Dead Space 3 microtransactions to appeal to mobile gamers

Those microtransactions in Dead Space 3 that you've grumbled and griped about? Don't worry, EA says, you won't need to use them to beat the game. Heck, they're not even meant for you! Supposedly the option to buy crafting materials was added so mobile gamers who, presumably on a whim, buy a console and a copy of the game will feel at home coughing up even more cash.

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Those microtransactions in Dead Space 3 that you've grumbled and griped about? Don't worry, EA says, you won't need to use them to beat the game. Heck, they're not even meant for you! Supposedly the option to buy crafting materials was added so mobile gamers who, presumably on a whim, buy a console and a copy of the game will feel at home coughing up even more cash.

"We would never make a game you have to pay to win," producer John Calhoun told CVG. "There are genres of games where that is the answer, and you know what? The world has spoken, they suck."

Pay-to-win is bad, Calhoun says, and developer Visceral Games is made of the sort of "hardcore" players who "are reluctant to spend money outside the purchase of the game." So why are these microtransactions in there at all? Because of those people who "need instant gratification," he says. They need it. Absolutely need. Cannot be denied. Game design be damned!

"We need to make sure we're expanding our audience as well. There are action game fans, and survival horror game fans, who are 19 and 20, and they've only played games on their smartphones, and micro-transactions are to them a standard part of gaming. It's a different generation. So if we're going to bring those people into our world, let's speak their language, but let's not alienate our fans at the same time."

Who is giving these 19 and 20-year-olds so much money, and why?

From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 25, 2013 7:00 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Dead Space 3 microtransactions to appeal to mobile gamers.

    Those microtransactions in Dead Space 3 that you've grumbled and griped about? Don't worry, EA says, you won't need to use them to beat the game. Heck, they're not even meant for you! Supposedly the option to buy crafting materials was added so mobile gamers who, presumably on a whim, buy a console and a copy of the game will feel at home coughing up even more cash.

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      January 25, 2013 7:13 AM

      such a ridiculous reason, haha "argh I'm a mobile gamer I cant buy advancements I'm so LOST here"

      Just be honest EA, we are trying to flog more money out of people.

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        January 25, 2013 7:21 AM

        I'd say Square-Enix is worse than EA in gouging people. THERE, I SAID IT.

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          January 25, 2013 7:40 AM

          Where Capcom reigns king in gouging people.

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            January 25, 2013 11:15 AM

            Japanese game companies were gauging back when your grandpa was releasing free content updates!

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      January 25, 2013 7:15 AM

      i'm pretty sure micro transactions don't appeal to ANYONE.

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      January 25, 2013 7:21 AM

      I'm concerned I'm gonna be weak and buy something.......what's wrong with me?

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      January 25, 2013 7:22 AM

      So you're expanding the audience by telling someone to buy a game for 60 and then pay MORE for an in-game resource....

      Yup that's some iron clad logic you got there.


      Generation Mobile, you guys!

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      January 25, 2013 7:26 AM

      When can we expect Dead Space Premium?

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      January 25, 2013 7:32 AM

      Born mobile! Born mobile! Born mobile! Born mobile! Born mobile! Born mobile! Born mobile!

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      January 25, 2013 7:34 AM

      They should just say "don't worry this is just a tax on idiots dumb enough to purchase it".

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      January 25, 2013 8:00 AM

      You're talking about EA hear. The greediest and worst company that has ever existed. The microstransactions is just another way they can prevent you from enjoying the entire game without putting up more money then the core purchase of the game.

      Ever since free to play games started video games have gone down hill in quality and making developers even more greedy. EA is the worst offender. people need to stop purchasing games published by EA so they can go bankrupt.

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        January 25, 2013 12:13 PM

        actually all publicly traded companies are greedy. that's the point, to keep making money for their shareholders.

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      January 25, 2013 8:02 AM

      I'm pretty ok w/ it actually! As long as it doesn't affect balance. It's just buying gold w/o the MMO.

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      January 25, 2013 8:09 AM

      haven't there been weapons, outfits, armor, etc. available for purchase in all dead space games? i just ignore that crap and play the game. and it's fun!

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        January 25, 2013 8:29 AM

        they were DLC options...not in-game purchases or based on some kind of virtual currency system in the game.

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      January 25, 2013 10:41 AM

      EA logic:

      "Hey did you hear about Dead Space 3?"

      "Eh, I only play survival-horror games on my smartphone."

      "But this game lets you pay real money for upgrades!"

      "Seriously?! Sign me up!"

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      January 25, 2013 11:00 AM

      The industry take on mobile gamers: idiots who randomly spend money on garbage because they're in love with their new device.

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        January 25, 2013 11:13 AM

        This does seem to be the target audience. Do you work in marketing?

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      January 25, 2013 12:23 PM

      okay

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      January 25, 2013 12:35 PM

      [deleted]

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      January 25, 2013 12:37 PM

      You know what, I'm not buying this. I bought 1 and 2 twice. NO more.

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      January 25, 2013 2:26 PM

      [deleted]

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      January 25, 2013 4:34 PM

      So.. The people who want instant gratification are people who use cheat codes in other games, basically, is what they are saying? And so now they are monetizing the cheat codes instead.
      Eeeeeeh it's a dick move and you know it, stop with the lame excuses.

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      January 26, 2013 2:36 AM

      I cancelled my pre order the moment I saw microtransactions were in the game.
      I really enjoyed 1 and 2 but will wait and see what the reviews say about this before I reconsider.
      I can't think of anything that will ruin the tension of a good horror game more than resource gathering.
      I wonder how many people cancelled pre orders?
      did anyone else here do the same?

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      January 26, 2013 6:56 AM

      I a lot less concerned about this as I am the game being a straight port to PC. Does anyone remember what the original was like to play on PC? What's the point of even being the game at this point?

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        January 26, 2013 6:59 AM

        Good Lord I hate auto correct... and why can I not edit or delete? This is why I rarely post here.

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