Microtransactions: Where does it end?
The hot-button topic currently making the rounds of all the usual suspects in the gaming blog world is “microtransactions”. Of course, more specifically, “consumables”. The internets are in a tizzy from EA’s announcement that they will provide downloadable in-game money (for a fee) for the Xbox 360 version of The Godfather.
The general consensus is currently swinging between “Boycott EA!” and “Boycott Microsoft!”, however I’d like to step back a second and look at this as objectively as possible.
First, one of the most sensitive recent issues is one of pricing for optional or add-on content. And it is especially prevalent on the Xbox 360 as MS has provided publishers with a marketplace to provide (and, at their discretion, charge for) this type of content to console gamers. But, I find that there is a clear miscommunication between Microsoft, publishers, and consumers. Here is what I mean: Read the rest of this entry »
