Champions Online getting microtransactions?

by Lesley Smith May 8th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Super-hero, New titles, News items, Champions Online

Eurogamer are reporting that upcoming MMO Champions Online may be testing out in-game microtransactions. Last week during their press beta coverage, they noted a Champion Store. While not currently active, using it summons an error which mentions microtransactions.

They contacted Cryptic for a chat and got the following response from an unnamed spokesperson: "As you may have noticed in the recent play test for Champions Online, we are currently testing functionality for in-game transactions. Virtual asset sales are a necessary component of the greater Cryptic platform since we plan on working on a number of different titles using our technology platform. At present we do not have any finalised plans for how and if these will be implemented in future releases."

Tags: champions-online, cryptic-studios, eurogamer, eurogamer-mmo, microtransaction, microtransactions

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

JP said on 10:09AM 5-08-2009

Subs or F2P Item malls. One or the other, Jack. I'm looking forward to STO, but not if it's subbed w/ an item mall.

Mitch said on 10:20AM 5-08-2009

Champs and STO are both high on my list right now, but if Cryptic starts using item shops (even if the games become f2p) they will not get my business. I'm not interested in playing a game that gives the edge to players with more $$, and that's inevidably what all microtransactions seem to do.

mcgee said on 10:39AM 5-08-2009

While games with micro-transactions have been a huge negative for me, as a 'casual', I wouldn't mind paying a couple of bucks extra to compete gear-wise with those people who have more time to raid 20 hours/week for the gear.

THAC0 said on 10:21AM 5-08-2009

I will not play this game if it costs 14.99/month and then also has an item mall. I am 100% with the above poster, you can have one or the other but making me pay twice is too much and you will loose my business.

Claw said on 10:24AM 5-08-2009

DO NOT WANT!

Probably too early to start worrying about it. This works well in the East, doesn't it? I hope they have just added in the function so no massive redesigns are needed if they use this model over there.

I hope so...

On the other hand, absolutely everything I've heard about Champions has excited me so far. I've been looking hard for the "catch". Is this it? Will this be a horrid, horrid microtransaction shopping game? Will you have to buy, with real money, each new and exciting costume or decoration piece they add in?

I hope not...

ScytheNoire said on 10:29AM 5-08-2009

I agree with the others, pick one or the other. OR, if you plan to have microtransactions, the monthly subscription better be $5 at most. If they try to do microtransactions AND $10-15 monthly fee, my interest in the game just dropped off to zero.

Hypester said on 10:30AM 5-08-2009

Hmmm...

I *think* he's saying they're testing item malls for the platform, but aren't planning (and had better not be) to use it in Champions Online. If so, that's okay... they can test whatever they like in Beta.

But if I'm paying a competitive subscription fee, then there's really no excuse to have item malls.

Hypotensize said on 10:42AM 5-08-2009

Okay I'm gonna straight up ask, what if they do it like CoX?
you can just buy for extra costume parts, if you want to, and even then there's not that many of them, and their fairly cheap, could be like that so you don't need to so you can get ahead, just so you look better

JP said on 10:52AM 5-08-2009

Actually, this would make me less likely to sign on. It was a sore point w/ me when NCSoft went w/ more and more MT based items. Costumes, emotes, etc were all things that we part of the content updates. Now, they are extra. There are some smaller additions still in the content updates, but it seems like the best stuff their costume designer puts together (Crazy Jay) is packaged up now.

And the reason that bothers me, is that the costume desginer is one of the best aspects of CoH, and while not essential to game-play, it's a fun aspect. Now, in order to have "more fun" you pay on top of your sub.

Server Transfers and additional slots don't bother me as much, b/c those are totally things that are industry standard "extra" fees. But, the best looking costumes being additional fees is greedy, imo.

MeowCat said on 11:12AM 5-08-2009

Oh poo...I too am not going to do this if, on top of a monthly fee, they put me in the position of buying individual items. No way. If it were F2P I may check it out but still doubtful. Too many other good games out there to mess around with this stuff. If it were CoX-like I might consider but again...its a turn off. Why not just turn on to the Old Republic?

Ada said on 11:12AM 5-08-2009

I somewhat echo some of the sentiments here, but perhaps not so drastically as to say a sub and item mall is automatically bad. As long as the item mall is kept to items that are also available in game (like consumables or something), then I don't see why it's that much of a problem. It's when you start having subs + item malls with unique items that it becomes greedy. And as to why would you need item malls with items available in the game - for people who don't have as much time as others. I fall into the group that does have time (or just makes it) so I'd like there to be the best things available purely in the game, but I think my outlook may be becoming a very outdated one.

CCon99 said on 11:18AM 5-08-2009

I have to agree with the rest, I won't purchase either Champions Online or Star Trek Online if either game has Microtransactions. Even if they're free to play games, I still will not support that format.

xndrxw said on 11:29AM 5-08-2009

I wish this game would get to open beta so I could play

raenger said on 12:35PM 5-08-2009

This bothers me a bit, as I'm definitely not a fan of item malls. Either you have players who can obtain an unfair advantage by spending extra cash, or you have a bunch of players who look absolutely ridiculous because of the appearance options they purchase from the mall. Anyone who has ever played a F2P microtransaction based game knows what I'm talking about.

Hopefully they won't heavily implement an item mall into CO, but if it involves purchasable upgrades for characters, I don't think I'll be playing it. Unfortunate, because the game looks pretty great otherwise.

mandarin said on 12:37PM 5-08-2009

'Necessary' ? Oh no you just said the wrong word, microtransactions cheapen the game. Good luck with your launch.

devilsei said on 1:12PM 5-08-2009

I'm going to take a quote from Billy and Mandy...
"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose..."

Like so many other have said, its either F2P or P2P. You want to become the next SOE bubs, I'll treat you like SOE then. Ban on my computer? Check. Sheer hatred towards you? Yep.

The only way they'll get my money or my playtime for long, is going P2P. I won't play a game that makes us pay $15 ontop of an item shop. And any F2P MMO doesn't last long for me because of the item shops.
Honestly? My anticipation has dropped for the game a little.

Sam said on 1:21PM 5-08-2009

Wow... I actually have no problem with this as an additional source of revenue. Of course, I'm expecting something more like the shops for Guild Wars or City of Heroes than competing with farmers/RMT's or it being their primary source of revenue. Bonuses and extras? Sure. But that's all I see.

dantevengence said on 1:35PM 5-08-2009

If they actually do this, I am not buying this game. I hate F2P games... micro-transactions suck...

Aganazer said on 1:36PM 5-08-2009

As long as I can enjoy 100% of the game's content on $15/mo then I don't care what model they use.

I actually enjoy the lack of a sub in Runes of Magic. That way I can play when I want and not play when I want without worrying about my sub going to waste.