This is the year loot boxes came to gaming in a big way. Encouraged by Overwatch, “AAA” publishers went all-in on destroying their games in the name of easy money. And no, Blizzard, you’re not special. You deserve as much blame as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, 2K Games, WB, and Microsoft….
Sorry for the third video in one day, but there were maaaany emails about it and it required attention. Anyway, Guild Wars 2 has largely been praised for customer-friendly practices, but a new update brought a sour taste in the form of exorbitant loot box nonsense.
So this crap’s actually been going on for a while, but Reality Crash is currently boasting over $3.5 million made from its virtual currency thanks to “ICO.” Reality Crash is a game that is currently in development. In game terms, we’re looking at microtransactions up for sale before the title…
There are still some companies in the “AAA” scum pit that actually GET it, and understand how microtransaction shortcuts can devalue a game.
Another November, another Call of Duty. Rinse, wash, open loot box in front of friends, repeat.
It seems that Activision’s patented method of using matchmaking to sell microtransactions really was a tipping of the hand. COD: WWII has a public social area, Normandy Beach, where you can open your loot boxes in full view of other players. Activision’s plan to manipulate its own customers by appealing…
Game doin’ it right, gets a link: https://playdauntless.com/ It might be “sad” that the removal of loot boxes from Dauntless should make headlines, but I love it. The more news stories about games *not* having glorified gambling, the better, because it makes ’em look good and dirty. Which they are.
It’s Halloween, and it’s time to make a killing. Put the BLOOD in BLOOD MONEY as we show you how to not just slay, but get paid doing so.
Visceral Games is closed, and Dead Space may be no more. During this spooky Halloween time, let’s look back at the rise and sad fall of a wonderful series. You can’t spell DEAD without EA, after all. __
Our last look at Shadow of Mordor delves deeper into how the loot system has changed the game, and the fact that Orcs have lost their flavor. __ Jim’s Big Ego (No Relation): http://bigego.com/
Inspired by an article (and the commentary that followed), I discuss the NPD’s suggestion that recent loot box backlash hasn’t damaged the industry… and why that doesn’t entirely matter. Read the article if you wish: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-10-25-npd-loot-box-controversy-having-no-impact-on-sales-potential
Come with me to Egypt so we can stab up some dudes and grab LOOT LOOT LOOT! S’pretty good, all things considered.
