Well with the rise of the microtransaction age we were bound to see some exploitation, and it seems that the horse armor syndrome is rising again, this time over at EA. We've heard about it via several sources already, including a reader, and it appears that the Battlefield: Bad Company Beta lists individual weapons for sale via the XBLM. A total of ten weapons are locked that have text reading "Available for purchase on Xbox Live Marketplace" next to them. The details of this are a bit shaky as of now however, as of those ten weapons, five weapons are listed as simply available for purchase, and five are listed as available in gold edition or for purchase. The gold edition likely refers to the game's collector's edition which sports a faux gold finish and which will apparently have extra content.
Now, whether or not collector's editions having in-game items is a good idea isn't the issue, the issue is the microtransactions in regard to in game items. It isn't really an issue with single player games, as the content purchases of other players cannot effect your experience. But in the case of a multiplayer shooter having more weapons available to those with larger pocket-books just doesn't feel right. With EA experimenting with microtransactions in their new Battlefield Heroes PC game, it would seem only logical that they would continue the experiment in the console realm. But with the PC version's microtransactions based around things other than in-game items that effect balance (EXP, Skins, etc) we're hoping the console side of the experiment fails, and the PC one is widely adopted.
[Thanks vince]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-21-2008 @ 9:56AM
NZ+ said...
EA hits yet another low.
Whats next......paying to load up the game?
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3-21-2008 @ 9:59AM
manifest said...
Charging for weapons in full versions of games is ballsy enough... but EA is gonna try charging for additional guns in a *beta* ???? That's some hot hot garbage. Not supporting this what-so-ever.
A BETA is supposed to improve gameplay and show the dev team any bugs or exploits that are still present in the current build. In addition it allows the game's hype to build and spread quickly... A BETA is not supposed to rape customers of their money.
Do not support this model.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:02AM
SyR said...
I'm really getting sick of EA. I'm going off topic but their games blow with the exception of Road Rash 1 through 3. Everything else is another developers work EA bought out and if they take over 2K sports and turn it into s**t EA Sport title, I'll be extremely pissed.
We all should sign up each EA employees email addresses to a couple NSFW websites. :P
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3-21-2008 @ 10:05AM
MrMuggs said...
I'm going to reserve judgment until we actually know all of the details and it isn't speculation...
- If EA wants to charge for a "gold plated" gun or some other visual customizations I'm fine with that.
- If EA is going to charge me to buy a bazooka or sniper rifle that alters the gameplay then I'm not fine with it. After paying $60 I shouldn't have to pay more so there can be a level and balanced playing field.
- If EA wants to sell the game for $30 or give it away for free and then make their money by selling in-game advertising and buying weapons then I'm fine with that as well.
Bottom line, don't charge me $60 and then charge me more money so I can have the same weapons and abilities as others in the game. Charging for customization and bells and whistles that don't alter the game is fine.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:08AM
Vcize said...
I can't imagine there is any poor soul out there that will actually cough up money for this, but maybe I'm overestimating "people".
The highest rated television show is American Idol afterall...
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3-21-2008 @ 10:11AM
Rob said...
This has the potential to seriously mess up the weapons balance. Having them unlockable in games like COD 4 is bad enough, but having to pay for them is even worse.
We pay enough for the games, it seems stupid to have to pay for in game content other than maps.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:13AM
horngreen said...
Bound to happen when 1 million idiots paid and pre-ordered the new GT5 demo. I would constantly RAG on some loser who paid extra for a virtual gold gun.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:14AM
xenocidic said...
sheesh
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3-21-2008 @ 10:15AM
SadisticHam said...
And this is what happens when you turn into a retard and start defending $10 map packs, paying out for 3 crap songs for and other such stupid bullshit that idiots have been coughing up for.
This'll go fine, they'll make lots of money and they'll push it even further cause people on Live are thick. Sorry, not claiming anyone on this site is an idiot but the general Live community is stupid as hell.
I'm in on the beta, I'll play it get as much from it as possible but i wont be buying it if this turns out to be true, to think EA claimed not to long ago their changing. Ha.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:16AM
John said...
Maby it's unlockable AND available via Marketplace.
Those that dont have the time to unlock it trough gameplay can purchase it without spending 100+ hours leveling your "character".
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3-21-2008 @ 10:20AM
Chris said...
Not buying this.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:20AM
Big Filth said...
at least the beta is free! free betas, FTW!
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3-21-2008 @ 10:46AM
Reuben said...
So, wait...let me get this straight. The option will be available to purchase weapons for the BETA? So, in theory, one would purchase a weapon and then when the beta is over they'd lose it. I could be mistake, but if I'm not then this it totally ridiculous and a little insulting. I wont even touch the chaos it could create concerning the game's balance.
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3-21-2008 @ 10:58AM
JUICED said...
If you have a job xbl subscripts, and dlc doesn't matter.
Its cheaper than you realise.
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3-21-2008 @ 11:01AM
Dusitn Everhart said...
I hope EA never opens a hospital, but the way they are talking their trying to buy everything. Here's to paying to get your kidney's back after dialysis.
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3-21-2008 @ 11:05AM
glenncou said...
This isn't a new thing. WarRock has been doing this (quite successfully, I might add) since their game was introduced. Now granted, the game itself is free, but you still pay if you want some of the better weapons.
I'm personally not the biggest fan of it, but hey, it apparently isn't stopping WarRock at all.
http://www.warrock.net
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3-21-2008 @ 11:18AM
ZEBRA NINER said...
This can't be right. I'll believe it when I see it. This just can't be right.
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3-21-2008 @ 12:28PM
Josh said...
absolutely ludicrous. they can't be for real, can they?
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3-21-2008 @ 1:01PM
natez0r said...
We must be on some type of hidden camera show, because this cannot be real.
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3-21-2008 @ 1:16PM
Jacksons said...
I'm can't believe this until I see it. Horse armor syndrome, indeed. This is like those shitty 'free' games, that are 'free' until you want to have any fun. Hopefully this won't actually happen, but what a dangerous trend to start!
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