Gearbox Adding Cosmetic Microtransactions to Battleborn Tomorrow

[ffronw]

Gearbox Adding Cosmetic Microtransactions to Battleborn Tomorrow

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1329/1329837.jpgYou'll be able to buy new Battleborn skins and taunts with real money starting tomorrow.

Gearbox has announced [https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-the-vision-for-battleborns-in-game-marketplace/] that they are bringing a premium currency to Battleborn. Called "Platinum," the new currency will allow players to buy specific items in the in-game marketplace. Initially, these items will be skins for all 26 heroes and taunts for Ghalt, Oscar Mike, Benedict, Shayne & Aurox, El Dragon, Whiskey Foxtrot, Kleese, and Alani. Gearbox says that these items "will not affect gameplay at all." The game's DLC packs will also be available through the in-game marketplace.

This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who were following Battleborn prior to launch, as Gearbox laid out their plans to add these items back in March [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/166876-Battleborn-Post-Launch-DLC-Plans].

Skins will cost 420 Platinum, with taunts coming in a little cheaper at 230 Platinum. How much will Platinum cost? Here's the chart:

$1.99 for 230 Platinum
$4.99 for 700 Platinum
$9.99 for 1625 Platinum
$19.99 for 3500 Platinum
$49.99 for 9300 Platinum

Of course, there's also a mention in the blog post [https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-the-vision-for-battleborns-in-game-marketplace/] of the possibility of new content. The company says that it is "exploring convenient ways players can add bank spaces, loadouts, or boost their XP and credit earnings that do not affect actual gameplay."

The first free hero was added to Battleborn back in May [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/167530-First-New-Battleborn-Hero-Alani-Shown-Off-in-Two-New-Videos].

You can see some examples of the new skins on the Battleborn website [https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-the-vision-for-battleborns-in-game-marketplace/].


Permalink

 

[Ryallen]

Well, that's a shame. The one thing that Battleborn had over Overwatch, and they straight up ruined it. They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

Neeeeever trust a company not to include microtransactions in their multiplayer games. Some CEO somewhere is going to be pushing VERY hard for anything that makes them an extra dime.

 

[irish286]

Just for comparison's sake. I work at a game store, we've sold 48 pre-orders and at least one copy of overwatch everyday since it's release and have only taken in about 5 trades of them all of which have sold. We've sold 24 copies of Battleborn for pre-order and have 21 copies sitting in the back of the store that we've taken for trade. In other words, Battleborn isn't doing so hot and needs the cash.

 

[Saelune]

Id be upset if I actually gave a fuck about either game.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

Well, that's a shame. The one thing that Battleborn had over Overwatch, and they straight up ruined it. They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

They never promised that. They said straight up that transmigration were coming before the game released.

 

[Worgen]

Ugh, you idiots, unless you are making it free to play, you are killing what little community is left.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

Just for comparison's sake. I work at a game store, we've sold 48 pre-orders and at least one copy of overwatch everyday since it's release and have only taken in about 5 trades of them all of which have sold. We've sold 24 copies of Battleborn for pre-order and have 21 copies sitting in the back of the store that we've taken for trade. In other words, Battleborn isn't doing so hot and needs the cash.

The devs announced that microtransations were coming before the game released. The massive price slash on Overwatch's release day didn't help.

Battleborn's director shot the game's chances down when he tried to make the comparison of Battleborn and Overwatch when they're different games. No one knows why they marketed their First Person MOBA as comparable to an FPS in the style of TF2 and thought that was a good idea.

 

[ffronw]

Well, that's a shame. The one thing that Battleborn had over Overwatch, and they straight up ruined it. They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

Actually, the story even contains the link to where they said they would be doing exactly this:

This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who were following Battleborn prior to launch, as Gearbox laid out their plans to add these items back in March [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/166876-Battleborn-Post-Launch-DLC-Plans].

Side note: Why does everyone seem to want to compare Overwatch and Battleborn? Other than being first-person shooters that released near each other, they have very little in common in gameplay.

 

[RJ 17]

I'm sure the 19 people still playing the game will be absolutely thrilled.

Hey-ooooohhhhhh!

 

[Ryallen]

Well, that's a shame. The one thing that Battleborn had over Overwatch, and they straight up ruined it. They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

Actually, the story even contains the link to where they said they would be doing exactly this:

This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who were following Battleborn prior to launch, as Gearbox laid out their plans to add these items back in March [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/166876-Battleborn-Post-Launch-DLC-Plans].

Side note: Why does everyone seem to want to compare Overwatch and Battleborn? Other than being first-person shooters that released near each other, they have very little in common in gameplay.

Ah. I did not see that. My apologies. Honestly, I've played Battleborn more than Overwatch, and I couldn't tell you why I compare them.

 

[ffronw]

Ah. I did not see that. My apologies. Honestly, I've played Battleborn more than Overwatch, and I couldn't tell you why I compare them.

Honestly, that wasn't directed at you so much as a generic "everyone." It's so prevalent we even talked about it on the Escapist podcast recently.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Are they really going back to the points based DLC buying system? So you pay a lump sum that is tied up in the points for the game, even if you're stuck with extra leftover points that aren't enough to buy anything. It's like the Bioware/EA points nonsense. Just put a dollar price tag on it and let people buy what they want.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

Well, that's a shame. The one thing that Battleborn had over Overwatch, and they straight up ruined it. They even promised that they wouldn't do that to the game! Oh well.

Actually, the story even contains the link to where they said they would be doing exactly this:

This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who were following Battleborn prior to launch, as Gearbox laid out their plans to add these items back in March [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/166876-Battleborn-Post-Launch-DLC-Plans].

Side note: Why does everyone seem to want to compare Overwatch and Battleborn? Other than being first-person shooters that released near each other, they have very little in common in gameplay.

I believe it was the director of Battleborn who first drew that comparison from a marketing perspective. He chose to directly compete with Overwatch.

Here's a link showcasing that:https://gameup24.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/retailers-discount-battleborn-as-overwatch-prepares-to-launch/

Gearbox calls arena shooters like Overwatch and Lawbreakers similar to their FPS MOBA and it seems they shot themselves in the foot by having that mentality in the marketing. They were the ones to make the Battleborn=Overwatch comparison first.

The made a full priced MOBA with microtransactions and thought that would fly. The market said otherwise.

 

[Hawki]

Oh no. Cosmetic microtransactions. Oh the humanity. Gaming is ruined. I don't want to live on this planet anymore. Take Gearbox to the pits of hell and zzzz...

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Why do you fools fall for this? These aren't games in the artistic sense some seem to demand, these are temperamental services which demand multiple subscriptions and a constant other flow of fools to complete the cycle. Break the damn cycle! This is just a pretty looking drug in the end.

 

[RJ 17]

Why do you fools fall for this? These aren't games in the artistic sense some seem to demand, these are temperamental services which demand multiple subscriptions and a constant other flow of fools to complete the cycle. Break the damn cycle! This is just a pretty looking drug in the end.

Nah, drugs are addictive, and it seems people have absolutely no problem with quitting Battleborn.

 

[SirSullymore]

Still don't understand the uproar over Overwatch's loot boxes.

Question, can you earn the Platinum by playing or is it only obtainable through real cash, because if you can only buy it, that sucks. Still not a deal breaker for me though as its entirely optional and doesn't effect the game.

 

[hermes]

Still don't understand the uproar over Overwatch's loot boxes.

Because they are entirely random and luck based, and items you have already unlocked pop up constantly (so there is almost no way to "select" what to unlock). Even buying loot boxes does not make it less random.

Good think that the game is just fun to play, because "the progression" is very badly designed. It gets to a point where it is no longer a carrot-on-a-stick situation, because at some point, a new loot box just means maybe one new graffiti for some character you barely use, and three other items you already have (if you are lucky).