Microtransactions
Ongoing coverage on Microtransactions.
Latest coverage
Loot Boxes And Battle Passes Are About To Impact Game Ratings More Harshly
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating system is implementing stricter guidelines for games featuring loot boxes, microtransactions, and NFTs starting in June. Games with loot boxes will be rated PEGI 16, while those with battle passes will typically be PEGI 12, potentially dropping to PEGI 7 if spending can be disabled. Games featuring NFTs, social casino elements, or communication features will receive an instant PEGI 18 rating.
The Sims 4 modding community is disappointed by new 'microtransaction' marketplace
The Sims 4 modding community is expressing disappointment with Electronic Arts' new official 'Marketplace' for custom content. Creators are unhappy with the introduction of a new currency, 'Moola,' and EA's 70 percent cut of all purchases, arguing it exploits their work. The marketplace also raises concerns due to Electronic Arts' funding sources, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has led some creators to withdraw their support.
Valve speaks out about New York loot box lawsuit in rare attempt at damage control, saying ‘it would have been bad for users and other game developers’ to preempt situation
Valve has publicly addressed the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes, describing them as gambling. The company stated that the AG's proposed changes to its business operations would have negatively impacted users and developers on Steam, affecting privacy and the ability to trade in-game items.
Fortnite-valutan blir dyrare för att Epic behöver "betala räkningarna"
Epic Games announced that the in-game currency V-Bucks for Fortnite will become more expensive starting March 19th. The company cited increased operational costs as the reason for the price hike, meaning players will receive fewer V-Bucks for the same amount of real-world money.
Fortnite 'Save the World' goes free-to-play
Fortnite's original mode, Save the World, will become free-to-play starting April 16. Epic Games is offering pre-registration rewards and special items for current players as a thank you. This change follows a recent price increase for V-Bucks, the in-game currency for Fortnite and Fall Guys.
How Marathon avoids the mistake that Concord and Highguard made
Marathon is praised for avoiding the "Blorko" problem that affected Concord and Highguard by implementing a unique "Shells" mechanic for combat avatars. The game, developed by Bungie, launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, offering a fresh take on shooter gameplay with depth and flexibility. The article also briefly mentions other games like Crabmeat, Pragmata, Fortnite, Super Mario Lego, Never's End, Crimson Desert, and the lawsuit against Valve regarding lootboxes.
Marathon players are getting slightly more Lux and actual rewards in the S1 Rewards Pass
Bungie is updating Marathon's Season 1 Rewards Pass to include more desirable rewards and incentives for purchasing in-game currency, Lux. The changes address player feedback regarding the pass's initial lack of exciting content and the perceived poor value of Lux purchases. Future updates in mid-April will also introduce free Arachne-themed skins.
"It's almost as if they're trying to kill off the game": Fortnite faces fan backlash over V-Bucks price increase, while Epic lead argues "paying the bills" helps devs keep "building stuff you love"
Fortnite developer Epic Games is facing fan backlash over an increase in V-Bucks prices and a reduction in the value of the Battle Pass. Senior director Andrea Balta defended the decision, stating it is necessary to "pay the bills" and allow teams to continue developing content. Players have expressed anger and disappointment, with some suggesting the changes are detrimental to the game's longevity.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
RuneScape has increased its subscription prices after previously removing microtransactions. This move shifts the game's monetization strategy towards a subscription-based model.
Fortnite V-Bucks are getting more expensive
Fortnite's premium currency, V-Bucks, is increasing in price due to inflation. This change will affect players looking to purchase in-game items.
Epic raising the price of Fortnite V-Bucks because $5.7 billion isn’t enough to cover their costs, apparently.
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks in Fortnite, citing rising operational costs. The changes, effective March 19th, will affect various V-Bucks pack tiers, with some offering fewer V-Bucks for a higher price. The cost of the Battle Pass, Music, LEGO pass, and Fortnite Crew have also been adjusted.
Fortnite, the Biggest Game in the World, Wants You to Help Pay Its Bills
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks in Fortnite starting March 19, 2026, citing increased operational costs. While the pack prices remain the same, players will receive fewer V-Bucks per purchase. The cost of the Battle Pass will be reduced to 800 V-Bucks, and Fortnite Crew subscriptions will also provide fewer V-Bucks.
Fortnite increases price of V-Bucks currency to ‘help pay the bills’
Epic Games is increasing the cost of Fortnite's V-Bucks currency, with packs, battle passes, and Crew subscriptions yielding less currency for the same price. The company cites increased costs for keeping Fortnite running as the reason for the change, which will take effect on March 19. This move has been met with negative reactions from players who are already dealing with layoffs and dwindling profits at Epic Games.
Fortnite claims that it needs ‘to help pay the bills,’ so V-Bucks prices are going up
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks in Fortnite, citing rising operational costs for running the game and its platform. The price adjustments will affect various V-Buck bundles, with smaller increases for exact amount packs and a reduction in V-Bucks granted through battle passes and Fortnite Crew subscriptions.
MMO raises subscription prices less than 2 months after ditching microtransactions, causing a RuneScape fan revolt: "Way to show appreciation to your loyal players"
Jagex has increased the subscription prices for the MMO RuneScape less than two months after removing its microtransactions. Current subscribers will see monthly fees rise from $13.99 to $14.99, and yearly subscriptions increase significantly. This decision has led to backlash from the player base, who feel it is a poor way to show appreciation for their loyalty.
It's not a mirage, Crimson Desert's system requirements are here, and don't seem half bad
Pearl Abyss has released the PC system requirements for the upcoming RPG Crimson Desert, launching next week. The game will require 16GB of RAM, Windows 10 or newer, and 150GB of SSD storage. Minimum specs include an AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 and an AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel i5-8500 for 1080p at 30 FPS, while ultra settings for 4K at 60 FPS demand higher-end hardware. The article also notes the absence of microtransactions.
Epic says "the cost of running Fortnite has gone up," so it's increasing V-Buck prices
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks currency bundles in Fortnite, citing rising operational costs for the game. This change means players will receive fewer V-Bucks for the same price.
Epic Games claims the cost of running games 'has gone up a lot' as it hikes V-buck prices
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks in Fortnite starting March 19, citing rising operational costs. Standard packs will offer fewer V-Bucks for the same price, and the Battle Pass and other in-game purchases will also see reduced V-Bucks rewards. This change has been met with player dissatisfaction.
RuneScape's monthly membership now costs as much as a World of Warcraft subscription as Jagex announces its second…
RuneScape developer Jagex has announced a second price increase for its monthly membership, raising it from $13.99 to $14.99 per month and annual memberships from $99.48 to $131.88 per year. This change makes RuneScape's monthly subscription cost on par with World of Warcraft's in the US, and more expensive in some European regions. Jagex claims the increase will support an ambitious development roadmap, though players have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the perceived decrease in value.
Epic Games increasing the price of V-Bucks to 'help pay the bills'
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks, the in-game currency for Fortnite, citing rising operational costs. The price adjustments, effective March 19, will result in players receiving fewer V-Bucks for the same amount of money, though the cost of the Battle Pass and other passes is decreasing. Epic Games also highlighted its Epic Rewards program and the revenue generated through user-created content microtransactions.
