How about that? Microtransactions aren’t new to the games industry, and neither is Electronic Arts’ embrace of them. But this week’s candid announcement– made in a talk with Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Telecom Conference– is still pretty surprising.
Blake J. Jorgensen, CFO at Electronic Arts, isn’t talking about microtransactions in free to play titles alone. We’re dealing with its inclusion everywhere from FIFA to Battlefield, “either to get to a higher level to buy a new character, to buy a truck, a gun, whatever it might be.”
There’s a lot more to say about microtransactions than what Nintendojo’s News Desk can afford. In my opinion, microtransactions can certainly be done right, but the sweet spot is so very small.
And the clout that Electronic Arts carries is sure to make this business plan more of a driving economic trend than a simple philosophy.
Source: Gamasutra
I’m sure microtransactions are great for casual games, and even certain “real” games that don’t need to immerse the player in a fantasy world. But to mandate their use in every single game coming out of a publisher that large is idiotic.
Just think how microtransactions would cheapen and ruin the magic of a game like Pikmin, Shadow of the Colossus, or Xenoblade. EA can now never release something that feels that complete or immersive.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised; EA tried to sell me weapons upgrades and alternate dresses in Alice: Madness Returns, a game which deserved to feel other-worldly and removed from crass commercialism if there ever was one.
Agreed. When done right, microtransactions are fine for extra DLC, but for big games, they’re just a greedy shot at more money (pay for next level, basic necessities). I work for a living.