Microtransactions Roundup: Politics, Expectations, and a Toplist

You know a lot is happening on the microtransactions (“MTX”) front if you start to compile multiple articles into one news post, which is what we are doing today. It’s not really surprising though as the industry itself knows that the model has run into some roadblocks. It long shows in the financial reports, as recent statements by a wall-street analyst confirm. Doug Creutz from financial service and investment banking firm Cowen said that angering customers with bag MTX “does matter”. He expects “a pullback on industry attempts to aggressively drive [microtransaction] growth as a result”.

That’s probably the kind of news critics of microtransactions have been waiting for. Companies are unlikely to listen to rage, but they do listen to their bank accounts. If they lose money, they will adjust course.

Support for players also still comes from politics as the Washington state senate has launched an investigation to look into lockboxes. As reported by MassivelyOP:

[su_quote]State Senator Kevin Ranker has introduced legislation there that forces the gaming industry and state gambling officials to determine whether lootboxes/lockboxes in video games constitute gambling under state law – and whether they target minors. According to the Tacoma-based News Tribune, Ranker is pushing specifically for regulation that results in the publication of odds for lockbox mechanics in video games.[/su_quote]

Last but not least, the gaming blog “Screen Rant” compiled a list of 15 titles that were ruined by microtransactions. Spoiler: Star Wars Battlefront claims the #1 spot. And hey, Neverwinter isn’t included! That’s kinda good, right? Although our game might just be too small to get mentioned there. Anyway, have fun reading through the stuff!


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