Take-Two plans to only release games with 'recurrent consumer spending' hooks

[kenmy13999]

Not sure if this has been posted here or not, not gta related but microtransaction related http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-29-ea-not-giving-up-on-microtransactions-in-star-wars-battlefront-2

[Xiled]

 

 

And who said that the updates in Grand Theft Auto Online aren't free? They are and you're not required to pay for them using real cash, but only using in-game money. In addition, comparing between what a racing game offers in their updates and Grand Theft Auto Online content isn't fair. Both games require a different kind of investment and development costs. Also, wait and see how long they will keep supporting GT Sport. It won't be anywhere close to how long GTA has been supported.

GTA Online updates are what I like to call "allegedly free" (see here). Yeah, they're technically free as you didn't have to pay a single penny to download them. But the new vehicles are priced exorbitantly high. You can grind without spending real money, but that takes forever nowadays. "Oh but you don't have to buy the stuff.". But unless you spend all your time in solo or invite only lobbies, you're still going to have to deal with Hydras, Oppressors, Vigilantes, Pyros, Starlings, etc trying to blow your ass to smithereens.

 

"If you don't stand a chance in a 'free' game without shelling out, then the game ain't really free." -Dan Stapleton, "Strategy you can't buy", GamesRadar

 

 

Grinding has always been part of video games and Grand Theft Auto in particular. As long as the updates are added for free, then they're simply free without the need to write long articles about why they're not. I know that because I played the Heists update for free. If you complain about the grind to buy the new fighter jet that can dive into the ocean (if there's one!), then it's a different issue and I've no business in telling you whether or not you should invest your time to buy it. However, I believe in and support the publisher for balancing the in-game price of items such that it's a guarantee that they can have a return on investment. Sometimes they might overcharge, but in other times, they can provide discounts. It's all about balancing and given how popular and stronger the game is compared to 2 years ago, it's at least a workable and flexible model.

 

Rockstar balancing the game? good one. The only thing you can count on rockstar doing is not balancing the game because balance won't sell cash cards. The excessive grinding in game is only there to make you say screw the grinding and give into buying a cash card. If the game were actually balanced, you could earn money in a reasonable amount of time. 40 hours of playing the game to only get $10,000,000 is pathetic. Spending $100, which is $40 more than the base game to only get $8,000,000 is insulting. If say it were $10 for $8,000,000 it would be a lot more reasonable. Hard for me to think someone thats been here since 2007 is ok with gta getting turned into a cash grab. They had so much potential for gta v/gta online and wasted it for a quick profit.

 

No grinding has only been really associated with mmo games where you put years of your life into playing like world of warcraft and runescape. Grinding does not belong in a gta game, its meant to be an open world sandbox where you use things in game as you want. GTA Online is a wannabe mmo that only exists and updated to get people to give them there money after already spending $60 and some bought the game more than once. The only reason the keep making the "free" dlc is because its guaranteed 100% to make money from the small percentage of "whales" who buy many "micro" transactions. GTA Online has been updated 4 years do to there "micro" transactions in gta online. GTA as a series has been around 20 years. It amazes me that people spend hundreds of dollars slowly "earning" virtual cash instead of simply doing a money exploit and getting way more than a pathetic $8,000,000. Exploiting in grand theft auto games, has been around a lot longer than grinding for virtual cash.

[Jabalous]

The game being balanced or not, a grind or a breeze, are totally subjective to a player's experience. As I said in my post, it has to be balanced such that they can guarantee to have a return on investment. If they need to overcharge in some circumstances in order to encourage shark card sales, then they're totally within their rights to do so. You can either continue playing, or leave and don't comeback. More than likely new players will fill the void.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Giantsgiants]

Grinding has always been part of video games and Grand Theft Auto in particular. As long as the updates are added for free, then they're simply free without the need to write long articles about why they're not. I know that because I played the Heists update for free. If you complain about the grind to buy the new fighter jet that can dive into the ocean (if there's one!), then it's a different issue and I've no business in telling you whether or not you should invest your time to buy it. However, I believe in and support the publisher for balancing the in-game price of items such that it's a guarantee that they can have a return on investment. Sometimes they might overcharge, but in other times, they can provide discounts. It's all about balancing and given how popular and stronger the game is compared to 2 years ago, it's at least a workable and flexible model.

Don't get me wrong, I too understand that these things take time and money develop, and game developers need to make money. But there are ways to do that without treating your playerbase like cash cows to milk.

 

 

Not sure if this has been posted here or not, not gta related but microtransaction related http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-29-ea-not-giving-up-on-microtransactions-in-star-wars-battlefront-2

I couldn't help but fixate on this line: "'layering in another economic model to try and make up for some of the economics you lose' by not selling DLC." No, the thought that game developers absolutely have to over-monetize their game to pay the bills is false, false, false. If anything, microtransactions and shady DLC practices will do developers more harm than good. As more customers catch on to their bullsh*t, they stop buying and down will the sales and money go.

 

For starters, why not get the base game right? Make a complete and pleasurable experience. Don't neglect fixing game-breaking bugs. Don't lock critical parts of the story under a paywall. Don't try to sneak your microtransaction practices in and think that we won't notice.

[Xiled]

Rockstar could simply release a pet rock dlc in game and people would give them shark card money for it. You can customize your pet rock with different colors and different sizes of googly eyes.

Rockstars "content" has been recycled/reskinned since finance and felony and cunning stunts. Of the last 4 updates we got, they were all either one or the other of those 2 dlcs.

 

As ea said about starwars battlefront 2, there sales won't be effected by removing the loot crates. Its still funny that they screwed up so badly that they lost $3.1 Billion in there stock value because of it. If take2/rockstar try to put loot crates in future titles, after the starwars disaster with ea, they will deserve the backlash like ea is getting now. Enjoy less people buying rdr2 do to the bs and lies you tell us players. Think about your "micro" transactions when you get less sales for rdr2 than your expecting.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Xiled

[HamwithCheese]

The game being balanced or not, a grind or a breeze, are totally subjective to a player's experience. As I said in my post, it has to be balanced such that they can guarantee to have a return on investment. If they need to overcharge in some circumstances in order to encourage shark card sales, then they're totally within their rights to do so. You can either continue playing, or leave and don't comeback. More than likely new players will fill the void.

"If you don't like it, leave its their game."

 

God, a rehashed argument that's as old as the rehashed biker sh*t.

 

What happens when I leave huh? I go and find another game. What happens when that game does the exact same thing as r* did? Do I leave that game too? What if the next game does the same? And the next? It'll happen. All because of the "like it or leave" mentality. This way of business is incredibly successful and more shareholders will demand their company to make the same moves.

 

 

THAT IS PRACTICALLY THE BIG PROBLEM HERE. Yes we know they are a company out for profit (like you know, ALL COMPANIES) but they had made billions of dollars the first 2 weeks AM I SUPPOSED TO BE OKAY WITH THEM NICKEL AND DIMING ME BECAUSE THEY OWN THEIR OWN GAME?

Edited December 1, 2017 by HamwithCheese

[Lonely-Martin]

No, it cannot and shouldn't have content updates. Your $60 payment covered the content on the game's disc and not what the publisher released later and added on your hard disk drive.

 

You do know when this game was released, it was announced, and marketed with online Heists and Story DLC to come.

 

We actually pre-paid for the DLC.

[Jabalous]

 

No, it cannot and shouldn't have content updates. Your $60 payment covered the content on the game's disc and not what the publisher released later and added on your hard disk drive.

 

You do know when this game was released, it was announced, and marketed with online Heists and Story DLC to come.

 

We actually pre-paid for the DLC.

 

 

No, we didn't. We paid $60 for the game's disc. Anything other than that it's DLC by definition and it keeps coming free of charge since 2013.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Lonely-Martin]

 

 

No, it cannot and shouldn't have content updates. Your $60 payment covered the content on the game's disc and not what the publisher released later and added on your hard disk drive.

 

You do know when this game was released, it was announced, and marketed with online Heists and Story DLC to come.

 

We actually pre-paid for the DLC.

 

 

No, we didn't. We paid $60 for the game's disc. Anything other than that it's DLC by definition and it keeps coming free of charge since 2013.

 

 

Take a look into the early stuff buddy. Players bought knowing heists and story DLC was promised.

 

Just as simple as that. There's no discussions about this dude, it's fact.

[Jabalous]

We pre-paid for it? Well, we got what we paid for, buddy, so I cannot see the problem here. Plus, they actually didn't talk about any Story DLC prior to the game release.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Bruce Khansey]

Enjoy less people buying rdr2 do to the bs and lies you tell us players. Think about your "micro" transactions when you get less sales for rdr2 than your expecting.

 

Man, I wish it would go like this. I really wish so. But it's always the same, everybody complains but we still pour money into greedy developer's pockets.

 

R* Facebook feeds are awful, I ALWAYS read comments like "wow, great discounts, go f*uck yourself", "give us GTA VI instead", "how about single player DLC?", "I won't play this game anymore, everything is too expensive" and so on, yet a lot of bitching players are still here playing this game like brainless zombies.

 

I already know that sooner or later I'll buy RDR2 because it's likely going to be a game worth playing to me. However, it doesn't matter what I think, those are money I'll give R*.

 

At the end of the day, the developer's policy has become disgusting but we still play the game because it's still fun somehow, it is constantly on the edge between being too unbalanced and being worth playing afterall.

[Lonely-Martin]

We pre-paid for it? Well, we got what we paid for, buddy, so I cannot see the problem here. Plus, they actually didn't talk about any Story DLC prior to the game release.

 

No?. Could have sworn they did. Ahh well. You accept this all, I don't. It seems I'm not alone.

 

Either way, we did queue up knowing and expecting. You alluded to us not being so hyped for heists before release, that was the hook, crews/heists, was my point.

[Quinn_flower]

Haha stop defending r*

 

For story dlc they did mention it on a news wire post....but seem like the whales like this guy here doesn't mind to keep giving r* money that's why we are where we are now.

 

I haven't gave r* a single cent and I never will because I'm unhappy for many many reasons of the game. R* wants me to pay to win nah I just get money thru other means.

 

Every single update is making ppl drive to buy a shark card. I can't imagine the dec update but least I have expendable income in game. It's dirty and they lost me as a customer. And until then r* fixes these issues http://gtaforums.com/topic/841430-dear-r-regarding-overall-female-clothing-choices/page-94?do=findComment&comment=1069950937

 

I will not buy any take 2 games anymore. Hell I don't even play gta anymore I just log in if their a shirt log out play fallout or a sp game I have on steam.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Quinn_flower

[MalnuKerman]

I like to think I can see where people are coming from if they have differing opinions than I do, but for the life of me I cannot fathom people who defend microtransactions. It baffles me greatly that any player even defends this sort of things.

 

It's like they're saying "I don't mind my games trying to milk more money from me after paying $60USD up front!"

 

Even if GTA O's Shark Card system isn't as terrible as some games when it comes to microtransaction implementation, I still feel it's affected the game negatively. Do you think developers that include a way to buy in game currency with real cash ISN'T going to try and design the game to encourage microtransaction purchases? I still have a multitude of things that I want to buy that are locked behind an enormous paywall that isn't worth the grind or locked behind the pretty much lootbox system of research in Gunrunning.

"Why don't you just leave if you don't like it then?"

 

I already have. I quit around August after Rockstar Support shrugged off my multiple appeals to reconsider wiping me of my hard earned 2.4 million. They pretty much left me with nothing as I was grinding harder than I've ever grinded before to prepare for Smuggler's Run. I couldn't even afford the hangar that I was eyeing.

 

Rockstar did what I never thought possible as a fan of the GTA series: kill my interest in the franchise and any future releases. Quite a feat!

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Jabalous]

Even if GTA O's Shark Card system isn't as terrible as some games when it comes to microtransaction implementation, I still feel it's affected the game negatively. Do you think developers that include a way to buy in game currency with real cash ISN'T going to try and design the game to encourage microtransaction purchases? I still have a multitude of things that I want to buy that are locked behind an enormous paywall that isn't worth the grind or locked behind the pretty much lootbox system of research in Gunrunning.

"Why don't you just leave if you don't like it then?"

 

Of course they need and should balance the in-game pricing model so that it can encourage shark card sales. Apart from them needing to have a return on investment, it's good for everybody since it will also encourage the publisher to support the game with more content going forward. It's a feedback loop and it works just fine.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Quinn_flower]

Also hello zeldick and Karl jerkoff or r* pr department. I was wandering when you was going to appear.

[Lonely-Martin]

it's good for everybody since it will also encourage the publisher to support the game with more content going forward. It's a feedback loop and it works just fine.

 

And that's where you are wrong!.

 

All it takes is a few braindead 'whales' to buy these cards compared to the actual playerbase. Therefore, as the financial benefits are clearly outweighing the creative additions.

 

Gamers lose. Games then pander to the market they succeed in. Therefore, no matter what the majority of players want, the minority gets to decide the fate.

[Quinn_flower]

Ahhhh whales.....seriously fk the whales.....I know who works for r* or has a investment in it. Because that sh*t sounds like a corporate bs right there

[Jabalous]

 

it's good for everybody since it will also encourage the publisher to support the game with more content going forward. It's a feedback loop and it works just fine.

 

And that's where you are wrong!.

 

All it takes is a few braindead 'whales' to buy these cards compared to the actual playerbase. Therefore, as the financial benefits are clearly outweighing the creative additions.

 

Gamers lose. Games then pander to the market they succeed in. Therefore, no matter what the majority of players want, the minority gets to decide the fate.

 

 

Good. Without those whales who keep funding our fun, there would be no Grand Theft Auto Online. I'd hate for that to happen.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Guest]

In other news GTAIV is still.......online.

[Quinn_flower]

 

 

it's good for everybody since it will also encourage the publisher to support the game with more content going forward. It's a feedback loop and it works just fine.

And that's where you are wrong!.

 

All it takes is a few braindead 'whales' to buy these cards compared to the actual playerbase. Therefore, as the financial benefits are clearly outweighing the creative additions.

 

Gamers lose. Games then pander to the market they succeed in. Therefore, no matter what the majority of players want, the minority gets to decide the fate.

 

Good. Without those whales who keep funding our fun, there would be no Grand Theft Auto Online. I'd hate for that to happen.

Yea thanks for the jacked up prices Whales...lol such a r* fanboi

 

Like others have stated gta online ran it course. It's time to put in the back and go lassie on it.

 

Every update so far been the same old sh*t since vip. This is what the Wales are funding lol..........billion in sales and nothing innovated comes out.

 

 

Take a read fanboi

 

 

http://gtaforums.com/topic/890054-why-microtransactions-are-bad-for-consumers-aka-free-content-can-be-sht/?view=getnewpost

Edited December 1, 2017 by Quinn_flower

[Jabalous]

I wouldn't say the game ran its course when it's more popular than it was one year ago based on the engaged player base. As long as Rockstar keeps supporting it with new content, it still has years in its life. Large-size updates could be in the work as we speak.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[Coranub]

Playerd who only log on GTAO when new content is out then complains its too expensive and R* only wants to sell shark cards...my question is : What were you doing in between DLCs? Plenty of time, and with little to no effort you could easily saved up enough to buy some of the new stuff.

[MalnuKerman]

Just to be cheeky, other games, hobbies, family, studies, work... etc?

[Quinn_flower]

Playerd who only log on GTAO when new content is out then complains its too expensive and R* only wants to sell shark cards...my question is : What were you doing in between DLCs? Plenty of time, and with little to no effort you could easily saved up enough to buy some of the new stuff.

Something called life. Studying English, trying to see if I can work international, applying for a USA visa, work...yea I don't have 24 to grind nor I'm not wasting 85 usd to buy s single item. Only ppl who can no life this game i.e. Kids and whales

Edited December 1, 2017 by Quinn_flower

[Lonely-Martin]

 

Playerd who only log on GTAO when new content is out then complains its too expensive and R* only wants to sell shark cards...my question is : What were you doing in between DLCs? Plenty of time, and with little to no effort you could easily saved up enough to buy some of the new stuff.

Something called life. Studying English, trying to see if I can work international, applying for a USA visa, work...yea I don't have 24 to grind nor I'm not wasting 85 usd to buy s single item. Only ppl who can no life this game i.e. Kids and whales

 

 

Yeah, that's clearly not allowed.

 

Again, highlights the issues.

[Bruce Khansey]

For Christ sake, is it difficult to say "Hey guys, new DLC. Pay 15€ and have access to bunker, new vehicles, clothes, weapons, missions and so on"?. The economy of the game remains the same: no 2mil $ cars, no 60k for car rims, no 20k for a f*ckin shirt, still good payouts for whatever activity you want to play.

 

You could either buy it or being disgusted by the idea of a flying motorbike, but hell, the game is still fun and entertaining as it was previously.

 

You can tell me whatever you want, I think people would likely pay 15€ every three months for a new DLC rather than having a game in which you have to choose between grinding the same couple of businesses or spending three times more money in shark cards.

[Jabalous]

Grinding, whales and the free in-game market where prices are controlled by the manufacturer (i.e. Rockstar) make the game more competitive and increase the engagement. Having access to everything in each DLC for, say, $10 isn't exciting. That was an old model and it's been replaced. Grand Theft Auto Online is the first experiment and newer models might emerge, such as one where prices could fluctuate based on supply and demand as dictated by player's behaviors, or in-game transactions between players (e.g. sell your car to another player for a price of your choice).

Edited December 1, 2017 by Efreet

[elfoam]

And I thought the thousands Turkey employ to make them look better on social media was dodgy :]

[Quinn_flower]

Lol the r* employee emerges

 

 

Hi r* did you saw my thread about the clothing? Cause you been putting out sh*t as of late. Go read it again study it embrace it and then when ur done with ur hard on of butch girls then make actually good clothing.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Quinn_flower