles and such, which forces micro-transactions. They still both contain this bad practice which is bad for customers.

More publishers will look at it and think, if it's that easy, we might as well do it.

Bathyj4557d ago

Fair point but if the content is still in the game and they don't make it harder to earn then really it has no effect on you if you are not buying them. It's when they leave stuff out to sell it to you separately that sucks, and let's face it, nearly all games do that already. If you want to chat In GT then your really just cheating yourself.

I do agree but, I don't like that it exists at all, but not to the point where I would miss out on the game because something I didn't want to buy and will earn myself is available. Heroine is available to buy as well and I don't like it, so I'm not buying it.

Guwapo774556d ago

Thanks Volkama for saying what I've been saying but in a way people understand it. From the first time I saw this introduced into gaming I knew this where it would end up and it will only get worst with time. We can't continue to buy these full retail games with MTs in them. Free to Play I totally understand, they have to make their money somewhere.

Godmars2904556d ago (Edited 4556d ago )

But it is about the approach. Whether or not its an honest option or psychologically engineered to manipulate into using the MT.

Regardless, one item with an obliviously excessive price is only going to stand out as bad example for everything which developers should clearly see. Yet clearly don't.

PoSTedUP4556d ago (Edited 4556d ago )

MTs are imminent. many people will still buy GT. MTs arent going to just go away. i understand ppl dont like them, but is it worth it for everyone to not buy a game bc of them especially when they are being fair? if uncharted had them and everyone boycotts uncharted, that would be a major hit to the studio you can guarantee no more uncharted (or a very low budget sequel). at this point that isnt worh it. now we just have to pick and choose which are being fair or not. i dont like the idea, but if its not changing my game why the hell should i not buy the game ive been waiting for? principle? trust me there are a lot more important issues reguarding purchasing electronics than games with MTs. where do you think the minerals in your phones come from? answer: kids as young as 7 dying while being forced into a war over them (i.e. blood minerals) in the Congo; are you gonna not buy a android or iphone? i dont own one. but surly i do probably have other elctronics that contain them. MTs are very minuscule taking into account the more important things we should be focusing on. but hey, im just an inconsiderate gamer.

BluP4556d ago

I tried to say exactly what you said here in another article. But I'm not good with words, so I don't think many people understood what I was trying to say...

But thanks for saying what I was trying to. Completely agree and hope people realize this before publishers take advantage of us again.

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Blackdeath_6634557d ago (Edited 4557d ago )

in GT you are never prompted to buy MT's like in forza.the majority of gt fans who aren't closely following news would have no idea they could buy cash unless they visit the store. also people who have the game already say that progression is normal many have already finished the games and own some of the more expensive cars like bugatti veyron's and they have only owned the game for 3 days. the game is under embargo till tomorrow morning so we won't get any reviews but eurogamer already say that progression is not affected at the end of this video http://www.youtube.com/watc... also its not fair to say cars will cost £120 when the cars they are talking about are elite end game cars most of which you can win by completing event or are just given to you for free by PD

this backlash while justified is completely overblown. nobody gave dead space 3 (a game where you had to actually GRIND for resources or pay for MT's) any shit infact it was even praised by reviewers and many bought it

quote from http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

"The issue is, will Gran Turismo's progression system be adversely affected by microtransactions? Eurogamer's Martin Robinson has been playing the game and tells me GT6's economy works exactly the same as GT5's, with progression, payouts and car prices very similar."

Godmars2904556d ago

That's another thing: many reviewers seem to ignore the presence of MT in a game, failing to give consumers a heads up. Not doing what is generally expected to be their job. that seems to be case in this article:

http://www.cinemablend.com/...

And probably why many people found out about them in Ryse and Crimson Dragon after they'd bought the games.

toddybad4557d ago

if you pay full price for a game they're should be no microtransactions. The excuse that they give casual players a way of getting high level items without playing much is simply an industry excuse for trying to cream extra money out of the gamer. The idea that anybody with journalistic pretentions would fall to see that and instead provide a poor rationale for why they have any place in console gaming is a sad indictment of all gaming journalism these days. There is no good reason to have them at all.

supes_244556d ago

Agreed! I don't get why devs are making excuses for these games. if I spend $60 on a game I expect it to be complete, not involving MT. Like the good ol days ya know? I don't buy DLC either so I certainly won't get involved in the MT crap these companies are pulling.

TheEnigma3134557d ago

DLC last gen and MTs this gen. I hates where this is going.

caseh4557d ago

The industry has latched onto the best way to extract money from wallets. The sad thing about it is as a whole, we're (the consumer)are entirely responsible for it in one way or another.

TheEnigma3134557d ago

I agree. I don't buy DLC for that reason. I usually wait for GOTY editions or don't buy it at all. The MTs are taking it way too far though.

Volkama4557d ago

I don't necessarily mind DLC where it's content. If the content and value is fair that's not so different to expansion packs of old, just a different delivery mechanism. DLC isn't always so innocent, there is a fine line that some publishers step to the wrong side of. But it is possible to do it right.

I'm also not against alternate/experimental pricing models. I haven't found a F2P game I can stomach yet, but I think someone will nail that model in time.

Micro-transactions in retail games though, that's totally unacceptable to me. I can see no place for it at all, no circumstance where it is fair or beneficial to the consumer.

Eyeco4557d ago

Except that MT's are way more poisonous in their agenda, could you imagine you could be playing GOW 4 you need to upgrade your sword as it's vital to progress through the campaign, the game requires something ridiculous like 1 million red orbs to do so, or you could bypass all that long, tedious orb hoarding and pay $10 bucks to upgrade to level 1. But I suppose it's not a problem because you don't HAVE to pay for it right ?

I know I'm exaggerating, but the fact remains it's a possibility, DLC was a great idea at first, but now you have games that lack content, but then offer to sell you additional content, that 10 years would have been part of a full game that you paid $60 for period, MT's should stay in F2P games and even then they should be approached with caution.

Chapter114557d ago

Another "hey look at me" article.

DCfan4556d ago

Another "hey, im portraying how much of a moron i am through my pointless comment"

Jdoki4557d ago

If a game is free to play or extremely low cost then I have no problem with micro-transactions. Team Fortress 2 is a great example.

If a game is full price and has 100% optional micro-transactions, then I am Ok with that, within reason. (For example, I don't mind the boosts and unlocks EA offer in many games, as some people genuinely do not have time for it, or are not good enough to unlock end game stuff - those unlocks etc do not impact my experience at all)

If a game is full price and adds game mechanics that create grind or artificially hinders the player in the hope that they pay for micro-transactions - they will not get my business, and I'd be wary of the developer in future.

If last gen was the generation of money grabbing DLC, this generation already looks like it is gearing up to be remembered for money grabbing microtransactions (and DLC).

Grave4557d ago

Yep, a good example would be something like this:

DLC: Get 5 new cars and tracks for $9.99!

MT: Get a new car for $4.99 and a new track for $1.99!

Whats next? "Would you like to save the game?" A new save file is only .99 cents!

SaffronCurse4557d ago (Edited 4557d ago )

There are some great tips to tell these publishers to F### off. Don't spend money on Micro transactions. Money speaks!

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80°

Playstation Plus Monthly Games for May: EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols

All available May 5.

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FPSRUSSIA28d ago

What's Point in commenting your basicly closing down the site.

LiViNgLeGaCY28d ago

I'm surprised it's still the old site. I thought he said starting today?

Eonjay28d ago

Its like the final episode of the Sapranos. You gonna go to make a comment and when you click add th-

Profchaos28d ago

Timezone thing maybe.... RIP

darthv7228d ago

Insert the Ferris Bueller end scene... "You're still here? It's over.."

LiViNgLeGaCY28d ago

I think the only game here for me is Nine Sols. Was always interested in that game.

TheColbertinator28d ago

Glad I don't buy FIFA games anymore

Rebel_Scum28d ago

Hey now! Thats a great month.

Nacho_Z28d ago

Good month for me, I wanted that particular footy game and thought it might be due. Anyway who cares, shame about the site I'll miss the comment sections. All the best everyone.

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70°

Naughty Dog Was Reportedly Divided On Joel's Controversial Fate During Development Of TLOU Part 2

Naughty Dog was reportedly divided on the controversial fate of Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 during the game's development.

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SimpleDad29d ago

NO, that can't be... No! I can't... Really?/s

Cacabunga29d ago

They for sure chose the worst way to deal with it

-Foxtrot28d ago

Funny considering Bruce left half way through development and now we get told there was an internal conflict with the story direction.

Makes you think…

HectixRose29d ago

I think it was good decision, if he was still alive, he would have been a mascot just like Kratos, drake and many others. These old dudes gotta die for new characters to take center stage with their own storyline. They keep dragging the emotional baggage into many sequels and eventually the story just turns into absolute shit show.

JEECE29d ago

It was ironic because people complained heavily about the story in the Uncharted games not having sufficient stakes because all the key characters always survived, despite the dangerous situations they were always in. Then ND killed a character in a more serious series and everyone lost their minds. Just shows that people don't always really want the thing they say they want.

CantThinkOfAUsername28d ago

I thought the more common complaint about Uncharted franchise was how the main cast are the good guys acting so nonchalantly while killing hundreds in cold blood (aka the dissonance between gameplay and story cutscenes). They just did it again in Part II.

Soy29d ago

Didn't have to kill him. Just have them part ways or Joel can "retire," whatever.

DarXyde28d ago

I don't think he would necessarily need to become a mascot (and besides, technically, I'd say Ellie is... So regardless, someone was going to be).

From a narrative perspective, I do think it has a similar effect to Ricky dying in Boyz N Da Hood: very likeable character, and you're really motivated to see the get back—in this case, it's more intense because it's an interactive experience. Most people hated Abby, but I get what they were after with portraying the cycle of violence and revenge—unfortunately, the game appears to want to take the side of the bad people.

But I will say that if Joel survived, it does become harder to tell an interesting story. What COULD have happened is an exploration into the rift between Joel and Ellie after the trolley dilemma events of the first game. It could have been interesting to see Abby out for revenge at the same time Ellie hated Joel.

Ashunderfire8628d ago

Sorry just had to say this lol! RICKYYYY!

Man Cuba Gooding Jr was miscast in that movie, but that part was cringey it was sad and funny at the same time man.

Ashunderfire8628d ago (Edited 28d ago )

I understand but the way they went about killing Joel, was poorly executed. Even the show of the Last of Us games tried to improved it, but it was just as bad. Well at least Joel got to know the reason why he had to die, before the death happened in the show. That part gave us the full context, but the game just let it happen with no pay off.

Joel death should have been a midway thing through the story, so we at least get to play him a little more with Ellie. Abby didn’t need to be this Hulk looking woman, but more like the show Abby which is a beater idea in my opinion.

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InUrFoxHole29d ago

The only ND game that was so disappointing to me I couldn't finish it.

pwnmaster300029d ago

Honestly as much as I loved the game, they could have just not killed him off.
I get it creator vision and all but killing a character that made you millions is just wrong imo. At least have him go down fighting.

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60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

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-Foxtrot29d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle28d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7728d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments