I like the idea of maps and game modes being freely added to Halo 5. Someone could purchase the game and nothing else. It also keeps the community from being split between those that bought the DLC and those that didn’t. That was a past problem.
So why do some complain about the micro transactions in Halo 5? This is why. (Along with counterpoints.)
PROBLEM: If 343 shipped a completed Halo 5, and if they were adding to the game over time for free with the support coming from the micro transactions then there would be a lot lot less complaining. But in reality Halo 5 shipped with only 3 Warzone maps, no BTB, no Forge mode, and a lot of missing playlists. So it’s not like Halo 5 shipped completed (to the opinion of a lot of people) with monthly free DLC supported by micro transactions. Instead Halo 5 shipped incomplete with monthly updates to get it to where it originally should’ve been when it shipped with extra money coming in from micro transactions. So when people buy these micro transactions they are supporting this behavior.
COUNTERPOINT: Maybe things have changed. Halo may not sell like it used to. If so maybe 343 had no choice. Maybe this was what they came up with to stay afloat. I don’t know 343’s financial numbers. So all I can do is speculate.
PROBLEM: I was born in the 80’s. And I remember growing up with Nintendo. (Yes that means I own a Wii U along with Xbox.) I remember games that were shipped completed and throughly tested for bugs. I’m not saying perfection, but very close to it. Games had lots of content, and there was lots of content to be unlocked by just playing the game. That was the incentive to keep playing the game.
COUNTERPOINT: Well I have to admit technically no one is forced to buy the micro transactions to unlock the content in Halo 5. And 343 are adding lots of cosmetics and weapons monthly to unlock still even by just playing the game with the option to buy.
PROBLEM: Buying the micro transactions sends 343 the message that people will support the idea of micro transactions in Halo. People could complain all day, but money is how you tell companies what is acceptable and what isn’t. And if people keep buying these microtransactions then many worry how they will be implemented in future Halo games.
COUNTERPOINT: People say it isn’t harming anyone and not to tell them how to spend their money. I have to agree. I’m not going to tell you how to spend your money. I’m just throwing out an idea. I’m not going to tell anyone to support or not support micro transactions in Halo. I’m just giving people something to consider before doing so.
So what do you think. I purchased the Master Chief controller, and I purchased the Digital Deluxe version of Halo 5. I mainly did so to get the Fall of Reach movie. It also came with the Warzone REQ bundle. I haven’t spent a penny on a single REQ since. I personally just can’t do it. Paying for weapons to use in Warzone (BTW I think Warzone is one of the most fun things to happen to Halo) just seems so weird. And most of the cosmetics I have absolutely no interest in owning. If I bought REQs it would be to just try to get the few that I do want. So I can’t do it for that. I admit I don’t have a lot of money. But that isn’t the issue. It’s the principal of the matter. But hey I understand. These are different times. People are a lot busier then they used to be. To them they don’t mind paying money to unlock things faster. If that keeps Halo afloat then I guess I can’t complain. Well at least as long as 343 doesn’t make microtransactions more intrusive in the future.
343i was pretty transparent about what would and would not be in the game at launch. We had plenty of early testers flooding us with information to back that up pre launch. With that knowledge we still made the decision whether or not we wanted the game. Much like we make the decision whether or not we want to spend money on REQs.
I knew exactly what was going to be in H5 at launch. I knew stuff was going to get added later. No I didn’t think Halo shipping without a few multiplayer playlist or forge made it incomplete. Yeah I didn’t like that it shipped without them but hey I knew they were coming. The thing with these “microtransactions” are people need to be real selective and not go overboard with them. Yeah I got the war zone bundle and the arena bundle and three of the limited time vehicle packs that has been it. All my other packs have been through req points, selling a lot and using boost and Jack pots. I still say what they have now is better than selling the map packs because not every one buys the maps and that dilutes playlist populations. Whether you decided to buy packs or not you are getting future updates and maps.
I will not buy a req pack, it is pointless. If someone else wants to that is up to them. But with all the purchases I would like to see weekly updates or a massive project lik SPOPS season 2, added campaign, or better maps. For those that bought the delue/limited / console editions reach should be available in films and tv not just halo channel
If kids out there are gonna spend their mom’s credit card money on microtransactions. That’s stupid.
But when I get free updates because of them, it’s awesome.
To be honest, compared to how a lot of games deal with micro-transactions, we got off pretty good. And the competitive side of Halo is making a comeback with solid gameplay and high dollar tournaments. Not to mention we won’t be paying a dime for DLC.
My only real complaint is about unlocking emblems. They should have been tied solely to achievements and commendations. There are so many reqs to purchase that it’s really kind of depressing when you get an emblem instead. Also, loadouts should been unlocked by using the weapon you’re trying to unlock extra goodies from. Like you should have received the basic weapon load-out right off the bat with additional unlocks as you got more proficient with said weapon specifically for said weapon.
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> My only real complaint is about unlocking emblems. They should have been tied solely to achievements and commendations. There are so many reqs to purchase that it’s really kind of depressing when you get an emblem instead. Also, loadouts should been unlocked by using the weapon you’re trying to unlock extra goodies from. Like you should have received the basic weapon load-out right off the bat with additional unlocks as you got more proficient with said weapon specifically for said weapon.
Pretty much this. It especially hurts when you have to unlock a million new uncommon emblems after an update.
I probably wouldn’t mind REQ’s so much if the people who do not want to shell out money for them weren’t being shafted. True, we stand to benefit from “free” (ie paid for by other people many times over) DLC, but then we have to grind the game in order to even get some of that DLC to enjoy it. Meanwhile, those who pay get it quicker and in cases like the Arena Bundle get certain hot items like the Mk.V instantly. Again, nobody has to pay a single cent on REQ Packs, but the system is set up to cater to people willing to pay cash for new content.
> COUNTERPOINT: Maybe things have changed. Halo may not sell like it used to. If so maybe 343 had no choice. Maybe this was what they came up with to stay afloat. I don’t know 343’s financial numbers. So all I can do is speculate.
It was a poor decision that does not benefit them in the slightest.
> COUNTERPOINT: Well I have to admit technically no one is forced to buy the micro transactions to unlock the content in Halo 5. And 343 are adding lots of cosmetics and weapons monthly to unlock still even by just playing the game with the option to buy.
There’s too much -Yoink-, and it takes too long to obtain. Unless you’ve been playing non-stop since launch you’re never going to be caught up to all the content they are releasing. On top of that, due to the way the system works, microtransactions are also ineffective. If a brand new player buys the gold pack bundle I can guarantee they’re only going to get a ton of uncommon or rare items, with one or two legendary items at most.
> COUNTERPOINT: People say it isn’t harming anyone and not to tell them how to spend their money. I have to agree. I’m not going to tell you how to spend your money. I’m just throwing out an idea. I’m not going to tell anyone to support or not support micro transactions in Halo. I’m just giving people something to consider before doing so.
And now Bethesda is charging $50 for Fallout 4 DLC.
Get rekt Triple-A kids.
How other people spend their money impacts everyone. It sends the message that you’re willing to over-pay for this crap, and publishers are all too eager to capitalize on that message.
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> > How other people spend their money impacts everyone. It sends the message that you’re willing to over-pay for this crap, and publishers are all too eager to capitalize on that message.
Especially when it comes to things like emblems. Those were free and instantly available in past games yet now act as filler and are just barely getting better options to customize.
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> > 2533274819302824;11:
> > > How other people spend their money impacts everyone. It sends the message that you’re willing to over-pay for this crap, and publishers are all too eager to capitalize on that message.
>
>
> Especially when it comes to things like emblems. Those were free and instantly available in past games yet now act as filler and are just barely getting better options to customize.
I’m still reeling from the fact that they’re just now patching in full color customization. I have my green and purple so I was alright, but this king of thing has been standard since Halo 2.
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> > 2533274812652989;12:
> > > 2533274819302824;11:
> > > > How other people spend their money impacts everyone. It sends the message that you’re willing to over-pay for this crap, and publishers are all too eager to capitalize on that message.
> >
> >
> > Especially when it comes to things like emblems. Those were free and instantly available in past games yet now act as filler and are just barely getting better options to customize.
>
>
> I’m still reeling from the fact that they’re just now patching in full color customization. I have my green and purple so I was alright, but this king of thing has been standard since Halo 2.
> 2533274812652989;14:
> > 2533274823519895;13:
> > > 2533274812652989;12:
> > > > 2533274819302824;11:
> > > > > How other people spend their money impacts everyone. It sends the message that you’re willing to over-pay for this crap, and publishers are all too eager to capitalize on that message.
> > >
> > >
> > > Especially when it comes to things like emblems. Those were free and instantly available in past games yet now act as filler and are just barely getting better options to customize.
> >
> >
> > I’m still reeling from the fact that they’re just now patching in full color customization. I have my green and purple so I was alright, but this king of thing has been standard since Halo 2.
>
>
> So was Oddball, but we saw how that turned out.
True enough. Between most of the gametypes, LAN, splitscreen, and most customization (and I do mean customization, not just "the same armor but with a white streak thrown on it), there really are no sacred cows anymore. Wonder what they’ll trash next?
Let’s face it, we as gamers hate micro transactions.
But IF we were game developers, we would be adding them to our games because they rake in the dough. Duh
So while I hate micro transactions, I understand why every game has them. I wish they were gone, but they’re not going anywhere…
I do wish Halo 5 was a completed game and we got new content in addition. Not a half finished game and they finish the rest and pass it off as “free dlc”
I also don’t like how this Feb update main content are the playlists. We should be getting all these playlists, in addition, we should be getting more than 1 map. Where are the BTB maps, Warzone maps. Why 1 map?
I’m glad the playlists are coming. But I feel like they replaced actual content. But at the same time I understand it takes time to create the assets for the new gametypes. I don’t know if it takes alot of time. I just have mixed feelings about Halo 5.
Gameplay is amazing though, one thing I’m certain of.