A coalition of consumer protection agencies, led by the Norwegian Consumer Council, is calling for stricter regulations on the use of virtual currencies in video games, citing concerns about deceptive practices and potential addiction. The report highlights how game developers manipulate pricing and use psychological tactics to encourage excessive spending on in-game items.
The New Denpa Men, a free-to-play RPG exclusive to Nintendo Switch, brings the quirky series back to the west after years of being Japan-only. While its bizarre humor and unique gameplay hooks offer a charming throwback to a different era of Nintendo, it’s hampered by issues like a laughable English localization, frustrating online requirements, and aggressive microtransactions.
Jake Solomon, the creative director of Marvel’s Midnight Suns, has admitted that the game’s card-based gameplay was a major factor in its disappointing launch. In an interview with Digital Trends, Solomon said that he underestimated how resistant XCOM fans would be to the new gameplay idea. He also admitted that publisher 2K’s spotty record with microtransactions and a leak that referred to the game as ‘Marvel XCOM’ didn’t help. Despite the game’s positive reviews from critics, Solomon said that the more tepid fan reaction meant that the game underperformed financially.
Frontier Developments has announced plans to sell early access to the Python Mk II ship in Elite Dangerous for real money, igniting accusations of pay-to-win practices. The controversy stems from the fact that players can purchase the ship’s three months of early access for 16,250 ARX, the game’s premium virtual currency, which can be purchased with real-world money. This move has upset veteran players who have criticized Frontier for potentially prioritizing revenue generation over gameplay quality. While Frontier claims that ARX can be earned through gameplay, players argue that any advantage gained through monetary investment constitutes pay-to-win. The decision has also raised concerns about the long-term direction of Elite Dangerous, given Frontier’s recent financial struggles and layoffs.
