Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone are introducing their Season 03 Battle Pass and BlackCell offerings. New store bundles will also be available alongside the Battle Pass content.
Call of Duty Players Aren't Happy About the New Dave Chappelle Tracer Pack for Black Ops 7
Call of Duty players are expressing dissatisfaction with Activision's upcoming "Half Baked" Tracer Pack for Black Ops 7, which features comedian Dave Chappelle. The announcement has sparked negative reactions within the player community, particularly concerning the inclusion of celebrity-themed microtransactions.
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir sues Ubisoft over The Crew shutdown
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir is suing Ubisoft over the shutdown of its game, The Crew. Launched in 2014, the game was delisted in December 2023, and its servers were shut down in March 2024, rendering it unplayable. The lawsuit questions publishers' ability to revoke licenses for purchased games, impacting digital ownership and game preservation.
WWE 2K26 Makes Ringside Pass U-Turn Following Widespread Criticism, New Patch Out Now
2K is changing the Ringside Pass system in WWE 2K26 due to significant community backlash. A new patch has been released to implement these changes.
Halo Campaign Evolved Has No In-Game MTX Shop, So You Need To Drink Soda To Get Master Chief DLC Apparently
Halo: Campaign Evolved will not feature an in-game microtransaction shop, according to Halo Studios community director Brian Jarrard. However, a special "Fantastic Spartan Armor" skin for Master Chief will be available through a promotion involving purchasing Fanta soda. This re-release of the original Halo game is launching for PC, Xbox, and notably, PlayStation 5, marking the series' debut on a PlayStation platform.
WWE 2K26 Review
WWE 2K26 is reviewed as the best wrestling game on the market, but it offers little improvement over its predecessor and suffers from egregious monetization and a mundane grind. The Showcase mode, featuring CM Punk, is criticized for its objective-based unlocks and decline since WWE 2K24, while the in-ring action is hampered by a flawed stamina system and a problematic lock-on mechanic. Despite improvements in navigation for The Island mode, the overall experience feels shallow and engineered for constant engagement.
Rumour: Pokémon GO May Soon Render Auto Catchers Obsolete
Dataminers have reportedly discovered code within Pokémon GO that suggests an in-game auto-catcher feature is being developed. This potential new item could automatically throw Pokéballs and spin Pokéstops, potentially making current physical auto-catcher accessories obsolete. Speculation exists regarding its implementation, with possibilities including premium features or tiered pricing for different Pokéball types.
Pokémon Champions First Details About Price Reportedly Surface
Details regarding the pricing model for the upcoming free-to-start game Pokémon Champions have reportedly surfaced at PAX East. Potential costs include a $9.99 Starter Pack, a free Battle Pass, a $6.99 Premium Battle Pass, and a $49.99 12-Month Membership, though these have not been officially confirmed by Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.
Pokemon Champions price revealed
Pokemon Champions will be free-to-play on Nintendo Switch, with additional purchases available for in-game extras. A Starter Pack costs $9.99, a Premium Battle Pass is $6.99, and a 12-month membership is $49.99. The game is set to release on April 8, 2026, with a patch for Switch 2 and a mobile version to follow.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Demo Turns All Your Miis Into Homebound Advertising Robots if You Buy Them Clothes
The demo version of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has a peculiar issue where playing it too much causes all Miis to become homebound and robotically advertise the full game. This behavior appears to be a consequence of the demo's limitations and potentially a form of aggressive marketing for the complete title.
Videogames are more of a rich guy's hobby than ever, says analyst, and that's 'leaving a whole portion of the market to Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox'
Analyst Matt Piscatella suggests the video game market is increasingly catering to high-earners, leaving a significant portion of the audience to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. This trend, described as a 'K-shaped economy' for gaming, means those who can afford premium games get better experiences, while others are left with microtransaction-heavy titles. Piscatella notes that PC gaming still offers a market for cheaper, shorter games, and suggests consoles could adopt more nimble strategies to capture a wider audience.
"Nobody wants their games to look like Italian brainrot" - Indie publisher New Blood CEO urges devs to push back against DLSS 5 just like they did with NFTs and crypto games
New Blood CEO Dave Oshry is urging game developers to resist Nvidia's DLSS 5 and generative AI graphics tools, comparing the push to the backlash against NFTs and crypto games. Oshry and developer David Szymanski express concerns that these technologies are becoming mandatory, driving up costs, and potentially compromising game art and performance. They advocate for prioritizing consistent framerates, sharp resolution, and affordable hardware over AI-driven features.
What was most popular in the UK gaming scene in 2025 | Invision Game Community
The UK gaming market in 2025 saw continued expansion across consoles, mobile, and online casinos, driven by digital subscriptions and the launch of the Switch 2. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza topped sales charts following the Switch 2's release, while EA Sports FC 25 and Call of Duty remained popular. The mobile market thrived with free-to-play titles like Block Blast and Roblox, earning revenue through microtransactions.
Finally, a football card game that doesn't cost your soul
Nutmeg is a refreshing football card and management game that eschews microtransactions and corporate greed for a nostalgic 1980s aesthetic. While the core gameplay involves managing a team and strategically playing cards to influence match events, the article notes some frustration with card availability and a lack of deep strategic substance. Despite these concerns, the game's charming retro presentation and breezy pace make it an enjoyable experience for those seeking a glimpse into football management.
How much have I spent on League of Legends?
This article explains how players can determine their total spending on League of Legends. It acknowledges that the amount spent is often higher than players might expect.
WWE 2K26 Review | NoobFeed
WWE 2K26 is reviewed as a love letter to wrestling fans, but is hampered by microtransactions and the Ringside Pass, which require either significant payment or extensive playtime to unlock content. While enjoyable moments exist, they come at a high cost.
Hands On: Pokémon Champions Promises Top-Tier Battling, But At What Cost?
Pokémon Champions aims to be the premier battle game for the competitive scene, integrating mechanics like Mega Evolutions and Terrastalisation. While the accessible team-building and training systems are promising, the game's 'free-to-start' model raises concerns about multiple in-game currencies and potential pay-to-win elements, leaving its ultimate value proposition uncertain.
WWE 2K26 Review | NoobFeed
The WWE 2K26 review criticizes the game's consumer-unfriendly practices, particularly regarding DLC and special editions that still require significant grinding. The reviewer notes that the "ringside pass" further exacerbates the issue, making it one of 2K's least consumer-friendly offerings to date.
Minimo attempts to wedge a whirlwind MMO experience into 30-minute sessions
Low Drag Labs is developing Minimo, an MMO designed for short, 30-minute sessions where up to 200 players compete to gain experience and explore rapidly. This approach aims to deliver a whirlwind MMO experience within a condensed timeframe.
Baseball Hits 26 Review: A Home Run or a Strikeout?
Baseball Hits 26 is a free-to-play mobile MLB title from Ares Interactive that offers intuitive one-touch controls and high-end graphics. The game features licensed players like Cal Raleigh and includes strategic roster-building, competitive seasonal leaderboards, and three new game modes. While the game is fun and easy to pick up, its reliance on microtransactions is a notable drawback.