Microtransactions are a relatively new phenomenon in the gaming industry. Nowadays, almost every triple-A title implements them in some way, which begs the question: Are they ruining gaming?
The history of microtransactions is riddled with controversy. The first official microtransaction—when Bethesda released the Horse Armour DLC for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion—was negatively received and publicly slated as “a waste of money” and “something that should’ve already been in the base game.” These two quotes sum up how the majority of the gaming community feels about microtransactions today.
The modern gaming scene is saturated with microtransactions, with EA and Ubisoft often at the centre of controversy. These companies have been known to charge exorbitant amounts for versions of their games that include launch-day DLC, cosmetics, and even early access. Despite repeated public backlash, these decisions remain unchanged. The recent emergence of subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass only reinforces the prevalence of these features, much to the disappointment of the gaming community.
Companies such as CDProjekt Red and FromSoftware, which have a firm stance against microtransactions, have been praised by the gaming community on various occasions and have gained a larger audience and loyal following for their lack of microtransactions. This raises the question: Why do companies such as EA and Ubisoft forcefully implement them when they could gain a larger audience by doing the opposite?
In conclusion, while some microtransactions, such as substantial DLCs, can offer value, the gaming community largely views them as harmful. They often introduce pay-to-win elements and increase the overall cost of gaming, making an already pricey hobby even less accessible. Companies like CD Projekt Red and FromSoftware show that it’s possible to succeed without relying heavily on microtransactions, gaining loyal fanbases. To foster a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming environment, the industry should reconsider its reliance on microtransactions and explore more player-friendly business models.
By Leon Armstrong, Gaming Correspondent