Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
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FromSoftware's first experiment with, of all things, horse armor DLC runs awry, as Elden Ring players manage to spawn free duplicate items in multiplayer
FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment have released a patch for Elden Ring to fix an exploit that allowed players to obtain items from the Tarnished Pack DLC for free in multiplayer. The DLC, which includes cosmetic items for the player's horse Torrent, was criticized for introducing microtransactions into a FromSoftware game.
"The biggest L From Soft has taken in a long time": Emergency Elden Ring patch stops players from getting the…
FromSoftware has released an emergency patch for Elden Ring to fix a multiplayer bug that allowed players to obtain paid DLC items from the Tarnished Pack for free. This move has angered some players who view the $5 charge for the DLC as excessive and criticize the developer for prioritizing bug fixes for paid content over general game improvements.
NBA 2K27 Review | TheXboxHub
NBA 2K27 offers a wealth of content and gameplay improvements, including a new 'Fire and Concrete' career mode and the 'Running Mate' co-op feature. While not a major overhaul, the game provides a polished basketball experience with impressive visuals and sound, though microtransactions remain a concern.
Steam Has Generated $15 Billion In Revenue So Far, And New Games Are A Big Part Of It
Steam has generated $15 billion in revenue so far in 2026, according to Rhys Elliot of Alinea Analytics. Top-selling games like Forza Horizon 6 and Crimson Desert contributed significantly, with new IPs making up 63% of the top 100 new games by gross revenue. Future releases like Phantom Blade Zero and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 are expected to further boost Steam's earnings.
Genshin Impact devs' new action game Nodusfall feels like Elden Ring Nightreign at home, but don't write it…
HoYoverse's new PvE action game, Nodusfall, offers a darker aesthetic compared to Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, drawing heavy comparisons to Elden Ring with its mechanics. While it features familiar elements like a steed and bonfire-like rests, Nodusfall aims for a more accessible difficulty and includes dedicated healer roles, making it appealing to a broader audience.
'That's how you actually end a live service' — this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing
Developer Grasshopper Manufacture has released an offline, single-player version of its live service game Let it Die for $19.99, removing all microtransactions. This move allows players to continue enjoying the game after its servers shut down, a decision praised by fans as a positive example of how to handle the end of a live service title.
Sick: Ace Combat 8 has online airbase lobbies where you can bum around as your own bespoke pilotsona
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will feature online airbase lobbies where players can customize and interact as their pilotsonas. The game includes co-op assault and co-op warfare modes, along with special missions and battle passes. The author expresses excitement for the multiplayer features but disappointment regarding the inclusion of microtransactions and battle passes.
Rockstar confirms GTA 6 won't have microtransactions or generative AI at launch
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or generative AI at launch. This decision comes as Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, reportedly laid off its AI team earlier this year. The game will include gated content in its Ultimate Edition, but core gameplay will be free of these elements.
GTA 6 Will Have No Microtransactions or Generative AI at Launch, Rockstar Says
Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or generative AI at its launch in November. This statement addresses key concerns regarding the game's monetization and technological implementation.
GTA 6 doesn't feature microtransactions or AI, Rockstar says, but I doubt its take on GTA Online won't have…
Rockstar Games has reportedly stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or utilize generative AI in its development. While the absence of AI is expected, the lack of microtransactions in the base game is notable, though the article speculates that the online component may still be monetized.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Won’t Have Any Monetization or Use Generative AI
Rockstar North has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature any microtransactions or utilize generative AI in its development. While details on Grand Theft Auto Online remain undisclosed, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously stated that the game was built entirely by human developers. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Will Have No Microtransactions Or Generative AI
Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature microtransactions or generative AI at launch, according to Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson. This was confirmed by Kinda Funny's Andy Cortez and Greg Miller, who also noted that Rockstar emphasized the game's "human-made craft" in its development, contrasting with the use of AI.
Palia players grumble over a storage chest expansion silently added to the cash shop in latest patch
Players of the cozy mini-MMO Palia are expressing displeasure after developer Singularity 6 silently added a premium storage chest expansion to the cash shop in the latest patch. While the studio explains this is to help players with limited time and allows for more free cosmetic options, fans argue it contradicts promises of only selling cosmetics and points to a failure in game design for inventory management.
Asimov’s Foundation Is Getting A Video Game — Just Not The One Fans Asked For
A new game based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation universe, titled Foundation: Galactic Frontier, is set to be released on Steam. This title is a port of a free-to-play mobile game that combines real-time strategy mechanics with base building and hero collection, rather than the RPG that fans had hoped for. Developer FunPlus International AG has not yet provided a release date for the PC version.
Metro 2039: The First Hands-On Preview
Metro 2039 is shaping up to be a standout single-player first-person shooter, offering a refreshing alternative to the prevalent live-service model. The preview highlights the game's attention to detail and craftsmanship, suggesting it may become a favorite in the genre.
Roblox’s No. 1 Game Steal an Egg Was Pulled Hours After Reaching the Top
The popular Roblox game 'Steal an Egg' was removed from the platform shortly after reaching the number one spot and accumulating millions of negative impressions. The game featured a treadmill mechanic for players to earn in-game currency, which was criticized for its dystopian similarities to the Black Mirror episode 'Fifteen Million Merits.' The exact reason for its removal remains unknown, though speculation points to potential violations of platform terms of service regarding external video links.
Helldivers 2 Has Reached Nearly 23 Million Players in Its Lifetime
Helldivers 2 has surpassed 22.9 million players across PlayStation 5 and PC since its February 2024 launch. Sony Interactive Entertainment highlighted this milestone, noting its success as PlayStation's most profitable live-service title, despite Arrowhead Game Studios not being a first-party developer. The game also recently arrived on Xbox Series X/S in August 2025.
What Goes Into A Game Price Tag?
The article explores the factors influencing video game pricing, from the standard $70 AAA price point to lower-cost indie titles. Experts and developers discuss how production costs, market demand, and pricing strategies impact a game's success, with examples like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Mina the Hollower illustrating different approaches. The piece highlights that while some games command premium prices, others thrive by offering lower entry points to reach a wider audience.
Horizon Hunters Gathering reportedly scrapping live service elements following closed beta
Guerilla Games is reportedly overhauling its upcoming game Horizon Hunters Gathering, removing live service elements like microtransactions following negative feedback from its closed beta. The game will shift to a more standard co-op multiplayer experience with a smaller scope. Its fate remains uncertain as it must impress PlayStation executives by December.
The Sims 4 Drops Mean Girls and Clueless Kits on Aug. 27
Electronic Arts is releasing two new kits for The Sims 4 on August 27: one inspired by the movie Mean Girls and another by Clueless. Each kit will cost $3.99 and will include Create-a-Sim items and some build mode objects. The release comes amidst player backlash against EA's recent buyout by Saudi Arabia and ongoing concerns about game bugs.
