Halo Infinite Has a Micro-transaction Problem

TheOuterhaven write, "While Halo Infinite's beta truly feels like a return to form for the franchise, its status as a Free-to-Play game brings about some clear issues concerning its monetization."

[-Foxtrot]

But it's free so it's a not really a problem obviously /s

[Neonridr]

For most people, No. I'm not going to sit here and make excuses for people who feel the need to spend money on cosmetic items. Most people will opt to purchase the battle pass and that would be it.

[DoctorOswin]

Certainly. There's even the resources to be gained through MS rewards. 10 bucks is barely a dent.

There are also people who are going to whale. I'm also just down for buying stuff from the store, it just seems unreasonably priced at the moment. Kind of like how Avengers is.

[4Sh0w]

Ok lets forget that he didnt note that the progression has been sped up by now getting XP per match & XP boost times being doubled. This part really makes me shake my head:

From the author:

"Some will utilize their Microsoft reward points. A lot of players probably won’t even spend a dime and I applaud those guys. I will unashamedly admit to buying the premium battle pass and some armor off the store.

-So theres other ways to either lower your cost, aside from just earning XP but ironically he calls monetization of Halo is a problem yet he "unashamedly" admitted he bought the premium battlepass any way.

So by his standards its bad but OK for him, so b*$th about a problem instead of being part of the solution....or I guess its not that bad for him, just something to write about.

[DoctorOswin]

@4Sh0w you didn't really read the article and it shows my man.

[4Sh0w]

Im literally qouting him, so how didnt I read it, are you the author?

You must have misunderstood and it shows. Im not saying you're wrong about the monetization in general my only point is that he's part of the problem for buying the into the same monetization, so why lecture us about it being a problem...its like he wants his cake & eat it too. Hey but whatever.

[JEECE]

"Most people will opt to purchase the battle pass." Really? Why?

[neutralgamer1992]

Issue is micro transactions is a industry to itself worth billions. EA, Activision, epic and R* with shark cards have combined made more through MT than actually selling games

EA through it's sports games make almost 800 million from MT so when we say it's fine for one game other publishers see that and who don't want free money. It's like if Sony didn't start charging for plus yet made same big improvements there is no way Ms could get away with charging for live but that's free money

Honestly speaking a lot of these games with MT where you have to level up/grind make that grind that much like a chore so that they can sell us XP boosters

We as a community are so split on which box is better that we never speak as one and say no but instead most of us have our preferences of which box is better and same how's for gaming series that we are willing to defend because we are fans

[Neonridr]

JEECE - It is just something that exists in some games today. Apex, Destiny 2, I'm sure there are others. Allows you to earn stuff while you play. However that is a single fee per season and usually isn't that expensive.

[LordoftheCritics]

You forgot to use the ''its in beta...."" card

[Zeref]

It is though...

[PapaBop]

That's my only real gripe with it.. you don't add microtransactions to betas. Obviously it's not in beta but full release, they are just using the beta tag as an excuse for any issues.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

@zeref
Nii San go home man they're talking about the fact that ppl excuse incomplete games or accepting overpriced microtransactions.

[rzac]

I still don't get the complaints about the item pricing what were people expecting cheap skins from a triple AAA developer? Its all the same pricing as Fortnite cosmetics.

[annoyedgamer]

Saw it coming a mile away.

[DoctorOswin]

Absolutely. The moment they told us it would be free to play, we knew it would be monetized in some way as is the usual but man. It's bad here.

[Godmars290]

That f2p was actually made free to play on XBL/GP/whatever in the wake of the original reveal should have been enough of a heads up.

[ApocalypseShadow]

It's their way of trying to make back that 500+ million of development and delay. By nickel and diming.

[rakentaja]

You have no reason to buy anything more than a Battle Pass for $ 10. I really don't care who my operator is (in a fps game) and whether my weapons are red or blue. Your answer really is like it's something "mandatory" on which you have to spend money. I couldn't care less about the skins. It's something for a really young audience, like a pretty young ones...

[Godmars290]

@rakentaja:
Are you aware of the crap going on with titles like Fortnite? Kids being shamed for just having standard gear and basic colors? That's what MS is banking on when talking about social gaming. They want online crowds applying peer pressure to spur MTs.

[Suave_Langosta]

@godmars290 reread what you said and think about it. IF that is true, then the kids being effected in such a way shouldn’t be playing video games. They need to be out in the real world and learning better social skills and not let something as shallow as a video game skin effect their demeanor.

I can’t believe I just had to type that out about children playing games. The parents should step in and stop the child from developing such a prudent feeling towards something entirely meaningless. These kids will grow up depressed and alone in a world full of people if they are letting video games effect them as you claim. Kids don’t have to play video games, but these dependent kids probably have under engaged parents/guardians who let them play for hours a day.

The world is a place of beauty and wonderment, kids that sit inside and let games control their life’s direction need a break from games. They don’t have the fortitude to know they are being laid victim to a greedy/addicting activity, they need honest guidance and explanations as to why being upset or feeling harassed over something meaningless shouldn’t be an issue.

[LordoftheCritics]

The issue is the amount of time it takes to unlock all that is just ridiculous.

You will be forced to buy if you want some of that progression or lose large amounts of precious time.

[DoctorOswin]

It HEAVILY incentivizes you to spend money. The 50 exp per round is simply not enough to make a big difference.

Especially considering the fact that there was already a challenge that gave 100xp for playing 2 matches.

[Neonridr]

well we know tweaks are coming to the progression, so probably best to wait to see what progression is like after they make some changes.

[GamerRN]

Bro... They are cosmetics... 🤦

[DJStotty]

@LordoftheCritics

"The issue is the amount of time it takes to unlock all that is just ridiculous.

You will be forced to buy if you want some of that progression or lose large amounts of precious time."

Someone who has clearly jumped on some kind of non-existent bandwagon, with no prior research.

The Premium Battlepass, which i am guessing you are referencing right? Is $10, yes $10, i am more than willing to invest $10, in a MP game from a franchise where i am part of the fanbase, where i am going to be spending months, if not years, playing the MP, to support 343I alone.

The rest of the MT's are simply cosmetic items, and are not forced on anyone at anytime, if gamers pay high prices for them because they really like them, so be it, you should watch some CS:GO and see how much gamers spend there....

[LordoftheCritics]

You clearly dont understand.

Its not the 10$, thats nothing.

Its the amount of time it will take to unlock everything else after you buy that 10$ slave ticket.

[DJStotty]

@Lord

But why would it bother people if it takes a while to unlock the tiers? Surely that is the point of the game? to play and progress?

You ever played games like Neverwinter? I have been grinding that for a few years, and they just release more content.

It is simply a case of crying over spilt milk, to try and extinguish the flames of the hype currently surrounding Halo Infinite MP, 343i have already addressed progression, but the article is not about the time spent, it is simply about how much it would cost to unlock everything right off the bat, paying to win.

Re-read the article

This statement sums the entire whining article up perfectly :-

"buying everything (Premium Battle Pass included) without playing the game at all, it would cost me $334."

Note : "WITHOUT PLAYING THE GAME AT ALL"

Who, i mean, who, would buy everything, without even playing?

[Suave_Langosta]

@lordofthecritics

A battlepass that will never expire for 10 bucks, one you can go back months later to and unlock if you didn’t get it done before. How is that an issue?

The amount of time shouldn’t matter, sorry but if this is an issue for cosmetics, then don’t play. It has nothing to effect gameplay with and you literally can unlock them from here on out.

What matters is, is the gameplay fun? If you say yes, then enjoy the game for its gameplays. Do I want to look badass? Sure. Do I need to look bad ass? No.

[Deathdeliverer]

I talked about this days ago. Glad I’m not crazy.

[Skywalker333]

If I play a multiplayer game, I play for the GAMEPLAY. I find zero incentive in paying or grinding for cosmetics. So in my book, they can charge for them anything they want, I don't care at all. Especially since its a first person game and I almost never see my spartan :P
In the end, it is a free to play game and it needs to earn its huge production costs from somewhere.

[DoctorOswin]

You're not wrong man I applaud you for being able to save your cash. Customizations are my Achilles heel in gaming though and I eat that shit up. They suckered me right in. I've seen streamers who have whaled and bought the pass out too. They're definitely making their money and that's not a bad thing.

[Neonridr]

streamers are a different breed because they are making money by playing the content.

[DoctorOswin]

@neonridr

Maybe. I know we've seen the metrics recently but plenty of them aren't making that much money after Twitch gets paid.

[DJStotty]

@DoctorOswin

"but plenty of them aren't making that much money after Twitch gets paid."

Tell that to Xqc and co, not making money lmao....

[franwex]

I’m all in for gameplay too. I have one of the standard character models from Warzone from when it 1st released to this day. If you feel that you need a cool hat or boots. Hey, it’s your money. Lol.

[Rude-ro]

Your view point has nothing to do on the mass market.
Cool for you..
But predatory marketing tactics, something the world is numb to now, is why the practice is in place in video games.
THE VERY REASON THE GAME IS FREE IS DUE TO GLOBAL LAWS THAT WERE PASSED FOR THESE PREDATORY BEHAVIORS!!
These companies are trying to circumvent steps to make it totally illegal to do.

To this day, free to play games that want to benefit financially through those stores have offered less to gamers for better profits.
So YOU may not care, but as a gamer, what you are playing is, in fact, effected by all of this.

Halo infinite is literally two gens old with shiny paint… there was no $500 million spent on this game.. it was spent on marketing, influencers & hype articles.

[DJStotty]

Nothing is forced, everything is cosmetic, it is hardly a predatory practice when nothing hampers progression.

[Suave_Langosta]

Ok so stop playing games. Halo and 343 aren’t making you buy fashion items. If you’re obsessed and can’t control the urge to spend money, then make your own solution. It literally effects no one but you.

MTX like fifa, cod, gta, eso, and you know predatory ones that are totally random and give the purchasing players a leg up on players in game are horrid.

MTX that are solely cosmetic, oh well, let them be there, if you’re against them, don’t partake, but don’t act like this broke halo Bc the game plays just the same BP or not BP.

[Andrew336]

Everything about this thread and article is stupid. Don't buy the shit, if you don't have the will power to not spend money that's on you.

[Einhander1971]

The whole gaming industry has micro-transaction problems!!

[Magog]

I don't recall encountering any micro-transaction issues in TLOU2, Spider-Man, Returnal, Ghost of Tsushima, Rift Apart, Demon's Souls or Kena Bridge of Spirits. 🤔

[THAT-GAMER]

🤦‍♂️this guy hates Microsoft

[SullysCigar]

^^^ Those disagreeing with that statement don't alter the fact.

[annoyedgamer]

Didn't run into any in Metro Exodus of The Witcher either but those aren't made by Sony.

[Orchard]

Are those games free to play? I paid full price for them… I got scammed.

Also MLB and Destruction AllStars are paid games and are full of MTX… did you casually forget about them?

[Rachel_Alucard]

Cherry picking specific single player titles doesn't change the point. Most single player games are made to sell platforms, win awards, and add content to sell for advertising during shareholder viewing. Anything with service in it's design is doomed for MTX. Even Ubisoft knows how to put MTX in a single player game.

[DJStotty]

@Magog

Just you wait sweet cheeks when those MP centric 1st party PS5 games come into the fray, you will not be happy.

[Suave_Langosta]

Single player games my dude, different breed. But solely naming Sony games is the cream on top, just say you hate Microsoft and cut out the world salad.

[spicelicka]

Those games were free to play? 🤔 You missed Uncharted...oh wait 🤔

[TheEnigma313]

Its FTP and you don't need live, so of course it will have MTs.

[Smok91]

I did laugh a little to myself when I saw monetization while the game is, as they describe, in beta.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Ffs, it’s a F2P game, and all of the MX’s are for pure cosmetics.

Until any of those cosmetics start giving players advantages over others, there isn’t a MX problem.

Stop crying, you babies. If you want the cool helmet, then accept that you need to grind for it. You don’t NEED it, so stop acting entitled to it.

This is how the F2P product model works. 343i did a fine job of applying it to Halo. Sure, it takes a while to finish battle passes, but you can finish those WHENEVER you can manage (seriously, they removed the time pressure. I can’t think of another battle pass that does that.).

[DoctorOswin]

I dunno why someone always has to reply this way.

Not everything is grindable. You aren't given currency from the battle pass and much of the battle pass is locked behind a paywall which is the point of the article. You can grind and get some stuff but you can't get everything if you DON'T pay.

the intent of the article isn't even to criticize the model but how the model is handled, which is poorly. It being free shouldn't be the "get out of jail free" card you guys want to act like it is. Maybe try reading the article next time.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

I still stand by my stance, with slight alterations: The game is free, so get ready to pay for cosmetics if you really WANT (not “need”) them.

If it creates a hole in your heart not having a super cool cosmetic behind a paywall, then tough. That feeling of incompleteness and yearning is how the hardworking devs plan to turn a profit. It’s not a good feeling, but not getting everything you want is part of being an adult. Pay for it, or get over it. The FREE game is still fun as hell without the cosmetic.

I’d rather have this model than a game that segregates the community based on DLC purchases. That’s the other option, and some people here are old enough to know how much that sucks.

This is THE best model for long-term multiplayer games: maximum amount of players due to minimal initial investment. This makes game communities last longer, so that the game can afford to be supported by devs for the long haul as well.

[4Sh0w]

DoctorOswin
"but you can't get everything if you DON'T pay."

-I literally can't believe a grown man writing news about a game just said that. Bro like 85% -90% of the battlepass content is NOT locked behind a paywall but you not only want everything quickly but you also want a FREE GAME to GIVE YOU 100% of its content for free, content that doesnt affect the gameplay or create a advantage, YOU are entitled to it, for nothing....are you serious? lol, what world do you live in?

[DJStotty]

a $10 paywall in a F2P game, and that premium battlepass is for LIFE

As soon as i get space on my SSD, your dead right i'm dropping cash for the battlepass, to support the achievement that 343i have done with Halo Infinite.

[kayoss]

Destiny 2 is free to play, but the majority of their Microtransactions are cosmetic. It sounds like Halo Infinite is not the same. Hoping they change their stance.

[spicelicka]

Destiny 2 became free to play long after it was a fully paid game, they also charge for expansions that are padded with cosmetics and lock playlists. I'm not sure what you mean by "majority of their Microtransactions are cosmetic", EVERYTHING in Halo Infinite is cosmetic, so how is that not better.

[Father__Merrin]

It's free therefore you've not been forced into anything. I do feel it would have been better with different character skins as players with customisation on them.

[DoctorOswin]

The problem is, as I said to the other guy, that's not a get out of jail free card. You're just regurgitating something people already know.

Also, there kind of are character skins in the form of Armor Kits. You can currently unlock Noble team via the battle pass.

[Suave_Langosta]

You are regurgitating the same points everyone else already knows, so calm down Socrates. You just chose the wrong hill to die on. 343 can and should get money back for giving you halo MP for free. It’s fun and plays rather smoothly for a new launch. If you want to look like Nobel, that’s something you want, so you gotta pay a small fee to you know play the game and get enjoyment to teach that make believe goal. I on the other hand will gladly give 10 measly bucks every season to unlock LIFETIME battle passes. I don’t need to look cool to enjoy a fun game.

[DJStotty]

The good thing is, the battlepass ($10) is a lifetime pass, and once they add new tiers/items/seasons, more and more unlockables will be available, this is just the Beta items, and everyone is acting like 343 came into their home at christmas and left a steamer on the dinner table.

[Magog]

Same as every other free to play game which is why I won't touch them with a 10 foot pole.

[jartoon]

In-game design decisions that are driven by microtransactions will always be worse than those made purely for the quality of the experience. Its disappointing that MS would allow their most storied franchise to swirl down the F2P rabbithole. It still might end up being a good game, but it will, by definition, be inferior than it wouldve been had they totally excluded microtransactions. Im glad I dont really care about Halo, and Im sorry to those of you Halo superfans whose sanctity and trust has been breached by greed and corporate marketing departments..

[MadLad]

As someone who has never once felt the need to purchase a skin in order to enjoy the game ... who the hell cares.
Get back to me when they're selling damage/defense buffs for $5 a pop.

What the title should read is "free to play game finds least intrusive way of monetizing itself".

An entire comments section acting like it's egregious that a free to play game has a way of turning a profit and is the downfall of modern society or something.

Point is I can still jump into Halo any time I want and enjoy it. I just can't do it with the purple mohawk of 1337ness right out of the gate. Somehow I'll live and still enjoy the game.

[DoctorOswin]

Apparently you care enough to provide some feedback.

Also, if you consider locking most of the cosmetics behind a paywall and giving out experience needed to progress and earn them, "the least intrusive way to handle it" then buddy you're insane.

[MadLad]

"Apparently you care enough to provide some feedback"

I mean, you tried.
But that's a response for someone asking who cares about someone's opinion. Not questioning the logic behind going ape over simple cosmetics being available in a free to play game.

"Also, if you consider locking most of the cosmetics behind a paywall and giving out experience needed to progress and earn them, "the least intrusive way to handle it" then buddy you're insane."

Lol.
I'm insane?

We're looking at a free to play game. They removed the buy-in cost. They aren't offering buffs or even experience boosts. They offering instant access for some damn cosmetics.
Where the hell do you find any revenue stream if you remove absolutely all of that? The whole point of free to play is to garner a large audience due to the lack of gatekeeping, and those who are truly invested with the game keep it running and supported.

Do you have some amazing new business model I am unaware of that throws all of that away, yet still has a revenue model that can realistically support future development and server hosting.

And there is no pay wall. You get the entire Halo experience for free. Potentially hundreds of hours of game to be had. On the side there are superficial cosmetics for those truly invested in, and want to support the game.

I love the idea of games all being free, and supported forever, but we live in real people world, and people need financial incentive to create these projects, as well as to support it down the road.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Well said Ted Cruz?

[spicelicka]

Completely agree. To me the issue also the community that spends money on cosmetics in the first place. It's a free to play game that has no pay to win component, skill and teamwork is most important, you don't need a pink spartan to enjoy it.

[Teflon02]

Sat here praising the Battlepass instead of using common sense. This is such a non article, if it's free to play, this is basically always the idea lol

[DoctorOswin]

Free-to-play isn't a get out of jail free card bro. You know it's true and acting like poorly handling your progression system and locking most of the cosmetics behind a paywall isn't okay.

Glad you're okay with it though.

[DJStotty]

Your obsessed with this "paywall" statement, that paywall is £10/$10, for the lifetime of the game, a one-off payment, progression has been addressed and improved, just deal with it and move on.

[Gaming4Life1981]

I don't really see a problem here. People think the cosmetics are overpriced then simply don't buy them.

Battle pass progression is the real problem but 343i said that will fix it.

[shade549]

Surely there are limits to cosmetic mtx even if its free to play. Literally $20 for 1 skin is rather insulting relative to the price of a game.

[chicken_in_the_corn]

Why is having the same games sold to us over and over again a good thing but optional in game purchases a bad thing?

[JustSomeGuy94]

Problem? Don't buy them, problem solved.

[Petebloodyonion]

I'm quite shocked and puzzled by how ppl need to complain about the cost or the structure of buying skins because some players love to customize the look of the player.
Gee. Are they charging you for pay-to-wins Items?
Do you unlock add ons, perks, skills, guns, etc?

No! everybody starts at the same level each match while playing for free.

[Destiny1080]

20 bucks for a skin, LMAO

they release half the game as free to play, and the other half you need a subscription, LMAO

[MadLad]

I didn't know that Halo's design philosophy boiled down to equal parts maps, gunplay, game modes .... and then the other half being pwetty awmor.

[DJStotty]

False, why do you need a subscription to play Halo Infinite?

[Rachel_Alucard]

Halo has always had some customization that people enjoyed throughout the years. To suddenly place most of it all behind a paywall is awful for longtime players and obnoxious to new ones. And the ones that do pay still have to grind an eternity to get the same thing. I don't like this dismissive attitude people have about it just because it has no effect on the shooting aspect. It's the only thing in the game currently anyone can work towards, so of course people are going to want it. But clearly you need to be a whale on top of spending 10s of hours to get the most basic system now. Even coloring your armor, something that hasn't changed at all since Halo 2, is now behind a Destiny like coating system which just makes the whole thing worse.

[aaronaton]

The last time I was hammered this hard to buy stuff, i was walking down a street in Cairo. Talk about cheap, nasty and predator tactics, even for a F2P.

[DJStotty]

This article is clearly coming from someone who wants every customization option on Day 1, course it will cost you if you do that lmao.

A waste of an article if you ask me, the absolute minority will Pay to Unlock like this author is going on about.

I'll just pay £10 for the Battle pass and just unlock everything with natural progression, but to each their own.

[lellkay]

No one saw this coming did they.... sigh

[Lostbytes]

To each their own. Seems like a personal problem to me. F2P always has absurd pricing for cosmetics. Along with forced scarcity. I personally could care less about any of the customization. It is extraneous fluff, specifically designed and presented to produce fomo.

[Suave_Langosta]

Is the progression slow? Yea, but it was out for like 2 days and they literally fixed it due to the fans being upset. If the complaints keep coming in, I’m sure there are bound to be more fixes.

While I get why people are voicing their opinion… a free game charging for cosmetics is bad? To me it seems like half of you guys play to look cool and forget the gameplay aspect of the entire game. I don’t buy battlepasses unless I like the game, and this one literally have no effect on your in match time spent.

As for me, I don’t mind that it takes a while to unlock things as I only have a few hours a week to actually play, and the battlepasses are always available, even three passes later, you’ll be able to come back to this one if you didn’t get it unlocked. Seems like some people found a weak point in this game and are now fanning a flame without really enjoying/caring about the game. But that’s just my opinion.

[darkrider]

It's only the beginning. Halo free to play. How will Microsoft make money? Hundreds of millions back and still make profit?

[anast]

Of course it has, it's cheap live service entertainment.

[esherwood]

I’m telling you it’s just a matter of time before gamepass Is full of pay to win games and micro transactions

[DOMination-]

I had to wait 50 hours to level up enough to get the bullet deflecting suit in HZD. And I paid 40 quid for it. And I couldn't even get it until after I completed the game.

What a disgrace.