EA touts Battlefield 1 micro-monetization opportunities

by Mark Tyson on 12 May 2016, 10:31

Tags: Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qac2tj

Add to My Vault: x

It was interesting to see the Battlefield 1 trailer published and read details about the upcoming game earlier this week. Often the FPS genre seems to be particularly skewed towards futurism, so to have this franchise aim for WWI is particularly refreshing. As evidenced by the action packed trailer, that doesn't mean you will just be sitting in a muddy trench nursing a Webley or Lee Enfield either…

EA has just published its FY16 results which were followed up by the customary earnings conference call for investors. In this Q&A session EA CEO Andrew Wilson revealed information to investors about how the company will make money out of Battlefield 1 post release.

As reported by PlayStationLifestyle, Wilson said that EA would work to produce macro-monetization opportunities (things like DLC, maps, and other large-scale content) for the game. That won't surprise anybody. However, there will likely be "micro-monetization opportunities" in the game where EA will make cash from "smaller increments in gameplay". Wilson went on to say how elements of gameplay will be introduced "that allow gamers to engage and drive and extend and enhance their experience much the way people will do with FIFA Ultimate Team or Madden Ultimate Team today".

The above may be worrying but Wilson asserted that in adding extra monetization to a game the balance between buying goodies and turning a game "into a pay-to-win experience," is closely considered.

On a more positive note, EA is claiming Battlefield 1 will be its "biggest and most innovative" entry in the series ever. The trailer has been watched over 21 million times since Friday, which is a new record for EA, and is its most liked trailer ever. EA promises to deliver "a deep story and unprecedented variety in the gameplay powered by our Frostbite engine".

For those interested in the weaponry available in the upcoming WWI FPS extravaganza VG247 has provided a handy list of "every weapon confirmed so far". Check through the tabulated list below, to see if your favourites are listed. Remember this is not a definitive list, just the weapons that have been spotted in the trailer and gameplay video segments seen thus far. I've found a link for 'confirmed vehicles' too.

Melee weapons

Firearms

Gadgets and explosives

  • Spiked mace
  • Trench spade
  • Bolo knife: available in the Harlem Hellfighter pre-order pack in the Deluxe Edition
  • Jambiya dagger: available in the Lawrence of Arabia pack in the Deluxe Edition
  • Scimitar
  • Bayonet

 

  • Trench shotgun: available in the Harlem Hellfighter pre-order pack
  • Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol: available in the Harlem Hellfighter pre-order pack
  • Lee Enfield SMLE bolt-action rifle: a different skin is available in the Lawrence of Arabia pack
  • P08 Luger pistol: available in the Red Baron Deluxe Edition
  • Mauser C96 semi-automatic pistol
  • MG08 machine gun: mounted and load-out weapon will be available
  • Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr anti-tank rifle
  • Mauser Gewehr 98 bolt-action rifle with side-mounted scope
  • Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifle with side mounted scope
  • MP 18 SMG
  • Lewis Gun LMG
  • Lifebuoy M1 flamethrower
  • Anti-tank grenade
  • Smoke grenade
  • Mustard gas grenade
  • Gas mask
  • Dynamite

 



HEXUS Forums :: 24 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
I guess with WW1's slow rate-of-fire, now is the best time to add ammo as a micro-transaction!
I miss the days when games earned their money only from how many they sold and weren't used as stores to sell you things. :(
Hmmmm. Not sure about this as a concept.
Phage
Hmmmm. Not sure about this as a concept.
I'm absolutely certain about it. And I agree with Phage.

I'm hesitant enough about macro, and for me, micro is an absolute non-starter.

I want to be able to look at and maybe even ‘demo’ a game, and make a decision based on a known cost. If I buy this, it's going to cost me £x. And only £x. And I can get the complete, pre-canned experience for £x.

I want it a bit like buying a movie on DVD. Once I've bought it, I can play it once or 1000 times, over the next 20 years or more if I want, without having to dip into my pocket for “extra” dialog or plot details.

I do get why “pay to play” appeals to some people, but not to me, and as the article suggests, this micro approach just blurs the line.

That said, it's EA and unless they've changed tack to their copy protection, DRM, online authentication, etc, I wouldn't buy EA products anyway.
If it ends up being like paintballing where you have to pay £5 per 100 rounds I'll be pissed lol

Actually, as long as the approach they take doesn't unbalance the game for those that steer clear of the additional transactions, I don't much care what they do.
As long as I can buy the game and its true DLC (ie maps/modes) in much the way I did with BF3 & BF4, I will accept that. At 800hrs play I have more than had my moneys worth from BF3.