Sea of Thieves Will Add Microtransactions Around 3 Months After Release

Rare wants the items you can pay for to have "emotional value, not mechanical value".

[affrogamer]

S.M.F.H !

[drpepperdude]

It's honestly the best microtransactions I have heard of. Also the fact you can actually earn the paid currency through normal play is another plus.

"We thought long and hard about what's right for our game experience, and the key thing we think is that it has to add to the fun, social nature of the game. So anything in this area will not impact power or progression, and you'll always know what you're getting - so that means no loot crates."

[Gazondaily]

Sounds like the best way to implement it. You're not beholden to loot crates and can buy the cosmetics you want or earn them in-game.

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

"It's honestly the best microtransactions I have heard of."

Which means it is still extremely terrible

[Blastoise]

Microtransactions don't belong in paid games.

[DialgaMarine]

So basically it’s the same system that Uncharted 4 implemented. Not bad.

[UCForce]

@DialgaMarine and @Septic I don’t like it. And yes, I did said about Uncharted 4 MP MT, but in the end, I always hate MT in paid games. Because it shouldn’t belong. MT only belong in free to play.

Edit : And Septic, just don’t.

[christocolus]

I'm getting it day one. wouldn't miss this for the world. The beta was so much fun. Rare sure is on to something great here.

[fr0sty]

Them waiting 3 months is just long enough to get those first few months of sales in before people start complaining.

[isa_scout]

The thing is there's no leveling up in this game for better equipment or ships, so cosmetics are really the only way for people to know what "Level" you are. If people can just buy the cosmetics without earning them then whats the point of playing for a long period of time? I was a part of the closed alpha and closed beta, and while it is fun playing co-op the fact that it has no leveling up system and microtransactions are going to kill this game. I can't think of any recent mmo,co-op,mp games that succeeded without a means to Rank/Level up.

[darthv72]

"Microtransactions don't belong in paid games." while I agree with that sentiment... the companies that produce these games do not. And since it in no way hinders ones ability to play using stock content then I see no issue. I've not bought into MT's before and I'm not about to start now but that won't stop me from playing a game that has them.

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last. In fact last gen there were extra content you could buy that changed your cosmetics but ultimately did nothing to change the outcome of the game. Anyone remember horse armor???

[Belinker300]

You sound like Phil

[StormSnooper]

So weird, why did they implement them afterward?

[IamTylerDurden1]

Why is the game $60 if there are going to be MTs? It's interesting how full priced games seem to be implementing a f2p MT model. It's genius as far as the greed factor. Get $60 for the game, grow the user base while avoiding the bad pub of MTs, then 3 months later when ppl are starved for new items throw in a boatload of paid MTs.

[Ashlen]

I have been saying for months that this game would just be a vehicle for MT's. And when gamepass was announced it was obvious what Microsoft had in mind. A free to play like service that you have to pay a monthly fee to play.

In ten years people will look back at this just like we look back at horse armor and wish people had just said no.

[Inzo]

"It's honestly the best microtransactions I have heard of."

The lessor of two evils? MT does not belong in gaming, period.

"Also the fact you can actually earn the paid currency through normal play is another plus."

In other words you have two options. Option 1 : You pay to win (And dont think that wont happen). Option 2 : You grind for your earnings. EA, here we come.

[TimmyTurnersDad]

@Inzo Hmmmmm I never knew you could pay to win with only cosmetic items. What do I win? bragging rights? Read the article before commenting.

[neutralgamer1992]

Retro

Gamers like you need to stop defending this BS even if it means it's your precious system exclusive

MT
LB

Never ever good for gamers

The grind will become more tedious in order for them to earn more money

[UltraNova]

No this is no good. Why wait 3 months? Are they worried about something? MTs do not belong in a 60 dollar game. Damn.. right when I started to believe this game would be something special, MS's true colors started to show. Lets be honest here, this game is ripe for GaaS, hell it was probably made from the start to include MTs.

That said, we will have to wait and see. But how many will wait 3 months to get it ? Damn you MS for finding yet another way to further your plans while giving ideas to EA...

[bouzebbal]

i sense the massive flop..
best flop RARE has ever done.

[SilverDemon]

the best kind of shit is still shit
annyone would prefer not including them....like monster hunter. speaking of monster hunter "jumps right back"

[Markusb33]

Appolgysts everywhere, sycophants

[Rachel_Alucard]

The part that bugs me with his statement he says "there will be opportunities to earn paid currency through normal play" which reads like it's not something you get normally, but as like a daily checklist thing that pays out once a day rather then a continuous method of getting it through normal gameplay all the time.

[galmi]

most pple dont even read the article before commenting

[Inzo]

@TTD
mmm I never knew you dont take the time to read a post. I am well aware of its cosmetic MT thats why I said dont think pay to win wont happen because it will. EA and Activision made billions last year on MT, you really believe MS is going to miss out on that by making MT purely cosmetic? Think again bud.

[Psirus]

I think RARE has realised that the game has no depth and will try to get return on investment as quickly as possible without annoying the players. Its a beautiful looking game but the core gameplay is very basic.

[lxeasy]

I do like how they are handling the Microtransaction in this game. The fact that you can earn real currency through playing the game is cool. Smite does that as well. It's not greedy like the way EA does it. Plus I'm only paying 10$ to own this game thanks to Game Pass.

[ShadowWolf712]

Smite is Free to Play.

[Italiano1234567]

But you're not owning it you're going to have to continue to pay $10 a month in order to play it if you don't continue to pay that $10 a month then you can't play the game

[Godmars290]

But don't you have to keep paying that $10 to play it? Plus XBL to access it or it's full features?

[Italiano1234567]

to the guy yes you do if after the month is up and you don't pay for another month you can't play the game in order to play the game and game pass you have to continue to be a subscriber to Game Pass itself otherwise you can't play the game it's been stated many times some people are so clueless you can't just pay $10 for one month and think you're going to get the game for free forever no you have to continue paying the $10 a month otherwise you can't play the game now if you're done with the game within that month don't want to play anymore then you don't have to continue paying but you still can't play the game

[sampsonon]

$10 to play and another $300 to enjoy it. not bad

[Markusb33]

Appolgyst sycophants

[Cyborgg]

Why is everyone surprised by this? It's Microsoft. They'll definitely get their $60 dollar's or more from the Microtransactions not to mention after buying the game

[UnHoly_One]

Right, because everyone playing this game will definitely buy 60 dollars worth of cosmetic add-ons.

[timotim]

And at no point did you mention all the POST LAUNCH content that will come to this game...typical.

[sampsonon]

@UnHoly_One: "Right, because everyone playing this game will definitely buy 60 dollars worth of cosmetic add-ons."

it's the very nature of Micro transaction. you know, to make money off of people is the whole point.
it would be a little different if MS invested in single player games, but they aren't are they?

[Cyborgg]

uncharted 4 and the last of Us had MTs

I'm surprise you're comparing UC4 and TLOU with Sea of Thieves especially after playing that beta.

[UnHoly_One]

Of course the idea is to make money.

And of course it will work.

I just took issue with the comment that made it sound as if every single person would spend 60 bucks on MT's, when in fact, a good portion of players will probably spend exactly ZERO.

[dumahim]

@timotim
"And at no point did you mention all the POST LAUNCH content that will come to this game...typical."

Where else would it go?

[Christopher]

I think both sides are starting to fling mud that they shouldn't.

1. Microsoft has had these type of MTX since the start of this generation. They make money off of it, but the people who pay for it also fund additional content (NOT DLC, but additional content). It's not as abusive as many other games. If you're completely anti-MTX, then you should note you've got to criticize almost everyone by now, even Nintendo that uses physical MTX via Amiibos.

2. Sony also has had these type of MTX, but to say that they are worse than what Microsoft has done is naive and attempt to fling mud. U4 had the same MTX where you could earn it with in-game currency and with real cash. And to malign SP standalone DLC costs as if that's something you shouldn't have is pretty bad considering it's exactly the type of DLC people have asked for over MTX, lootboxes, and poor quality Season Pass DLC that is typically cut from the core game.

[Jon_Targaryen]

I wonder if adding to the game to their online gaming service had anything to do with this?

[Professor_K]

MAKE THE MT FREE RARE

[DarXyde]

You might be overreacting a bit here, affrogamer. It's cosmetic. Honestly, you're outraged by a potion that allows you to turn your character old temporarily? Don't you think the outrage is misplaced? I'm supposing you read the clickbait title, but not the article.

I'm not very interested in Sea of Thieves, but the only real concern here is what Rare wants to do and how that might conflict with what Microsoft wants to do. Odds are, they'll want to monetize whatever they can, especially if the game is a runaway success.

[ILikeGamesYeah]

I am so surprised about how naive people are on here. I am honestly relieved that micro transactions are on here. Seriously how do people think a game can survive for years after giving free content and big updates for free??? The hundreds of people who continue to add to the game work on it through the kindness of their hearts?? Then they earn the money for their families by selling big issues?

We either have no dlc which is fine but for me I want this game to continue to grow like rocket league and overwatch. Paid dlc to split the community like COD dlc and battlefield. Or OPTIONAL COSMETIC items that some people buy. Are people going crazy??

[mark_parch]

I'm fine with this as long as there are still cosmetics that can only be earned by completing certain things in the game. I don't want to spend hundreds of hours to achieve a certain look only for somebody else to buy the same look without even playing one hour. The game is going to last for many years and has no paid dlc so microtransactions are a must but they have to be done right

[Atanasrikard]

There are.

[Kumakai]

Did you even read it before overreacting?

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Lol nah staying away

[Zeref]

So you stayed away from Uncharted and the Last of Us too right?

[Aenea]

Apples and oranges tho...

UC and TLOU are single player games that have ZERO MT's, the multiplayer side does indeed have MT's, yes, but Sea of Thieves only has ONE mode of play...

It is, however, good to see that they shied away from lootbox like stuff, which is a positive in my book!

[Blastoise]

Microtransactions are BS in any paid game, it's not a pissing contest

[Imalwaysright]

"Sea of Thieves only has ONE mode of play"

Mode of play that isn't affected in any way by these MTs since they're only cosmetic. We, consumers, are as responsible for MTs as publishers are so if people don't want MTs in their hobby then they shouldn't support any game that has them. Coming to the internet and being vocal against MTs while at the same time supporting and making excuses for some games that have MTs won't change anything.

[Gazondaily]

@Aenea

LOL! I love the distinction you are desperately making between UC4 and SoT. They both have microtransactons- doesn't matter whether the game is SP or MP?? Apples and oranges....you're having a laugh 🤣

"So you stayed away from Uncharted and the Last of Us too right?"

Lol yeah right they did...

[chiefJohn117]

Aenea you're a hypocrite in every sense of the word. So MT are now okay as long as a Single player mode is in the game and MT is more only? So why did you jump on so many games that have that set up?

[PlayableGamez-]

@Aenea according to your logic, their is nothing wrong with SWBF2 since it has single player campaign.

[UCForce]

@Aenea You are not helping here. @Imalwaysright @Septic @Zeref @chiefjohn117 I don’t care if they are cosmetic or P2W. I always hate MT in paid games. Would you guys say the same thing to Halo 5 MP MT, Overwatch MT and Uncharted 4 MP MT ? Like I said, MT shouldn’t belong in paid games. Look at Horizon Zero Dawn and Witcher 3, both games give us free update and an excellent expansion pack. People said cosmetic doesn’t affect gameplay mechanics but it does affect gameplay experience for me at least. And you people know what is it ? Jealousy. For example, like Overwatch MT and Halo 5 MT, I want to get a “cool” gears like others but it was so stressful for me because I will never get these “cool” gears. And about Uncharted 4 MP MT, I did said that topic couple years ago and trust me, I hate MT in Uncharted 4 MP. But again and again and again, I don’t care if these are cosmetic or P2W. MT shouldn’t belong in paid games.

[darthv72]

I've never let the inclusion of MT stop me from enjoying a game. I simply dont buy into them and play the game anyway using the stock content that is included.

[Kribwalker]

@UCforce

i don’t know what world you are in. Both expansions for Horizon zero dawn and the witcher 3 were paid expansions. If they would be free expansions if they allowed MTs for cosmetic purposes only then i’d totally be game for that (like Halo 5, Gears 4, and overwatch) instead of me having to spend my money on DLC, i could get it for free and not spend another dime

[Professor_K]

Nah, he was total sucker in that regard

[Goldby]

@krib

"Both expansions for Horizon zero dawn and the witcher 3 were paid expansions"

So we are including expansions that cost 20$ as mt now....

[Elda]

No comparison.

[Kribwalker]

@golby
“Look at Horizon Zero Dawn and Witcher 3, both games give us free update and an excellent expansion pack”- UCFORCE implied free.

But while you are asking the question, would you rather have cosmetic MT’s that do nothing gameplay wise and are 100% optional and with that comes Free DLC and expansions, leaving those that don’t but MTs with free content and support for years

or

No MTs, But paid expansions that separate the players that don’t want to pay extra? because for someone who doesn’t drop money in overwatch or halo, the supports been great

[abra511]

un4 is a fucking amazing game with both modes
dont compare them please

[Shakengandulf]

i love how u automatically assumed hes a fanboy lol because he said he was staying away from it.
pathetic.

[No Way]

Got to love how people skew things to fit their agenda.

"Single player games should never have MTs!"
"Oh but its single player first, multiplayer second.. so its okay!"

"Full price games should NOT have MTs!"
"But but... but."

Riiiiiight..

[bigmalky]

Both of those games had lengthy single player experiences worth the RRP alone... Sea of Thieves does not.

[OpenGL]

Uncharted and The Last of Us have single player campaigns.

[Goldby]

@Krib

"@golby
“Look at Horizon Zero Dawn and Witcher 3, both games give us free update and an excellent expansion pack”- UCFORCE implied free.

But while you are asking the question, would you rather have cosmetic MT’s that do nothing gameplay wise and are 100% optional and with that comes Free DLC and expansions, leaving those that don’t but MTs with free content and support for years

or

No MTs, But paid expansions that separate the players that don’t want to pay extra? because for someone who doesn’t drop money in overwatch or halo, the supports been great"

Well i dont know why you are directing that at me as i never said it.

but you know as well as anyone on this sight what UCforce meant. the updates were free, we had over 20 free DLC for the game, including new quests, hair styles,. outfits and alot more.
But the expansions cost $ and there is no issue with that as each one added about 20 hours to the game.

so again, why are you comparing witcher Expansions to MTs in the likes of overwatch and destiny and stuff...?

[Aenea]

@septic

Yes, I stayed away from the MP parts of UC and TLOU, tho tried them both for a few matches, but wasn't all that impressed.

Enjoyed the heck out of the main game tho, you know, the SINGLE PLAYER part!?

So yes, it's really rather daft to even try to compare them.......

@iam

I wasn't saying anything about the MT's an sich, was replying to the silly comparison of an MP mode of an SP game to a game that is only online/MP...

@chief

I'm so not a fan of MT's, no matter who publishes the game or on what platform. I also find cosmetic only MT's better than P2W or other things that help with progression, so SoT is doing that bit right at least.

Is it so hard for some people to understand that I merely replied to Zeref's silly comparison to UC and TLOU? The comparison is not correct, not because of MT's or anything, just because the MT's of those games are in the MP addons and not in the main game while SoT's main game in the online MP part...

Reading comprehension and looking at context can be hard I suppose when you assume everything people write is either glowingly positive or silly negative, my comment was neither of those...

[Cobra951]

Read what Aenea is saying more carefully, guys. He's not advocating MTs anywhere. He's saying if he gets a game for SP, and SP has no MTs that bother him, he'll ignore whatever ills are in MP, and just enjoy what he came for. I agree. As long as the SP part of a game is substantial, and not ruined by coercive MT mechanics, I might still get it, even if I hate the very concept of milking players constantly during the lifetime of the MP portion of it.

Sea of Thieves is online MP only--no offline SP. So indeed it's an orange to UC's and TLOU's apples.

[Kribwalker]

@aenea

So if a game has single player then it’s ok? So you are cool with Gears of War 4, Halo 5, Star Wars battlefront 2, Uncharted 3/4band the last of Us implementations of MTs, because there’s a single player mode that you can’t buy MTs for, But you are against games like Overwatch, Sea of Thieves and other Online only games because they don’t have single player?
That is one of the most hypocritical things i’ve ever read.
while there’s different implementations of MTs in games and some are better then others MTs in a game are MTs in a game. There is no “well in single player i don’t have to buy them” You are still supporting a game with MTs. get off your high horse and quit moving the goal post.

[Aenea]

@krib

Nowhere in my original post did I mention that MT's are bad/good or that I try to stay away (or not) from games that have them or that if a game only has them in their MP mode (while still having SP) that it's okay (or not)!

All I said was that comparing an MP ONLY game to an SP game with added MP is silly, no matter if it's about MT's or something else...

There's also a difference between an SP game with an added MP mode and an MP game with an added SP campaign...

Reading, it's not that difficult, but please, go on being outraged by what I said, it's funny as all heck to see!

[Tedakin]

Why, it doesn't affect progression. It's no different than every other game. Cosmetic only. Let me guess, you're staying away cause it's an MS game.

[RetroGamR]

@RP7410 the xbox kids are waiting for that Spyro Dragon REMASTER a year after release on ps4 : )

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Nope don't support MTs but getting Ori 2

[Bobafret]

You won't be missed.

[NotoriousWhiz]

If we replaced the term "micro transactions" with "paid cosmetic DLC", does that make it better? Almost every game has "paid cosmetic DLC" these days and they are impossible to grind for since it requires money.

[Relientk77]

Another game falls to the greedy darkness.

[thrust]

Yeah

[PlayStation_5]

The whole purpose of online-only games is to extract as much money as possible from the players before the servers are shut down. An online-only game is just a TEMPORARY service and In the end you're left with nothing...

[DaDrunkenJester]

@PS5

Or the whole purpose of online-only games is to have a persistent online world where you can run into other players at any given time who can become friend or foe.

Just because it isn't your style of game doesn't mean its only there to serve MT's...

[Tedakin]

Optional cosmetics are greedy darkness?

[Servbot41]

Hiding it in a 3-month delay so it doesn't affect reviews? Absolutely.

[Goldby]

@servbot

Its not exactly hiding if they are talking about the plans to implement it

[TimmyTurnersDad]

@Servbot41 man you must mental giant if you thnk there hiding mt's when they clearly stated what they were going to do a month before the game releases. Asperger farm confirmed.

[Xenophon_York]

We'll just...uh..(sneak)....this in right here, don't mind us, just an inconspicuous update..

Wow. Lol

Edit: Rare was like, uh, guys, EA just got murdered over MTs. We HAVE to find a way to keep that part of the game separate until a few months after release.

Greed.

[Aenea]

*after the reviews

[Gazondaily]

"after the reviews"

Reviews aren't out yet and we have this announcement so errr.....👀

You would think that microtransactions are new based on some of the faux outrage here. Hey, at least they aren't offering better guns etc like we have seen in some other games that people so revere?

But I'll take a note here and see if we get the "greed" comments come the release of some massive fan-favourites, particularly TLOU2.

[UCForce]

@Septic I would say the same thing to The Last of Us Part 2 if they include MT. I haven’t touch the The Last of Us MP because of its microtranaction. Let me tell you this. I don’t care if they are cosmetic or P2W. I always hate MT in paid games. I can say the same thing with Halo 5 MP MT.

[letsa_go]

@Septic how old are you? You are so extremely embarrassing...simultaneously doing damage control for microsoft while constantly badmouthing a game that isn't even out yet for "features" that you are already making out to be fact. Seriously, grow up & get a life...

[Xenophon_York]

Exactly, Aenea. Why do so many publishers and developers think gamers are disconnected imbeciles?

[No Way]

UCForce - and what it it werent a paid game? Its not exactly a $60 game if you buy GamePass for $10 a month and get Sea of Thieves included.. sooo what you say then?

[Tedakin]

No, EA was murdered cause their stuff affected progression and was completely random. SOT's transactions are cosmetic only and you get to choose exactly what you want. Stop spinning.

[Xenophon_York]

For once I'm glad to see an XBOX related story trending in the number one spot. Keep pushing back against micro-vampirism—eventually we will overcome this disease threatening the long-term health of our cherished past-time.

[Harmy666]

Sneak?

They have openly come out to say it will be coming to the game after release...

[michellelynn0976]

Screw Rare and Microsoft. Gamers last, right Microsoft? I try to give you all a break, but I can't over this.

[AmstradAmiga]

Why? Who is holding a gun to your head and telling you to buy the cosmetic DLC?

[Sgt_Slaughter]

It's still microtransactions, and if those do well for them it will most certainly evolve into regular microtransaction. Any game that costs any sort of money should not have ANY type of MT's, optional or not.

[AmstradAmiga]

Nonsense. Content creators have every right to charge for their work just as consumers have every right to vote with their wallet.

Looking at how much people are spending on DLC it appears it will be here to stat.

[Ristul]

AmstradAmiga: I would agree with you if the game was free to begin with, but paying $60 for a game and then not get the whole package (including cosmetics) is bullshit. It's not as bad as lootcrates, but it's still greedy on the part of publishers.

[Tedakin]

Screw them for offering an optional hat?

[Servbot41]

Remember when outfits were unlockables?

[aconnellan]

@Servbot

Outfits in Sea of Thieves are still unlockables

[DaDrunkenJester]

So do you not play any games that have MT's?

[michellelynn0976]

No and do not make excuses for them.

[Yohshida]

With all the news that got released today about SOT, they go with this? Really? Why not go with "Sea of Thieves has no Season Pass, all additional Content is free". But noooo buying cosmetics is so evil now. I remember Uncharted 4 and Persona 5 released with dozens of cosmetics and noone cared gg

[ILostMyMind]

Don't be a victim. I finished all of them and saw no MT.

[Yohshida]

Cosmetics:
https://store.playstation.c...

https://store.playstation.c...

[starchild]

Yes, and that's true of many other games too. I don't even pay attention to most cosmetic microtransactions and they never really affect my enjoyment of the games. I think people make too big of a deal about them.

[ILostMyMind]

@VideoGameLab
lol. Avatars and wallpapers... soo cosmetics!!

[chiefJohn117]

Gamers are hypocrites, if it's in they're favorite game they'll ignorant it, probably even buy some then complain about other games having them and talk about how they're gonna boycott.

[starchild]

Exactly. It's so inconsistent and irrational.

[UCForce]

True and I aware that of course, but game like Horizon Zero Dawn give us a free update and an excellent expansion pack know as The Frozen Wild. And Don’t forget about The Legend Of Zelda Breath of the Wild season pass, the hard mode was locked behind the paywall. Sony, Nintendo and MS aren’t perfect to be honest.

[Dragonscale]

Sea of theives alright. Well suppose they have to make money on it somehow lol.

[Razzer]

Cosmetic MTs. This has been a thing for quite some time now. What is the problem?

[munchmiller]

The problem being simple. They were never good at any point in time. "Quite" simple really.

[Razzer]

Quite simply 100% optional as well.

[AmstradAmiga]

Why were they never good at anytime?

[starchild]

They don't bother me in the slightest. I just judge the game on offer and base my buying decision on that.

[Tedakin]

How does someone wanting to pay a dollar for an optional hat hurt anything or lessen your experience?

[rainslacker]

I'm not a fan of mt. But the cosmetic ones that don't affect game play when put into games which have plenty of content otherwise, it's not really that big of a deal. It's not like that content would be free otherwise, as people overstate how much is pulled compare to the good old days when everything was included. Overall, there is about the same or more content in any given game as before, and mt give more options.

Things like loot boxes I don't like, and consider them greedy and manipulative, while devaluing the game experience for anyone not willing to pay.

If a game experience is lessened because of the mt, I won't buy the game. I'll never buy mt. But I don't consider them outright had. What I consider bad or good is entirely dependent on the implementation

[bluefox755]

Imagine my shock.

[ocelot07]

Providing the future DLC is free and no content is locked behind a pay wall then fair enough.

[ocelot07]

Just to add to my comment and providing they don't make the game w grind fest to unlock these cosmetics. Like GTA does.

[Servbot41]

"Free" and "Microsoft" rarely go hand-in-hand.

[Sonic_Vs_Mario]

All Halo 5 and Gears of War 4 DLCs are free. It not the first time.....

[DaDrunkenJester]

Except for Halo 5 and Gears 4, right? You could also use any company in that statement and it would work.

"Free" and "Sony" rarely go hand-in-hand.
Free" and "Nintendo" rarely go hand-in-hand.

[Servbot41]

Because Halo 5 was poorly received and Gears of War 4 flopped. Can't charge for something no one liked in the first place, best you can do it appease the few that bought/enjoyed it so they buy the next yearly game. If either had been a smash hit you know they'd be charging users out the nose.

[aconnellan]

"Because Halo 5 was poorly received and Gears of War 4 flopped... If either had been a smash hit you know they'd be charging users out the nose"

It was actually announced before Halo 5 launched that all DLC was free

http://au.ign.com/articles/...

[munchmiller]

Um.... you can add the tagline "Comes with Microtransactions" to pretty much any "AAA" game anymore. This isn't news.

Tolerance by the stupid masses seems to ruin everything.

[Servbot41]

Monster Hunter Worlds doesn't have microtransactions, but I'd gladly pay for some new hairstyles.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Actually they said in a interview with Famitsu that they are looking into some cosmetic DLC that doesn't effect any stats.

https://youtu.be/RWMmp2oTFR...

[Asuka]

I mean why not? It's gonna make them money. Can't blame them if certain people are willing to buy into this. Would be stupid not to implement MTs at this point tbh. Only people to blame is the silent majority who don't care or are ignorant to how toxic these practices are.

[PcRandy]

It’s not like the MT in this will affect gameplay or progression either purely cosmetic which I don’t mind

[timotim]

Totally fine with that. The game is an on going game that constantly gets new quests, weapons, gear, content etc....its not a SP only game that's made and released one off. This is how they can make additional money off the game as they continue to add content to it, I see nothing wrong with that. And considering that you can use in-game currency to purchase these new items anyway, it's fine.

[ILostMyMind]

Of course! First they will convince people to pay for a f2p game.

[Atticus_finch]

Should really be free to play. I don't see why this title is $60

[Servbot41]

No Man's Sea: Now with Microtransactions

[Gunstar75]

You don't have to buy them kiddies. Calm down.

[Gwiz]

You can buy it but you wont keep it toddler lol.

[Servbot41]

Yeah, you can just grind for 20 hours to get it instead. Piss off with that sentiment.

[DaDrunkenJester]

So you know the cost and playtime for each item? Please enlighten us.

[OffRoadKing]

You didn't have to buy them in other games either, how come this gets a pass and those games didn't?

[galmi]

most pple on here dnt read the article

[Gwiz]

So it has become " the lesser evil of evils " yea,no thanks.There's way too many games with this already.
All upcoming games with this will be €10 purchases.

[brianunfried]

I'm really starting to miss the days when you bought a game you got the whole game.

[timotim]

Yes, but back then once the game got released, that was it...you weren't getting anything new added to it haha. Sea of Thieves is a service type game. It constantly keeps evolving and growing with more content overtime. Most of this content will be FREE to it's community but in order to keep money coming in they have added cosmetic items that can be purchased or bought using in-game (free) currency.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

"in order to keep money coming in" That's what the $60 dollars is for. Gaming companies earn more money per sale than almost any form of entertainment/media and yet they try to go for even more after the fact. I don't buy CD's then have to buy the last three songs for more money after the fact. I get the entire album at once, that's it.

If a game like MHW can release fully with an amazing amount of content without MTs, then every developer can certain take them out. They won't of course, because greed is stronger than being genuine in this industry anymore.

[aconnellan]

@Sgt_Slaughter

Actually, the $60 is for the years and years of work before the game comes out. It's got nothing to do with the game post-launch

[Relientk77]

I've been missing that for 10 years already.

[chiefJohn117]

It's an mmo I think everyone expected this. Haven't heard of an mmo without MT. As long as it's cosmetic I have no issue

[yomfweeee]

I won't ever play, but I've always said this is the right way to do it. It gives no advantage and there's no content locked behind it. Pure cosmetics is okay with me for people to blow money on and help these developers recoup their costs.

[ccgr]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't buy it if they do that

[Tedakin]

They're optional cosmetics like pretty much every game on the planet has? They in no way affect progression or gameplay. Why do you care this much?

[Servbot41]

Because there is nothing else to do in the game besides get cosmetics and now they are locking them behind a paywall?

[OffRoadKing]

Maybe for the same reason people cared about the cosmetic items in BF2 or the cosmetic items in Destiny 2. Its funny how its no bid deal for some games but for others its unacceptable. Its just proof of the hypocrisy among the gaming community..

[OffRoadKing]

Then you probably shouldn't buy it cause they are doing it.

[paintedgamer1984]

Didnt we just have an article on why sot wouldnt use mt's? Microsoft really cant help themselves. I see every game from them having some type of mt like this.

When you pay a premium $$ for a product all content should be available for the consumer... although, id rather mt's than loot boxes.

I really believe its the way they are implementing it 3 months later thats going to rub people the wrong way.

I think i rule of thumb should be... anytime a new ip is made ALL content should be free. You could even use it as a sales tactic. Stating... all dlc, mt, loot box, or cosmetic can be earned in game with the full price of said game. And possibly make all the game pass ppl pay for additional content.

[DaDrunkenJester]

You know this practice isn't exclusive to MS, right?

[Atanasrikard]

Since you have the answer, why don't you make a game? Spend years creating everything, sell the game for $60, then continue to make more stuff for free and put it in the game without charging anything. Better be prepared to create this game yourself as I don't know anyone who would be willing to work for free.

[paintedgamer1984]

Blame ms when rare gets shut down for letting people play the game for 10$$

[corroios]

Lol. Sea of microtransactions... Here come the damage control brigade.

[DarkBlaze25]

Seems like you're already here actually.

[corroios]

For you thats not a problem, but for other it is. You can spin it, but this is bad. They should have use the time they had doing a SP campaign and not wasting it on crap cosmetic stuff.

I hope that this crap isnt the reason of the delay from 2017.

[ElementX]

You think designing cosmetic items takes up an entire studio? They have artists for cosmetic items. Campaign stuff requires coding, actors, balancing, way more than simply telling people to design quests. It's not as though everyone is working on cosmetics.

[UnHoly_One]

Ok, so a game that most of you aren't going to play will have cosmetic only, non-loot box microtransactions, to be added a few months after launch, when even then a good portion of those of you that DID play it won't be playing it any longer.

And you're all upset about it.

Just making sure I got that right.

[Eldyraen]

People are seriously complaining about this like it’s news?

Every first party MS game has had MTs of some sort for years, and then SoT is a GaaS which is the perfect example of games designed for MTs. It sounds like it’s MTs are in the vein of the Avatar items as well, which is at least optional and serve no purpose but to have them really (cosmetic “fun”, but at least have gameplay uses this time around).

Not a perfect system but SoT looks to be extremely social/casual friendly in terms of design so far (some more complicated team based gameplay but still simple to understand). In other words it’s basically PS Home as Pirates (which had MTs but was f2p and not really a “game”). SoT seems to fit that same sort of design to me (real life “sim”-ish experience) and hopefully later on maybe we can get a Pirate Island to customize yourself like a hide out you can invite friends to. Upgrades like that or expanded worlds (a new Sea) could be cool later on down the road and fit a gaas model well.

[chiefJohn117]

Exactly, this was expected, at least for me.

[PlayableGamez-]

Now watch people have fake anger over this while simultaneously defend their favorite games that have Microtransactions.

[trooper_]

And watch people use the 'b-but they did it too!!' to justify this.

[DONTB]

It is beyond expressible words how moronic people can act. It can never be consumers against greedy companies, it can never be respecting others opinion while watching silently from the sidelines because you have no issue in the matter. You just have to find a reason to fight with other consumers or to try to start flame wars with fallacious arguments. I take it you are looking forward to the game? It is concerning a few people can't be upset with something and be categorized as hypocrites, because they wiped their ass with their left hand this morning.

[Atanasrikard]

Irony, thy name is dontb.

[Zabatsu]

Suuuuuprise!

[Godmars290]

End of the day, this is more about familiarizing people to the idea of MTs. Will not be the way they're done on every games.

This is frog in the pot of water that's being heated over time.

[j15reed]

You know MT's have been around for at least 10 years probably longer.

[Godmars290]

Its an evolution of DLC, which was its own bad thing in many ways. And now that online has become more of a thing, its only gotten and will get worse.

[jznrpg]

Why wait 3 months? Just come out with your MTs now if they are JUST cosmetic, or are they hiding something . It’s strange

[chiefJohn117]

Lol it likely lacking the items at launch and in 3 month will do an expansion with new missions and items and make those items available to purchase with real currency.

[aconnellan]

Maybe they wanted all the work for launch to go towards content that wouldn't be locked behind a paywall?

[Atanasrikard]

Which is exactly what they said in the interview. Their current focus is on getting everything ready for launch and making that as successful as possible. It's is hilariously said the tinfoils hats that so many on this site wear.

[christocolus]

I'll be there day one. I love what they've done so far. Also, I'm ok with the MT's not affecting the main game.

[Nodoze]

Translation: We will monetize this game long after all the reviews are in and work to gouge players who are hooked on the game.

[Atanasrikard]

Yes, they are going to gouge you by forcing you to buy that completely optional pirate eye patch!

[solderman]

The latest tactic, Now you get a small grace period when you buy a game but the pain comes later! Just stop trying to save microtransactions.

[chiefJohn117]

Oh no the horror, that guy paid a $1 to purchase a pirate hat for his character preorder cancelled. Too much pain my heart cant take it

[isarai]

As long as it stays in the realm of cosmetic (which sounds like their aim) i don't see anything wrong with it, also sounds like you can earn that same currency in game, so it's pretty much Warframes approach of "pay money to save time"

[Tross]

Well, this is what happens when MS buys out a company like Rare, when they're even working on a game to begin with that is. This game sounded like it had potential. Too bad the EA of console producers had to kill it.

[Atanasrikard]

But it's okay when Sony or Nintendo do it, right?

[PygmelionHunter]

I'll admit I just clicked on this to read the comments lol

[galmi]

I do that almost all the time

[sampsonon]

xbox will be the Micro transaction system. always online multiplayer only money grab. act like you didn't see this coming

[neomahi]

Ha ha ha ha! I saw this coming years ago. Microsoft and EA, like twins it's amazing Microsoft hasn't acquired them yet. MICROSOFTS BIGGEST EXCLUSIVE OF 2018 GAMERS HOPE TO SAVE THE XBOX ONE AND X IS BATTLEFRONT II MEETS BANJO KAZOOIE MEETS ASSASSINS CREED IV and is getting the microtransaction treatment in hopes to make money as microtransactions are said to have been the biggest profit for Activision in recent reports to make up for lost cost of Xbox and this is what Micro$oft is banking on while Sony are steering away from the Microtransaction scene, even with GT Sport, to push more of an emphasis on storytelling and emotion and have thriving software and hardware sales that eliminate the need to pick your pocket like an Arabian street rat. This was a given from the reveal of the games gameplay and Micro$oft continues to enrage gamers in the name of making more money. Sony this is all too easy now, expect a statement soon from Sony in similar fashion to Jack Tretton statement with a huge boom on used games and the demonstration made my Yoshida - San. Oh Microsoft, you just never learn.

[chiefJohn117]

ROFL the ignorance is over 9000! Not gonna waste my time xD

[meka2611]

Yep because according to him only Microsoft and EA put micros in games. Lol, give me a break.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

I don't think people fully understand why even optional cosmetic MT's are a big problem.

It starts with little things like that, then escalates until you have bits and pieces of a game torn away and locked away behind a paywall. Also it means developers can coast on one game for a while and not continue to push themselves to make better games (look at Rockstar for example. One game since 2013 yet before that they had five or games released within six years).

[Lokii]

So now microtransactions are good?

[cfc83]

It's ok as long as there's no game adv, and non purchasers can earn the items quick enough in-game.

[Vizigoth04]

And that's why it's on Game Pass. No faith in their own games to sell. Game Pass is like a fishing pole and Sea of Thieves is the bait.

[The_Jackel]

Only way mt's should be in games.
Can gain in game currency or items via gameplay without bullshit unrealistic achiements to get them trying to force you to buy or playing 100 hours for a single hat and all with the option to spend/buy them items if you really wanted to at no bullshit costs.
No lootbox bullshit!!!!

[paulogy]

Right after the last review rolls in.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Sounds like the perfect way To do this. Doesn't impact game fairness and it's not random

[Zeref]

I love how we're focusing on the one small fault that won't even affect the game and ignoring all the other good stuff that they announced. Like the lack of content we were concerned about that they addressed.

[GamingSinceForever]

I can’t ever recall any game in the past that had queations tegardimg a lack in content that turned out actually having content.

It is tyedevelopers’ job to sell us on that from the jump.

Destiny, No Man’s Sky, etc have all come out defending the complaint and we know how they all turned out.

This isn’t to say that they won’t add things later, but from what i learned if it is being questioned now there likely isn’t much more at launch.

[MadLad]

Here's another idea..
Don't.

[Bobafret]

Really?

[kayoss]

Destiny 2, you can earn currency through in game play. See how well that worked out for them?
If the game cost money to buy, Micro transaction shouldn’t be in the game.
Only free to play games should have micro transaction.

[TheOttomatic91]

No surprises here

[Artemidorus]

As long as it's for cosmetic reasons.

If it's play to win I'm out, it also means I'll wait a little longer.

[RetroGamR]

If I am to be happy about Game Pass, not having to pay full price for a game, I am not surprised. So many free games have MT's on xbox live.. Game Pass will help my decision to budge for a fun item...like they said, it won't effect your power in game. Lets face it...MT will be happening everywhere. Nobody act like their company of choice is against it. EA well...they set the bar on what NOT to do. We will see how things play out.

[chuckyj1]

I don't mind MTs... Really at all... If I don't like them I don't buy them... If it's a Pay to Win game... I don't buy it.. If MTs are offered for cosmetic purposes that currency can be acquired in game... I save up the in game currency and buy the content... Like Gears of War 4... I have purchased probably 20+ loot boxes all with in game currency... Right now I am sitting at like over 13,000 in-game credits for just playing online matches, which would purchase like another 5 ultimate loot boxes... People need to grow up act like adults and make their own decisions... whining and B******* on this forum about MTs in games... when All companies do it (yes, even Sony)... isn't going to change anything... map out your own plan on MTs and follow through... because, even though I don't purchase them with actual money... Millions of other gamers do... And they will not go away... Heck Star Wars BattleFront 2 is going to get them again...

Be a man... Be a woman... Make your decision and stick to it... MTs are here to stay.

[Christopher]

Don't try and solve the issue, just live with it. Great advice. Let's let companies make decisions on how the industry should move forward and not the people they make their money off of. Just amazing business acumen there.

[chuckyj1]

Yea.. because bitching on forums really helps... Honestly, it's not a problem... it's only a problem if you make it a problem... Would you rather be paying $100 a game or letting other gamers who care to purchase MTs purchase them and keep the price of games at $60?

[Christopher]

Bitching on forums forced EA to remove MTX and fix progression in the MP of SWBF2. You don't know how PR works, do you?

If you think games need to cost $100 to be profitable, then you're just extremely ignorant. The profits these companies want are more for the same, not a linear progression. They want 100% profit margins compared to last year's 90% profit margins. Do you know how insanely high that is? If they cared about profit, you know what they wouldn't do? Invest in bad games. If games like Zelda, Mario, HZD, Persona, Nier, Witcher, and tons more can make large profits without them and sell games at $60, perhaps you're being misinformed by publishers so they can keep bleeding you dry of your own money. Pay attention.

P.S. It's obvious MTX affect everyone. Just looks at how drawn out the progression was for SWBF2 before all the 'bitching on forums' happened. The purpose of MTX is get more profit by encouraging people to spend money to speed up the level of the game. The point of the publisher is to make as much profit as possible. It doesn't take a genius to understand how profit focused decisions in that set up could affect everyone.

[nibblo]

This is becoming like the @metoo movement, famous guys treat women terribly and then all men who dare to even make eye contact with a female are lumped in with them.
My line in the sand is are MT's changing how the game is played, cosmetics don't change how quickly or how well you play the game so they are alright by me. Slippery slope arguments don't make sense, you have to draw a line in the sand or even selling DLC would be a problem for you or even selling a game for money. As far as I'm concerned these companies can do whatever the want MT wise as long as it doesn't affect the gameplay, if people want to spend their money on cosmetics and are of a lawful age to then I have no problem with it.

[generationjeu]

The more I see such predatory practices, the more I think early 2000s were ahead of time for gamers. I can't imagine a game like Phantasy Star Online in today's industry: buy your special weapons with real money! It sucks.

[OffRoadKing]

Rut Roh

[mandingo]

I don’t support MTs but at least it’s only cosmetic and won’t be pay to win BS. I can tolerate that.

[quent]

Is it a F2P game, that should be the only reason pulling fro them going this route, otherwise they want they're cake and eat it to, you can't expect people to for a game that makes most of its money on mt's and are designed around, sorry you can't have it both ways

[dj3boud]

Microsoft never learns.

[dp5212]

Gamepass equals paywall and microtranctions.

[DimensionalSound]

Passing on this one. I refuse to purchase more games that have this form of monetization if they're not F2P and you should too. There are enough games out there that don't do this to tide all of us over until these money-hungry fools move on to another entertainment medium to pollute.

[2ndhandcorn]

Wont bother me as customization is something i rarely use i just pick a generic character and stick with it .

[Scatpants]

Sneak them in after the main bunch of people are done playing it so they won't make a stink about it. Good thinking.

[outsider1624]

Ok, Now hold on. If the Mts are just for cosmetics and nothing of that that affects gameplay or progress, then i don't think there's anything wrong here, right?
Ir am i missing something.

[Christopher]

It depends on where you draw the line. You have a 'few groups' on MTX with games with a price tag.

Group 1: They're fine, just don't buy them (or the game) if you don't want them.
Group 2: They're fine if none of it is Pay-2-Win.
Group 3: They're fine if it's merely cosmetic.
Group 4: All MTX are bad and should never be in full priced games (this group is typically "only in Free-2-Play games should they exist").

[outsider1624]

Ah, ok. Thanks man.

[Codedan]

Already been pointed out to be fake news

[3-4-5]

* Some of you need to read. There is nothing wrong with you being able to pay money for a pet for your character.

It doesn't effect gameplay. There is no way to pay money to be better than other people in this game.

Some of you need to stop lying.

Are you russian trolls ?

[PcRandy]

Cosmetic MT I’m ok with because they don’t affect gameplay or progression which is what these are you only have to buy them if you want to it won’t affect your game at all

[Tzuno]

This game will die faster than you think.

[Karambit]

Thats like Mcdonalds saying that there going charge you for happy meal toys because they now want to add more emotional value to them. I aint paying extra for fake virtual shit that can be copied and pasted a trillion times unless its made into a decent size DLC I suppose....

[DaniMacYo]

So micro transactions are okay so long as there not implemented at launch?Yeah okay...

[jojo319]

NO, they're OK as long as they're cosmetic. Isn't that what everyone has been saying about Battlefront 2? "Overwatch does it right" etc.. But now it's bad?

[dreue]

https://www.vg247.com/2018/...

ok not loot boxes but micro still on ?

[Kaii]

Didn't the devs say they weren't going to do loot boxes ?
Not Impressed, I'm not hating the game, I'm hating that they bundle this shit with paid games, stick loot boxes to F2P games you money grubbing bastards.

2018 & We've got companies making $4 billion on added extra's, this Industry needs some thorough cleaning, Getting the Government Involved Is-a double edged sword, In reality I want'em to crush this practice, but I don't want them going on-a censorship spree or w.e.

[jojo319]

I am not a fan of loot boxes, but if you KNOW what you are buying, and as long as it's cosmetic, I don't see the issue. Loot boxes and MT's are two different things completely.

[Kaii]

I'll be honest, I just looked at the Image with the treasure chest and Immediately thought of loot boxes.
Cosmetic only MT's are "okay" If your also able to obtain them with ingame currency earned at at "acceptable" rate.
Halo 5 / Forza / Gears - Microsoft owned IP's yet since this gen has started they've added unnecessary crap to'em.

Just to branch out, In Assassins your able to purchase materials with real money to develop your character, That's not acceptable, nor are you able to earn any of the cosmetics with ingame currency.

Is this how gaming Is now ? Its okay, they won't do loot boxes, you don't have to spend £40+ on crates on getting the specific Item you want, you now spend £8 on this Pirate costume, they will price these specific Items outrageously.
(If this Is funding post launch content, I'd be In some sense happy)

Just because Its a lesser evil then loot boxes shouldn't be why we throw our arms up and accept it, I'm happy they won't do loot boxes, shame I can't edit my previous un-proof read comment lol

[jojo319]

The main problem that people have brought up before, is gamers are demanding more, but don’t want to pay more at the register. Those costs have to be recouped somehow.

[thisismyaccount]

Didnt they claim a week ago, they were not adding any mtx?

[TheVon]

if you follow FRONTIERS examples (elite Dangerous) MT's would never be a problem, they can be beneficial to future development and also gives players exactly what they purchased.

It actually feels like RARE has taken a leaf from FRONTIER in this instance, people pay for ship skins or ship addons that have no benefit towards progression or power in the game, you cant buy credits to suddenly have the biggest & baddest ship...its pure COSMETIC.

WELL DONE RARE FOR BEING ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY AND NOT TREATING GAMERS LIKE A MONEY PIT

[TheVon]

Before going off on COSMETIC MT's go check out where ELITE DANGEROUS began, look at whats been added since, they give you so much bang for your buck its unreal....another UK based developer team doing it RIGHT!

[mt]

looks like this is the new trends. "buy our games it has no micro transactions. and then after sometime bam, pour all those already made micro transaction into the game.

[cannon8800]

"emotional value" my ass. This comment section is going to be divided. On one side, the people that can smell bull**** and on the other side, fanboys.

[Charlieboy333]

Well now the game title really accurately describes the scene at a Microsoft year end function

[blanka4545]

no!

[blanka4545]

will play it for 3 months and that is it!

[Jon_Targaryen]

Last gen DLC, this gen Micro transactions, next gen pay $600 every time you press start to go into the game.