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[Worldshaker]

I'm ok with the current model, but I have nothing to look forward to.

I would play this game much more if they had some unique unlocks that you had to earn. I only play when my friends are online now. I never play solo since there is nothing to gain. Account level mean literally nothing. You can buy everything. At least League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm have things to look forward to (And yes I know this isn't a MOBA), even when playing solo.

 

[Ferrio]

I'm ok with the current model, but I have nothing to look forward to.

I would play this game much much more if they had some unique unlocks that you had to earn. I only play when my friends are online now. I never play solo since there is nothing to gain. Account level mean literally nothing. You can buy everything. At least League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm have things to look forward to, even when playing solo.

You could play to have fun? Just a suggestion.

 

[notaskwid]

You could play to have fun? Just a suggestion.

Maybe it's not that fun to play alone.

 

[Chairmanchuck]

Maybe it's not that fun to play alone.

Its a MP game. I think people know what to expect when they buy it.

 

[GrandHarrier]

I'm ok with the current model, but I have nothing to look forward to.

I would play this game much more if they had some unique unlocks that you had to earn. I only play when my friends are online now. I never play solo since there is nothing to gain. Account level mean literally nothing. You can buy everything. At least League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm have things to look forward to (And yes I know this isn't a MOBA), even when playing solo.

You could play to have fun? Just a suggestion.

I used to play Unreal Tournament multiplayer all the time. Didn't have a single thing to level up or unlock. I just played because it was fun.

Those were good times. Too bad they're gone now. I need my XP bars or it's like why even bother?

 

[eiskaltnz]

This is an amazing thread.

Like many people in here I have no problem with cosmetic unlocks, especially if they allow for free content. All Valve multiplayer game do this and I find it great.

 

[Suzushiiro]

I mean, we'd all love it if the game was supported by regular free content updates for years to come, but that's not financially practical for anyone- the closest we've seen to that is Splatoon, but even that was only for six months. You have to have some sort of revenue stream beyond the initial purchase if you want to justify that, and charging for cosmetic items is the most harmless way to do that, especially for a game like Overwatch where there's no viable way to charge for any sort of post-launch non-cosmetic content that doesn't either fragment the playerbase or compromise the gameplay.

And regardless, y'all are either delusional or not paying attention if you think that this is anywhere near a "new low."

 

[Rizific]

You could play to have fun? Just a suggestion.

The carrot on a stick thing has got its claws deep into some people nowadays. Absolutely disgusting. "I have nothing to look forward too". I remember when playing the game to get better was all the reward I needed. Now I need +100s and xp unlocks to have fun. /s

 

[Aselith]

I used to play Unreal Tournament multiplayer all the time. Didn't have a single thing to level up or unlock. I just played because it was fun.

Those were good times. Too bad they're gone now. I need my XP bars or it's like why even bother?

There is an XP bar tho

 

[besada]

I like Overwatch. I also think the way they do microtransactions is pretty reasonable. If you don't feel that way, I suggest you don't play the game. Like horse armor, no one is making you purchase it. I haven't spent a dime past the buy in cost, and I likely won't. Which means I'm playing a great game for $40, which is being subsidized by folks who want to wear pretty clothing and say funny things while they kill people. I don't really need to do either of those things, so I largely ignore the loot boxes and play the game.

Which is great.

I understand some people are against any sort of microtransaction, and that's fine, too. I think it ignores reality a little bit, because we're long past any reasonable discussion on whether we should have microtransactions or not. It's like arguing about the Articles of Confederation at this point. They're here, they aren't going anywhere, and you can complain about them as much as you like, but simply saying "No microtransactions!" is basically just noise to developers at this point. The discussion has moved on from whether they exist or not, to how best to do them.

 

[Chairmanchuck]

This is an amazing thread.

Like many people in here I have no problem with cosmetic unlocks, especially if they allow for free content. All Valve multiplayer game do this and I find it great.

The Valve MP games lock certain skins/weapons in loot boxes you can only open with a bought key.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

I covered this earlier.. The problem is a misconception on what the "money" is in Overwatch.

People equate it to gold in Hearthstone, but it's not.

The credits should not be something locked away in loot boxes nor should they be something given away constantly.

But I don't see the issue with having a daily "win a quick match - 25 credits" and maybe a 10 credits reward for getting an "epic" on the end of match votes once a day. Just small ways a person can edge their way towards the unlocks they actually want without leaving it to an RNG box on level up.

How long would you estimate to takes to level up? I'd say it takes about 5 or 6 victories. Which is about an hour and a half. But for an average person who has a win % of 50% it's gonna be more like every 2 and a half hours.

I think that paying real money for the boxes is fine, the thing that's not okay is how infrequent it is for you to get the boxes with normal play.

 

[Aselith]

The Valve MP games lock certain skins/weapons in loot boxes you can only open with a bought key.

He meant if the game part is free not all the skins

 

[Holdfing]

I'm sure it was already mentioned, but imo the CS:GO and TF2 microtransactions are way worse.

 

[jon bones]

I bet publishers (specially Blizzard) are delighted reading the responses in this thread.

i hope so - microtransactions aren't going anywhere and this is the ideal model for them

 

[Pompadour]

The credits should not be something locked away in loot boxes nor should they be something given away constantly.

But I don't see the issue with having a daily "win a quick match - 25 credits" and maybe a 10 credits reward for getting an "epic" on the end of match votes once a day. Just small ways a person can edge their way towards the unlocks they actually want without leaving it to an RNG box on level up.

How long would you estimate to takes to level up? I'd say it takes about 5 or 6 victories. Which is about an hour and a half. But for an average person who has a win % of 50% it's gonna be more like every 2 and a half hours.

I think that paying real money for the boxes is fine, the thing that's not okay is how infrequent it is for you to get the boxes with normal play.

There should be challenges to get small amount of credits and those challenges can range from capping so many points or doing so much of a character specific thing. Encourage you to play different characters and to do things that help the team.

 

[Ferrio]

There should be challenges to get small amount of credits and those challenges can range from capping so many points or doing so much of a character specific thing. Encourage you to play different characters and to do things that help the team.

I *really* hope they don't put in character specific challenges. I don't want people picking a character just because they need to get a daily done, regardless if the match requires that character or not.

 

[Chairmanchuck]

I *really* hope they don't put in character specific challenges. I don't want people picking a character just because they need to get a daily done, regardless if the match requires that character or not.

Yeah. Thats not good. I remember when Valve had the extra achievements and unlocks when they introduced new weapons for classes in TF2.

Like 90% of the players were engineer, pyro etc. during those days.

 

[Complistic]

I played in beta/alpha when there was no unlock system. The current unlock system is better than nothing. Especially considering this completely cosmetic shop is replacing paid map dlc which we all know actiblizzard is super fond of.

 

[Worldshaker]

The carrot on a stick thing has got its claws deep into some people nowadays. Absolutely disgusting. "I have nothing to look forward too". I remember when playing the game to get better was all the reward I needed. Now I need +100s and xp unlocks to have fun. /s

When the game rewards you more for spending real cash than actually playing the game. Yes I do feel that's a little unfair. Cosmetic or not.

I can spend 100 hours or just drop $80 and unlock more stuff.

I've been playing multiplayer games since the SNES days that had no carrots on the stick to go after. I think todays market is a little different with games like TF2, Counter Strike, LoL, Heroes of the Storm, Battleborn, etc.

 

[Aselith]

When the game rewards you more for spending real cash than actually playing the game. Yes I do feel that's a little unfair. Cosmetic or not.

I can spend 100 hours or just drop $80 and unlock more stuff.

I've been playing multiplayer games since the SNES days that had no carrots on the stick to go after. I think todays market is a little different with games like TF2, Counter Strike, LoL, Heroes of the Storm, Battleborn, etc.

Uh what? Of course it rewards you more for spending real cash because you're spending real cash. But if you buy it all, you no longer have the carrot and since that's what keeps you playing...why would you do that?

Until the shit has a gameplay effect who even cares? Do you want your reward spread out over time or pay a bunch of cash to get it all at once and then have nothing to keep you playing except the game?

 

[jotun?]

I never play solo since there is nothing to gain. Account level mean literally nothing. You can buy everything. At least League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm have things to look forward to (And yes I know this isn't a MOBA), even when playing solo.

I think I know just the right game for you!

 

[HoodWinked]

you didnt even mention the worst part you can still get duplicates in loot boxes which makes things a bit ridiculous.

 

[Aselith]

you didnt even mention the worst part you can still get duplicates in loot boxes which makes things a bit ridiculous.

Do you get coins for those or just nada?

 

[herod]

This thread is a real triumph of modern videogaming.

 

[VariantX]

Do you get coins for those or just nada?

The dupes get turned into coins.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

you didnt even mention the worst part you can still get duplicates in loot boxes which makes things a bit ridiculous.

Which turn into coins to help you buy what you want. I don't see the problem here.

 

[wipeout364]

I find the comparison's with team fortress strange. This is a 60 dollars retail product ; why are we feeling the need to discuss the long term money generating ability through micro transactions when the game came out a week ago. If this was a discounted game I could see it or free like league or team fortress but the whole game is multiplayer with what seems like very few maps. I bought the game but it still irritates me to see loot boxes for sale day one. I would have thought blizzard would be better than EA but I guess there's no difference anymore.
A better approach is to release custom skins and charge for them. Random loot boxes to me are the absolute worst dlc approach and anybody who uses that approach loses a lot of respect in my books( which I realize is just about every game company going except riot).

 

[ChrisD]

It is pretty funny that Dark Souls is brought up, because Overwatch has seemed like GAF's FPS Soulsborne in my mind for the past two weeks lol.

They're both great games(/series) but it does seem like people's hype for them is beyond the norm.


As for this topic itself, I really don't think this is a low at all. Call me a weak-minded individual, but I enjoy something to work towards. Especially if it's just small enough to be cool (a voice line) but not big enough to be something that you're annoyed to not have access to (a weapon/character/ability/etc). And due to my past with Pokemon Card packs and lots of Monster Hunter time, a bit of random opening is always fun. It CAN get to be frustrating, but not very often at all.

 

[Jobbs]

I think this is exactly the kind of thing that should be monetized as microtransactions, OP. It's fun/cute/lets you express yourself but has no bearing on the gameplay whatsoever.

Can't agree

 

[partime]

Where do you purchase loot with coins?

I feel Overwatch purposely skips my most used characters when it comes random loot.

 

[GReeeeN]

At least when you get a box, you can unlock it for FREE

Games like CS:GO give you the box but then make you pay $3+ to open it

 

[SlightySweatyPanda]

You literally don't have to buy anything and can still earn all of it. Also, every single unlock is cosmetic. I have 0 problems with this

 

[Jobbs]

Where do you purchase loot with coins?

I feel Overwatch purposely skips my most used characters when it comes random loot.

This is bothering me. I mainly focus on like 3 characters and all my loot is for everyone else. XD Hopefully one day I get a skin for a character I play!

 

[Ferrio]

Where do you purchase loot with coins?

I feel Overwatch purposely skips my most used characters when it comes random loot.

In the hero gallery.

 

[HoodWinked]

Do you get coins for those or just nada?

Which turn into coins to help you buy what you want. I don't see the problem here.

The dupes get turned into coins.

you get 5 coins if you get a duplicate that costs 25.
and you get 15 coins for something that costs 75.

you basically get nothing.

 

[Ken]

So, how are microtransactions any better than those options?

That's implying I'm given all three options to unlock things in video game xyz.

When my only options to skin X is to patiently RNG to it every level up or to just buy out the currency and drop chances, I'd usually prefer the latter given decent real money prices on the stuff so microtransactions end up being "good" for me due to convenience.

 

[Hero Prinny]

Too many sprays. I've gotten 3 boxes in a row of just sprays. I dont care about sprays. Loot boxes are rigged.

 

[Aselith]

you get 5 coins if you get a duplicate that costs 25.
and you get 15 coins for something that costs 75.

you basically get nothing.

That's not bad. 5 dupes trade in for 1 item that you can pick.

 

[Deleted member 325805]

Too many sprays. I've gotten 3 boxes in a row of just sprays. I dont care about sprays. Loot boxes are rigged.

3? That's adorable. I nearly hit 20 triple grey crates before finally breaking the cycle, only to return straight back to it afterwards.

 

[Paches]

Too many sprays. I've gotten 3 boxes in a row of just sprays. I dont care about sprays. Loot boxes are rigged.

Rigged is a strong term, but there is is a rarity system, so I mean yeah, there is a more often than not chance to get common items such as sprays.

 

[Glass Shark]

I *really* hope they don't put in character specific challenges. I don't want people picking a character just because they need to get a daily done, regardless if the match requires that character or not.

I agree it would be tricky to pull off in a team game, but I think there are ways to make this work, and if there are, Blizzard will figure them out. I think you could even make challenges that incentivize players to get better. Like, "Win 3 games while filling an empty role on your team."

 

[Glass Shark]

EDIT: Sorry for double post.

 

[//ARCANUM]

Dude... what? Overwatch is one of the best examples of how to do a game right in today's world of micro transactions being in everything. You can earn every single thing in the game without spending a penny. And all the stuff that you earn is just fluff! This is a perfect way to do it.

 

[hemo memo]

Microtransactions itself in a fully priced title is a new low.

You pay full price for the product, now microtransactions are there becuase they want you to pay them to support the product.

It's funny if we look at CD Projekt for example in comparison.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

You pay full price for the product, now microtransactions are there becuase they want you to pay them to support the product.

It's funny if we look at CD Projekt for example in comparison.

You mean the free DLCs which were probably ready for the main game and then held back for PR reasons?

Like, they did a fantastic job with that game, but let's not pretend that that content only existed because of the DLC plan.

 

[keltickennedy]

It's all cosmetic. Let's just be glad there isn't an Overwatch auction house.

 

[hemo memo]

You mean the free DLCs which were probably ready for the main game and then held back for PR reasons?

Like, they did a fantastic job with that game, but let's not pretend that that content only existed because of the DLC plan.

Not the free DLC. Just look at the last update, supporting the game in general.

 

[Apathy]

hanzo's arrows need to be smaller. it's bullshit how you dont even aim and get kills

 

[ChrisD]

hanzo's arrows need to be smaller. it's bullshit how you dont even aim and get kills

Just use not Bastion