Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
Latest coverage
Quake Champions is No Longer Free-to-Play, Cosmetics Unlocked For Everyone
id Software has transitioned Quake Champions from a free-to-play model to a paid one, removing all microtransactions and battle passes. The developer has also made 30 seasons' worth of content available for free to all owners and confirmed no future content updates are planned. This change coincides with update 1.31, which introduced new weapons, features, and quality-of-life improvements, while also reducing server data centers.
UX in Micro-Transactions and Fast Payments for 2026: Balance Between Invisibility and Control - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The article discusses the evolving user experience for microtransactions and fast payments, emphasizing the need to balance speed with user control. It highlights how overly frictionless checkouts can cause anxiety, leading to the implementation of intentional speed bumps like hold-to-pay gestures and clear upfront pricing. The piece also touches on AI agents handling purchases and the importance of transparent feedback mechanisms to build trust.
Counter-Strike 2 update adds new 3v3 mode, music, and chicken eggs, but it's the last thing on fans' minds: "The game is slowly dying without a working anti-cheat"
A new Counter-Strike 2 update, dubbed 'Rush Hour,' introduces a fast-paced 3v3 mode, changes to Premier map selection, and quality-of-life improvements. However, the community's primary concern remains the lack of a working anti-cheat system, with many players expressing that the game is suffering due to its absence.
It's me, I am the whale
A player discusses their experience with a limited-time loot box event in Star Trek Online for the game's 60th anniversary. Despite acknowledging the irresponsible spending, the player expresses satisfaction with acquiring the new Constitution Pilot Multi-Mission Cruiser.
Aniimo – How To Get And Use Radiant Dreamshadow
This guide explains how to obtain and use Radiant Dreamshadow in the free-to-play creature-catching game Aniimo. Radiant Dreamshadow is a rare currency used to re-roll the appearance of legendary Aniimo, a purely cosmetic change. Currently, it can only be acquired through the paid Companion Handbook reward track.
World of Warcraft follows up BlizzCon with WoW retail and Forever Q&A
Blizzard Entertainment held a developer Q&A following BlizzCon 2026 to address community questions about World of Warcraft retail and World of Warcraft Forever. The discussion covered upcoming faction-specific stories, new class/race combinations, a roguelike mode, transmog restrictions, and content for Wrath of the Lich King Classic. For World of Warcraft Forever, the developers confirmed GDKP will be absent, defended the Skyborn Elves, and stated plans to combat gold selling and RMT.
EA Sports FC 27 review - the best football game since FIFA
EA Sports FC 27 is a strong entry in the football simulation series, significantly improving upon its predecessor with enhanced gameplay mechanics and the addition of 'The Grounds,' a new social hub. Manager Career mode has been extensively revamped for greater realism, and while microtransactions remain a concern, the overall experience is considered one of the best in the franchise's history.
Monster Hunter Wilds Ending Paid Character Editing On December 3rd
Capcom announced that paid Character Edit Vouchers for Monster Hunter Wilds will be discontinued after an update on December 3, 2026. The change aims to make character editing more seamless and less expensive ahead of the Ascendance expansion, which is set to launch in 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Capcom is finally removing scummy character customization vouchers from Monster Hunter Wilds, players immediately dance…
Capcom has announced that character edit vouchers, which required real money purchases for appearance changes in Monster Hunter Wilds, will be removed from the game. This change will be implemented with the launch of the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion in 2027, and players will be able to re-edit their characters freely. The decision has been met with widespread approval from the game's community, who have long criticized these microtransactions.
PlayStation Store Adds Intriguing New PS5 Adventure Game for Free
Five-BN Studios' hidden-object puzzle game, Legendary Tales 1: Stolen Life, is now available for free on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5 players. The game, previously released on PC and smartphones, features Lucia on a quest to rescue her brother from a witch by solving puzzles and finding hidden objects. While the base game is free, it includes optional microtransactions for skipping puzzles and unlocking bonus content.
GTA 6 soundtrack up for pre-order and unlike the game will be on a disc
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are releasing a 36-track soundtrack album for Grand Theft Auto 6, available on disc and vinyl alongside the game's launch. The album features new singles from artists like Travis Scott and Keith Richards, with physical pre-orders available on Rockstar's website and other retailers. This contrasts with the game itself, which will not have a physical disc release.
How to Get an Aniimo Fulminous Soul [Fulmintis Obtainment]
This guide explains how to obtain the Aniimo Fulminous Soul, a necessary item for evolving Wisptis into Fulmintis in the game Aniimo. The Fulminous Soul is exclusively obtained through the paid Advanced Edition's Companion Handbook, requiring players to reach level 10. The article discusses whether Fulmintis is worth the real-money investment, noting its powerful Lightning-based skills but also the availability of free Lightning-type Aniimo.
Aniimo – How To Collect “Shiny” Sparkling Aniimo
This guide explains how to find and collect rare "shiny" sparkling Aniimo variants in the game Aniimo. It details methods such as wild spawns, egg hatching (including rare Sparkling Eggs), and using Sparkling Cubes obtained through in-game currency or microtransactions.
'The future of humanity' depends on kids playing Fortnite claims Epic Games boss
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has controversially claimed that Fortnite is crucial for the development of the next generation of humanity, in response to potential EU bans on children playing online games. The article criticizes Sweeney's comparison of games to traditional creative outlets and highlights concerns regarding microtransactions and content safety within Fortnite and Roblox.
Monster Hunter Wilds Players Get Free Edits Before Unlimited Changes
Capcom is removing Edit Vouchers from Monster Hunter Wilds digital storefronts on December 3, providing players with 10 free Character and 10 free Palico Edit Vouchers. Next year, with the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance update, all players will receive unlimited free appearance edits for their hunter and Palico, regardless of whether they purchase the expansion. Players who previously bought vouchers will receive a special pendant set instead of a refund.
Monster Hunter Wilds will soon stop charging players to edit their characters as Capcom scraps the game's worst microtransaction
Capcom is removing the controversial microtransaction for character edits in Monster Hunter Wilds, effective December 3. Players will receive free edit vouchers, and future expansions like Ascendance will offer unlimited free edits. While players who previously paid for edits will not be refunded, they will receive a special in-game pendant set as compensation.
Free-to-play Pokemon and Palworld-like Aniimo launches to "Mixed" Steam reviews: "It's very much a…
The free-to-play creature collector Aniimo, developed by Pawprint Studio, has launched on PC and consoles to a "Mixed" reception on Steam. While praised for its cute visuals and comparisons to Palworld and Infinity Nikki, many negative reviews cite aggressive monetization, predatory gacha mechanics, and pay-to-win elements as significant drawbacks.
Blizzard is aware Overwatch fans are tired of seeing its fanciest skins go to the same heroes and it's 'the…
Overwatch 2 players are frustrated with Blizzard Entertainment's perceived favoritism in distributing new skins, particularly the expensive Mythic skins. Heroes like Kiriko and Genji have received multiple high-tier skins, while others have received very few, leading to player dissatisfaction. Art director Dion Rogers acknowledged the feedback and stated the team will work on a more even distribution in the future.
World of Warcraft: Forever has a new race you can't get without paying $30, and it's not the first impression fans were hoping for: "They are just blue elves"
Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming World of Warcraft: Forever expansion will feature a new race, the Skyborne, which is locked behind a $29.99 paywall. This pricing strategy has drawn significant criticism from fans on Reddit, who also feel the new race's design is uninspired and too similar to existing elf races. The company has yet to comment on the controversy.
World of Warcraft Forever aims to combat dungeon boosting, says ‘no plans’ for WoW Tokens
Blizzard Entertainment has stated that its upcoming World of Warcraft Forever will not include the WoW Token or paid character boosts, at least for now. The developers have also significantly reduced XP gained from killing monsters in dungeons, while increasing XP from completing dungeon quests to combat instance spamming and paid boosting services.
