It’s quite obvious that players are overall unhappy with the BP, customization and progression system and want to see some changes. However, the realistic fact is that 343 NEEDS to monetize part of infinite to generate funding for new maps and campaign updates.
Customization is the best pick, charging for items that are only cosmetic is much better than charging for items that affect the gameplay for that player, or for maps that split the player base. However, the monetization system could use some improvements, here are my ideas of how 343 could improve their monetization
1: A shop catalogue
A big problem with the item shop is that there are only a few items in it at a time. Having an entire catalogue available that shows every customization pack in the game, and rotates which items are on sale would no doubt allow people to more easily find and purchase what they want.
- Better pricing options
The main issue right now is that the cost of items in the shop far outweighs their value. $15 for a katana is ridiculous to the point where im sure its actively causing people to avoid the shop on principle. I also feel the rarity system is meaningless in a game with no item drop RNG.
I believe the rarity system should be dropped and prices should be adjusted. A coating should be no more than a dollar or two, a single armor piece should be the same. However packs should include more for less. Say a helmet, shoulders, a chest piece, a wrist attachment, a coating and pose for $10. Essentially, in this case you get a full visual overhaul and save a few bucks.
This way, players will likely not mind paying a few bucks here or there for something they specifically want, whereas a much smaller percentage of players may pay $20 for armor currently.
- Include credits in the BP
If the BP’s included about 750 to 800 credits earneable over the course of the BP, I believe you would see more people playing regularly and spending a bit extra. The reason being, if i only have to shell out for 500 credits to get the next pass, AND i can use the remaining 300 to get an extra item on top of it, my hard work is resulting in a net positive and my $5 is now more valuable than it was before. Because i’m using it to get a $10 battle pass and a $2 cosmetic, all while feeling rewarded for grinding out the pass.
- Armor kits
Armor kits rarely offer anything aside from being the sum of their parts, with the exception that they’re less modular. I think there’s potential to make these kits more valuable to players and worth buying.
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Include custom voice lines with armor kits. Jun for Jun, Carter for Carter, etc.
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Include character specific AI that addresses the player accordingly. For example, if you get the Jorge kit, you could have DOT addressing you as noble 5. This would add a layer of value and nostalgia to armor kits which are in a strange place currently.
- Music and menu’s
Apex Legends allows you to unlock different music and menu screen packs for the menu and multiplayer. Infinite could do this as well, letting you purchase different music and menu packs from the previous games. For example, you purchase a Halo CE pack;
The main menu opens with a wide shot of the ring, the original theme plays, in the MP menu, your spartans are now standing in the Pillar of Autumn. In game, the truth and reconciliation theme plays at the end of a match.
This is something else you could reasonably charge a good $5 or so for, where a lack of having it isn’t a detriment to the gameplay but its there for those who want it. You could also have free themes such as during holidays, for example, a Gravemind theme on Halloween.
- Coating packs as a value
Reducing individual coatings in price is an obvious first step, however coating packs for $8-$10 could add much more value for some over singular coatings.
For example, say you put “Scorpion Punch” in the store. You could sell the Scorpion Punch pack for $10, but instead of it being one coating, you get 6 with the RGB values adjusted. One with a red arm, a blue arm, green, yellow, purple, orange, etc. Now you’re getting much more variety and saving a little bit compared to selling them all individually.
- Show us how the money is being spent
People often feel better when they see where their money is going. If there was a tracker for how money was spent and how it positively affected the game, it would quell some concern that the money is going straight to executives. For example,
Community spending stats so far:
-$100,000 spent in the store
-Five new programmers hired
-Three new network specialists hired
-Four map designers hired
-five more high tick rate servers purchased for ranked play
-$2000 donated to wildlife charities
-$100 in bonuses for each employee
Etc. I believe that showing the positive effects of monetization would encourage people to support Halo further.
These are just some of the ways that I think the monetization of Halo Infinite could both expand and provide more value to players. Monetization is important for a live service game, especially one with a ten year plan. However I feel the current pricing model is actively detrimental in the long run and both players and 343 could be getting more for their work.