Beyond just graphics and processing power, the modalities of gaming are constantly evolving. In particular, the way we access our favourite titles and pay for them has changed quite significantly during the last five years in particular.
For generations, gamers have paid a flat fee for their favourite title and enjoyed all of its features right out of the box. However, in more recent times, developers have experimented with new methods for payment.
In this article, we will explore how these new methods have been implemented, across console and mobile gaming, and examine how the delivery of a smooth transactional experience is helping to underpin the growth of other gaming sectors.
Pay now, pay more
One major bone of contention for gamers has been the introduction of a model that sees gamers fork out for the game off the shelf, but then face the prospect of having to spend more money to unlock more features, or to simply progress in the game.
For example, recent editions of FIFA have been built around the Ultimate Team mode, which is essentially an expanded career mode. Ultimate Team provides plenty of opportunities for players to improve their team by purchasing loot boxes, which offers a little unpredictability.
This has received a mixed response from players, who dislike the fact that so much of the game now revolves around improving your team by spending money. However, the standard tournament, league and friendly modes remain available.
I CAN SKILL AGAIN PEOPLE pic.twitter.com/BuSnGEiwQl
— Fnatic Tekkz (@Tekkz) October 29, 2020
Pay nothing, pay later
Another microtransaction model that has been implemented in recent years allows players to download and enjoy a game for free, but with the opportunity – and often requirement – to make purchases in order to progress at a reasonable pace.
Some games, like Fortnite, limit purchases to aesthetic accessories that do not improve a player’s performance, but others, particularly on mobile, make it extremely difficult to progress onward without purchasing a particular pack. Often the items cost no more than a couple of pounds, but the transactions can mount up over time and it’s easy to see how these kinds of games become so lucrative for developers and publishers.
Carved straight from the patch and here to spice things up.
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) October 30, 2020
Get the Carving Crew Set in the Item Shop now! pic.twitter.com/IDadZwnuKF
Other gaming sectors
For the microtransaction model to work effectively, delivering a smooth payment experience has to be a priority, and that is also the case away from mobile and console gaming, with the online casino sector in particular offering new, seamless ways for players to enjoy the games.
There are a growing number of PayPal casino sites offering players the opportunity to make deposits using the popular online payment platform. The option to pay by the means most suited to each player is so important that it has become a key criterion for online casino reviews and as so many people choose to use PayPal – 260 million, to be precise – that provider has become a focal point. By the same merit, many providers are even introducing cryptocurrency as an option.
Like in many marketplaces, the watchword is choice. Providing gamers with different ways to pay, beyond standard debit and credit card transactions, is helping titles across the gaming industry reach a wider audience than ever before.
Whether you like it or not, microtransactions have become a major and fairly unavoidable part of modern gaming. And, with player power so influential, it will be fascinating to see how the format evolves in the years ahead.
