Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
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World of Warcraft players angry after Blizzard seems to contradict housing cosmetics policy with Halloween additions
World of Warcraft players are expressing anger towards Blizzard Entertainment following the release of new housing cosmetic items. These items, themed around Kul Tiran culture and Halloween, appear to contradict Blizzard's previous statements about not selling decorations tied to core racial or faction identities. The controversy highlights ongoing player dissatisfaction with the company's microtransaction policies.
GTA 6 Online Could Be Released In Early 2027, Bank Says
Bank of America predicts that Grand Theft Auto 6's online component could launch in early 2027, potentially generating significant revenue for Take-Two Interactive. The bank maintains a 'buy' rating on Take-Two's stock, citing the strong potential of a new Grand Theft Auto Online. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Blox Fruits: Keep Rolling or Save for the Fruit You Actually Want? - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide for Blox Fruits explains the differences between acquiring fruits via the in-game Gacha, the Dealer stock, and permanent Robux purchases. It advises players to set clear goals, budget their in-game Money and Robux, and understand what each purchase method provides to avoid disappointment and protect progression.
Aion 2's hardest fight is coming back, bigger and better, after being pulled from the free MMORPG's launch
The Ludra raid in the free-to-play MMORPG Aion 2 is set to return on November 4th with redesigned mechanics and new attack patterns. The raid was initially removed shortly after launch due to being defeated too quickly, sparking discussions about potential pay-to-win elements. NC is implementing several in-game events and login bonuses to help players prepare for the relaunch.
EA Has A New Plan For Madden, And It Leans Into Everything The Company Gets Wrong
Electronic Arts is planning a new 'social-first open-world experience' for its American Football games, tentatively called Project Gridiron, which aims to emulate NBA 2K's successful 'The City' mode. However, the article argues that EA's history of lacking patience, authentic voice, and community goodwill, coupled with its aggressive monetization strategies, makes it unlikely to succeed where NBA 2K has thrived. The piece highlights EA's past failures with similar modes and its tendency to abandon features, suggesting Project Gridiron is set up for disappointment.
The best-selling game of 2026 so far has a 3.2 user score on Metacritic
NBA 2K27 has become the best-selling game of 2026 in the US despite a dismal user score of 3.2 on Metacritic, indicating player dissatisfaction with microtransactions and developer practices. In contrast, Insomniac's Wolverine achieved a strong launch for Sony, outperforming recent titles.
Rykte: Bungie kan få utveckla Star Wars Battlefront 3
Rumors suggest that Bungie and EA Dice are potential candidates to develop Star Wars Battlefront 3, a game that has not yet been officially announced. Electronic Arts is reportedly eager to create a new installment in the franchise, with the previous title, Star Wars Battlefront II, still retaining a player base despite initial criticism regarding its microtransactions.
Runescape Reignited's cancellation is the right move, despite my own hype
Jagex has canceled Runescape Reignited less than two weeks after its announcement, citing community feedback. Associate Creative Director Ryan Philpott stated that the decision was made to avoid repeating past mistakes and to prevent alienating the existing player base. The cancellation comes as Jagex focuses on positive updates for the main Runescape game, including a new roadmap and the removal of controversial microtransactions.
Controversial Battlefield 6 XP changes have been reversed, with Battlefield Studios saying they were "unintended"
Battlefield Studios has reversed controversial changes to XP earn rates in Battlefield 6's Season 5, stating the reduction was unintended. Players had suspected the change was a deliberate nerf to encourage purchases of the new Ultimate Shortcut Kit. The article also briefly touches on Grand Theft Auto 6's eligibility for The Game Awards 2026 and Rockstar Games' ongoing employment tribunal.
Jagex skrotar Runescape Reignited efter kritik från spelarna
Jagex has canceled the Runescape Reignited project following significant player backlash. The proposed relaunch, which aimed to introduce new characters alongside existing ones with a separate economy and no microtransactions, was met with strong opposition from players concerned about abandoning their established characters. The company also faced criticism for using AI in a trailer for Runescape 4.
Jagex cancels MMO reset RuneScape Reignited after player backlash: "The last time we didn't listen to player…
Jagex has canceled its controversial RuneScape Reignited project, a plan to soft-reset the MMO with forked servers and fresh economies, following significant player backlash. The developer acknowledged that the plan alienated its existing community by potentially forcing players to abandon their accounts and pay for new memberships. This decision comes after Jagex previously faced criticism for the Evolution of Combat update, which led to the creation of Old School RuneScape.
Despite controversy, World of Warcraft: Forever's $30 Skyborne race is one of the Beta's most popular among…
Despite controversy surrounding the $30 Skyborne race in World of Warcraft: Forever, beta data indicates it is the fourth most popular race, making up nearly 20% of players. This popularity extends to the Skyborne Druid combination, even as Blizzard plans visual adjustments. The inclusion of the race with beta access is likely a contributing factor to its widespread adoption.
Riot Games has announced the end League of Legends Classic as an on-going mode, just three months after its release
Riot Games has announced that League of Legends Classic, a recreation of an older version of the MOBA, will be removed at the end of Season 3 in January 2027. The company cited that most players have returned to other parts of League of Legends. The mode may return in the future as a limited-time event with adjustments. Microtransactions for the mode were controversial, and players who purchased them will receive refunds.
Battlefield 6 Skins With Way Too Many Pistols and Spelling Errors Spark AI Accusations
Battlefield 6 has faced criticism from players regarding new character skins in its latest battle pass. The skins reportedly feature design flaws, including an excessive number of pistols and spelling errors, leading to accusations of AI involvement in their creation.
Battlefield 6 Now Lets You Instantly Unlock All Guns At 100% Mastery For $30
Battlefield 6 has introduced a new $30 'Ultimate Shortcut Kit' that instantly unlocks all guns and vehicles at 100% Mastery for all classes. This microtransaction has drawn criticism online for allowing players to bypass the usual progression grind, though some welcome it for saving time. The kit also includes exclusive cosmetic items.
Battlefield 6 Comes To Game Pass, As $30 Microtransaction That Instantly Unlocks All Guns Is Now Available
Battlefield 6 has been added to Xbox Game Pass, with developer Battlefield Studios also releasing a $30 microtransaction that instantly unlocks all guns and content. The game, which was 2025's best-selling title, also received its Season 5 update today, adding new maps and a server browser.
After modders removed Skate's live service bits, devs draw the line with tools that "bypass our systems to unlock paid cosmetics"
EA and Full Circle have stated they do not oppose player creativity or modding in the early access Skate game, but will draw the line at tools that bypass systems to unlock paid cosmetics or unreleased content. This stance comes after the popular ReSkate mod allowed offline play and custom content, with developers emphasizing that such actions harm creators and the development team. While not taking action against ReSkate for now, Full Circle plans to introduce deeper community creation tools in the future.
Fortnite’s new Hollow Knight cosmetics cost more than the actual game
Fortnite's new Hollow Knight cosmetic bundle is facing criticism from fans for its high price, costing more than the base game itself. The bundle, which includes a sidekick, backbling, and pickaxe, is priced at 2,000 V-Bucks, equivalent to approximately £17.49, while Hollow Knight is available for £10-£12. This pricing strategy, coupled with a limited-time availability, has led to accusations of greed directed at Epic Games.
Fortnite's Hollow Knight crossover items cost more than Hollow Knight itself – and Silksong, too
The new Fortnite cosmetic bundle featuring Hollow Knight items is priced at 2,000 V-Bucks, costing $22.49, which is more expensive than the base Hollow Knight game ($14.99) and even its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong ($19.99). This pricing strategy is highlighted as brazen and notably higher than the original game, which is frequently on sale.
To make World of Warcraft: Forever's controversial Skyborne less "jarring" to look at, Blizzard is going…
Blizzard Entertainment is addressing player concerns about the controversial Skyborne race in World of Warcraft: Forever by developing a Standard Definition (SD) model for them, which will arrive in early 2027. While the HD Skyborne models are currently available, the studio acknowledges they can appear jarring alongside the older SD models of existing races. Despite this addition, some players remain displeased with the Skyborne's inclusion and price tag.
