The internet is caught in yet another storm in a teacup, as news emerges that Halo 5: Guardians will feature in-game microtransactions. In both of the gane’s multiplayer modes – Traditional competitive Arena and the MOBA-esque Warzone – a currency called REQ points. Those points can then be spent on REQ Packs. Or, if you’re the sort, you can just buy them.
The REQ packs you buy, whether using in-game currency or real-world money contain items: things like unlockable weapons and armours, skins, assassination animations and other bits and baubles. The fact that they can be bought for real money is getting up many people’s noses – as fans of the series believe that 343 has introduced pay-to-win mechanics.
Seeking to calm the fires, Halo 5 development head Josh Holmes (Waypoint via Eurogamer) has clarified that only cosmetic items can be used in the game’s competitive Arena mode.
“While players will earn REQ Packs across both Arena and Warzone, only cosmetic items can be used in our Arena experience. This is to ensure that all players start with the same weapons and abilities as part of our vision for the balanced, competitive play in Arena multiplayer.”
The same isn’t true for Warzone, the Player-vs-AI-vs-Player mode that’s got a bit of Titanfall DNA in it.
“In Warzone, our new massive-scale multiplayer experience, we wanted to give fans even more variety and choice in how they play. Within Warzone, you’ll have the ability to deploy a multitude of weapons and vehicles from your inventory of REQs throughout a match. These requisitions are governed and balanced by Warzone’s in-match REQ Level and Energy systems, which are driven by player and team performance within the mode.”
According to Holmes, the REQ packs can be purchases “as a matter of convenience.” I don’t like it. I don’t think a full-priced retail game should have micro-transactions to begin with, unless they’re wholly cosmetic. While that may be true for Halo 5’s arena mode, the fact that the 24 player Warzone still allows people to use paid-for weapons and unlocks is cause for consternation.
Last Updated: June 18, 2015
Hammersteyn
June 18, 2015 at 17:49
Vote with your wallets….Yet people be like…
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/take-my-money.gif
Krabby Paddy
June 18, 2015 at 17:59
Yip in this case in the Arena people will have to look the “prettiest” and in Warzone it will be pay to win. At least that is how I read it. Definitely not nice.
Krabby Paddy
June 18, 2015 at 17:59
Yip in this case in the Arena people will have to look the “prettiest” and in Warzone it will be pay to win. At least that is how I read it. Definitely not nice.
alixandria
June 19, 2015 at 02:55
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You Can Check It Out this liNK..?
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Ghost In The Rift
June 18, 2015 at 18:23
The new age of gaming has started, and my wallet will divorce me if i even stare at such a money grabbing game!!
Joe Black
June 18, 2015 at 19:50
I dunno. How shit are they?
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 19, 2015 at 07:05
If spending money in-game gives you a clear advantage over a player doesn’t, it’s P2W, and they can piss right off with their “convenience”.
Jonah Cash
June 19, 2015 at 07:27
That is just absurd!! Who the hell though that would be a good idea? Once again Microsoft does something good just to shoot themselves in the foot a day or two later. I was considering a Bone, but this has put me off again. What if the new Gears has the same thing in it? Or Quantum Break? Oh hell no!
You can’t let anyone buy better weapons for multiplayer, that is just idiotic!!
Hammersteyn
June 19, 2015 at 07:37
The people tossing buckets of water on the fire said that it works like Battlefield Battle Packs. If that’s a good thing or even true I dunno, having never played BF
Jonah Cash
June 19, 2015 at 10:06
If that is how battle field works then I will never play that one either! Just as good Destiny starts micro transactions and let you use those weapons in the Crucible… That just won’t do for me thanks!
Hammersteyn
June 19, 2015 at 11:06
Agreed