You know what’s going to define this generation of gaming? Impatience and publishers insisting on exploiting that flaw in people by allowing them to toss actual cash at loot boxes. It’s the latest fad in a long line of industry ideas, like having 50 shades of brown in a shooter and great big flopping dong physics ala Conan Exiles.
Overwatch may have brought the idea into the public mainstream, but it was too good a concept to just be left to one game. Which is why Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is following the trend with loot chests of its own. In a new stream, developer Monolith detailed how new gear could be unlocked from the following chests:
- Loot chests – Weapons and armour gear of differing levels of rarity which you can use to increase and enhance Talions various selection of skills.
- War chests – These will give you Orc buddies of varying skill to aid you in the construction of your army.Or they’ll have Training Orders which can be used to level up your high-ranking Orcs.
- XP boosts – Pretty much what you expect. Pop an XP boost, level up Talion further.
- Bundles – Combo deals that include the chests and boosts combined.
Right, tempting stuff then. So how does one get their hands on these chests? You could play the game and earn enough of the Mirian currency from finding stashes of the stuff, recycling your gear and defeating certain Treasure Orcs to build up a decent wallet of the stuff. Or, which I’m guessing Warner Bros. Interactive is hoping players do, you could grab some gold with actual money from the PSN, Steam and Xbox stores.
Now granted, Gold can be earned in-game by accomplishing several challenges, albeit the amount earned will most likely pale in comparison to what you can buy with a credit card. Look, it’s a tricky balance to have with in-game currencies and rewards. You look at another game published by Warner Bros. Interactive this year, Injustice 2, and you see how developer NetherRealm approached the loot box situation.
Currency and boxes are easy enough to earn, with even the highest-grade loot chests popping up regularly in the Multiverse challenges. Where Injustice 2 makes its money, is from appealing to people’s sense of style as the fashionable Source Crystals currency is rarer than hen’s teeth and needs to be bought more often than earned.
I’m hoping that Shadow of War follows that example: Give players plenty of chances to earn gear which actually enhances the experience, while allowing impatient and narcissistic gamers the opportunity to have their credit card exploited. It kind of like a tax on ego when you think about it. I’m of the mind that you’ll always appreciate something more when you earn it, instead of having it given to you.
Last Updated: August 7, 2017
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 7, 2017 at 08:11
… but it’s a single player game? I’m so confused now.
Dragonfxgaming
August 7, 2017 at 08:13
I feel like the only reason they made the Armour and weapon system was just for microtransactions
Peter Pan
August 7, 2017 at 08:19
The fear is that there is a loot system in the game. The loot you pick up in-game might be severely limited if the developers are wishing to push you to pay real-world money for additional loot. There is the problem!
Trevor James
August 8, 2017 at 08:41
Its multiplayer too now..
Ottokie
August 7, 2017 at 08:36
The developers this year really are helping me trim down my wishlist and current playing list.
Original Heretic
August 7, 2017 at 08:37
Loot boxes? Microtransactions?
BOOOOO!! Hissssss!
Viper_ZA
August 7, 2017 at 08:41
Yawn, will wait for it to hit the bargain bin, which won’t be long considering ABOVE 🙂
Ottokie
August 7, 2017 at 08:44
If you have MT’s in a F2P game then fine have at it. Just don’t pay wall people. A paid for game that adds MT’s later can go right ahead and get in the sea. But alas, there are people who still buy deluxe editions and pre order for exclusive items, this raging beast is already fed and not going away.
Skittle
August 7, 2017 at 09:04
My interest in this game has suddenly waned. Good job Warner Bros.
Kromas Ryder
August 7, 2017 at 09:09
At least they are up front about it. Not like PUBG.