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[oni-link]

This is more a general comment on pricing in games, but the term 'microtransaction' has always been somewhat misleading.

Micro literally means "extremely small" but we see microtransactions in games priced anywhere between a few pounds/euros/dollars all the way up to half the cost of the entire game, and there are countless examples of people spending hundreds or even thousands on "micro" transactions

When you can spend £15 in a PSN or Steam Sale and come away with 4 or 5 entire games, do you think the term microtransaction is still apt, or do you think it's misleading?

At what point does a microtransaction become a macrotransaction?

 

[ZhugeEX]

When you buy it through Excel.

Spoiler

I'll get my coat

But seriously, Microtransaction is called what it is because it's basically an in app purchase. Not because it's low or high cost. It's a business model, doesn't have anything to do with how much you pay.

 

[hydrophilic attack]

When they want you to pay over and over, over the course of the game. So for something like skipping timers, or temporary experience gains boosts

 

[SPCTRE]

there are countless examples of people spending hundreds or even thousands on "micro" transactions

Several thousand individual transactions can add up to a sizable sum yet still be "micro" on their own ;>

 

[motorised mallard]

For me it's ~2,5 $/€.

But I guess that when you break the 1 $/€ it ceases to be a "micro".

 

[DanteRavenkin]

I don't think microtransactions have ever been "micro". Wasn't it Microsoft who coined the term in relation to car skins or something for ten cents each? That would be micro. $5 for a skin on a gun is excessive and not micro in my eyes as it can add up quickly. And like all things, the concept fell victim to capitalism. I'm guilty of enabling such things, I admit. Having spent small fortunes on stuff in games like Elder Scrolls Online.

 

[oni-link]

Several thousand individual transactions can add up to a sizable sum yet still be "micro" on their own ;>

Yeah, I think the wording helps people feel more comfortable about buying them, it's not a lot of money, it's a "micro" transaction

In app purchase is a much better term, but of course most games are not considered apps

 

[Mobius and pet octopus]

I don't see the importance of the distinction tbh. It doesn't matter what you call it, it doesn't change the price. Maybe it changes your mindset but perhaps you should change your mindset to ignore those labels in the first place and just look at your purchases rationally.

 

[spectator]

I don't think microtransactions have ever been "micro". Wasn't it Microsoft who coined the term in relation to car skins or something for ten cents each? That would be micro. $5 for a skin on a gun is excessive and not micro in my eyes as it can add up quickly. And like all things, the concept fell victim to capitalism. I'm guilty of enabling such things, I admit. Having spent small fortunes on stuff in games like Elder Scrolls Online.

Exactly. The concept was always described in terms of '$0.50 here, $0.25 there', but from the day they started (horse armor, anyone?), there was nothing "micro" about them.

Remember when the music industry asked us to eat the increased cost of CDs "just for a short introductory period, and then the prices will come back down"? Give 'em an inch and they'll keep it.