CD Projekt Red's upcoming title Cyberpunk 2077 is easily one of the most highly anticipated titles of 2020, especially considering the myriad of delays that have hit the game. However, as Cyberpunk 2077 has a massive budget to make up for, the developer has recently confirmed that microtransactions will be coming along with the multiplayer.
This news comes from a Q&A between CD Projekt Red and a number of investors asking questions about Cyberpunk 2077 ranging from the base price of the game all the way to additional monetization. During the session, one investor asked about microtransactions and additional monetization, specifically looking at how the developer plans on implementing these systems.
Fortunately, CD Projekt Red's answer seemed to take the perspective of fans into account when it comes to how microtransactions will be implemented into Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer. From the language used in the answer, the developer is looking to make sure that the microtransactions are presented in a rewarding way that makes players pleased to spend their money on the extra content. It isn't entirely clear exactly what this means when it comes to the specifics of the monetization, but it does sound like the focus on keeping the practice rewarding should mean that the developer isn't looking at a pay-to-win strategy.
"...well, we’re never aggressive towards our fans! We treat them fairly and we’re friendly. So of course not – we won’t be aggressive – but you can expect great things to be bought. The goal is to design monetization in a way that makes people happy to spend money. I’m not trying to be cynical or hide something; it’s about creating a feeling of value. Same as with our single-player games: we want gamers to be happy while spending money on our products. The same is true for microtransactions: you can expect them, of course, and CP is a great setting for selling things, but it won’t be aggressive; it won’t upset gamers but it’ll make them happy – that’s our goal at least."
In the same Q&A, CD Projekt Red also commented on early DLC in Cyberpunk 2077 coming for free to players shortly after the game launches. This similar focus on rolling out content as a way to keep people playing post-launch could help to improve player perception of both the game and the developer. Considering the goodwill that already comes from the massive success of The Witcher 3 and the associated DLC campaigns, it likely won't be much of a stretch for CD Projekt Red to keep players on their side with these types of monetization strategies.
Adding any type of additional monetization can be a risk thanks to some of the worst received multiplayer microtransactions still in many players' minds from games that either lean firmly into "pay-to-win", freemium, and overly aggressive seasonal passes. However, in the case of Cyperpunk 2077's detailed single-player world, including additional cosmetics and other items in the multiplayer likely won't bother too many players who will be looking at online play as an added bonus rather than a selling point. Without knowing exactly what these microtransactions will be, it makes it difficult to really rate how friendly they will be to the players, but CD Projekt Red's reputation doesn't imply that fans should be worried.
Cyberpunk 2077 is set to release November 19th, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: wccftech