Bit by bit, news about Diablo 4 is accumulating following its reveal at BlizzCon, and now it appears that microtransactions will be a part of the monetization model for the game. Screen Rant reports that the information comes from lead developer Joe Shely in a livestream broadcasted during the BlizzCon event. News of microtransactions in Diablo 4 may anger some, and given the climate within the video games industry, it's easy to understand why.
These days it seems like every game has some form of microtransaction, and the truth is that many games, particularly on mobile platforms, are little more than reskinned trash beneath a veil of “gameplay” that is enhanced by pay-to-win mechanics. Large developers are not immune either, as EA experienced the extreme scorn of the internet when it tried to pass off immense corporate greed as, “The intent is to provide players with a sense of pride and accomplishment for unlocking different heroes.” For Blizzard though, microtransactions are business as usual.
Microtransactions Are Not Only Good For Diablo 4, They Are Necessary
Long-time fans of Blizzard properties should be happy to hear that microtransactions will be a part of the game, even on top of the premium price they will be paying for the base game, to say nothing of future expansions and DLC.
For a Blizzard game to thrive and maintain the ongoing support of the company for long-term development, the game must in some way have an ongoing stream of revenue. Otherwise the game will suffer the same fate as Diablo 3, which in many ways ended up as only a shadow of what it could have been following the removal of the Real Money Auction House (RMAH), and the loss of its ongoing revenue stream.
A quick look at all of Blizzard’s current titles reveals that this practice is already in place to ensure that revenue is always being generated to justify ongoing development costs. Hearthstone has three expansions per year with pre-order bundles and individual packs for purchase, Overwatch has loot boxes for cosmetics, and World of Warcraft has a combination of expansions, cosmetics, and a monthly subscription fee. Microtransactions in Diablo 4 should surprise no one who plays a Blizzard game.
Of course, if the purchases conveyed any manner of power or skill upgrade like the ill-fated Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, then it would be reasonable to see fires lit and pitchforks sharpened. However, we are more than likely only going to be seeing cosmetic items sold, and expansion or new classes, like Diablo 3. The practice already exists in that game, though only in Asian markets where players can purchase individual pennants, portraits, and non-combat pets.
It should be said that as a concept, some may disagree with the idea of selling a full-priced AAA game only to then add microtransactions on top. Those individuals are free to vote with their wallets and buy other games, as there is no shortage of excellent content available these days.
However, the notion that microtransactions are a good idea for Diablo 4 comes with the viewpoint that there is little alternative for the game to otherwise exist within Blizzard’s monetization ecosystem. Based on the ongoing success of its other games, consumers have clearly voted in support of condoning that model.
If fans want Blizzard games, they need to be prepared to pay a premium for them. If on principle one will not engage in some behavior, and there is certainly an argument to be made against supporting such behaviors, they need only vote with their consumer dollar. The real question is whether Blizzard’s reputation will get in the way of Diablo 4’s success.
Blizzard’s Ongoing Controversy
There is no need to jump into another discussion of Blizzard’s immense and unwanted attention garnered throughout October and at BlizzCon. Suffice to say that the situation has more or less landed in an awkward space where Blizzard apologized for its actions against a competitive Hearthstone player but refused to undo the actions for which it apologized. Readers can click here for more on that, but the real question is how Blizzard’s reputation shift between will now and the release of the game.
With careful public relations handling, fans will soon forget all about their moral outrage. It already started happening thanks to some cool trailers. Or, again, people can choose to vote with their wallets and play something else. This may be reflected in the success, or lack thereof, of Diablo 4.
Source: screenrant.com