Want proof that we live in a world filled with microtransactions? Then look no further than Electronic Arts because apparently they will be charging for additional weapons for the Battlefield: Bad Company Beta via XBL Marketplace.
Ten different weapons in the beta show up as locked and next to them is the message: “Available for purchase on Xbox Live Marketplace”. Five weapons of the weapons are listed as available for purchase, while the other five are listed as available via the gold edition or for purchase. This raises quite an issue with people, especially ones who play multiplayer games and who do not have the desire to download additional weaponry. What if these weapons give your opponent an major advantage over you because you do not have the same weapon? How would this be fair to the other players who either A) did not want to download the extra weapons, or B) cannot afford the MS points (yes, there are some out there). Plus, this is the beta, not the actual game so are they going to give credit to the beta testers towards said weapons when they purchase the full game?
Paying for extra content is fine when it is maps, new songs, skins, new characters, or something that helps enhance the overall gameplay. I do not have a problem with that because if it is extra content not included with the game originally, the developers and publishers should - by all means - get compensation for their product. My main concern with this is that while extra content should be paid for, extra guns, cannons, bows and arrows, shields, or anything else that would give you an unfair advantage over another player is just wrong; plus these items could easily have been included in the original game the first place. Why not make them unlockable by completing certain missions or earning achievements like all of the other games?
Personally, I think that EA is trying to nickle and dime the gamer to death in the day and age of downloadable content. It is bad enough that once we purchase the content we cannot play it unless we are “logged in”, but to start charging for things like weapons that should have been included in the game to being with is nothing short of exploitation and borders on the unethical. But look who I am talking about - since when has EA been considered “ethical”? Add to this equation the monopolistic Microsoft and you have yourself a New World Order so be prepared gamers, your wallets will be crying before too long.
The beta for Battlefield: Bad Company launches on March 25.
Source: Videogaming247
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