Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
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Diablo Immortal Crossover Is Once Again Better Than Diablo 4's
The recent Doom: The Dark Ages crossover in Diablo Immortal is highlighted as being more engaging than Diablo 4's similar event. While Diablo 4 offered free and premium cosmetics, Diablo Immortal provided players with unique gameplay modes, skills, and a boss battle against the Cyberdemon. This follows a similar pattern from a previous Berserk crossover, where Diablo Immortal's implementation was also considered superior.
Pokémon Champions release countdown: Exact date and time
Pokémon Champions will launch simultaneously worldwide on Nintendo Switch on April 7th at 7pm PT, with a mobile release rumored for June. The game will be free-to-play, requiring Nintendo Switch Online for multiplayer functionality, and will feature optional microtransactions.
Star Wars Eclipse's Fate Is Uncertain - Report
Star Wars Eclipse is reportedly progressing very slowly, with its developer Quantic Dream's future potentially tied to the success of its free-to-play multiplayer game, Spellcasters Chronicles. NetEase, which owns Quantic Dream, may re-evaluate its investment in Eclipse if Spellcasters Chronicles does not meet financial expectations. The game was announced in 2021 and is rumored to potentially launch in 2026.
Why Some Xbox Hits Feel Closer to a Casino Floor Than an Arcade
Modern Xbox games increasingly utilize retention systems like loot boxes and battle passes, borrowing psychological tactics from casinos to encourage continued engagement. Titles such as EA SPORTS FC 25, Overwatch 2, and NBA 2K25 feature randomized acquisition, ladder progression, and collection pressure as core engagement mechanics. While not literal casinos, these games employ uncertainty and the promise of reward to keep players invested in their service and sports loops.
Pokemon Champions price revealed
The pricing for Pokemon Champions has been confirmed, detailing the costs for the Starter Pack, Premium Battle Pass, and membership options. This information provides clarity on the monetization structure of the game.
WWE 2K26 review - High Flyer | TechStomper
WWE 2K26 is criticized for its consumer-unfriendly monetization practices, particularly regarding DLC and special editions that still require significant grinding. The article notes that the "accelerator" feature, common in previous installments, is absent, making the high cost of special editions feel unjustified. The author expresses frustration with 2K's business model, stating they would reconsider purchasing their games if not for the appeal of NBA 2K's franchise mode.
Poll: Do You Think PS5 Can Outsell PS4 with Its New Price Point?
This article discusses whether the PlayStation 5 can ultimately outsell the PlayStation 4, considering its increased price point and global economic challenges. Despite strong upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Marvel's Wolverine, the PS5's higher cost makes its sales trajectory uncertain compared to the PS4's historical performance.
Roadmaps and Plans
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.
