This last couple of months has been a testing one for the relationship between publishers and gamers when it comes to pushing microtransactions. Shadow of War, previously one of the most anticipated games of 2017 for many, has received considerable backlash for the inclusion of loot boxes in its single-player campaign. It’s 2K, however, where the brunt of the criticism has been aimed at, particularly for NBA 2K18.
The prompts for microtransactions are so pervasive within the game to the point of harassment with real-world currency being demanded at every corner within the game’s MyCareer mode. Progression is so slow that some players felt like they were being tactically worn down to the point of feeling like paying extra on top of an already $60 game was the only way to get ahead.
There’s one 2K (who are owned by Take-Two, the proponents of GTA Online’s decline to a microtransaction moneypit) property out this year that looks like it won’t cross a line, however. WWE 2K18’s loot crates won’t require real currency to unlock and can be earned in-game, a tweet sent out by the official WWE 2K18 claimed.
There are no paid microtransactions in #WWE2K18. Info on unlocking loot cases via in-game currency is here: https://t.co/ZmJQQJ7Bin. https://t.co/ZzF42lnUrM
— #WWE2K22 (@WWEgames) October 2, 2017
The tweet goes to the following info:
“There are three levels of loot cases: Bronze, Silver and Gold. You have a higher chance of unlocking more rare items in Silver and Gold cases. You can purchase loot cases in MyPLAYER, MyCAREER and ROAD TO GLORY. You will also earn loot cases through progression in both MyCAREER and ROAD TO GLORY.”
Although the tweet claims that there will be zero microtransactions in 2K18, that’s a little hard to believe. In the most recent installments, “Accelerators” have allowed players to upgrade their created wrestlers much quicker, so it’s likely that we’ll see these again.
Still, real money not being tied to loot boxes/crates is a small relief, though you have to wonder why they’re included at all. Greasing the wheels for WWE 2K19, perhaps?
WWE 2K18 releases October 13th for PS4
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