Overwatch (Blizzard)
It is not uncommon for a game to poll its players on upcoming changes.
Whether it be new weapons, features or maps, players generally like to be aware of what is changing in the game, and developers rely on that feedback.
When it comes to micro-transactions, developers can just assume that players will most likely not be in favor of them.
That’s why the uproar from Activision’s latest audacious micro-transaction mishap was so great.
Fans of the Overwatch series are excited for the sequel Overwatch 2, but many are not thrilled about Blizzard’s latest pricing stunt.
Twitter user Porterguage recently shared screenshots from an Overwatch survey essentially testing players on what they would be willing to pay for items in the game.
The survey offered options like “very likely,” somewhat likely,” “neither likely nor unlikely,” “somewhat unlikely” and “very unlikely” to purchase new rewards in the game.
Oof, friend of mine got an Overwatch survey for his account, some of these prices they’re gauging for OW2 are really expensive.
I hope this is just him getting one of the higher price surveys and not an indication that they’re leaning towards this much monetization. pic.twitter.com/RWr7LbwkLB
— Portergauge 🏳️🌈 (@Portergauge) July 30, 2022
The rewards were varying levels of skins, bundles and weapons’ skins, but the price points would’ve had players smashing “very unlikely.”
A Legendary Skin was priced at $24.99, and the Legendary Skin Bundle, which includes a weapon charm, player icon, victory pose, voice line, name care and spray, was offered at $29.99.
But perhaps the most disrespectful thing was the Mythic Skin, priced at $44.99.
Blizzard immediately responded to the backlash with an Overwatch spokesperson saying, “This survey is entirely intended to better understand player preferences for different types of Overwatch 2 cosmetics. Prices displayed in the survey were randomized per user and are not indicative of final pricing. We plan to share details on our Shop and Battle Pass system closer to our Oct. 4 launch.”
This didn’t diminish the genuine uproar that many gamers voiced.
“I know some people [are] going to defend the prices and say ‘Don’t buy etc it is[ a free to play] game,’” a Reddit user said. “People like you who choose to defend this crap is why the gaming industry [is] going into [an] abyss.”
One user even highlighted how many of these free-to-play games tend to have unavoidable micro transactions, “Yo, I’d literally at any price prefer buying Overwatch 2 instead of it being free to play with money grabs everywhere.”
Overwatch 2 is set to release on October 4.
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