Predatory microtransactions: Difference between revisions

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~~{{Incomplete}}~~

Microtransactions (MTX) act as a format of additional monetization within games. This can range from purchasing in-game currency, to cosmetics, boosts, and more. On a small scale, MTX has minimal harm towards the experience of consumers, however as trends have shown, companies have grown to be over-reliant on MTX to fund their games, often converging with [[advertising overload]] to encourage consumers to be constantly purchasing these new pieces of content. It is often cited by consumers<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Don |date=Apr 19, 2013 |title=Horse Armor |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/horse-armor |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Know Your Meme}}</ref> that the first potent form of MTX in AAA gaming originates with the Skyrim golden horse armor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oblivion Downloads |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061223190230/http://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-url=http://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-date=Dec 23, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Bethesda Softworks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=Apr 3, 2006 |title=Oblivion horse armor now available |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910133616/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-date=Sep 10, 2015}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

==Why it is a problem==

===Point 1: Bias===

===Point 1: Bias===

In many games, the progressive development is encouraged by executives and leadership to focus on content that introduces the most financial return. Unfortunately, this means that when updates are handled for games, and especially [[Games as a service|live service games]], content developed for the game focuses around keeping the storefront functional over more vital systems that need to be repaired,{{~~Citation needed~~}}<!-- Mint Blitz and a few other Halo youtubers covered how despite matchmaking, among other excessive bugs, being broken for Halo infinite, the one thing Halo Studios (formerly 343i) were able to keep maintained was the storefront.

In many games, the progressive development is encouraged by executives and leadership to focus on content that introduces the most financial return.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Derek |date=Feb 4, 2024 |title=It's not just you, game devs are tired of microtransactions too |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/95972/its-not-just-you-game-devs-are-tired-of-microtransactions-too/index.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Tweak Town}}</ref> Unfortunately, this means that when updates are handled for games, and especially [[Games as a service|live service games]], content developed for the game focuses around keeping the storefront functional over more vital systems that need to be repaired,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Mar 11, 2024 |title=Microsoft Ended Halo MCC Because of This. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StHpA3hsWH0 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><!-- Mint Blitz and a few other Halo youtubers covered how despite matchmaking, among other excessive bugs, being broken for Halo infinite, the one thing Halo Studios (formerly 343i) were able to keep maintained was the storefront.

I also highly recommend finding examples outside of halo!

- JamesTDG --> or new content being introduced is centered around more products on the storefront that can be purchased.{{~~Citation needed~~}}

- JamesTDG --> or new content being introduced is centered around more products on the storefront that can be purchased.<ref>{{Cite news |last=King Link |date=Feb 22, 2019 |title=A discussion of microtransactions and game design. |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-discussion-of-microtransactions-and-game-design- |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Game Developer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nunley |first=Christian |date=Mar 24, 2024 |title=Why the $183 billion video game industry can’t quit microtransactions |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/24/why-the-183-billion-video-game-industry-cant-quit-microtransactions.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>

This bias also has a tendency to influence features that used to be industry standard as progression-locked to be instead sold either in piecemeal or bundles on the storefront.{{~~Citation needed~~}} For example, compared to previous installments in the franchise, Halo Infinite was the first title in the franchise to solely lock cosmetics behind paywalls, and furthermore lock the ability to recolor armor behind paywalls and battle pass progression.{{~~Citation needed~~}}

This bias also has a tendency to influence features that used to be industry standard as free with the product,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrovskaya |first=Elena |last2=Deterding |first2=Sebastian |last3=Zendle |first3=David I |date=Apr 29, 2022 |title=Prevalence and Salience of Problematic Microtransactions in Top-Grossing Mobile and PC Games: A Content Analysis of User Reviews |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3491102.3502056 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}}</ref> such as progression-locked content to be instead sold either in piecemeal or bundles on the storefront.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Jan 31, 2024 |title=343 Has Gone Too Far - New Halo Infinite Update. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psAqKCIclJY |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> For example, compared to previous installments in the franchise, Halo Infinite was the first title in the franchise to solely lock cosmetics behind paywalls, and furthermore lock the ability to recolor armor behind paywalls and battle pass progression.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santa Maria |first=Alex |date=Oct 26, 2020 |title=Halo Infinite Armor Coating Customization Controversy Addressed By 343 |url=https://screenrant.com/halo-infinite-armor-coatings-customize-color-343-response/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Palm |first=Zack |date=Nov 18, 2021 |title=Halo Infinite fans are not happy about the limited Spartan color and armor customization options in multiplayer |url=https://www.gamepur.com/news/halo-infinite-fans-are-not-happy-about-the-limited-spartan-color-and-armor-customization-options |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Gamepur}}</ref><gallery>

File:Fortnite Storefront MTX.jpg|The Fortnite storefront, which after the Battle Pass, is the only other way to obtain content.

</gallery>

===Point 2: Manipulation===

In cases where [[Games as a service|live service games]] provide free content, it often manipulates the consumer into paying into the system in some way to receive a better return on investment when playing.{{~~Citation needed~~}} Features such as experience boosts often will hamper the default progression in order to encourage the purchase of these boosts. Battle passes often offer only poor-quality/unwanted content within the free tier, to encourage users to be constantly paying into the system.{{~~Citation needed~~}} Often, these battle passes will also encourage [[FOMO]], as content featured within these passes will often only be offered inside that limited time event, further encouraging the purchase of experience boosts if consumers wish to not miss out on content within the final days of the pass.{{~~Citation needed~~}}

In cases where [[Games as a service|live service games]] provide free content, it often manipulates the consumer into paying into the system in some way to receive a better return on investment when playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Matt |date=2021 |title=PREDATORY MICROTRANSACTION REGULATIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1242&context=scjilb |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business}}</ref> Features such as experience boosts often will hamper the default progression in order to encourage the purchase of these boosts. Battle passes often offer only poor-quality/unwanted content within the free tier,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Offer Too Many Meaningless Items |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/05/06/why-some-battle-passes-offer-too-many-meaningless-items/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Battle Pass News}}</ref> to encourage users to be constantly paying into the system.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=Apr 16, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Should Be Banned Under Consumer Protection Laws? |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/04/16/why-some-battle-passes-should-be-banned-under-consumer-protection-laws/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=BattlePass News}}</ref> Often, these battle passes will also encourage [[FOMO]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hrnjicevic |first=Ismar |date=Nov 17, 2024 |title=How Battle Passes Are Ruining Multiplayer Games |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-battle-passes-are-ruining-multiplayer-games/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=How To Geek}}</ref> as content featured within these passes will often only be offered inside that limited time event, further encouraging the purchase of experience boosts if consumers wish to not miss out on content within the final days of the pass.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pass |first=JC |date=Nov 1, 2024 |title=Ethical Considerations and Concerns Surrounding Battle Passes |url=https://simplyputpsych.co.uk/gaming-psych/ethical-considerations-and-concerns-surrounding-battle-passes |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Simply Put Psych}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Manipulative behavior surrounding this can further be shown via services that do offer free content to be explicitly worse than anything that can be obtained financially.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=May 31, 2025 |title=The Most Harmful Minecraft Server in EXISTENCE. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy04zE3t0Ow |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><gallery>

File:Candy Crush MTX.jpg|A Candy Crush shop screen trying to trick the consumer into buying the "better value" product

File:Fortnite Vbucks MTX.jpg|Fortnite including "bonus" V-bucks with transactions

</gallery>

===Point 3: Pay to win===

In some scenarios, games will further encourage users to get an advantage over players, often leaving META-influencing content to be paywalled<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Flavio |date=Aug 2, 2023 |title=Price to pay: the damage caused by Pay to Win games. |url=https://flavio-lee.medium.com/price-to-pay-the-damage-caused-by-pay-to-win-games-74cc533bf9d8 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> as a method to force consumers to either invest more into the product, or risk lacking an important edge within matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do people seem so hellbent against people using "pay to win" methods in games? |url=https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-seem-so-hellbent-against-people-using-pay-to-win-methods-in-games |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Quora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelonek-Kuleta PhD |first=Bernadeta |last2=Piotr Bartczuk PhD |first2=Rafał |last3=Wiechetek PhD |first3=Michał |date=Oct 13, 2020 |title=Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303393 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Science Direct}}</ref> P2W also has ties in manipulating resource progression in games,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=(Owner of Illumination Gaming) |first=Aiden |date=Jul 22, 2022 |title=How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience |url=https://medium.com/illumination/how-pay-to-win-games-ruin-player-experience-a52b7edf5744 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> so players may be at a competitive disadvantage in a game because a newer user purchased their way through progression, or alternatively, punishing players into grinding far more excessively as a method to encourage paying to skip progression.

In some scenarios, games will further encourage users to get an advantage over players, often leaving META-influencing content to be paywalled<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Flavio |date=Aug 2, 2023 |title=Price to pay: the damage caused by Pay to Win games. |url=https://flavio-lee.medium.com/price-to-pay-the-damage-caused-by-pay-to-win-games-74cc533bf9d8 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> as a method to force consumers to either invest more into the product, or risk lacking an important edge within matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do people seem so hellbent against people using "pay to win" methods in games? |url=https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-seem-so-hellbent-against-people-using-pay-to-win-methods-in-games |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Quora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelonek-Kuleta PhD |first=Bernadeta |last2=Piotr Bartczuk PhD |first2=Rafał |last3=Wiechetek PhD |first3=Michał |date=Oct 13, 2020 |title=Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303393 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Science Direct}}</ref> P2W also has ties in manipulating resource progression in games,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=(Owner of Illumination Gaming) |first=Aiden |date=Jul 22, 2022 |title=How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience |url=https://medium.com/illumination/how-pay-to-win-games-ruin-player-experience-a52b7edf5744 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> so players may be at a competitive disadvantage in a game because a newer user purchased their way through progression, or alternatively, punishing players into grinding far more excessively as a method to encourage paying to skip progression.

This has especially been documented within casual mobile games, where players are often left to wait excessively on tasks to finish, or pay to have the task be completed immediately.<ref name=":0" /> Frequently, these games have also exhibited methods that give players a "free sample" of what it feels like to skip this wait time.<ref name=":0" /><gallery>

This has especially been documented within casual mobile games, where players are often left to wait excessively on tasks to finish, or pay to have the task be completed immediately.<ref name=":0" /> Frequently, these games have also exhibited methods that give players a "free sample" of what it feels like to skip this wait time.<ref name=":0" />

Behaviors from operators on some [[Minecraft]] servers in particular have shown attempts to exceed the baseline pay to win model,<ref name=":5" /> such as placing high-value ranks behind a large subscription. Documented from Minecadia's network, a user has to pay ~$300 for the 2nd highest rank, and then an additional ~$50 per month for the highest rank, or pay ~$850 for the 2nd and top ranks.<ref name=":5" /> Reportedly the rank is required in order to have any advantage over other players in the Factions mode.<ref name=":5" /><gallery>

File:Dungeon Keeper dark pattern.webp|An example of a game (Dungeon Keeper) enticing a consumer into spending premium currency to skip waiting on a menial task.

File:PVZ Shop.jpg|Content in Plants Vs. Zombies 2 that makes the game easier, but with a direct paywall

File:Marvel Rivals FOMO MTX.jpeg|A $100 microtransaction for Marvel Contest of Champions to get an advantage over other players

</gallery>

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A method some companies have aimed at introducing, was having content be locked behind randomness, so a consumer may get lucky and receive the cosmetic they want or worse, progression/META item that they are in need of,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 has a loot crate problem |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Robert Purchese}}</ref> but often would end up with bad luck. Often these are defined as lootboxes, however it is effectively a format of gambling,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=How loot boxes are turning full-priced PC games into pay-to-win games of chance |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref> one of which has been seen as detrimental as reports of underrage gambling addiction continue to skyrocket within these games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=Thinking outside the loot box |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=W. Osborne |first=Jason |date=May 25, 2023 |title=How Loot Boxes In Children’s Video Games Encourage Gambling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonwosborne/2023/05/25/how-loot-boxes-in-childrens-video-games-encourage-gambling/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Zendle |first=David |last2=Meyer |first2=Rachel |last3=Over |first3=Harriet |date=Jun 19, 2019 |title=Adolescents and loot boxes: links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6599795/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=National Library of Medicine}}</ref>

The frequency of these lootboxes has been seen to be relatively higher on games marketed towards minors, such as ''[[Minecraft]]'' (more specifically community-run servers) or ''[[Roblox]]'', only further representing the ethical issues behind lootboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Young People & Gambling in Gaming |url=https://ineqe.com/2022/04/01/gambling-in-gaming/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Ineqe Safeguarding Group}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

The frequency of these lootboxes has been seen to be relatively higher on games marketed towards minors, such as ''[[Minecraft]]''<ref name=":5" /> (more specifically community-run servers) or ''[[Roblox]]'', only further representing the ethical issues behind lootboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Young People & Gambling in Gaming |url=https://ineqe.com/2022/04/01/gambling-in-gaming/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Ineqe Safeguarding Group}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><gallery>

File:Overwatch loot box gambling mtx.jpg|The primary way to purchase content in Overwatch is via lootboxes, which have an unknown pool of rewards when the user purchases it

File:Overwatch loot box gambling rewards.jpg|An example of these loot box rewards from Overwatch, many of which are exclusive to these loot boxes.

File:Counter Strike loot box gambling.jpeg|Counter Strike depending on gambling for monetization

File:Halo 5 req pack mtx.jpg|The only way the user can obtain content in Halo 5: Guardians is via 'REQ Packs'

</gallery>

==Examples==

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*''[[Halo|Halo Infinite]]'': Introduced paywalling Spartan customization to the franchise, including armor palettes, which especially introduced outrage from the franchise's fandom.

*[[Call of Duty|''Call of Duty'']]

*''[[Fortnite]]''

*''[[Fortnite]]'': The only way to obtain content in-game is to invest in its 'VBucks' economy, either to purchase the limited-time 'Battle Pass', or whatever content is available in the storefront for a limited time.

*''[[Fallout 76]]''

*''[[Fallout 76]]'': Most content released is broken into piecemeal microtransactions with both in-game and real world currency.

===Gambling:===

*''[[Star Wars]] ~~Battlefront 2~~'': Notoriously known for its Darth Vader lootbox scandal,<ref name=":1" /> where the title's META was focused around the Sith character, which could only be obtained via lootboxes.

*''[[Star Wars Battlefront 2]]'': Notoriously known for its Darth Vader lootbox scandal,<ref name=":1" /> where the title's META was focused around the Sith character, which could only be obtained via lootboxes.

*[[Counter Strike|''Counter Strike'']]/CS2

*[[Counter Strike|''Counter Strike'']]/CS2: Game's economy is extremely centered around cosmetics; can only be obtained via community market or lootboxes.

*''Team Fortress 2'': Excessively large economy centered around the lootboxes, often players are given crates, where they must go out of their way to purchase keys for. The title has also required participating in purchasing its MTX for the purposes of participating in communication features.

*''[[Krunker]]''

*[[Halo 5 Guardians]]: The only way to obtain content in Halo 5 is via 'REQ Packs', which are only obtainable via intense grinding, or buying these packs with cash.

*''[[Krunker]]'': Cosmetics primarily obtained via "spins"

===Pay to Win:===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Incomplete}}
 Microtransactions (MTX) act as a format of additional monetization within games. This can range from purchasing in-game currency, to cosmetics, boosts, and more. On a small scale, MTX has minimal harm towards the experience of consumers, however as trends have shown, companies have grown to be over-reliant on MTX to fund their games, often converging with [[advertising overload]] to encourage consumers to be constantly purchasing these new pieces of content. It is often cited by consumers<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Don |date=Apr 19, 2013 |title=Horse Armor |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/horse-armor |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Know Your Meme}}</ref> that the first potent form of MTX in AAA gaming originates with the Skyrim golden horse armor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oblivion Downloads |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061223190230/http://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-url=http://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-date=Dec 23, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Bethesda Softworks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=Apr 3, 2006 |title=Oblivion horse armor now available |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910133616/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-date=Sep 10, 2015}}</ref>
-==Why it is a problem==
+==Why it is a problem<!-- Moar sauce for reference: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Battle_Pass -->==
-===Point 1: Bias===
+===Point 1: Bias<!-- I still need a better name for this section -->===
-In many games, the progressive development is encouraged by executives and leadership to focus on content that introduces the most financial return. Unfortunately, this means that when updates are handled for games, and especially [[Games as a service|live service games]], content developed for the game focuses around keeping the storefront functional over more vital systems that need to be repaired,{{Citation needed}}<!-- Mint Blitz and a few other Halo youtubers covered how despite matchmaking, among other excessive bugs, being broken for Halo infinite, the one thing Halo Studios (formerly 343i) were able to keep maintained was the storefront.
+In many games, the progressive development is encouraged by executives and leadership to focus on content that introduces the most financial return.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Derek |date=Feb 4, 2024 |title=It's not just you, game devs are tired of microtransactions too |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/95972/its-not-just-you-game-devs-are-tired-of-microtransactions-too/index.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Tweak Town}}</ref> Unfortunately, this means that when updates are handled for games, and especially [[Games as a service|live service games]], content developed for the game focuses around keeping the storefront functional over more vital systems that need to be repaired,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Mar 11, 2024 |title=Microsoft Ended Halo MCC Because of This. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StHpA3hsWH0 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><!-- Mint Blitz and a few other Halo youtubers covered how despite matchmaking, among other excessive bugs, being broken for Halo infinite, the one thing Halo Studios (formerly 343i) were able to keep maintained was the storefront.
 I also highly recommend finding examples outside of halo!
-- JamesTDG  --> or new content being introduced is centered around more products on the storefront that can be purchased.{{Citation needed}}
+- JamesTDG  --> or new content being introduced is centered around more products on the storefront that can be purchased.<ref>{{Cite news |last=King Link |date=Feb 22, 2019 |title=A discussion of microtransactions and game design. |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-discussion-of-microtransactions-and-game-design- |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Game Developer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nunley |first=Christian |date=Mar 24, 2024 |title=Why the $183 billion video game industry can’t quit microtransactions |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/24/why-the-183-billion-video-game-industry-cant-quit-microtransactions.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>
-This bias also has a tendency to influence features that used to be industry standard as progression-locked to be instead sold either in piecemeal or bundles on the storefront.{{Citation needed}} For example, compared to previous installments in the franchise, Halo Infinite was the first title in the franchise to solely lock cosmetics behind paywalls, and furthermore lock the ability to recolor armor behind paywalls and battle pass progression.{{Citation needed}}
+This bias also has a tendency to influence features that used to be industry standard as free with the product,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrovskaya |first=Elena |last2=Deterding |first2=Sebastian |last3=Zendle |first3=David I |date=Apr 29, 2022 |title=Prevalence and Salience of Problematic Microtransactions in Top-Grossing Mobile and PC Games: A Content Analysis of User Reviews |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3491102.3502056 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}}</ref> such as progression-locked content to be instead sold either in piecemeal or bundles on the storefront.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Jan 31, 2024 |title=343 Has Gone Too Far - New Halo Infinite Update. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psAqKCIclJY |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> For example, compared to previous installments in the franchise, Halo Infinite was the first title in the franchise to solely lock cosmetics behind paywalls, and furthermore lock the ability to recolor armor behind paywalls and battle pass progression.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santa Maria |first=Alex |date=Oct 26, 2020 |title=Halo Infinite Armor Coating Customization Controversy Addressed By 343 |url=https://screenrant.com/halo-infinite-armor-coatings-customize-color-343-response/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Palm |first=Zack |date=Nov 18, 2021 |title=Halo Infinite fans are not happy about the limited Spartan color and armor customization options in multiplayer |url=https://www.gamepur.com/news/halo-infinite-fans-are-not-happy-about-the-limited-spartan-color-and-armor-customization-options |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Gamepur}}</ref><gallery>
+File:Fortnite Storefront MTX.jpg|The Fortnite storefront, which after the Battle Pass, is the only other way to obtain content.
+</gallery>
 ===Point 2: Manipulation===
-In cases where [[Games as a service|live service games]] provide free content, it often manipulates the consumer into paying into the system in some way to receive a better return on investment when playing.{{Citation needed}} Features such as experience boosts often will hamper the default progression in order to encourage the purchase of these boosts. Battle passes often offer only poor-quality/unwanted content within the free tier, to encourage users to be constantly paying into the system.{{Citation needed}} Often, these battle passes will also encourage [[FOMO]], as content featured within these passes will often only be offered inside that limited time event, further encouraging the purchase of experience boosts if consumers wish to not miss out on content within the final days of the pass.{{Citation needed}}
+In cases where [[Games as a service|live service games]] provide free content, it often manipulates the consumer into paying into the system in some way to receive a better return on investment when playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Matt |date=2021 |title=PREDATORY MICROTRANSACTION REGULATIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1242&context=scjilb |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business}}</ref> Features such as experience boosts often will hamper the default progression in order to encourage the purchase of these boosts. Battle passes often offer only poor-quality/unwanted content within the free tier,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Offer Too Many Meaningless Items |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/05/06/why-some-battle-passes-offer-too-many-meaningless-items/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Battle Pass News}}</ref> to encourage users to be constantly paying into the system.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=Apr 16, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Should Be Banned Under Consumer Protection Laws? |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/04/16/why-some-battle-passes-should-be-banned-under-consumer-protection-laws/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=BattlePass News}}</ref> Often, these battle passes will also encourage [[FOMO]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hrnjicevic |first=Ismar |date=Nov 17, 2024 |title=How Battle Passes Are Ruining Multiplayer Games |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-battle-passes-are-ruining-multiplayer-games/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=How To Geek}}</ref> as content featured within these passes will often only be offered inside that limited time event, further encouraging the purchase of experience boosts if consumers wish to not miss out on content within the final days of the pass.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pass |first=JC |date=Nov 1, 2024 |title=Ethical Considerations and Concerns Surrounding Battle Passes |url=https://simplyputpsych.co.uk/gaming-psych/ethical-considerations-and-concerns-surrounding-battle-passes |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Simply Put Psych}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
+Manipulative behavior surrounding this can further be shown via services that do offer free content to be explicitly worse than anything that can be obtained financially.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=May 31, 2025 |title=The Most Harmful Minecraft Server in EXISTENCE. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy04zE3t0Ow |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><gallery>
+File:Candy Crush MTX.jpg|A Candy Crush shop screen trying to trick the consumer into buying the "better value" product
+File:Fortnite Vbucks MTX.jpg|Fortnite including "bonus" V-bucks with transactions
+</gallery>
 ===Point 3: Pay to win<!-- Include investigations into pay to win minecraft servers -->===
-In some scenarios, games will further encourage users to get an advantage over players, often leaving META-influencing content to be paywalled<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Flavio |date=Aug 2, 2023 |title=Price to pay: the damage caused by Pay to Win games. |url=https://flavio-lee.medium.com/price-to-pay-the-damage-caused-by-pay-to-win-games-74cc533bf9d8 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> as a method to force consumers to either invest more into the product, or risk lacking an important edge within matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do people seem so hellbent against people using "pay to win" methods in games? |url=https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-seem-so-hellbent-against-people-using-pay-to-win-methods-in-games |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Quora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelonek-Kuleta PhD |first=Bernadeta |last2=Piotr Bartczuk PhD |first2=Rafał |last3=Wiechetek PhD |first3=Michał |date=Oct 13, 2020 |title=Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303393 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Science Direct}}</ref> P2W also has ties in manipulating resource progression in games,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=(Owner of Illumination Gaming) |first=Aiden |date=Jul 22, 2022 |title=How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience |url=https://medium.com/illumination/how-pay-to-win-games-ruin-player-experience-a52b7edf5744 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> so players may be at a competitive disadvantage in a game because a newer user purchased their way through progression, or alternatively, punishing players into grinding far more excessively as a method to encourage paying to skip progression.
+In some scenarios, games will further encourage users to get an advantage over players, often leaving META-influencing content to be paywalled<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Flavio |date=Aug 2, 2023 |title=Price to pay: the damage caused by Pay to Win games. |url=https://flavio-lee.medium.com/price-to-pay-the-damage-caused-by-pay-to-win-games-74cc533bf9d8 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> as a method to force consumers to either invest more into the product, or risk lacking an important edge within matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do people seem so hellbent against people using "pay to win" methods in games? |url=https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-seem-so-hellbent-against-people-using-pay-to-win-methods-in-games |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Quora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelonek-Kuleta PhD |first=Bernadeta |last2=Piotr Bartczuk PhD |first2=Rafał |last3=Wiechetek PhD |first3=Michał |date=Oct 13, 2020 |title=Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303393 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Science Direct}}</ref> P2W also has ties in manipulating resource progression in games,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=(Owner of Illumination Gaming) |first=Aiden |date=Jul 22, 2022 |title=How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience |url=https://medium.com/illumination/how-pay-to-win-games-ruin-player-experience-a52b7edf5744 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> so players may be at a competitive disadvantage in a game because a newer user purchased their way through progression, or alternatively, punishing players into grinding far more excessively as a method to encourage paying to skip progression.
-This has especially been documented within casual mobile games, where players are often left to wait excessively on tasks to finish, or pay to have the task be completed immediately.<ref name=":0" /> Frequently, these games have also exhibited methods that give players a "free sample" of what it feels like to skip this wait time.<ref name=":0" /><!-- Will need more example images below! --><gallery>
+This has especially been documented within casual mobile games, where players are often left to wait excessively on tasks to finish, or pay to have the task be completed immediately.<ref name=":0" /> Frequently, these games have also exhibited methods that give players a "free sample" of what it feels like to skip this wait time.<ref name=":0" /><!-- Will need more example images below! -->
+Behaviors from operators on some [[Minecraft]] servers in particular have shown attempts to exceed the baseline pay to win model,<ref name=":5" /> such as placing high-value ranks behind a large subscription. Documented from Minecadia's network, a user has to pay ~$300 for the 2nd highest rank, and then an additional ~$50 per month for the highest rank, or pay ~$850 for the 2nd and top ranks.<ref name=":5" /> Reportedly the rank is required in order to have any advantage over other players in the Factions mode.<ref name=":5" /><gallery>
 File:Dungeon Keeper dark pattern.webp|An example of a game (Dungeon Keeper) enticing a consumer into spending premium currency to skip waiting on a menial task.
 File:PVZ Shop.jpg|Content in Plants Vs. Zombies 2 that makes the game easier, but with a direct paywall
+File:Marvel Rivals FOMO MTX.jpeg|A $100 microtransaction for Marvel Contest of Champions to get an advantage over other players
 </gallery>
@@ Line 28: / Line 38: @@
 A method some companies have aimed at introducing, was having content be locked behind randomness, so a consumer may get lucky and receive the cosmetic they want or worse, progression/META item that they are in need of,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 has a loot crate problem |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Robert Purchese}}</ref> but often would end up with bad luck. Often these are defined as lootboxes, however it is effectively a format of gambling,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=How loot boxes are turning full-priced PC games into pay-to-win games of chance |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref> one of which has been seen as detrimental as reports of underrage gambling addiction continue to skyrocket within these games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=Thinking outside the loot box |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=W. Osborne |first=Jason |date=May 25, 2023 |title=How Loot Boxes In Children’s Video Games Encourage Gambling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonwosborne/2023/05/25/how-loot-boxes-in-childrens-video-games-encourage-gambling/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Zendle |first=David |last2=Meyer |first2=Rachel |last3=Over |first3=Harriet |date=Jun 19, 2019 |title=Adolescents and loot boxes: links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6599795/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=National Library of Medicine}}</ref>
-The frequency of these lootboxes has been seen to be relatively higher on games marketed towards minors, such as ''[[Minecraft]]'' (more specifically community-run servers) or ''[[Roblox]]'', only further representing the ethical issues behind lootboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Young People & Gambling in Gaming |url=https://ineqe.com/2022/04/01/gambling-in-gaming/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Ineqe Safeguarding Group}}</ref><!-- Can someone help me find the publication date on this one? --><ref name=":2" />
+The frequency of these lootboxes has been seen to be relatively higher on games marketed towards minors, such as ''[[Minecraft]]''<ref name=":5" /> (more specifically community-run servers) or ''[[Roblox]]'', only further representing the ethical issues behind lootboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Young People & Gambling in Gaming |url=https://ineqe.com/2022/04/01/gambling-in-gaming/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Ineqe Safeguarding Group}}</ref><!-- Can someone help me find the publication date on this one? --><ref name=":2" /><gallery>
+File:Overwatch loot box gambling mtx.jpg|The primary way to purchase content in Overwatch is via lootboxes, which have an unknown pool of rewards when the user purchases it
+File:Overwatch loot box gambling rewards.jpg|An example of these loot box rewards from Overwatch, many of which are exclusive to these loot boxes.
+File:Counter Strike loot box gambling.jpeg|Counter Strike depending on gambling for monetization
+File:Halo 5 req pack mtx.jpg|The only way the user can obtain content in Halo 5: Guardians is via 'REQ Packs'
+</gallery>
 ==Examples==
@@ Line 37: / Line 52: @@
 *''[[Halo|Halo Infinite]]'': Introduced paywalling Spartan customization to the franchise, including armor palettes, which especially introduced outrage from the franchise's fandom.
 *[[Call of Duty|''Call of Duty'']]
-*''[[Fortnite]]''
+*''[[Fortnite]]'': The only way to obtain content in-game is to invest in its 'VBucks' economy, either to purchase the limited-time 'Battle Pass', or whatever content is available in the storefront for a limited time.
-*''[[Fallout 76]]''
+*''[[Fallout 76]]'': Most content released is broken into piecemeal microtransactions with both in-game and real world currency.
 ===Gambling:===
-*''[[Star Wars]] Battlefront 2'': Notoriously known for its Darth Vader lootbox scandal,<ref name=":1" /> where the title's META was focused around the Sith character, which could only be obtained via lootboxes.
+*''[[Star Wars Battlefront 2]]'': Notoriously known for its Darth Vader lootbox scandal,<ref name=":1" /> where the title's META was focused around the Sith character, which could only be obtained via lootboxes.
-*[[Counter Strike|''Counter Strike'']]/CS2
+*[[Counter Strike|''Counter Strike'']]/CS2: Game's economy is extremely centered around cosmetics; can only be obtained via community market or lootboxes.
 *''Team Fortress 2'': Excessively large economy centered around the lootboxes, often players are given crates, where they must go out of their way to purchase keys for. The title has also required participating in purchasing its MTX for the purposes of participating in communication features.
-*''[[Krunker]]''
+*[[Halo 5 Guardians]]: The only way to obtain content in Halo 5 is via 'REQ Packs', which are only obtainable via intense grinding, or buying these packs with cash.
+*''[[Krunker]]'': Cosmetics primarily obtained via "spins"
 ===Pay to Win:<!-- More examples: https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/431ddx/most_notorious_pay_to_win_games/ -->===