Dead Space 3 to Include Microtransactions in Singleplayer

[Madia]

I am less concerned about the microtransactions in Dead Space 3 than I am about the trend. From what I've read the microtransactions in DS3 are more or less paying for cheat codes. This is pretty dumb since there's a game option called "Easy" and unless they've radically changed the weapon powers in the game then all you really need to beat the game is the plasma cutter and line gun. The other guns I'd only use on subsequent playthroughs to have fun with.

Bottom line, I don't like that microtransactions are in DS3 but as long as they're not obtrusive (Like Levi Dryden shilling DLC in Dragon Age) they won't really bother me. I am concerned that people won't be picking up the game because of them since I remember reading that if DS3 isn't successful then this is it for the DS franchise. I really like the DS franchise and they sort of filled the hole left by the absense of any good Resident Evil games. It would be a shame if DS3 was the last one not because it was a bad game but because of EA forcing microtransactions into the game.

As for the trend of microtransactions I found this clip of the EA CEO talking about them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR6-u8OIJTE

I really dislike his philosophy of microtransactions being used to suck money out of the consumer's pocket once they're heavily invested in the game. I know that one of his main goals as CEO is to make profits but I believe that a company should do so by building goodwill with their customers, not by exploiting their love of a particular product.

His vision of hitting customers with microtransactions for games they're heavily invested in will never fly (especially in a competitive multi-player game like Battlefield) but it's kind of scary how easily they can implement it. In Dead Space 3 for example instead of having save locations strategically placed throughout the game they could make them extremely sparse near the end of the game and have the option of a microtransaction (say 50 cents) to respawn after you died with full health + ammo rather than go back to the save area you passed 20 minutes ago. Doing something like that would really anger me and I'm sure a lot of other questions.

As I've said above, I don't think that microtransactions will ever fly and we'll see them gone by the end of next year at the latest. I remember people worrying about in game ads in the past (such as in Battlefield 2142) but they never took off. Hopefully the same thing happens to microtransactions.

 

[darkewaffle]

BF3 already has loads of "microtransaction" options but nobody cares because you get all the same stuff just playing the game and winning is all about how you play, not how many guns you've got unlocked.

Actually on a sale a week or two ago I spent a whole $2 to unlock all the co-op weapons because I wanted to try some of them, but I have no interest playing public co-op and my friends and I just play conquest/assault. Provided nothing is sold that isn't just available in the game anyway I have no problem with it. In this case I consider it a good service even.

 

[mindcycle]

If you need yet another reason to avoid this game, here ya go..

http://www.shacknews.com/article/77523/report-dead-space-3-pc-is-straight-port

 

[mindcycle]

http://www.shacknews.com/article/77552/dead-space-3-microtransactions-to-appeal-to-mobile-gamers

Those microtransactions in Dead Space 3 that you've grumbled and griped about? Don't worry, EA says, you won't need to use them to beat the game. Heck, they're not even meant for you! Supposedly the option to buy crafting materials was added so mobile gamers who, presumably on a whim, buy a console and a copy of the game will feel at home coughing up even more cash.

"We would never make a game you have to pay to win," producer John Calhoun told CVG. "There are genres of games where that is the answer, and you know what? The world has spoken, they suck."

"We need to make sure we're expanding our audience as well. There are action game fans, and survival horror game fans, who are 19 and 20, and they've only played games on their smartphones, and micro-transactions are to them a standard part of gaming. It's a different generation. So if we're going to bring those people into our world, let's speak their language, but let's not alienate our fans at the same time."

WTF is he talking about?

 

[ImpulsE69]

http://www.shacknews.com/article/77552/dead-space-3-microtransactions-to-appeal-to-mobile-gamers







WTF is he talking about?

I think he means, hey, this game is for phones and tablets, the rest of you get whatever we give you. Apparently..only 19 and 20 year olds play games, and only on their phones.

What he's really saying is "we need to expand our market to people who don't actually play games because those suckers spend money on useless things"

 

[dmoney1980]

I think EA is doing this to ensure that they hold the title for most hated company in America - http://consumerist.com/2012/04/04/congratulations-ea-you-are-the-worst-company-in-america-for-2012/

 

[mindcycle]

I think he means, hey, this game is for phones and tablets, the rest of you get whatever we give you. Apparently..only 19 and 20 year olds play games, and only on their phones.

What he's really saying is "we need to expand our market to people who don't actually play games because those suckers spend money on useless things"

Yeah exactly. I guess he thinks his existing customer base is retarded and this will make perfect sense to them. I don't know of anyone who is particularly thrilled about microtransactions on a computer or phone, or essentially "paying more money for something you already bought". Even 19 and 20 year olds..

 

[AdamK47]

That's EA for ya.

 

[nanobreath]

Really?

Also, ME3's microtransaction system in multiplayer seems to be doing quite well for them.

These microtransactions seem harmless to me. All they do is allow you to skip the searching and grinding for components you would be doing with or without the microtransaction system in place. Don't like it? Don't pay for it. The idea that you would refuse to pay more than $10 or so for the game because of this system -- which implies you were willing to pay more beforehand -- is ridiculous.

The problem with micro transactions, is a game that has them, makes the resources you can purchase harder to come by during normal gameplay. They have a greater incentive to make the resources harder to come by so that people that would purchase them with real money are more encouraged to do so, rather than farming them in the game. As a result, my enjoyment of the game is reduced because they want to further profit from the game. It's one thing to have micro-transactions in a free game, it's completely different to have them in a game you have to purchase.

I would love to believe the argument that this is just added at the end of development for people that are lazy as quick shortcut to avoid the "farming." Why is even farming REQUIRED?! A GOOD game is designed such that you acquire the necessary resources by the simple act of playing the game and having fun. My problem is that by simply having to add a micro-transaction system implies that the game is a tedious, boring hunk of shit. This is ESPECIALLY true for a single player. If a player even has to think "man these resources are taking me forever to farm up, maybe I should go buy them with real money instead" why is that even a "feature" in the game. The point of the game is to play and HAVE FUN, not FARM UP STUFF! Adding micro-transactions is simply BAD game design.

The addition of micro-transactions is not harmless, it directly impacts the quality of the game, and as a result my enjoyment. Any such game is relegated to the "$5 bin", and generally I avoid them even then. This isn't a case of "I'm gonna show that big bad company and not buy their game", but "I will not enjoy this game, so I will not pay for it."

 

[cmdrdredd]

The problem with micro transactions, is a game that has them, makes the resources you can purchase harder to come by during normal gameplay. They have a greater incentive to make the resources harder to come by so that people that would purchase them with real money are more encouraged to do so, rather than farming them in the game. As a result, my enjoyment of the game is reduced because they want to further profit from the game. It's one thing to have micro-transactions in a free game, it's completely different to have them in a game you have to purchase.

I would love to believe the argument that this is just added at the end of development for people that are lazy as quick shortcut to avoid the "farming." Why is even farming REQUIRED?! A GOOD game is designed such that you acquire the necessary resources by the simple act of playing the game and having fun. My problem is that by simply having to add a micro-transaction system implies that the game is a tedious, boring hunk of shit. This is ESPECIALLY true for a single player. If a player even has to think "man these resources are taking me forever to farm up, maybe I should go buy them with real money instead" why is that even a "feature" in the game. The point of the game is to play and HAVE FUN, not FARM UP STUFF! Adding micro-transactions is simply BAD game design.

The addition of micro-transactions is not harmless, it directly impacts the quality of the game, and as a result my enjoyment. Any such game is relegated to the "$5 bin", and generally I avoid them even then. This isn't a case of "I'm gonna show that big bad company and not buy their game", but "I will not enjoy this game, so I will not pay for it."

Agreed, when I think farming I think grinding low level crap in an MMO in order to get eggs, or skins, or some sort of drop that you need like 40 of in order to craft something. That does not belong in an FPS game. Heck, even in FC3 where you had to hunt for skins to make larger pouches happened naturally. I ran into every animal type and once they attacked me I had to kill it and the skin or feather came as part of that process. I never thought to myself "man I gotta find 10 Jaguars so I can get enough skins".

 

[Regs]

Am I the only one who thought the girl was actually a guy in a wig in that video? I'm a grown adult who should not be playing games anymore or cracking jokes on unfortunate people, but damn.

And what about memory hijacks, piggy backs, and trainers? I'm afraid all these in game for-pay features are going to add extra security like DRM, Root Kits, and cloud streaming or saves.

 

[Bateluer]

Sadly, they will get away with this because people are going to buy the game by the millions. :/ This crap is destroying gaming.