Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
Latest coverage
'Additional Packs Are Entirely Optional': Ubisoft Responds to Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Microtransactions Backlash, as $60 Game Arrives With $85 of DLC
Ubisoft has responded to backlash regarding optional microtransactions in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced on Steam, where the $60 game features $85 worth of additional content. The company stated that these additional packs are entirely optional for players.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's standard edition is "is the full, complete experience", Ubisoft insist in response to Steam DLC furore
Ubisoft has clarified that the standard edition of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced offers the complete experience, addressing player concerns on Steam regarding purchasable DLC. The developers stated that all missions, story content, and the game world are fully accessible without additional purchases, with DLC being entirely optional extras.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launches to "Mixed" Steam reviews amid complaints about microtransactions and $80 DLC, Ubisoft fires back that they're "never a requirement"
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has launched to mixed reviews on Steam, with players criticizing the game's $80 DLC and microtransactions, which offer gameplay advantages. Ubisoft responded by stating the standard edition is a complete experience and the additional packs are optional. The company also defended its stance on microtransactions, claiming they enhance player enjoyment.
"No thanks!" - Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake Resynced being review bombed on Steam for single-player microtransactions
The remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag, titled Resynced, is facing review bombing on Steam due to the inclusion of single-player microtransactions, including those offering gameplay advantages. Despite initial revenue success for publisher Ubisoft, player reviews have shifted to 'Mixed' as users express frustration over the perceived excessive cost of DLC and in-game purchases, particularly after buying the Deluxe Edition.
Games Inbox: Which is worse out of Xbox and PlayStation?
Readers debate whether Microsoft's Xbox or Sony's PlayStation is worse, criticizing both for customer-unfriendly practices like microtransactions and the move away from physical media. Concerns are raised about EA's continued push for in-game purchases and the potential impact of digital-only games on preservation and long-term access.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced’s DLC Packs “Entirely Optional,” Says Ubisoft After Backlash
Ubisoft faced backlash for releasing expensive, gameplay-affecting DLC packs for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced on launch day, despite the game being priced at $70. The company stated that the Standard Edition is a complete experience and the additional packs are optional extras. The remake, which includes content from the original 2013 title, has reportedly sold over 300,000 copies on Steam.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is Already A Steam Hit, But The £80 Of Day-One DLC Isn’t
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has achieved nearly 100,000 players on Steam, but players are expressing dissatisfaction with the game's day-one downloadable content priced at £80 and the presence of in-game advertisements.
Latest EA sports game review bombed over single-player microtransactions
Players are review bombing EA Sports College Football 27 due to the inclusion of microtransactions in its single-player modes, a feature not present in preview builds. Despite significant backlash and internal developer frustration, Electronic Arts is reportedly unlikely to remove the controversial monetization, drawing parallels to the Star Wars: Battlefront 2 controversy. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
How One Teacher (And A Private Investigator) Revived The Beloved Franchise Of Your Childhood
Playground Productions CEO Lindsay Barnett discusses the revival of the Backyard Sports franchise, culminating in the new Backyard Baseball game. The journey involved acquiring rights through a private investigator and partnering with Mega Cat Studios for development. The new title emphasizes a faithful representation of the classic 2D style in a 3D world, avoids microtransactions, and focuses on inclusion with diverse characters like Pablo Sanchez, Kenny Kawaguchi, and Sunny Day.
Ubisoft has added a cash shop and weekly challenges to its 'faithful' remake of the 13-year-old Black Flag,…
Ubisoft's remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, titled Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, has been criticized for the addition of a microtransaction store, weekly challenges, and battle pass-like reward tracks. The author argues these elements detract from the experience of a full-priced, single-player remake and are reminiscent of the monetization seen in live-service games.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Nearly Hits 100,000 Concurrent on Steam Amid “Mixed” Reviews
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 game, has achieved nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its release. Despite the strong player numbers, the game has received "Mixed" reviews, with many users criticizing the inclusion of additional microtransactions for content not present in the Deluxe Edition, as well as other changes like cutscenes capped at 30 frames per second.
Evening Consolidation
College Football 27 will feature single-player microtransactions, a move that Insider Gaming suggests is just the beginning of a trend. Separately, the official PlayStation 5 launch trailer for Viking Frontiers was released.
Mobile game Mario Kart Tour is winding down
Nintendo is shutting down its mobile game Mario Kart Tour on September 29, ending service for the 2019 title. The company has ceased sales of in-game currency and subscriptions, and an offline version is not planned. This comes after a history of monetization controversies and statements from Shigeru Miyamoto about the challenges of mobile game development.
College Football 27 Is Pissing Everyone Off
Players are expressing significant frustration with EA's College Football 27, particularly regarding the introduction of microtransactions in its popular Dynasty and Road To Glory modes. These modes now allow players to pay to instantly improve their coach or athlete, with a full progression costing around $100. This change, coupled with the removal of faster XP slider options, has led to accusations that EA has intentionally slowed progression to encourage in-game purchases, sparking a boycott movement online.
EverQuest Legends attempts to quell uproar over pre-order beta’s slashed inventory availability
Game Jawn project director Eda Spause addressed player concerns regarding reduced inventory availability and paywalled features in EverQuest Legends' pre-order beta. She confirmed that loadout unlocks will be available through gameplay and that achievements will grant rewards like increased tradeskill depot space. Spause also clarified that the inventory space in the closed beta was larger than intended and that the pre-order beta inventory is closer to the final product.
How to Get Rerolls in Gakuran [Codes Included]
This guide explains how to obtain rerolls in the game Gakuran, which are essential for changing character stats and fighting styles. Rerolls can be acquired by redeeming free codes or purchasing them with Robux. The article also lists current active codes for free rerolls and details which character attributes can be modified using this system.
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick once reportedly suggested Halo 4 should have a real-money auction house like Diablo 3 infamously did
Former Xbox boss Don Mattrick reportedly suggested that Halo 4 should feature a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial experiment. This idea was met with internal disbelief by the development team, who recognized the potential negative impact on the game's reputation and completion status. Halo 4 ultimately launched without such a feature, and Mattrick departed Microsoft in 2013.
Ex-Xbox dev slams game execs as ‘money grubbing idiots’ in quote of the year
A former Bungie and 343 Industries developer, Dan Callen, has criticized game executives, calling them 'stupid detached money grubbing idiots.' Callen shared an anecdote about former Xbox executive Don Mattrick suggesting Halo 4 should implement a real money auction house for mech skins, a concept that had previously failed in Diablo 3. This criticism comes amid recent layoffs at Sony and Microsoft, highlighting ongoing issues within the games industry.
Digital-only GTA 6 Ultimate Edition screenshot literally says "buy more useless s***"
A screenshot from the Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition reveals an in-game sticker that reads "buy more useless shit," sparking discussion about digital-only releases and the value of premium editions. The $100 Ultimate Edition offers digital items that do not impact gameplay.
Overwatch escapes "Mostly Negative" Steam reviews 3 years after becoming the worst-rated game on Valve's store: "In 2026, we finally got back to just Overwatch"
Overwatch has seen its Steam review rating improve from "Mostly Negative" to "Mixed" after three years. This shift is attributed to a recent influx of positive player feedback, with some reviews praising new characters, battle pass value, and cosmetic offerings, despite ongoing criticisms regarding microtransactions and past disappointments.
