Microtransactions are a pretty popular word in the gaming community and have gained attention for both positive and negative reasons. Some players might as well go to a limit and say that microtransactions can spark a pretty heated debate in an online gaming community faster than any other fight. These small game purchases have evolved from being an annoyance to a massive factor that is now backing up the gaming industry. Over the years, microtransactions have changed the way we play and the way we pay for online games. Whether we talk about a limited edition, a character, or a massive weapon that can help us with the next challenge, these microtransactions have now become an irresistible part of the gaming landscape.
And let’s be honest: if you play online games like Blox Fruits, you may have clicked on a Blox Fruits shop to see what game items they have available to purchase. But have you ever wondered how these microtransactions are shaping the world of online gaming and how they can be both exciting and a little terrifying at the same time?
The Rise of Microtransactions: From Optional Extras to Essential Purchases
Before we were introduced to these microtransactions, online games had expansion packs. We are pretty sure that if you are a 90s kid who has grown up playing video games, you might be aware of these expansion packs. We all played a game for months or maybe a year, and then, one fine day, the game developers would release an entirely new set of levels, characters, or storylines for a premium price. These were called the expansion packs, introduced way before microtransactions, and offered additional content and rewards for those who wanted to enhance their gaming experience.
After these expansion packs became a little outdated, we were introduced to the era of downloadable content. These DLCs offered small and more frequent updates to the video games where players could pick what item they wanted to purchase next. Initially, the small updates seemed like a great way to customize the gaming experience and pay only for what we wanted, but then a lot changed after a few years when the gates opened to microtransactions.
We became aware of microtransactions when they were made available with free-to-play games. While these games were free to install and play as well, the experience wasn’t as thrilling as we had expected. Unless you were willing to pay the money, your gaming experience would be limited to basic levels and challenges that you could easily conquer in an hour or so. Since players were willing to make their gaming experience enjoyable, they started spending money on these transactions, and the gaming industry quickly realized how beneficial these small microtransactions could be.
While at first, these microtransactions were supposed to be micro, they were not. These tiny purchases add up quickly, especially when a player is willing to spend $100 on a special bundle that would only last them for 2 to 3 days. Nowadays, a lot of online games are so heavily monetized that it is impossible to play a particular game without spending a great amount of money.
The Impact of Microtransactions on Game Design
So, have these microtransactions only affected how we spend on games, or is there more to that? Well, after years of research, we can say that these microtransactions have also shaped the gaming industry and have had a significant impact on game design. Now, developers are not only creating games; They are creating them while keeping the monetization strategies in mind. Due to the shift, there have been some pretty noticeable changes in the way many online games are designed.
For example, if we talk about any video game with a progression system, this free-to-play title can quickly make you grind. If you want to level up your character, unlock a new weapon, or access a special feature, you will spend days, or maybe even weeks, working hard and trying to pass all these levels. Or you can simply take the easy way out and make a purchase from the game shop. While these games test your patience, they also know that you will cave and pay your way to the top of the leaderboard.
What Does the Future of Microtransactions Look Like
So, what does the future of these microtransactions look like? Well, we can say that it will more likely remain the same as long as people have enough money to spend. Gaming developers and publishers will continue to find new ways to incorporate these microtransactions into their games.
One trend that we will be more likely to see grow is the battle pass system popularised by games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: War Zone. These battle passes offer multiple rewards that players can unlock by completing some game challenges. The catch here is that to get the best rewards, you need to make a small purchase to get the premium pass. Battle Pass has been a successful model as it offers both rewards and a direct way to enhance your gaming experience.
Wrapping Up
So, whether you consider these microtransactions as a harmless way to support gaming developers or as an unnecessary evil, we cannot deny that they have revolutionized the gaming industry. These microtransactions have changed how the games are made, how they are played, and how well they can be monetized. And while the future of microtransactions is still debatable, one thing that we can save with confidence is that they are not going anywhere.
