The future of microtransactions

It's no secret to anyone that in-game microtransactions have grown to be one of the most profitable, if not the most profitable business model in recent game industry.

Some years ago, companies used to make money by selling big games. Now, they give games for free (sometimes not even that), and make money through in-game skins, cosmetics, loot boxes and the infamous DLC and additional content. Many gamers complain about how they miss the "old days" when only the games were being sold and you had to pay for nothing else.



Every now and then, we hear about a game being banned somewhere or a big company being sued because of its microtransactions, but we know that the money they have to pay in these cases is but a fraction of that they are gaining through this exploitation, and many of us feel a sense that something is wrong, though there is not much we can do about it besides not paying for anything we don't want or don't agree with.



However, will this situation go on forever?

Most likely not.

"How?", you ask.

Well, videogames are something relatively recent in business. Yes, there are videogames since the 80s, or maybe even before, but it is only since the 2000s that videogames receive large media attention. (Since games like Grand Theft Auto, for example)

What happens in Law is that laws are created after something happens, in general. And microtransactions are happening right now. We are not blind to the exploitation that is happening, however, it takes times for the people who work with Law to react to things and make new laws, codes and legislation based on that. Unfortunately, until that happens, there is little the "common man" can do, besides not buying.



Nonetheless, awareness is growing due to the public who is being much affected by current-day microtransactions: kids. Yes, kids, children, and teenagers. These folks, by law, shouldn't be exposed to any kind of gambling, and current microtransactions are a form of gambling.

It is no wonder that some famous people said games should be banned or that some games have been banned in some countries. I don't say games should be banned, I say microtransactions should be much more regulated by governments and country law.



While games have such microtransactions and gambling, it will be very hard for us (and for anyone) to defend the gaming industry. It's not good practices to induce children and teenagers to gamble. And it doesn't matter your political view, this is something most people agree with.

In cases as such when a kid spent thousands of dollars in a single game without their parents ever knowing (before it was too late), awareness rises and journalists begin searching what is going on (parents do too). This leads to bans more people discussing what's the problem, along with professionals such as psychologists and lawyers.

It is just a matter of time before microtransactions get to be much more regulated. However, how much time will that be?

This article was entirely written by me, a fellow gamer and someone who is aware of the news, the gaming industry and of videogame companies' practices. Any spelling or grammar errors are to due to me being a non-native English speaker.