Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?

I think it will be hard to say until it happens.

I have seen games that are fine with stores and others that are ruined by stores. The ruining can be scaled from too many speed boost items that take the point out of playing the game to being filled with borderline 'can't live without' type items at an insane price.

The trick here is, as said, the game is about cosmetics so how they go about balancing in game cosmetics versus in shop cosmetics will be a big factor. If they want to offer the limited time event stuff(or similar in order to keep the event unique) at a price I'm not against it. Will be nice for those who miss an event but like the style of cosmetic offered during. A few cool shop limited outfits is fine but the second the in game currency cosmetics start looking like trash in comparison to get people to spend the money I will take issue. So long as the good stuff isn't ALL behind the counter I won't mind shopping from time to time.

In a nutshell it's hard to say. The various tidbits I have seen here and there on the upcoming microtransactions don't have me worried. I think there heads are in a good place moving forward with it. Will that last long term? Time will tell.

@john-hatter I think the issue is more will Micro transactions replace the need to play the game. As the only goals are cosmetic, and if you can buy the look of the ship you want, and the clothes you want etc...what's left in the game for you to want to earn... why do pve content at all at that point. I am not a fan. At least not with the game in it's current form.

Pets, okay.

@dragonsire2016
Very good point but the reality would vary from person to person. I personally am pretty simple and will sail around just to sail around so a cosmetic geared shop wouldn't break much for me in the long run.

As a whole though I imagine more people, even those in a similar stance as myself, would lean more towards a more 'common' gameplay approach(content/goals/etc) and would therefor find a shop destructive to the gameplay value as you have described.

It goes to show how much of a precarious position Rare has put themselves in with this game. The balance in creating content items is tricky enough without trying to come up with a healthy microtransaction formula that is also fair and balanced without throwing off the balance of their own game. Another area where I do not envy the dance they are attempting.

@drunkpunk138
Really good point I hadn't really thought of. I know of a few games with TERRIBLE reputation for their cash shop greed and yet people still play the game and spend real money, they just do it more angrily vocal.

Perspective is a big key to this conversation I had overlooked. Though given the stylistic choices in this games content I feel no matter the definition a poor cash shop has the potential to hit Sea of Thieves harder than other existing titles.

If they sell items like upgraded cannonballs, special potions/poisons, or anything else that grants an advantage only for real money then it would be a problem. I have seen nothing to indicate they are considering something like that. If they offer exclusive cosmetic items and pets then I do not see it becoming an issue for most players. Yes, some players will demand access to everything for free, but I do not think they are a significant proportion of the whole community.

I think MT's are only going to grow the playerbase, Give Rare more play money to keep making us new free content, and enrich and make everyone more individual. All these are great things!

@mad-jack-ketch said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

@betsill so why are you arguing a point that is already valid and answered yet still try and cause a fuss over what the facts are?

He is the one that made a massive post saying the ebon flintlock and mercenary pistols are considered pay to win.

@ant-heuser-kush said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

@ve111a said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

I think MT's are only going to grow the playerbase, Give Rare more play money to keep making us new free content, and enrich and make everyone more individual. All these are great things!

I still want a robot monkey, a golden monkey, or one that looks like Diddy. I'd happily pay for that.

Which diddy?

P Diddy

Or Diddy Kong?

@betsill said in Will micro transactions kill Sea of Theives?:

@ant-heuser-kush The way I see it, is that if people like you will pay these companies money with little to no questions asked: They will charge us for it. I'ts not about being jealous of your ingame character, it's about me getting less for my money because Rare(or some other company) knows they can get away with it. It's why EA got away with their horrible lootbox system for so long. Companies will almost always follow the money and if you wave your $ outside the game then they will go get it instead of keeping the content in game.

Companies will follow the money Lol. Rare is in the works for 3 solid FREE DLCS. I personally would have been ok paying money for all of them. If Rare is doing the cash shop to help fund future content I am, And always will be on board.