Halo 5's multiplayer microtransactions cause a stir

343i:

I'm seeing a lot of questions on Twitter and in forums about the new Requisition System (REQ System) in Halo 5: Guardians. The REQ System rewards players across both our multiplayer experiences. Players will earn REQ Points after each match in Arena or Warzone multiplayer, which can then be redeemed for REQ Packs. So what goodies are in REQ Packs? Each pack contains a variety of requisitions (REQs) in the form of unlockable weapons and armors, skins, assassination animations, and more. In addition, players will receive REQ Packs as rewards when they level up their Spartan Rank (SR) and complete Commendations across multiplayer.

[Whirlwind_Fanfare_08]

Are they serious?

[OpieWinston]

20 MP maps at launch
15 DLC for free.

Largest lineup of maps to launch with a Halo game and they're all free. Microtransactions work well since Arenas only cosmetics and Warzone is designed as a casual fun battleground for players.

If you're surprised by Microtransactions. This is a smart system, all earnable via in game.

[Christopher]

As long as they're only cosmetic, I don't care. Microtransaction away.

[Gazondaily]

But its not just cosmetic.

Warzone will allow for people to use weapons they've unlocked from microtransactions in MP.

That sucks. Its going the way of Battlefield and all other shooters.

[OpieWinston]

Cosmetic for Arena the competitive mode.
They unlock Power Weapons/Vehicles that are still energy walled off by how well your team does.

This is a dick move? They're developing 15 maps FOR FREE over the course of 8 months. Do you know how you make money? If they give all maps away for free and then give a cosmetic only micro-transactions system with all things unlockable in game... There's no problem with that. Nirvana couldn't be more delusional.

REQ Cards function like Titanfalls burn cards.
But you can't just drop into a match and hop in a Mantis, they're walled off by how much energy you get which functions like a leveling system.
You're able to unlock certain lower power weapons and vehicles as you level up but strong ones like Mythic weapons aren't unlockable until end tier energy level.

Does anyone read?

[Christopher]

*** But its not just cosmetic. ***

Then as per my comment, it's not okay. I wasn't setting a stance to say they're all cosmetic, I was stating my opinion on microtransactions in general.

[Mr Pumblechook]

"We’ll also give players the option to purchase REQ Packs as a matter of convenience, with a portion of the proceeds going toward prize pools for the Halo Championship Series."

Microsoft has a lot of money in the bank and this is their biggest franchise. Surely it's better that they fund the prize pool?

[BiggerBoss]

I dont like microtransactions. At all. Even if they were just cosmetic, they still piss me off. If its part of the game, I shouldnt have to pay extra for it after dropping $60. If these publishers didnt spend up to 100 mill on ridiculous marketing and advertising, maybe they wouldnt have to recoup their losses through microtransactions.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Yeah I never have a problem with microtransactions if they don't change gameplay and they can be earned without the transaction

[Farmassy]

It sucks that they have the microtransactions. Its too bad since the REQ stuff sounds really cool. I like the idea of leveling up and unlocking more awesome stuff to use in warzone. I think its a great way to keep me interesting in leveling up. However, I don't like they people can just buy them and have all this awesome stuff just because they spent more money than me

[wakeNbake]

Funny half of the concern trolls on this article dont even own an xbox, typical n4g.

[Erik7357]

Still....that is really pissing me off....I would rather pay for DLC than have to pay to unlock 10 dollar armor....this is very disrespectful to the franchise.
I don't care if it's just cosmetic...I liked unlocking armor in Halo and working for it, not paying for it.

[DragonDDark]

If they are free, why not just make them in the game from the beginning?

[nX]

Even though there are far worse microtransactions in other games it's simply a bad signal to the industry if the biggest launch of the year has this kind of stuff as well. It's pretty sad, why can The Witcher 3 afford to have awesome&free DLC while this is full of cosmetic cash-grabs?

[fr0sty]

PAYlo 5

[BattleAxe]

What's the big deal? If you earn the points in-game, then it's more like an unlockable rather than a micro-transaction. The definition of a Micro-transaction, is when you purchase an item using real money.

"All REQ content in the game can be earned through the regular course of play in multiplayer"

[_-EDMIX-_]

no dlc is good bro, even free dlc! /s

[spoonard]

Micro transactions never work well in a $60 AAA game. NEVER. There is no reason for it. Ther is no benefit to the end user. Just an attempt to exploit the stupid mobile phone model of draining the end users pockets with useless crap.

[remixx116]

@wakeNbake

Oh cut it out dude and look at the problem with microtrans, the ones in halo 5 don't phase me much but I still see the issue, your more about seeing fanboys.

I hate it when people are more concerned with fanboy wars while company drag through them.

[Gazondaily]

Is it just cosmetic stuff though?

Arena only allows cosmetic stuff but Warzone allows it all:

" Within Warzone, you’ll have the ability to deploy a multitude of weapons and vehicles from your inventory of REQs throughout a match."

[OC_MurphysLaw]

and that is why I have no issue with it. competitions for pro games will always be arena based so its really a non-issue.

[Christopher]

So, is this kind of like allowing you to unlock weapons early?

[Elit3Nick]

@Christopher No, it will allow you to equip certain weapons when you reach a certain level within the match. For example if you got a card for a fuel rod cannon, you won't be able to equip it once you reach level 7 or 8 within the match.

[_-EDMIX-_]

wow bro, you mean pay to win? /s

[Charybdis]

Seems like an non issue for arena mode, were only cosmetic items can be used.
Though it does raises some issues with warzone. These packs offer unluckable weapons, however before being able to use these unlocks players will just like all warzone players need to fill their in-match REQ Level and Energy systems.
Keeping in mind that these packs can be earned by playing I can see why people might be wary of this.
With a 'portion of the proceeds going toward prize pools for the Halo Championship Series'they do create some good will.

[isa_scout]

Yeah, I'm not to concerned since the REQ system is still based on team performance within Warzone. As long as it doesn't affect Arena mode then I think it'll be fine. I'm more pissed at the fact that the Guardians Statue edition comes with a steelbook case, but has a digital download of the game. Like whats the point of a steelbook case with no game in it? Besides for that this game looks to be the best since Halo 2. I absolutely LOVED the beta, and seeing a proper recreation of midship in the map TRUTH just brought back so many fond memories.

[Magicite]

Metascore of 80-85 confirmed.

[RiseofScorpio]

Uncharted 2: 96
Uncharted 3: 91

Your point?

Both Halo 5 and U4 will destroy their predecessors judging by what we've seen so stop being a fanboy thanks.

[isa_scout]

Why do inconsequential REQ packs lower the quality of a stellar game? I played the crap out of the beta, and all they need is to deliver that on a larger scale and this game will be a homerun for most critics and fans alike. And this is coming from someone who was super skeptical of H5s new direction until I actually got my hands on it. Now I'm sold.

[Halo2ODST2]

It's 343, what do you expect! They don't give a damn about the integrity of halo.

[isa_scout]

To be fair Bungie started driving Halo into the ground with ODST and MP in Reach. If anything I think 343 brought it back from the brink with Halo 4, and the Halo 5 beta was the best Halo MP since Halo 2. I would've been more worried about franchise fatigue had they just copy and pasted Halo 3. I know most people loved Halo 3, but apart from forge and theater mode I felt that it was a huge step back from Halo 2.

[3-4-5]

Most Halo games launch with 7-9 maps which is awful.

Halo 2 was the last halo game with a ton of good to great maps.

I'm not crazy about 343 as map designers either.

Hoping this game is pretty decent.