'Destiny 2' Unveils Shocking Microtransaction Upgrade, Leaving Fans Stunned
Unleashing a new level of controversy, an unsuspected franchise takes microtransactions in single-player gaming to unprecedented heights Gamers are up in arms as this infamous developer introduces split content and kits in The Sims 4, essentially turning the base game into a free trial
Video gaming, as a relatively new art form, faces challenges as it grows in popularity. One of the issues that has arisen is the problem of microtransactions, particularly with the advancements in technology and the rise of live services. Game developers are seeking to strike a balance between making profits from their games and ensuring that players do not feel exploited.
A recent video by YouTuber Aztecross criticizes Bungie for their microtransaction practices in Destiny 2, which have become increasingly problematic over time. Aztecross specifically highlights the introduction of Character Boosting and the ability to purchase Season Rank. According to Aztecross, these practices have pushed Destiny 2 into the realm of "pay-to-win". This brings to mind the controversies surrounding The Sims 4.
Microtransactions In The Sims 4
Online games are primarily responsible for the prevalence of microtransactions. Unlike single-player games, which are mostly unaffected due to their minimal use of live services and limited content expansions and updates, The Sims 4, a game owned by EA notorious for their mishandling of microtransactions, has recently faced criticism. The game has been accused of dividing its content across multiple packs and charging players for access.
Although microtransactions may not seem like an obvious issue in The Sims 4, the game has faced controversy surrounding its add-ons for years. The introduction of Kits sparked the greatest outcry, but concerns about content division and charges for previously included features were first raised with the release of The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs. This version of the game's pets pack was lacking many beloved features from previous iterations, such as small pets like lizards, birds, and hamsters, as well as horses from The Sims 3: Pets.
The Sims 4's Split Content and The Introduction of Kits
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Shortly after, The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff was launched, featuring additional content that many players felt was missing from the Cats & Dogs pack. This included new outfits for cats, dogs, and previously excluded small pets. It was a departure from the past, as players now had to purchase additional content that would have previously been included in an expansion pack. This trend continued with the release of Stuff Packs and Kits, which conveniently aligned with the theme of the most recent expansion pack, like The Sims 4: Cottage Living and the subsequent Country Kitchen Kit.
In January 2021, the Paranormal Stuff Pack was released to a highly positive response. However, it turned out to be the last of its kind, as the focus of The Sims developer shifted towards Kits. These Kits are smaller content bundles priced at $5, offering 15-25 build or CAS items each. This change has been in effect since June 2023.
Content packs like Kits release more frequently than any other type of content and often lack substantial gameplay. They mainly serve as cosmetic additions or potentially repurposed leftover content from expansion packs that is now being monetized. Typically, these Kits offer minimal content, making it challenging to fully furnish even a single room.
For individuals who enjoy playing The Sims 4 as a single-player experience, the overall cost of investing in all the additional content can quickly add up. The total expense of acquiring all the add-on content in The Sims 4 exceeds $1,050. While the game does not feature a "pay to win" mechanism, purchasing a significant amount of additional content becomes necessary to truly experience and enjoy the game beyond just a few hours of gameplay.
Another issue is that
The Sims 4 Base Game is Essentially a Free Trial
and coordinating the release of free updates, which makes the content feel even more inaccessible to players who choose not to purchase the new materials. An example of this can be seen in The Sims 4: Growing Together's recent Infant update. Although the new Infant life stage was provided to all players as a part of a free update, essential elements of Infant gameplay, such as changing tables and Infant milestones, were only accessible after purchasing Growing Together, which was released two days after the Infant update.
The difference between a Free Trial and Free to Play is highlighted by Aztecross, and this observation holds significant relevance in understanding The Sims 4's approach to content add-ons. While the core game of The Sims 4 has been available for free for several years now, many essential gameplay mechanics that add value to the experience remain locked behind expensive Expansions, Game Packs, Stuff Packs, and now Kits. This creates a confusing landscape for new players who are uncertain about what they need to craft the desired gameplay experience.
The base game of The Sims 4 has always been seen as a free trial due to its exclusion of essential gameplay elements and items, which has been a persistent issue since its unstable launch in 2014. Features such as pools, terrain tools, basements, toddlers, and complex mechanics like the memory system were initially left out. Although these have been gradually added through free updates, the community expressed their concern with the recent Growing Together update, stating that much of the paid content should have been included from the start. Additionally, the replacement of Stuff Packs with Kits has caused worry among players, as they feel it is a regressive step rather than addressing the community's concerns about paying twice for the same content.
The Sims 4 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One.
