Are Micro-Transactions Ruining Games?

[DerBear]

Many games over the last couple years have forwarded towards Micro-Transactions. For those who are unaware of what micro-transactions are, what they are is almost like an in-game store where you spend real money to buy miniature in-game content.

Examples would be:

Call of Duty: Black Ops II customization packs (Basically new camos for weapons)

Dead Space 3: You could buy gun customization etc...without needing to scavange for supplies

GTA V: You can buy money for in game money in order to buy some things such as clothes, cars, houses...

Now normally if these things are cosmetic people don't really mind them as much. However some games such as Assassins Creed 3 have micro transactions which allows you to buy items quicker than if you unlocked them, therefore giving a tactical advantage.

Overall, how do you feel about micro-transactions being implemented into games?

I personally don't mind micro-transactions but only if they don't offer some kind of tactical advantage.

Any game that offers a tactical advantage via micro-transactions isn't a fair game and ruins things like competitive play.

So how do you feel about them?

[Mynick]

If its a free to play game like League of Legends, im fine with them. You spend real money and you can buy champions sooner, or skins or even exp boosts. BUT you don't need to buy it in order to win in the game.

[CharlieHorse]

i dont think they ruined games, but I do think they're pretty shady...

[Emerald Dream]

I wouldn't say they are ruining games, but rather it's just a different way to do business. Evidently the market for it is there if companies are developing DLC or add-ons to sell, and people are buying them. This isn't really anything new, and has been going on for years regarding Facebook games and mobile apps. Hell, Zynga has made a fortune doing this sort of thing. Everyone else has just piggybacked onto it.

[Sugaree]

There's a difference between DLC and Micro-Transactions. Micro-Transactions are ones you make while in-game (i.e, hats in Team Fortress 2) while DLC is usually something you buy separate of the main game (think about the expansions for Fallout: New Vegas or Skyrim). Micro-Transactions are more popular in free-to-play games such as Team Fortress 2, Planetside 2, and Tribes: Ascend, so I wouldn't say they're ruining games as a WHOLE.

I would only say that Micro-Transactions ruin games when they either become standard practice or mandatory from certain publishers. DLC is, at its core, a good model if it is actual content being delivered that the player can receive value for their money. I'm not talking about paying $10 for an aesthetic item that I put on my character, but rather an expansion of story or new areas to explore in the game. This is also why I think DLC should be an optional thing to purchase. It used to be that developers would make a $30 game and then put out two $20 expansions that added on and were completely optional. Now you have developers who are actually cutting bits of story out of games and selling them as $10 or $15 DLC that is often way too overpriced and not worth the value it claims to give.

[Emerald Dream]

There's a difference between DLC and Micro-Transactions.

I understand what you're saying, but in reality what's the difference? An extra charge is an extra charge, whether it's for fancy character clothes or bonus missions that you can unlock/download. It still serves the same purpose.

Obviously, people are buying the micro-transactions regularly because they are becoming normal. I do agree that it's a ripoff if you actually purchase the base game, but you need to spend additional money to buy the extras to actually complete it (or reasonably complete it without spending 1000 hours leveling up to avoid buying the add-on). That's a scam. The additional outfits/gear and the bonus missions/quests are fine as add-ons if they aren't necessary (or chopped) to complete the original game.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

Oh yes they DO. It makes people who decide to spend money out the wazoo have a more enhanced experience.
The terrible economy for hats? Well, that's how valve earns serious dough off of an F2P game lol.

DLC is a different story (at least about 8 times out of 10)
Original borderlands DLC, was awesome. More the zombie DLC in particular.

[Celtic.]

DLC ruins fighting games. They either make the DLC characters cheap or OP. I feel that DLC is just content You could have added but Dident because you wanted Extra money. I hate DLC. HATE. Its not necessary. Do what you gotta do the first Fucking time.
other micro's are the same. Maybe not with some RPG's but 9/10 its unnecessary spending of YOUR money

[CaptainFantastic]

If it's a F2P game I don't mind unless it's pay to win. I never like it when you can buy things like high tier guns or xp. Cosmetic stuff is fine though.

[TheMatrix]

If a game(usually mobile ones) excessively pushes their micro-transactions or makes it integral to the game, I get rid of it.

DLC I will buy if it seems like a good deal, and only if it is completely optional to the core gameplay.

[Cygnus]

They will ruin games if it becomes a thing. It has already ruined EA and Cashwhores, I mean Capcom.

[Suave]

I don't mind too much. Some do give a huge advantage but as long as it's not a pay to win thing. Like TF2 and BF Heroes I have a exception for because they are free to play and that's how the devs make their money.

[Luminous]

It can often be quite annoying but if they are free to play games, they have to earn money somehow.

[Gwen]

They allow F2P games to earn a good profit without asking for straight up donations you also get something out of it. As long as you can only buy things that look cool or don't disrupt the playerbase like giving donators OP weapons. But things like DLC for games that you have to pay for I think are pretty horrible. DAY 1 DLC IS BULLSHIT. If it comes with the product on day 1 it should be part of the product! I will say there have been good DLC that's worth the cost and is a good content boost that was made after the product was put on the market.

[Get Outta Compton]

Yes.

[DerBear]

In short, I have to admit from what I've seen now Micro Transactions in games are becoming quite prominent and its taking the grind and the skill away from learning a game.

[thermid]

i dont like to feel like you can win if you just pay more money
i guess the market is allowing it, but i know i won't be playing games that make me feel like that

[rogoshtalmour]

I wouldn't say its ruining games. But i am starting to wonder about kickstarter projects and these early access games on steam. I feel like you put your money in but it may be years before you actually get to play the full game. And since they already have the money maybe they just aren't really motivated to finish it ya know?

[Barneytinsen]

Micro transactions are gay to be specific the dead rising cheat packs..I mean why the fuck do you need to buy just to goof around? back in my day you just press a bunch of button combination just to see a car fly.

[NeuroTiger]

I second your point of view