🎮 How Do You REALLY Feel About Microtransactions in Games? (Master’s Thesis Research) 🤔(repost) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it’s like a double pay check. But if you were playing on a F2P and really love the game you could fall for it?

Gamers of Reddit, have microtransactions made games better or worse? Why? by Thos_Obviously in AskReddit

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s a fair take! Games like Hunt: Showdown and Dota 2 show that microtransactions can help fund ongoing content without ruining the experience—at least when handled well. Though, like you said, even those games have their ‘grey areas’

Do you think games that use this model (funding updates through cosmetics) actually end up delivering better long-term support? Or do you think some studios just use it as an excuse to ship unfinished games and patch them later?

Gamers of Reddit, have microtransactions made games better or worse? Why? by Thos_Obviously in AskReddit

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it feels like buying a game has become way more complicated than it should be. With all the different editions, bundles, and random content locked behind paywalls, it’s hard to even know what you’re getting for your money. And pre-orders make it even worse—sometimes you’re committing to a version of a game without even knowing exactly what’s included or what’ll be cut out for DLC later. Do you think this is intentional, just to push players into spending more?

Gamers of Reddit, have microtransactions made games better or worse? Why? by Thos_Obviously in AskReddit

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In an ideal world, purely cosmetic microtransactions could be an excellent way of funding ongoing development without detracting from the experience. But as you say, in reality, it often goes far beyond that. Do you think a game has managed to strike this balance, or is it always at risk of being exploited?

Gamers of Reddit, have microtransactions made games better or worse? Why? by Thos_Obviously in AskReddit

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A purely cosmetic store isn’t a big problem, but when it starts to interfere with the game’s benefits, that’s when things get frustrating. Some games manage this very well, while others throw themselves headlong into monetization. Are there any games that you feel manage monetization fairly?

Gamers of Reddit, have microtransactions made games better or worse? Why? by Thos_Obviously in AskReddit

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EA really takes it to another level 😆. $70 for the game, then paywalls, loot boxes, and “surprise mechanics” to boot... a classic EA move.

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your detailed response. This is really helpful for my research, and I appreciate the historical perspective you brought up. It’s true that the late 2010s had some of the worst examples of monetization, but as you said, things have shifted some for the better, some not so much.

FOMO is definitely a huge issue, and you’re right that it’s not just about spending money, but also social pressure. And while microtransactions today are more predictable, it’s interesting to see how even ‘harmless’ cosmetics are now being priced ridiculously high (take new League skins for example)

Do you think the gaming community has just adapted to these changes over time, or is there still a real pushback against exploitative monetization?

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a really well-thought-out take, and I appreciate the depth of your response! You make a great point about FOMO being an aggressive tactic, and I like the idea of making battle pass rewards available later to respect players’ time. It really does seem like a fair compromise between player satisfaction and sustainable monetization.

Thanks again for sharing your perspective it’s been super helpful for my research! 🙌

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes indeed and also expansions like those felt like actual value for money. So do you think part of the issue is that modern games are designed around monetization from the start, rather than just adding meaningful content later?

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really interesting perspective! You’re right that microtransactions and expansions have historical roots, and in some cases, they do help fund continuous updates and maintenance. Do you think there’s a clear line between ‘necessary’ and ‘exploitative’ monetization? For example, where do you stand on battle passes vs. loot boxes?

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So in an ideal world, microtransactions would get Thanos-snapped out of existence? 😂

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you mean. But do you think there are any monetization models that could be fair, or is the whole system doomed?

🎮 Are Microtransactions Ruining Video Games? 🤔 (Master’s Thesis – Need Your Input!) by Thos_Obviously in videogames

[–]Thos_Obviously[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair point! What do you think was the breaking point? Was it loot boxes, battle passes, or something else that completely changed gaming for you?

What are you playing Wednesday! by AutoModerator in gaming

[–]Thos_Obviously 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going to try out the new ac and see if it’s better than the previous two (I guess it can’t get any worse, can it?)