The Enemy of Video Games: Micro-transactions

Never in the history of gaming have I seen such drama like in the year 2017. Microtrasactions have become a controversial business model used in video games making headlines thanks to publisher Electronic Arts.

The Drama

If you’re unaware as to what I’m talking about then you’re probably more of a casual gamer, but non-gamers have heard about the biggest debacle that EA has had to deal with.

After launching its multiplayer beta for the much anticipated “Star Wars: Battlefront II,” in early October, most players took note of the bothersome option to include loot boxes and microtransactions.

Microtransactions are usually seen in free-to-play MMOs (massively multiplayer online) and mobile games (i.e. “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Pokemon Go”) where players can spend real money for in-game currency in order to purchase special items like weapons, character customizations or loot boxes.

The problem is we’re seeing them implemented more in major video game titles. With microtransactions included, games feel more like pay-to-win giving an unfair advantage to those willing to drop a couple hundred dollars.

“Players who pay real money, get more cards, equals obvious advantage.” said IGN journalist Alanah Pearce. She describes the loot box system after playing the beta detailing the specifics of how star cards, items that boost character abilities and weapons when equipped, and how it could be a giant turn off for players.

A post released by developers DICE and EA responding to concerns stated that “the complete system was not in the beta and will continue to be tuned over time.”

Low and behold before the game’s official launch date, early access players raged on the internet about the unresolved concern. It looked like EA didn’t bother to pay attention to players as it created a complete mess with a convoluted progression and currency system.

But the biggest issue was the ability to unlock the heroes with the most prized characters coming at the price of 60,000 credits for Darth Vader or Luke Skywaker. Sounds like no big deal until one player estimated nearly 40 HOURS OF GAMEPLAY would be needed to earn that much.

I barely have 2 hours to play any game in my day-to-day life.

Soon EA addressed the issue on their Reddit page stating: “The intent is to provide players with a sense of pride and accomplishment for unlocking different heroes.”

I’m pretty sure you’ve already heard that this was the most down-voted comment in Reddit’s history and is by far the worst PR move they’ve ever dealt with.

After so much negative criticism DICE and EA made some changes:

• Reduced the unlock price by 75 percent (that should tell you how crazy expensive it was).

• Temporarily removed microtransactions.

It’s also been reported that Disney Head of Consumer Products and Interactive Media, Jimmy Pitaro sent a message to EA to fix their mess.

This is not the first massive multiplayer game to include microtransactions. Blizzard’s wildly successful “Overwatch,” winner of Game of the Year in 2016, includes the loot box system, however choices lean towards cosmetics rather than boosting character abilities.

“Literally every single thing in Overwatch loot boxes is cosmetic, bar none.” said contributor to Forbes Paul Tassi. In his article he explains the differences between the loot box systems used in Activision's games compared to EA, with titles like "Destiny 2," "Call of Duty:WWII" and "Overwatch," making the argument that Activision is doing them right.

Tassi emphasizes that “Battlefront II” sells power with damage, health and fire rate increases along with other bonuses that guarantee overpowering victory when using the card system.

“It would be a bad system even if loot boxes weren’t involved, but the fact that they are not only attached to it but the entirety of the system is the real problem,” he said.

Where I stand

I can’t and don’t agree with triple A games including microtransactions. There, I said it.

I understand that this new wave of longer play-ability for players benefit publishers in the long run. Thanks to the success of games like “Destiney” and “Tom Clancy’s The Division” (let’s call Division mildly successful), it seems like most publishers are trying to create this same model.

Look at what EA did with Visceral’s now possibly cancelled Star Wars game shortly after the developer’s closure:

“In its current form, it was shaping up to be a story-based, linear adventure game… It has become clear that to deliver an experience that players will want to come back to and enjoy for a long time to come, we needed to pivot the design.”

That seems incredibly incorrect. After this announcement many voiced their opinions about how a majority of players want a story based Star Wars gamee. I certainly wouldn’t mind it.

We can also see this with other successful video games from 2017 like “Hrizon: Zero Dawn” and “Persona 5”.

Because the franchise deals with a huge expanded universe why not make Star Wars an open world adventure like other succesfull games such as “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” or “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” Their worlds are massive and entertaining and able to keep players searching for quests and loot for hours.

They could even look at games like “No Man’s Sky” and “Elite Dangerous” as an idea of how a huge universe could work. For example, look at how successful BioWare’s “Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic” was, with many still begging for a true sequel or something similar.

Yes, we all know that games are becoming more expensive to make: better graphics, writers, actors, developers, artists, engines, holy shit it’s a lot. And sure, there is some proof that when done correctly they can benefit a game’s growth, development and longevity like it has for “Overwatch” and Digital Exteme’s “Warframe.”

It’s like a small worthwhile contribution for players that believe in the game and want the community to expand and get better. Even knowing that you’re helping in the process can feel rewarding.

Regardless, I don’t want to pay for an already expensive game, plus DLC, plus extra for the really nice OP gun and armor for the sake of progression. I’m also worried that soon we will have to pay to unlock levels and that would really piss me off. No. I don’t play many mobile games for this reason.

What the Future Holds

Let’s be real with ourselves, microtransactions and loot boxes are here to stay from what it looks like; there doesn’t seem to be any change to that. However, because of EA’s mess, changes are going to be made.

In Hawaii, EA has been called out for its “predatory practices” against children. The state’s Representative Chris Lee, said in a press conference that it would be launching investigations on banning games like BattleFront 2, calling it a “Star Wars-themed online casino” and considering the loot box system to be a form of gambling:

“And this is something we need to address to insure that, particularly kids who are underage and who are not psychologically and emotionally mature enough to gamble – which is why gambling is prohibited under 21 – from being trapped into these cycles, which have compelled many folks to spend thousands of dollars in gaming fees online.”

The same is happening in Belgium where gaming authorities are deciding whether to ban “Battlefront II” and other games that include the loot boxes system. If this happens, these games will have to secure a special permit in order to continue to have their games accessible.

Other developers like Obsidian and Square Enix have stated that they will not be including the controversial business model. Probably the best decision to make.

At this point, it wouldn’t surprise if this causes a drastic change in the way we play or purchase games. Making up some new way to keep children away from these types of games by making two versions or including some kind of lock.

To be honest it’s really up to parents to pay attention to what kids are doing: separate argument.

It also wouldn’t surprise me if at some point in 2018 Disney decides to end its partnership with EA. After all, this is the second Star Wars game under the the company’s care that’s been heavily criticized and met midcore reviews.

Not to mention the other issues EA has stirred up as it was winner of the Worst Company in America two years in a row and its value in stock dropping. Let’s again not forget the decision to shut down Visceral studios and that potentially bad-ass linear adventure game we will never get see.

One thing is for certain, It’s been interesting seeing the response coming from one game. Like I said, microtransactions and loot boxes are not new and I don’t think they’re going anywhere, but the fact the they’ve managed to draw so much attention on an international level certainly opens one’s eyes.

We can only hope that the future of gaming remains fun and intact with a little less greed.

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