Fear of missing out: Difference between revisions

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The implementation of [[wikipedia:Battle_pass|battle-pass]] and seasonal mechanics have become an increasingly common occurrence in video games, particularly in those focused on multiplayer. The concept gained popularity as a more attractive alternative to [[wikipedia:Loot box|loot boxes]], games as a service, and traditional paid DLC. Battle passes gained widespread industry use after the wildly successful implementation of the concept in ''Fortnite Battle Royale'' by [[Epic Games]] in 2018.<ref>https://www.vg247.com/fortnite-battle-royale-gets-dota-2-style-battle-pass-loads-of-new-items</ref> Since then, games such as ''Call of Duty'', ''Diablo IV'', and ''Fallout 76'' have implemented battle passes and seasons with some variations.

Battle passes are usually either free with limitations, or paid for through microtransactions. Typically, the free pass may have a very limited number of tiers or offer fewer or less-desirable rewards, but will track a user's progression through the paid-for battle pass, allowing the user to buy that battle pass at any time within the season to collect the rewards. A battle pass is typically structured into multiple tiers. By earning enough experience to complete a tier, the user gains the rewards offered at that tier and can then start on the next tier. More desirable rewards are provided at higher tiers, which offers a way for users to show off these unique customization options to other users as a status symbol. Experience is gained through normal gameplay and often through in-game challenges, while some games offer a way to accelerate progression through a battle pass by using additional microtransactions. At the end of the season, which can typically last for a month or more, a battle pass is replaced by a new one, and the previous rewards become unobtainable. This is true for both free and paid-for battle passes. <ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/battle-passes-are-replacing-loot-boxes-but-theyre-not-necessarily-a-better-deal/</ref>

Battle passes are usually either free with limitations, or paid for through microtransactions. Typically, the free pass may have a very limited number of tiers or offer fewer or less-desirable rewards, but will track a user's progression through the paid-for battle pass, allowing the user to buy that battle pass at any time within the season to collect the rewards. A battle pass is typically structured into multiple tiers. By earning enough experience to complete a tier, the user gains the rewards offered at that tier and can then start on the next tier. More desirable rewards are provided at higher tiers, which offers a way for users to show off these unique customization options to other users as a status symbol. Experience is gained through normal gameplay and often through in-game challenges, while some games offer a way to accelerate progression through a battle pass by using additional microtransactions. At the end of the season, which can typically last for a month or more, a battle pass is replaced by a new one, and the previous rewards become unobtainable. This is true for both free and paid-for battle passes.<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/battle-passes-are-replacing-loot-boxes-but-theyre-not-necessarily-a-better-deal/</ref>

While battle passes are more transparent about their rewards than loot boxes, they force users to invest a substantial amount of time into a game in order reach rewards they might want within the allotted timeframe of a season. This can play into a user's impatience and fear of missing out, and might cause them to spend additional money on microtransactions to advance the battle pass without grinding.

It is worth noting that not all games have battle passes that expire at the end of a season. For example, both free and paid-for battle passes in ''Halo Infinite'' are always available to users even after their respective seasons have ended, though it is still necessary to grind through tiers in order to unlock all the rewards. <ref>https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408373413268-Halo-Infinite-Battle-Pass-Free-to-Play-FAQ</ref>

It is worth noting that not all games have battle passes that expire at the end of a season. For example, both free and paid-for battle passes in ''Halo Infinite'' are always available to users even after their respective seasons have ended, though it is still necessary to grind through tiers in order to unlock all the rewards.<ref>https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408373413268-Halo-Infinite-Battle-Pass-Free-to-Play-FAQ</ref>

===Timed releases===

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 The implementation of [[wikipedia:Battle_pass|battle-pass]] and seasonal mechanics have become an increasingly common occurrence in video games, particularly in those focused on multiplayer. The concept gained popularity as a more attractive alternative to [[wikipedia:Loot box|loot boxes]], games as a service, and traditional paid DLC. Battle passes gained widespread industry use after the wildly successful implementation of the concept in ''Fortnite Battle Royale'' by [[Epic Games]] in 2018.<ref>https://www.vg247.com/fortnite-battle-royale-gets-dota-2-style-battle-pass-loads-of-new-items</ref> Since then, games such as ''Call of Duty'', ''Diablo IV'', and ''Fallout 76'' have implemented battle passes and seasons with some variations.
-Battle passes are usually either free with limitations, or paid for through microtransactions. Typically, the free pass may have a very limited number of tiers or offer fewer or less-desirable rewards, but will track a user's progression through the paid-for battle pass, allowing the user to buy that battle pass at any time within the season to collect the rewards. A battle pass is typically structured into multiple tiers. By earning enough experience to complete a tier, the user gains the rewards offered at that tier and can then start on the next tier. More desirable rewards are provided at higher tiers, which offers a way for users to show off these unique customization options to other users as a status symbol. Experience is gained through normal gameplay and often through in-game challenges, while some games offer a way to accelerate progression through a battle pass by using additional microtransactions. At the end of the season, which can typically last for a month or more, a battle pass is replaced by a new one, and the previous rewards become unobtainable. This is true for both free and paid-for battle passes. <ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/battle-passes-are-replacing-loot-boxes-but-theyre-not-necessarily-a-better-deal/</ref>
+Battle passes are usually either free with limitations, or paid for through microtransactions. Typically, the free pass may have a very limited number of tiers or offer fewer or less-desirable rewards, but will track a user's progression through the paid-for battle pass, allowing the user to buy that battle pass at any time within the season to collect the rewards. A battle pass is typically structured into multiple tiers. By earning enough experience to complete a tier, the user gains the rewards offered at that tier and can then start on the next tier. More desirable rewards are provided at higher tiers, which offers a way for users to show off these unique customization options to other users as a status symbol. Experience is gained through normal gameplay and often through in-game challenges, while some games offer a way to accelerate progression through a battle pass by using additional microtransactions. At the end of the season, which can typically last for a month or more, a battle pass is replaced by a new one, and the previous rewards become unobtainable. This is true for both free and paid-for battle passes.<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/battle-passes-are-replacing-loot-boxes-but-theyre-not-necessarily-a-better-deal/</ref>
 While battle passes are more transparent about their rewards than loot boxes, they force users to invest a substantial amount of time into a game in order reach rewards they might want within the allotted timeframe of a season. This can play into a user's impatience and fear of missing out, and might cause them to spend additional money on microtransactions to advance the battle pass without grinding.
-It is worth noting that not all games have battle passes that expire at the end of a season. For example, both free and paid-for battle passes in ''Halo Infinite'' are always available to users even after their respective seasons have ended, though it is still necessary to grind through tiers in order to unlock all the rewards. <ref>https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408373413268-Halo-Infinite-Battle-Pass-Free-to-Play-FAQ</ref> <!-- Hey, we should mention how the free tier battle passes always have little to no good loot. Halo Infinite especially has had a long track record of generic "grey" armor colors for its battle passes.  -->
+It is worth noting that not all games have battle passes that expire at the end of a season. For example, both free and paid-for battle passes in ''Halo Infinite'' are always available to users even after their respective seasons have ended, though it is still necessary to grind through tiers in order to unlock all the rewards.<ref>https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408373413268-Halo-Infinite-Battle-Pass-Free-to-Play-FAQ</ref> <!-- Hey, we should mention how the free tier battle passes always have little to no good loot. Halo Infinite especially has had a long track record of generic "grey" armor colors for its battle passes.  -->
 ===Timed releases===