It was pretty obvious that emote microtransactions would just be a first step for things to come. Most people expect shaders, sparrows, ships etc to follow pretty soon. Basically "cosmetic" things that have no real impact on any actual gameplay things.
Now here is the thing, in the new patch a bunch of new things have been datamined, including a consumable called "Subclass Infusion", whose description states that using this consumable will fully unlock the currently equipped subclass.
Coincidence? I beg to differ.
Just based on what this item does, this wholeheartedly SCREAMS "buy me for cash" right in your face.
At least I can't imagine any reasoning where this item would make any sense to be bought from Xür, or magically be a reward for a new quest. Considering the circumstances this item appeared in the game, together with the Eververse, I think it's not a far fetched thought, that this item will most definetely be sold for Silver in the near future.
Now you can argue that this is not "gameplay altering" in any way. Since it will not have an effect on the actual gameplay or give people an "advantage" in some sort, other than saving a lot of time.
But once again...this is just the next step in terms of microtransactions. If Bungie doesn't draw the line with things that do nothing special, other than "save you time", it wouldn't be too surprising if the next things to come would be other consumables that "save time", like XP Potions, or the TTK lvling consumable that boosted you to 25 right away etc. At this rate, I wouldn't even be surprised if they consider implementing Strange Coins, Mote of Lights, Armor/Weapon Material etc. to the Eververse at some point, cause frankly speaking, none of these buy you power or strength, they just save you time in terms of not having to grind for them. Sure Strange Coins buy you things at Xür, but it's not like Strange Coins are hard to come by, they just take time to get. And hence selling them for Silver would not really be gameplay altering, it would just "save time" for the buyer.
For reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdXuNkxtUHo
What are your guys' thoughts on this?
Me personally...implementing an item like the subclass infusion to the Eververse would go one step too far for me. Sure it's not gameplay altering, but it is something that "buys you progress" and that I can't tolerate, same goes for Strange Coins etc.
-
Edited by Vysi: 10/14/2015 1:43:02 AMIMO, anyone that wants to pay to not play the game can go right ahead. Convenience items wouldn't be game breaking for Destiny and wouldn't affect me in any way (except maybe getting stuck with a raid team that has no experience with their subclass). As long as actual useful items, like powerful armor and guns, don't end up being sold for silver, I'm fine with microtransactions