A Guardian riding a Titan Sparrow in the hit video game from Activision and Bungie, "Destiny." (Photo : Bungie)
Micro transactions in video games is slowly becoming the most profitable business for many studios. Already, it is the most profitable for "Electronic Arts," and it shows in the company's 4th quarter earnings report back in October.
Ove the years, gamers have been adamant to not support microtransactions, but in a world where this business is already huge on mobile platforms, it was only a matter of time before it takes the home video game consoles by storm. As it stands right now, "Electronic Arts" has proved to the world due to the successes in microtransactions as evident in its earnings report.
Interestingly enough, EA is not the only publisher doing big things with microtransactions. "Activision" and Bungie with "Destiny" have been supporting this business as well. Microsoft and "343 Industries" are doing the same with Halo 5 and its REQ system, and we expect several big and small developers to get in on the party come 2016.
What the gaming market is witnessing with microtransaction is a change in developer priorities. No longer will publishers and developers make $60 from each video game when it is possible to get players to spend more via this new business tactic that may or may not give some gamers a competitive edge over others.
Can gamers avoid the takeover of microtransactions?
From our point of view, it is too late for that, so the best thing players can do right now is to rally for a fair implementation of microtransaction in video games. No one should be able to use it to gain an edge over others, and games with this business tactic attached, all DLC content should be free.
Complaining without action will only make things worse for the future. If everything fails, then the best course of action is to only purchase video games that do not take part in this shrewd business practice. But hey, let's face it, that's not going to happen.
