Star Wars MMO Hints at Microtransaction-based Future

One characteristic that sets most Eastern-developed MMOs from their Western counterparts is the microtransaction-based model, which throws away monthly subscription fees and instead allows the players to pay for certain virtual items while enjoying the main game for free. But, as of late, many Western studios have shed the monthly reminder of reality, such as Sony Online Entertainment with their release of Station Cash, where players of Everquest may purchase a bevy of in-game items, and Electronic Art’s recent comments on the next Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic, hints at a future where players could be nickel and dime’d to death.

EA CEO John Riccitiello, via Shacknews, took us for a spin when he said during a conference call that the Star Wars MMO would be microtransaction-based, only to have the company retract it, saying that “No statements have been made about the Star Wars business models.” Whether the publishing giant will opt for it or not remains to be seen, but the whole exchange has us here at GotGame wondering. Is a microtransaction system the way to go?

The straight answer is it depends on how well the companies are able to handle it, specifically the balance of power between characters that have these purchased items compared to ones who don’t. Do these items boost in-game stats, or are they just fun little pieces of clothing to dress your avatars and knickknacks for them to play with when they’re not slaying the newest dungeon boss? Yet this train of thought raises another issue; either the items create an unfair advantage on the battlefield, or they’re just useless, virtual novelties we paid for with actual money. And the question isn’t if microtransactions can work, since Second Life dispels any doubts, but if this will topple monthly subscriptions as the mainstream method of choice. Perhaps, it’s all in how the companies advertise it. “Free to play” sounds a lot better than “pay-as-you-go;” that is, if you don’t mind the lying.

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