Are Microtransactions Unfair or the Future?

For a long while, microtransactions in video games have been considered controversial. From Indie titles to AAA games, microtransactions are a relatively new way for developers to make money. For Indie developers, most gamers don’t mind tossing a few bucks over to them for tiny upgrades. The problem seems to revolve around AAA developers and their games. Is it right for AAA developers to put microtransactions in their games? Ultimately, yes. It can bring the developers extra money to spend on bettering games in the long run and adds a steady stream of content which most people desire.

What exactly is a microtransaction?  It is a business model where users can purchase virtual goods in exchange for some sort of payment. Microtransactions used to occur almost exclusively for free-to-play titles. This was for the developers to be able to make some money and support themselves as well as the game, if people wanted to donate. Instead of having people just give money to developers as a kind of charity, they would purchase a pack of skins for their character, or a new weapon. Big developers started to see microtransactions as a new way to rack in money. Microtransactions started popping up in all kind of games since they birthed in free to play. For example, you kind find these transactions in multiplayer games, single player games, first person shooters, massive multiplayer online games, online card games, and much more. The point is; microtransactions are everywhere now. What started out as a way to help struggling developers has turned into a cash cow for all games.

So, what’s the difference between DLC (downloadable content) and microtransactions? DLC’s tend to be a one-time payment for something story based, or a pack of items, for around 20 dollars. Of course price varies game to game, but typically that’s what a DLC is classified as. A microtransaction is usually a loot box, crate, or specific guns and skins that cost around a dollar. Microtransactions are designed to keep you wanting to spend money. The goal is that you will spend much more than a dollar on the loot boxes in the long run. For the purpose of this column, microtransactions are different than DLC’s, which will not be a part of the argument.

Microtransactions are not evil, as some like to think. Even when AAA studios decide to implement this kind of content into their games, it usually ends up benefitting gamers. For example, microtransactions in Blizzard’s game “Overwatch” help push more content out to gamers on a regular basis. The part that seems most controversial to gamers is the fact that they are already paying $60 (minimum) for a game, and then having to spend more money on microtransactions on top of that. However, I think that there is a distinct flaw in this train of thought. Microtransactions are not required payments, they are optional. If you want to get an extra loot box, why is buying one so wrong? There is a distinct difference between fair microtransactions, and ones that exist to force you to pay money. For example, if there is a way for you to earn skins or guns by leveling up and playing the game, but also an option to buy these things to bypass leveling up, the microtransactions are considered fair. In this scenario, the game isn’t blocking any content to force you to pay. On the other hand, if there’s only the bare minimum of content, and the developers want you to pay to win the game or pay to unlock the thing that should be a part of the base game, then it is unfair. I’m not arguing for these type of games, since they are a part of the reason why gamers seem to hate microtransactions, and are just plain wrong. However, there is nothing wrong with optional microtransactions.

Overall, microtransactions are beneficial to gamers because they add extra content to games and can lead to funding other projects in the future. Although these transactions need to be fair, I believe most games, especially AAA titles, are not pay to win. Rather, they offer extra content to gamers who love their game. If you adore the product and sink hundreds of hours into it why wouldn’t you want to buy extra skins or a new character to play? I think that the option to support and expand your favorite game is a good one.