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My Life as a King...where I pay for microtransactions? What? photo

As aforementioned by Nazi-in-Chief Nick Chester in his previous post about Wiiware and how Game|Life's Chris Kohler has it and we do not (grumble), it seems that Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King has a feature we hadn't previously heard much about: microtransactions. There's something decidedly unkingly about paying for a game's extra features, but nonetheless, that's the story here. Royalty ain't all it's cracked up to be, folks.

In games like Mass Effect, DLC is very much optional: you can still enjoy the full game even if you never notice the extra content exists. With My Life as a King, it's a little more extreme. It seems that of the four playable races (Clavats, Yukes, Lilties, and Selkies,) you can only play one with the regular purchase of the game. The other three can only be obtained by spending Wii points to purchase buildings for them. Additonal costumes will also be available for purchase later in the game.

Plain and simple, I have a problem with this. The kind of DLC you get for a game like Rock Band can be well worth the price, especially if you are a fan of the songs and can invite your friends over for new jams. Although I can't make a final judgment until I play the title, I can say I am already turned off by knowing that 3 out of 4 in-game races won't be available to me until I put out dinero. I hate to ask it, but I'm going to anyway: How can you possibly need any more money, Square?

Does this bother any of you, or are microtransations becoming...ugh...the norm?

[Via Siliconera, Thanks Jonathan]


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93 comments | showing # 51 to 93

Hitogoroshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:19
Hitogoroshi
There are right ways and wrong way to do things. This sounds very wrong. I'll withhold judgement till I see the pricing structure.
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:25
Rockvillian
@Eschatos

Agreed. Boycotting this game should be as instinctual as getting dressed in the morning.

For everyone that doesn't get dressed in the morning, PUT SOME PANTS ON.
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:41
Professor Pew
My life as a non-customer. Hmmmmm!
corneliuscack's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:52
corneliuscack
:(
Phoenix Gamma's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:53
Phoenix Gamma
I hear in the next Smash Bros, you can only play as one character, and you have to buy the other 44.
SLiFE's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 16:55
SLiFE
Not that I was interested in this game anyways (I lost my rose-tinted Squeenix glasses a loooong time ago), but now they've gone and invoked my internet anger.
JohnTheCrow's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:06
JohnTheCrow
Well if these comments are any indication, this will backfire in Square's face. Let's hope. But, as stated before, if the market will bear it, companies will keep doing it. A boycott is the only solution. I was also on the fence and now firmly in the "will not buy" camp.
Emrah's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:10
Emrah
The sad thing is, I am sure people are lining up to pay those transactions.

While it may not be an example of the worst DLC pricing methods, let's also remember PAIN, the PSN game that asks a dollar each for an extra character, characters which should have come for free at the beginning. Easily the worst 10 dollars I've spent on PSN, that game. (heck, I wouldn't download those extra characters if they were free, but hey, people are buying those stupid extra characters, one character made it in the top ten paid downloads..)
lostalaska's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:24
lostalaska
I was hopeful about a decent Squenix game coming out on the Wii, but this doesn't sound like it. Microtransactions only make much sense to me when it's bringing something new to the table. Games that add additional levels extend the gameplay is one thing, but games planned early on to have microtransactions just make me cringe and stay the hell away from them.

I've bought a few Rock Band song paks for songs I really liked, and I purchased the crackdown add-on because I wasn't ready to be done with that awesome co-op game. Generally though you gotta really be adding something special to the game to garner my interest and wages.
SteppinRazor's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:27
SteppinRazor
@ JohnTheCrow

Yeah, but I don't think we (DToid readership) really reflect the majority of gamers. I mean, if that were the case would they even try bullshit like this to begin with?

No, I think Squeenix will be able to put this one on the credit side of the ledger, and use the money to gold-plate whatever is left in their homes not-yet-gold-plated.
NegFactor's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:35
NegFactor
My interest in this game dwindles each day. The inclusion of microtransactions such as the purchasing of playable races more or less puts the nail in the coffin on my desire to pick this up.
Spartacus's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 17:59
Spartacus
Well, screw that. Unless it turns out to be amazing, I'm not buying it.
Pawsie's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:10
Pawsie
all I can say is, this game better be so fun that I piss kool-aid. If not, i don't think i'll be needing the extra stuff.
WDot's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:11
WDot
Would you guys be willing to buy Starcraft II if it only came with the Terrans and you had to buy the Zerg and Protoss? Neither would I. Nobody should support this blatant nickel-and-diming.
ajay42's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:13
ajay42
Is everyone smoking something? Its the same exact DLC system as games like Mass Effect, etc! The game you get for $15 is a 'full game' playable from start to finish w/ complete story, etc. You pay extra for additional missions which involve other races. Is that annoying and unfair and frankly a bit exploitative? HELL YEAH. Did I write 'full game' in quotes cause I'm sure they could've shoved a bit of this or more in now? HELL YEAH. But is it any different from other games we've seen with DLC, pretty much no (I do think Rock Band is an exception.)

So where is all the righteous indignation about those other games (Mass Effect, Halo 3, etc.)?
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:14
Kyousuke Nanbu
As I said in another blog, there's a huge difference between DLC that's not needed and DLC that is needed, this is DLC that is needed and a very rat bastard move from square.

You wanna fight the power? Don't buy it, simple as that, but there's plenty of people who will.

And Deadhead, you never needed the DLC for Marvel, those characters where in different versions of the game and they added them all to the 360 one, don't want them? DONT BUY THEM.

There was even a character pack if you had a friend that had it, it was free and you could use the characters, also the gold version of MUA had them included and that version retailed for 20 bucks.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:18
Wedge
Isn't this just some kind of cheap sims game anyways?

On an unrelated note, I think the DS Crystal Chronicles is fantastic so far.
Pawsie's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:20
Pawsie
I take that back... if the stuff cost 50 points, some people might really buy it.. and sadly, wii points I think you buy in ten sets, meaning you'll have some left over if the game cost 1500 points.
ajay42's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:24
ajay42
"As I said in another blog, there's a huge difference between DLC that's not needed and DLC that is needed, this is DLC that is needed and a very rat bastard move from square. "

Huh? Am I really missing something here? How is this "DLC that is needed"?
Linkoman's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:27
Linkoman
the game its self had better be damn cheap.and even if it is, this is still bad practice. what if in starcraft II you had to buy the protoss and zerg? or in Halo where the only weapon that comes with it is the SMG?
GuitarAtomik's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:28
GuitarAtomik
@ajay42

It's a bit different from Mass Effect though. The DLC in Mass Effect is extra content and story that was finished after release. This is different. A better comparison would be if they originally made Mass Effect with the option of making Shepard an Asari, or Krogan, or Batarian, fully completing it that way, but then holding back the option to choose your race so that they could charge you for it as DLC.

It's the holding back part that is pissing people off and like I mentioned in another blog, is a fundamental problem of Japanese developers in general not fully understanding the concept of "good" DLC.
Crackpot360's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:28
Crackpot360
No big, its not like the first game was must play material anyway. Too bad Square has been slowly but surely turning into $$$quare. Guess the Gil's value dropped again.
ajay42's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:37
ajay42
@guitaratomik: How is it that everyone knows that this is content being held back? Did I skip some vital article or something? Seems exactly as you describe the Mass Effect content to me (which I'm just a little annoyed about cause when I went to play it, it just immediately reminded me of all the crap in Mass Effect and none of the fun.) It seems to me this is a bunch of fan service side mission stuff that they're working and you can shell out extra money for if you want. If not, you don't have to. Again, I think the whole DLC thing is generally ridiculous for the same reasons everyone is complaining about. I just think its hilarious (if not surprising) that people are only up in arms about it when its on a Nintendo console.
yourfriendawk's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:46
yourfriendawk
I hate the idea of having to purchase more shit like this. I mean it is one thing to develop a game and then a year later help to improve the experience by adding some more content to it. But this is getting fucking ridiculous, making dlc before the game even ships! That shit should be in the game already! Companies are just getting money hungry... i have never purchased ANY THING through live, i just don't want to spend extra money on a lot of stuff that shoulda came with the game.
MrHappySunshine's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 18:49
MrHappySunshine
I don't know if anyone has brought this up yet or not but how large of download is this thing going to be? I mean are we talking DVD sized download because another hidden cost maybe having to purchase a larger sd card for your Wii just to get the content.

Also would anyone be griping about this game if Square just gave us the whole game in one package? Probably not who every the genius over at Square-Enix who was put in charge of marketing this game was a complete idiot. I'm sure he thought well i don't know if the kids would buy the game if it was full prise but we also can't sell the game at 15 dollars a pop. Ha I got it lets chop it up and make the people think they are getting a good deal when they'll still need to pay full price (maybe even a little more) to experience all that is the suck of this game.
GuitarAtomik's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 19:04
GuitarAtomik
@ajay42

Ok, I've re-read the article and I was a little confused about the nature of this game but it breaks down like this:

First of all, you have to understand what kind of game Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is. You don't play as other characters, you play Leo the King. You don't go and adventure around like you do in the other Crystal Chronicle games, you're the one sending those adventurers out to do the busy work while you run the kingdom.

Now apparently, you cannot recruit the other 3 of the 4 races to adventure around FOR you or apparently populate your town unless you buy them. So you are technically paying for the other races to be in your game.

So my old ME comparison doesn't work anymore. It's more like if they released Mass Effect but in order for you to have any other races in your party besides humans (or to see more than the bare minimum of them) you'd have to buy them. According to the article, the DLC will cost between $1-$3 depending on what it is (items, races, whatever). I think we safely assume that the other races will cost the most so we're talking $3 for them (hopefully for ALL of them and not $3 each) on top of the $15 you already paid.

Mass Effect's DLC which was a totally optional but still fully fleshed out 90 minutes of new story was $5 on top of the $60 for the game. I'd say that was a much better deal and it's a tiny optional thing to add on to the game as opposed to 3 quarters of the races in the game.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 19:20
Jetsetlemming
Not to start an argument or gloat, but this is one of those things that make me feel good about being a PC gamer. My $60 investment in Steam has earned me tons and tons of extra free content beyond the original games, both made by Valve themselves and fan mods. It's a similar situation for most PC games.
In fact, you know what this reminds me of the most? Shitty browser based RPGs like Adventure Quest and Runescape that allow free play, but you have to pay for advanced weapons or features.
Though, at least those actually do start off free. You have to pay $15 just get access to the gimped half-a-game here.
realyst's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 20:29
realyst
Squeenix....lets talk, shall we?

Listen, you've been using the same properties for up to 20 years each year because you know that enough people are going to pay for it that you'll still end up with massive profits.

You are in an enviable position where you don't really need to fight for marketshare. A position that allows you to avoid some of the pitfalls some more shady companies are falling into while still staying way above the red line.

Which bring me to this.

What...tha...fuck.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 20:30
manasteel88
yeah this is bullshit...if the game cost 500points..hey that would be reasonable...but no...i gotta pay 1500points because the developers spent waaaaay over budget to give us a 1/4 of a game for that price
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 20:31
Rifter01
Just an addendum, like what 'Etelmik' said up there already that if this is a pay-to-play dealie.. Maybe this is Nintendo's first (Orange Sticker) Pay-to-Play Wi-Fi Network game, which, if is more MMO where you can visit your friends town/castle/nation and see all the improvements the DLC makes, it just might be worth it & its a MAYBE WANT for me, but NOT (IMHO) IF: A) Have to pay $15+ for the game itself, plus B) Pay a monthly fee (like $5+/mo like FFXI,etc), plus C) Pay for extra stuff, races.. I mean, if it is a "Sims" like game only, and no MMO.. well, I think the answer is obviously, DO NOT WANT. I played the Korean "Gunbound" game, which was free, but extra avatar stuff was extra and that was cool.. I dunno tho..
Mr Jonson's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 20:59
Mr Jonson
boycott this crap
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 21:08
Im OK
This = retarded. Good thing I was never interested in this game to begin with, I guess.
RitualNet's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 21:10
RitualNet
This happened... kind of... with Oblivion. Horse Armour and that other addon that existed in the game, but you had to pay to 'open the door' to it. People went ballistic, forums full of hate, all the usual thing. Bethesda gave away an addon in the end (kinda) to try and settle the waters.
TehBoognish's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/25/2008 21:19
TehBoognish
Does it suck? yes. So guess what, DON"T BUY IT!
Only way you will be heard. Just don't buy it.
Why do you think microtransactions are all the rage? Because you idiots keep buying them.
Gonna go get my FREE maps for halo now.
Crumpet Lips's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 00:48
Crumpet Lips
eh doesn't bother me, I was sick of Square Enix a long time ago. They won't see a cent come out of my wallet to give them.
atheistium's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 00:58
atheistium
so much fail :(
JustLikeBuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 04:28
JustLikeBuck
Microtransactions? Sounds like a demo you have to pay for.

Remember back when shareware was king, you had a game that would let you play it completely but with only one path, or character?

That's what this sounds like, only you can't share it, and you have to pay for the privilege.
hjd uk's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 05:44
hjd uk
I thought about supporting WiiWare and buying this, not now, I mean 1) they get a shit-ton more profits from releasing on a digital distribution system AND they want to rape us for microtransactions.

Bugger Off $$$quenix.
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 06:42
ScottyG
If they make it painfully clear before you download the game that you can only play as one race unless you spend more money, I don't see it as that bad a thing. It sucks, and would probably make me pass on the game if I was thinking about getting it, but if that's how Square wants to do business then no skin off my butt.

Of course, that won't happen. The game will have "4 playable races!" plastered all over it, and a lot of people will be pissed off when they discover the hidden costs.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 09:32
Holyetheline
suddenly i have lost interest in this game
Remoraz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 09:44
Remoraz
Way to sensationalize the story without getting all the facts straight. What is this Fox News? Why don't you support your cries of injustice with some facts?

The facts that I've read so far:
It's $15 for Sim City with DLC that costs 3 dollars a piece. That's a total spent of... $27 for all the races. Face facts, it's cheaper than $50 and it's a Wii game that might actually be worth playing.
h3lios's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 12:40
h3lios
@ Remoraz:

You work for Squenix yes?
Riegel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/26/2008 13:15
Riegel88
This is really stupid, but I do think this will be what a lot of companies start doing later on, to get more money. Kind of like MMO's that sell items that help leveling faster.
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