I caved—in a rather underwhelming, superbly unspectacular fashion. As I struck at the keys to register my Apple ID and credit card number, I was consumed by a nagging sense of trepidation. For years I’ve managed to starve off the temptation to open my wallet for these kinds of things yet here I was—feeding the microtransaction monster.
The game was Clash of Clans; a freemium strategy game, and the transaction in question was for a sack of gems. For all my years in gaming, I never did once cave to that flaming rifle skin, or that summer car pack, or that expanded inventory line, so it was hilarious that I was undone by an IOS game that only commanded my attention for five minutes every 12 hours. It was a paltry fee but that’s hardly the point. It was the principle, and betraying one’s ethics is a sin no?
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You can’t spell microtransaction without sin
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Yes it is. But what is it about microtransactions that warrant such an adverse reaction anyway? Well maybe because supporting it means supporting the unscrupulous trade of deliberately making content unavailable so as to profit more from it; or encouraging false advertising for games labelled free-to-play when a certain amount of monetary custom is clearly needed to take you through core content.
Microtransactions are fast becoming a bane for the modern gamer. However, there needs to be a distinction. There are acceptable instances of microtransactions – such as aesthetic additions in a free-to-play model. Here your patronage can be taken as validation of the developer’s good work. The unacceptable forms are in pay-to-win.
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Games are built to be fun. PvP and leaderboards aside, there is no fun in waiting nine days for my archer tower to level up.
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Even less forgivable is when there’s a competitive element involved. Be it leaderboards or PvP, buying to win is tantamount to cheating, and Clash of Clans is heavy on both. Games are built to be fun. PvP and leaderboards aside, there is no fun in waiting nine days for my archer tower to level up. To antagonize your patience then offer a remedy which is only obtainable with money is not exactly tasteful.
Ok so maybe I rant. But my beef here is not solely with the game but the trend in general. Given the recent success of the game this business model is bound to be replicated and strengthen with thicker, more comprehensive cash grabbing schemes. Regrettably, I’ve contributed to this eventuality, even if it’s only $5.99.
videogamer300 