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[Askherserenity]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

Nope. Loose gold pops out of crates

 

[Deleted member 325805]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

No, currency drops from the crates as well.

 

[『Inaba Resident』]

So many people justifying the micro transactions as if you work for Blizzard. I like Overwatch, but it's a full price game with micro transactions. And it's lite on content.

Whatever we get in the future doesn't offset the fact that the game as is sold right now for $60 is lite on content. Micro transactions on top of that is just gross.

Yeah, lets just ignore the specifics.

 

[Pasta_Soup]

This has probably been stated already, but...

OP is acting as if the characters are mute unless you spend money on loot boxes and unlock their voice.

The characters shout out stuff all the time while playing. They all have preset voice/team commands you can use at any time during a game.

The voice commands you unlock via loot boxes are simple one-liners that adds some fun to the game.

 

[MUnited83]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

You also get currency as a drop.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

yes, but this works in your favour eventually, since all you'll be getting are dupes given enough time. And it also drops in smaller amounts.

Edit: actually that's a lie, I remember I got a legendary gold drop that was like ..600 gold?

 

[Glass Shark]

I do wish they would add some daily or weekly challenges as a way to earn in-game currency. I wouldn't be surprised if that comes in a future update. But beyond that, I think Overwatch's microtransactions are just about the best that's out there right now.

 

[VariantX]

Bruh he watched 5 minutes on YouTube maybe. Hasn't even played the game.

You don't even need to play the game, just do some research or simply ask someone who owns the game or at least played it how it works. I pretty much learned from the public beta period how it works and will be picking it up as soon as I have the budget to spend on it since its both fun to play and it's a fair system.

 

[Polioliolio]

Yeah that's pretty shit.

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

It's definitely the accepted future though. Look at how quick people are to defend it.

It's not the end the world, sure, but it's a disappointment and affects my desire to play the game. I assume you can pay to unlock faster, right? That's where the design turns shitty.

 

[Pinko Marx]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

Straight gold is a loot drop as well. Anywhere from 50 to 500 AFAIK. There's probably even bigger gold drops.
The most expensive item so far is 1000, but we can expect more expensive items later most likely.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

This is definitely going to go down as one of the worst complaint threads GAF has ever had. So much false indignation is hilarious.

What's that word for the feeling you get when someone who is so wrong falls flat on their face and it feels good? Cathartic? This thread is cathartic. I hope it becomes a meme people reference for years to come.

 

[partyphone]

Yeah that's pretty shit.

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

It's definitely the accepted future though. Look at how quick people are to defend it.

It's not the end the world, sure, but it's a disappointment and affects my desire to play the game. I assume you can pay to unlock faster, right? That's where the design turns shitty.

it's all cosmetic stuff. you can easily ignore it and play the fun, fun game.

 

[Turdburger]

So many people justifying the micro transactions as if you work for Blizzard. I like Overwatch, but it's a full price game with micro transactions. And it's lite on content.

Whatever we get in the future doesn't offset the fact that the game as is sold right now for $60 is lite on content. Micro transactions on top of that is just gross.

Blizzard is offering a fully functional and entirely complete game for a one-time buy-in price. If you don't think that price justifies the amount of content that is in the game, then that's your opinion and that's valid. Don't buy it then!

However, the cosmetic microtransactions have nothing to do with the amount of gameplay content within the game. You are still playing the exact same game as everybody else even if you don't pay a penny.

I'm sure what I just said has been said already fifteen thousand times. The fact that it has to be continually repeated, even now, is pathetic.

 

[Pinko Marx]

What's that word for the feeling you get when someone who is so wrong falls flat on their face and it feels good? Cathartic? This thread is cathartic. I hope it becomes a meme people reference for years to come.

Schadenfreude. Pleasure through someone else's pain.

 

[Kawngi]

If this is the 'new low' I'd say they're doing just fine.

 

[Askherserenity]

Yeah that's pretty shit.

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

It's definitely the accepted future though. Look at how quick people are to defend it.

It's not the end the world, sure, but it's a disappointment and affects my desire to play the game. I assume you can pay to unlock faster, right? That's where the design turns shitty.

No. You haven't even played the game or know how the loot works and you're saying the design is shitty.

 

[Glass Shark]

So many people justifying the micro transactions as if you work for Blizzard. I like Overwatch, but it's a full price game with micro transactions. And it's lite on content.

Whatever we get in the future doesn't offset the fact that the game as is sold right now for $60 is lite on content. Micro transactions on top of that is just gross.

"Light on content" is a meaningless statement to me. Who cares how much "content" is in a game if it's not fun? I spent two years of my life playing basically nothing but Dota 2. That game has one map and one mode. Is that "light on content" to you? It doesn't matter to me, because it's the most exciting time I've ever had with a video game. Now Overwatch is close to taking that top spot for me.

 

[Forsaken82]

Thankfully, I don't care about Barbie Dressup that this type of stuff doesn't affect me...

I just want to play the game, and adding costumes, sprays, voice quips, animations, NONE OF IT AFFECTS HOW I PLAY THE GAME. You are playing games for all the wrong reasons if this is all you care about.

 

[Warnen]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

I got maybe 6-9 items on each character, every fucking box is 3 dups and if lucky a fucking spray.... Don't worry you gonna get currency...

 

[Deleted member 325805]

What's that word for the feeling you get when someone who is so wrong falls flat on their face and it feels good? Cathartic? This thread is cathartic. I hope it becomes a meme people reference for years to come.

I think this sums up that feeling rather well.

 

[Interfectum]

Yeah that's pretty shit.

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

It's definitely the accepted future though. Look at how quick people are to defend it.

It's not the end the world, sure, but it's a disappointment and affects my desire to play the game. I assume you can pay to unlock faster, right? That's where the design turns shitty.

lol

If by "defending it" you mean "calling out bullshit" then I guess guilty as charged?

I've already got enough in-game currency to purchase 40-50 voice taunts and I've barely scratched the surface of playing this game.

 

[kiguel182]

There are more than two ways of doing things. Hell Rainbow six siege has a better microtransaction system than OT in my opinion, it's a lot more clunky but at least in that you can save up money to buy what you want instead of praying for the rng gods. Sure the game has a Season pass too but the season pass only gives you the new characters week in advance and you get basically nothing else. Currently you can buy almost every weapon skin for in-game currency and all of the hats except one. Oh and all of the maps and characters are available for everybody in that game too.

You can pay for individual stuff with currency earned from drops or duplicates here too.

 

[Apathy]

Don't you get gold for duplicates only?

EDIT: Well if you can actually get the currency it's not so bad since it negates the random drops a bit.

No you can get them in boxes too.

See, do some people not even play and want to complain?

 

[Steve Youngblood]

I'm just going to ignore the specific complaints in the OP and pivot to a broader conversation about microtransactions in a paid game. And in that regard, I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I don't really want to incentivize rebalancing unlock progress to try to skew the results towards people paying actual money instead of naturally progressing. But on the other, I can think of examples of games that weren't built with microtransactions in mind (or at least microtransactions for everything) where unlocking everything can be tedious.

An example that comes to mind quickly for me is Smash 4's custom moves. You can't buy these with real money. They can only be unlocked via drops in game. The game has been out for over a year and a half now and that's still the case. So if there was a way to buy them, it's not like there would be a good case for arguing that this was the master plan all along. So in that regard, I honestly wouldn't mind paying a small fee just to unlock them all and be done with it.

I use that example because I almost feel like microtransactions can be a win-win. Companies get extra money from people happy to pay for a shortcut. And charging seems kind of fair to offset a feeling of unfairness from people actually putting in the work in-game to unlock this stuff.

But I also recognize that this can be a very slippery slope. How do you make sure that progress stays the same for people who aren't paying for microtransactions? Because the appearance of people willing to pay is something that I can recognize as sending a signal to try to incentivize paying. Can devs resist the temptation to make the natural systems to unlock more tedious? Even if they do, it's going to be hard as consumers to not be a tad cynical and wonder what might have been if there was no real currency option for unlocks.

So the tl;dr from me is that I don't think microtransactions are inherently bad, but I understand why consumers distrust them.

 

[maouvin]

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

What is a "reasonable time" to unlock over a thousand unlockables?
It doesn't take too long to unlock some great skins for a bunch of your favorites characters. But unlocking everything will take a while.
Because, like, there's over a thousand of them (accounting everything here, not only voice lines). And are all cosmetic.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

Schadenfreude. Pleasure through someone else's pain.

Thank you! ...although that sounds mean lol

https://67.media.tumblr.com/38a7e5c3cdb19099648cd3bb8f2fe19a/tumblr_o6sj0qnWvw1r1mwmdo1_500.jpg
I think this sums up that feeling rather well.

That works too xD

 

[MUnited83]

Yeah that's pretty shit.

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever, but this as microtransactioning at its worst.

It's definitely the accepted future though. Look at how quick people are to defend it.

It's not the end the world, sure, but it's a disappointment and affects my desire to play the game. I assume you can pay to unlock faster, right? That's where the design turns shitty.

Oh look, another guy that didn't play the game.
Those speech lines are the cheapest items in the game and you will get more than enough currency to unlock them just by leveling HP normally .

 

[Glass Shark]

It's totally okay to criticize microtransactions in games or not like them for whatever reason, but the big problem I have in this thread is the hyperbole. OP called Overwatch's system "a new low" and someone else said it's "microtransactions at their worst" when there are tons of examples that are far more insidious.

 

[Pinko Marx]

Thank you! ...although that sounds mean lol

Schadenfreude is a little mean spirited by its nature. But in same cases it's completely justified, like the delight I get in watching the Republican party being eaten by a monster of its own creation.

 

[E-flux]

Straight gold is a loot drop as well. Anywhere from 50 to 500 AFAIK. There's probably even bigger gold drops.
The most expensive item so far is 1000, but we can expect more expensive items later most likely.

I only played the beta and i was under the impression that it was strictly loot boxes and money from duplicates, if you can get money fairly often i don't see a big problem in this.

 

[azyless]

If it were feasible to unlock all of it or free in reasonable time or by defeating challenges, I'd say whatever,

You can though ? It'll probably take some time to get the legendary skins since they cost a good amount of money (or luck), but in the case of voice lines I've only played about 4 hours and I already have enough to buy my favorite line from each character if I wanted to + the ones I've already unlocked by leveling up.

And even if it wasn't, it still wouldn't be "microtransactions at their worst", where have all you people been for the past 10 years honestly, I could make you a list of dozens of full price titles that have actual gameplay elements locked behind paywalls.

 

[Ricerocket]

The lines are like simple one off lines that you just equip. The game doesn't come muted with no one talking and that you have to unlock them.

If it was so bad, you can be sure they'd get docked in reviews but the amount of talking, sounds and everything you get while playing the game with 0 unlocks is really well done.

 

[udivision]

If I saw all the skins and listened to all the lines in the beta, is that stealing?

 

[Uthred]

Or you know, people just happen to like this system because it's objectively better than 99% of all other unlock systems in Multiplayer games of recent times.

Not to sound like a dick (they say before sounding like a dick) but this basically proves the point you're objecting to. You can think the system is better than possible alternatives while still having issues with the way its implemented. It's like people saying you shouldn't complain about it because there are worse examples out there. "It could be worse!" is never a valid objection to legitimate criticism.

cosmetic microtransactions or paid maps/characters. pick one.

Can we pick a fairer method of cosmetic microtransaction?

I want to pick your brain on this because you have thought this out it seems.

How is a game supposed to continue development with free content updates--at a base $60 price point--without additional funding coming from another source? In a world where game development costs continue to rise along with consumer expectation, what are they supposed to do other than introduce microtransactions that are 100% optional (which, regardless of how you feel about the psychology of it, they factually are) and are incredibly unobtrusive in and of themselves.

Well to clarify my position, while I object to microtransactions in a full priced game on general principle I'm not ignorant of the fact that realistically the industry, especially the AAA part of it, has got to a point where for a certain genre of game they are inevitable, or a necessary evil. Regarding Overwatch specifically, I dont object to the microtransactions, I think they're tacky as I said but they are preferable to splitting the playerbase by selling map and character packs (in fact the game would be arguably unworkable if people didnt have access to all heroes). My objection is to the nature of the microtransactions Blizzard implemented. Blind buy random distribution (and from the data I've seen no fixed rarity) is a model that offers the customer a terrible return on investment, which generally requires and incentivises an increased spend from the consumer. It's also explicitly designed to take advantage of people susceptible to the addictive nature of its gambling aspect.

Blizzard could have introduced a fairer model where you can simply buy the cosmetics you are interested in outright (similar to the model used in games like DOTA2, Warframe, etc.). Monetising via cosmetics is a proven method so the only reason for implementing it in its current form is to generate increased profits from both normal and vulnerable consumers. Generating profit is what business's are supposed to do, but I dont think it's something they should be lauded for and certainly not justified by fans because "It could be worse!". Because after all it could be better.

The lines are like simple one off lines that you just equip. The game doesn't come muted with no one talking and that you have to unlock them.

If it was so bad, you can be sure they'd get docked in reviews but the amount of talking, sounds and everything you get while playing the game with 0 unlocks is really well done.

Have to agree, the game has a lot of character as its, the voice lines are amusing, but there's already lots of talking and specific character interactions (the actual lore part) that are unaffected by the voice lines. Honestly the only thing that would have been a worse foundation for the argument would be arguing that not having all the sprays destroys the experience.

 

[Interfectum]

I only played the beta and i was under the impression that it was strictly loot boxes and money from duplicates, if you can get money fairly often i don't see a big problem in this.

Yeah loot boxes drop straight gold too. I've not been paying attention to my gold as I barely pay attention to the loot boxes but I'm level 15(?) I think and I already got 900 gold.

If you play and enjoy the game the cosmetic loot and gold just comes with time.

 

[BebopMcJigglypuff]

Their system is no different from dota. I think buying heros in LoL or HoTS is way more scummy than what they sell here. As long as it's just skins and things that don't affect the game itself I'm okay with it. I'll never give them money, (besides the $40 up front,) but I have no problem with what they are selling or for how much here.

 

[Apathy]

So many people justifying the micro transactions as if you work for Blizzard. I like Overwatch, but it's a full price game with micro transactions. And it's lite on content.

Whatever we get in the future doesn't offset the fact that the game as is sold right now for $60 is lite on content. Micro transactions on top of that is just gross.

You pay 40 dollars once, and you never have to pay for a new map, a new mode or a new hero for the duration if the games existence. You would rather them not have microtransactions for cosmetic items and instead every 6 months to a year have to pay another 20 to 40 dollars to get the new things they release? Really?

What's that word for the feeling you get when someone who is so wrong falls flat on their face and it feels good? Cathartic? This thread is cathartic. I hope it becomes a meme people reference for years to come.

The Germans have a nice word for it. Now imagine Reinhardt is yelling it in the spawn, "schadenfreude my friends!"

 

[MMaRsu]

So many people justifying the micro transactions as if you work for Blizzard. I like Overwatch, but it's a full price game with micro transactions. And it's lite on content.

Whatever we get in the future doesn't offset the fact that the game as is sold right now for $60 is lite on content. Micro transactions on top of that is just gross.

The game isnt light on content.

What game doesnt have Micro transactions? Im not justifying them but this game doesnt nickle and dime you in any damn way.

Unlike other games who have the gall to cost 60$, have microtransactions and charge 40$ or more for a season pass, where they dont even tell you what you are going to get.

The hypocracy is strong here. Where was the outrage surrounding Uncharted 4? Battlefield 4? Star Wars Battlefront?

This game offers microtransactions yes, but I feel it does so in the least agressive way possible.

 

[PrivateRyan]

Look at how quick people are to defend it.

Or rather, look how quick you are to attack it, given you haven't played the game.

That's the most frustrating thing reading through this thread. There's a conversation to be had about microtransactions, sure, but OP picked the worst example on a game he hasn't played.

And people who have agreed with him haven't played it either - describing it as 'banter' rather than a single line of dialogue you select, suggesting that all dialogue is locked away behind a paywall, etc etc.

Those who have played Overwatch and understand the pre-game ritual of spamming dialogue and sprays in the few seconds before the door opens and the game begins understand that those few seconds are 99% of the instances where the single line of dialogue will be used, and thus completely irrelevant. But hey ho.

 

[SocksAndShoes]

Generating profit is what business's are supposed to do, but I dont think it's something they should be lauded for and certainly not justified by fans because "It could be worse!". Because after all it could be better.

It's not going to get better though. We turned that corner a long, long time ago when some of the first whales bought horse armor.

There's a reason this system is getting praise. This is literally the best we're going to get in regards to AAA games with MTs.

 

[Pinko Marx]

I only played the beta and i was under the impression that it was strictly loot boxes and money from duplicates, if you can get money fairly often i don't see a big problem in this.

Depends on your definition of often. It'll probably take a good bit of grinding (ie: playing the game) to get the legendary 1000g skins.

 

[Pantaghana]

Promised upcoming maps and characters are going to be free, but charging for skins and soundbites with no impact on gameplay is a "new low"?

Calm down.

 

[Interfectum]

Blizzard could have introduced a fairer model where you can simply buy the cosmetics you are interested in outright (similar to the model used in games like DOTA2, Warframe, etc.). Monetising via cosmetics is a proven method so the only reason for implementing it in its current form is to generate increased profits from both normal and vulnerable consumers. Generating profit is what business's are supposed to do, but I dont think it's something they should be lauded for and certainly not justified by fans because "It could be worse!". Because after all it could be better.

Valve gets a free pass in their loot store because the game is 100% free. I can't even imagine Blizzard attempting to sell a legendary skin for $35-40. Christ we'd have 20 threads a week here on that.

Honestly I'd rather have the chance of getting a legendary loot drop and/or purchasing the legendary with in-game gold than having Blizzard locking that behind a $10-20 buy.

Blizzard sells cosmetic items on HotS and I'd love to see them switch to loot boxes in that game too so I at least have a chance of owning the skin.

 

[SplitYourInfinities]

People really love to hate on Overwatch for nothing.

 

[kvk1]

This thread is a blessing in disguise honestly. I hope it can be of reference to lessen the hyperbole on future microtransaction discussions.

 

[Cave Johnson]

I want to pick your brain on this because you have thought this out it seems.

How is a game supposed to continue development with free content updates--at a base $60 price point--without additional funding coming from another source? In a world where game development costs continue to rise along with consumer expectation, what are they supposed to do other than introduce microtransactions that are 100% optional (which, regardless of how you feel about the psychology of it, they factually are) and are incredibly unobtrusive in and of themselves.

Let's talk about this statement for a bit: First you imply that "free" updates MUST come from "optional MT", in which case, the alternative scenario would be no updates if the MT did not meet the required of funding. This of course is NOT implied by Blizzard (if it was please point them out), which would mean you're making this all up just to guilt ride the people who are against MT in the first place.

Then there's the issue with $60 price point. Yes, games are getting more expensive on the run, but this is entirely on the scope of the developers and they are NOT required to go higher than what they can afford. If Blizzard could sell even 5 million at $60, that's 300 million DOLLARS, even taking the 20% share out for keeping, that is a lot of money for 1 game, especially in this generation. Going by the beta, reception they can make much more.

The point of MT is that it justifies an alternative funding for FREE games. That is when your argument makes sense. Just because you go AAA doesn't automatically mean charging a full priced fee gets to have the same benefit as well.

Just imagine the world you live in where MT's are mandatory for the escalating scope of development. That would mean the AAA industry is going to be even more saturated that it already is, because not ALL game genres resonate with MT receptions in the same way.

 

[psyfi]

I really really hate the "random box of goodies" unlock system. Halo 5 has it, too, and it drives me nuts. I just want to earn in-game points and choose the specific items I want... Cause really, there's only fifteen things at most that I'll ever bother with.

But oh well. It looks like this system is really successful, so I better get used to it.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Those who have played Overwatch and understand the pre-game ritual of spamming dialogue and sprays in the few seconds before the door opens and the game begins understand that those few seconds are 99% of the instances where the single line of dialogue will be used, and thus completely irrelevant. But hey ho.

Voice line, voice line, hello!, hello!, ultimate is charging, voice line "match begins".
After that all you hear that is user initiated are, ultimate is charging, thanks and healing...
Oh and Understood.

 

[BRocknRolla]

I really really hate the "random box of goodies" unlock system. Halo 5 has it, too, and it drives me nuts. I just want to earn in-game points and choose the specific items I want... Cause really, there's only fifteen things at most that I'll ever bother with.

But oh well. It looks like this system is really successful, so I better get used to it.

On the upside, you can get gold from the random boxes. That gold can be used to straight out buy the things you want so you don't want to wait for a random drop.

 

[MMaRsu]

It's not going to get better though. We turned that corner a long, long time ago when some of the first whales bought horse armor.

There's a reason this system is getting praise. This is literally the best we're going to get in regards to AAA games with MTs.

Exactly. I fail to see how anyone else can see it this way if you look at past examples of microtransactions, and how other games have done it horrible in the past, this is a good system.