Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
Latest coverage
DDLV Players Are FURIOUS — Is Honeyglow Woods Just a Cash Grab?
Players of Disney Dreamlight Valley are expressing anger over the new Honeyglow Woods DLC, with many believing it is a "cash grab" and the second half of a previously released DLC, Wishblossom Ranch. Community members on Reddit feel Gameloft intentionally split one complete DLC into two paid releases, leading to dissatisfaction and discussions about boycotting future purchases.
Arenanet lovar: inga prenumerationer eller pay-to-win i Guild Wars 3
ArenaNet has outlined its monetization philosophy for Guild Wars 3, confirming it will not feature subscriptions, Battle Passes, or pay-to-win mechanics. The game will sell expansions, cosmetic items, account services, and time-saving items, but developers assure that spending money will not grant an unfair advantage over players who invest time. A beta test is scheduled for Fall 2027.
World of Tanks: HEAT Review | TheXboxHub
World of Tanks: HEAT is a hero shooter that replaces traditional heroes with tanks, featuring 5v5 and 10v10 game modes focused on objectives. While the core gameplay and aiming mechanics are solid, the game is significantly held back by a slow progression system that heavily incentivizes microtransactions and an inflexible matchmaking system that can lead to unenjoyable matches.
WoW dataminer reveals new store purchases for an upcoming WoW launch, which could be Classic+
A World of Warcraft dataminer named Stiven has revealed potential new store purchases and tiered access licenses for an upcoming project codenamed "WoW Camelot." This discovery, linked to patch 1.60, suggests a possible Classic+ release or a new expansion, coinciding with Blizzard's ongoing legal actions against private Classic server providers.
Experimental Hogyoku Shard VV ULTIMATUM
This guide explains how to obtain and use Experimental Hogyoku Shards in the game VV ULTIMATUM. These shards are used to reroll a player's current weapon, providing a new random weapon stat distribution. They can be acquired through daily rewards, raid chests, crafting The Hogyoku, trading, or microtransactions.
Dragon's Dogma 2 gets "permanent discount" ahead of Dark Arisen as Capcom cuts microtransactions and Deluxe Edition "due to the development of additional content"
Capcom is removing the Deluxe Edition and certain microtransactions for Dragon's Dogma 2 on June 25, ahead of the upcoming Dark Arisen expansion. The company cited the development of additional content and various adjustments as reasons for these changes. Additionally, the base game will receive a permanent discount, and previously purchased DLC and Deluxe Edition content will remain usable.
Capcom is removing several Dragon’s Dogma 2 DLCs before Dark Arisen arrives
Capcom will remove several Dragon's Dogma 2 DLCs, including convenience items and bundles, from sale on June 25, 2026, ahead of the Dark Arisen expansion's release. The base game will receive a permanent price reduction, while some DLCs like the Explorer's Camping Kit will remain available. These changes follow player backlash regarding microtransactions and aim to streamline the experience.
Capcom Pulls Dragon's Dogma 2 Microtransactions Ahead of Dark Arisen Expansion Release
Capcom announced that microtransactions for Dragon's Dogma 2 will be removed from sale. This decision comes ahead of the release of the Dark Arisen expansion for the game.
Fortnite Fans Are Obsessing Over Its New Pokémon-Like Sprite Creature Collecting
Fortnite players are spending real money on eBay for rare in-game "Sprite" creatures, which are described as Pokémon-like collectibles. These creatures can be collected and traded within the game.
2 entire years after being raked over the coals for it, Dragon's Dogma 2 is removing a bunch of those silly little microtransactions that weren't even P2W anyway
Capcom is removing microtransactions from Dragon's Dogma 2, including the character editor and convenience items like wakestones and portcrystals, on June 25. These items were criticized at launch for their optics, despite being largely obtainable through normal gameplay. The removal comes two years after the game's initial release.
Two years later, Dragon's Dogma 2's pointless MTXs are finally going away, and it's getting a "permanent discount"
Capcom is removing most microtransactions from Dragon's Dogma 2 and will offer a permanent discount on the base game. This move coincides with the upcoming Dark Arisen expansion and aims to address player concerns about performance and in-game purchases. Some DLC items will be removed on June 24/25, while others, like the Explorer's Camping Kit, will remain available.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Stripped of All PS5 Microtransactions as DLC Nears
Capcom will remove all microtransactions from Dragon's Dogma 2 on June 25, 2026, ahead of the Dark Arisen expansion's release in October. This includes Rift Crystals and purchasable items like Gaol Keys and Portcrystals. The base game will also receive a permanent discount, and the controversial inclusion of these paid items at launch led to a largely negative user reception on PC.
Capcom discontinues Dragon's Dogma 2's controversial microtransactions
Capcom is discontinuing the Deluxe Edition of Dragon's Dogma 2 and several microtransactions, including those for character appearance edits and fast travel, on June 25, 2026. This change is in preparation for the release of Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, which will also see a permanent price cut for the base game. The Dark Arisen expansion, adding a new region and content, is set to launch on October 9th, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is Discontinuing the Deluxe Edition and Various Microtransactions on June 25th
Capcom will discontinue the Deluxe Edition of Dragon's Dogma 2 and remove various microtransactions, including Rift Crystals and Wakestones, on June 25th. The base game will also receive a permanent discount. This move precedes the release of Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on October 9th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Dragon's Dogma 2 discontinues deluxe edition - and withdraws many of its controversial time-saving microtransactions
Capcom is discontinuing the deluxe edition of Dragon's Dogma 2 and removing several controversial microtransactions, including those that offered time-saving benefits. These changes will take effect on June 24th, ahead of the release of the upcoming title update and the Dark Arisen version of the game. The base game and other select DLCs will remain available for purchase.
This New Open-World Pokemon Competitor Is Wildly Ambitious
Aniimo is an ambitious open-world creature collector game from Pawprint Studio, featuring a unique "twine" mechanic allowing players to merge with their creatures in combat. The game will launch in Q3 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and mobile platforms as a free-to-play title, with plans for over 200 creatures, a story campaign, trading, base building, and multiplayer elements. Despite its extensive feature set, Aniimo will not launch in early access, and the developers have stated there will be no gacha elements for unlocking creatures.
$80 Games Are Already Here
The video game market is already seeing $80 games, with Nintendo leading the charge on titles like Mario Kart World and upcoming Switch 2 releases. This trend is fueled by rising development costs and inflation, with analysts predicting more publishers will adopt higher price points. While some companies like Sony and Microsoft have maintained $70 prices, others like Take-Two Interactive have successfully implemented price hikes, suggesting $80 could become the new standard for AAA games.
Why So Many Great Games Hide a Casino Inside
In-game casinos have become a popular and reliable side activity in many video games, offering players a way to engage with simulated gambling using virtual currency. This trend is driven by factors such as pacing, depth, atmosphere, and the thrill of risk-free betting, while also helping developers avoid legal complexities associated with real-money transactions. The success of features like the Diamond Casino in Grand Theft Auto V suggests this trend will continue in future open-world and RPG titles.
The Daily Grind: Is conspicuous consumerism a problem in MMORPGs?
This article discusses whether conspicuous consumerism and 'whale culture' are problematic within MMORPGs. It explores how spending large sums of money on in-game items can be a display of wealth rather than genuine desire, and how studios cater to this behavior through microtransactions.
GOALS Review: An Ambitious Free-to-Play Football Game That Misses an Open Goal
GOALS, a free-to-play football game from Swedish studio Goals AB, has officially launched but falls short of expectations. While it offers decent defensive mechanics, the game suffers from static attacking AI, limited tactical choices, and significant pay-to-win elements due to abysmal pack drop rates and the absence of a transfer market. The progression system and use of generic players are interesting concepts but lack proper execution, making it difficult to recommend as a viable alternative to established titles like EA FC.