@apocacide me neither, that stuff is illegal so I don't know how they do it lol. But I know its done.

@c4mg1rl Please read the information in this article.

https://segmentnext.com/2016/08/29/sea-of-thieves-interview-exploration-solo-customization-and-more/

And in this article:

Entertainment

Also, let me explain that Rare has stated that they want to "remove the walls from your typical multiplayer experience." In that they mean they don't want to be tied to a level or stat based system. They've never once said that there wouldn't be inherently "better/worse" gear or equipment in their game. They have said there will be situationally better gear and equipment, as well as worse gear and equipment. They have also said, that there will be larger sails that you can upgrade too. Mike Chapman has clarified that even further suggesting that larger sails might make your ship quicker with the wind, but it will also make you slower against it. He also seemed to suggest that you would be far easier to spot as well.

Everything Rare has added to the game has its own role and strength, and each of those will likely server players in different ways. I for instance plan on being a trader, my ship will likely be geared towards speed and cargo, thus I might pass on upgrades like cannons or Harpoons. Just speculation here, I don't know if there's harpoons its just an example. Subsequently I might also skip purchasing the Blunderbuss or some other gear that more suited for pvp. Instead buying things like the Eye of Reach.

Every item, upgrade, or weapon has a role.

@apocacide It does happen on Xbox just as fragrantly unfortunately. PUBG was full of AFK farmers the first few weeks. I also know that Final Fantasy was, and is, still a breading ground of gold farmers on both the PC and PS4 side of things.

@icecreammanatee said in Microtransactions appeared in Microsoft Store:

@ethnine I didn't mean NO advantaged items, merely limited compared to many games. I appreciate the quote on sail size--I hadn't seen that one--although I'll take it with a grain of salt.

Yeah, I would take everything with a grain of salt until 100% prove to be in the game visually. Don't want to NMS this thing up. But its interesting none the less, and its something they've spoken on in length at other press events. Thus adding things like that to the list of acceptable microtransactions is a no go in my opinion.

@ethnine I didn't mean NO advantaged items, merely limited compared to many games. I appreciate the quote on sail size--I hadn't seen that one--although I'll take it with a grain of salt.

@katttruewalker I suppose that would be quite easy... create a new Gamertag max it out with the exclusive items and then sell them for a huge profit. I hope that the whole Microsoft Account/Gamertag setup makes it difficult to farm accounts especially if they weren't the ones to purchase the game themselves.

You do see this all the time with other PC games, just not as much with Xbox games you are right.

@avecrux

What concerns me about microtransactions is that, depending on how they're paid for, they might open the way for gold farmers, power levellers and people who exploit the mechanics in game and resell currency or items to other players for real world money.

I know this thing is fairly rife in PC mmorpg's but I'm not familiar with Xbox or if it would be possible to even do this.

This seems to be taken out of proportion. If a player buys through micro-transactions a costume the only person that it'd be hurting is themselves by taking away the sense of accomplishment in earning it. The devs have stated repeatedly as stated before that they want everyone to be on an even playing field gearwise if that's their intent then I doubt that you'll be able to buy "Elite Rare sail for you ship will allow you to move at double the speed"

@splatulated I sure did!

What bugs me the most about this picture is why are people allowed to rate the game already when it hasn't officially released??

@icecreammanatee The developers have also said that certain weapons will have situational advantages/disadvantages over the others. And this idea will be expanded upon in the final game. Here is a couple of direct quotes for you:

"The focus on the design team has always been, 'there's a right tool for the job.' So rather than deliberately going into design and making weak powered weapons, it was always the fact that 'there might be the trait of a weapon, that its generally lower firepower. But its got a benefit elsewhere.' And that in a certain situation, there's an incentive to use that weapon."

"Yeah. So far in our Technical Alpha we've showed off Cutlass', Flint Lock Pistols, and Blunderbuss. And the idea is that each of those weapon archetypes conform to different classes. So you've got Cutlass', which is deliberately short ranged melee weapon, Flint Lock Pistols which are your mid-range, then you have your Blunderbuss which are super close-range..."

Or if you want to see an example on ship customization's here this quote:

"Yeah. You get treasure and you want the loot, you’ll want to spend it. Personal progressions are around you and also on weapons and objects that you can carry. Everyone wants to own a ship or ships and make it look like they want it to look cool. These customizations aren’t just aesthetics but functional too. So a larger sail that looks cool will also makes your ship move quicker too."

Yes, these upgrades and items will be available to all players, but you will still have to earn them. This idea that Sea of Thieves is nothing but cosmetics is completely false, and has been proven to be false over and over again. Even in the beta it was proven to be false. Weapons and upgrades will serve a functional purpose, that will give a player a slight advantage depending on the type of situation that player is in and what they're up against. It will also come down to how the player plays this game. By that I mean, you likely won't find yourself needing to purchase a Blundarbuss if you're not planning on PVP'ing all that much, and you might decide to invest that money into something that gives you an advantage in running cargo for the Merchants Alliance instead.

Its these items and upgrades that I am NOT okay with being part of the microtransaction system.

@ethnine said in Microtransactions appeared in Microsoft Store:

@oldmansutii said in Microtransactions appeared in Microsoft Store:

@xx-mirth-xx Technically Rare have touted the game as having some cosmetics that can be unlocked via progression (with the Trading Companies), and that there is no vertical progression. Making some cosmetics availabl

The only problem I would have is if they sold things like the Blunderbuss (which you do have to earn money to acquire inside the game). Really I am just using the Blunderbuss as any example, any item(s) that is in the game that has a situational advantage over your standard starting equipment. That would be where I have an issue. If they sell different hats or clothes, I don't see an issue with it.

But giving players the ability to purchase a 1 shot kill close-range weapon that you have to save up for and earn in the game with real money? Yeah that would not be okay with me, or any other items with similar situational advantages, whether that be larger ship sails or the Eye or Reach, those items need to stay in-game as part of the reward system.

I think you may be overestimating items with advantages. The developers have repeatedly stated their desire for an even playing field by way of items--any advantage will come from time and skills learned.

@ark-851225141 you have a founder badge tho... You could have played the closed beta for free?

I will say that i’m Not against micro transactions in games usually when it’s for cosmetic only, and we already know that it will be only this kind of rewards so i’ll Be not afraid to cross someone stronger than me if he just pay more. I just hope that it will be unique set and no gold transaction as it will ruin for my view the immersion when i’ll Meet some people.

I mean it’s a good way for people to help the game to develop if the money is well spend. I hope rare use it for the game itself, I pre order the game and I know that I will enjoy this game so far but i’m Afraid a bit about their final objectif, at less than 2 month, there is more stuff to buy ( T-shirt, contrôler, coin, book .... ) than different stuff we know as it will be in game.

@shaggiedo it depends on your values

@avecrux said in Microtransactions appeared in Microsoft Store:

@shaggiedo Real money outfit should be different than Ingame money outfit to know who is rich and who is experienced

Which one makes you legendary - rich or experience

Everyone will know who grinded the cool gear from Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls, and the Merchant Guild.
Everyone will also know who bought the cool gear via MT.

It's not going to imbalance anyone's gameplay.

@avecrux I sincearly hope Rare won't go that way and will get their mind right before the launch. Don't want to see another quality game/game developer go.

@zenzuki It's not really a big issue, but he is kinda right. The thing with progression in Sea of Thieves is that it's cosmetic only, and there's no problem with that because it works well too, as in: If you see someone wearing a 50000 coins worth coat, that guy probably played the game for a long time, and he's probably very experienced, which translates into possibly being a useful asset for the crew. Now, of course it's not a guarantee, but the way the system works you're able to sorta show how long you played the game by your cosmetics.

When microtransacations come into play, however, you see a guy with a 50000 coins worth coat and you think that he either played the game for a long time, or perhaps he played only for a couple hours and he just used daddy's credit card. Of course, it's not a big issue, but when real money's a part of the system cosmetic progression kinda loses a bit of "meaning" on that side.

That said, if Rare wishes to implement microtransactions and they do so with cosmetics only, I'm all for it, I don't mind. :)

@zenzuki didn't said anything that they can't be good but if i see someone shining gold at day1 while i just bought bilgewater hat i won't tell that he is experienced.

@avecrux said in Microtransactions appeared in Microsoft Store:

@shaggiedo Real money outfit should be different than Ingame money outfit to know who is rich and who is experienced

So your assumption is that anyone who may have a good job and has the correct change in the way of expendable income CAN'T also be GOOD at this game?!?!

Plenty of people have lots of expendable income to buy all the goodies they want in their preferred hobby, while also being able to excel at actually playing the games too! (shocking I know)

Some people will wish (or need) to grind for things, while other may not want (or have time) to, and having MT's, whether they be the same or different, shouldn't mean squat to anyone else.

Just play the game as YOU wish...

and let others do the same! :)

@scheefinator people aren't being ridiculous, they are expressing concern about something they care about. A very real concern if you've been paying any attention to the current climate of micro-transactions in video games.

Stop dismissing opinions because you don't agree with them.

Will be interesting to see how much cosmetic items impact progession I suppose if at all

@shaggiedo Real money outfit should be different than Ingame money outfit to know who is rich and who is experienced