Released just over one year ago, Marvel’s Avengers launched to mixed critical reception. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Avengers was praised by players and critics for its campaign and story but highly criticized for its repetition, tacked-on looter elements, and a complete dearth of content in its endgame.

Still, a live-service game having a rocky start is certainly nothing new for the looter genre, as other titles such as Destiny 2 and The Division 2 launched with their own problems that have slowly been corrected over time. Crystal Dynamics have steadily added content and fixes to Avengers, such as the recently released War for Wakanda DLC that came out back in August and was for free for all owners of the base game. Following that DLC drop, Avengers was also added to Microsoft’s excellent Xbox Game Pass service, allowing subscribers an easy point of entry to try the title, which would hopefully boost the game’s player count.

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Between these improvements and the upcoming addition of a much anticipated Spider-Man DLC exclusive for Avengers PlayStation users, some fans were pleased with the direction the game was heading and there was hope that Crystal Dynamics had finally turned the game around. But, after a recent change regarding available items in the in-game store, fans of the game have become understandably upset and taken to social media to voice their concerns, with the PlayAvengers Subreddit full of disgruntled players who are calling out the game’s developer and publisher for going back on past promises.

Marvel's Avengers XP Boost Controversy Explained

the in game Marvel's Avengers store

These newly added in-game items are consumables, which are single-use items purchasable with real money in Avengers that give a boost to experience earned and materials obtained. This effectively allows users to pay for gameplay advantages. While pay-to-win mechanics are generally frowned upon to begin with, offering them in a game that you have to buy rather than can play for free is considered even less favorable. To make matters worse, Publisher Square Enix had stated before the game’s launch that Marvel’s Avengers would not monetize anything in the game apart from cosmetic items, and this decision clearly directly contradicts that statement. Some players had speculated that a change like this may be coming, too, as the game's developer nerfed XP rates earlier this year, slowing players' progress.

While microtransactions are becoming more commonplace in games, especially free-to-play titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, oftentimes loot boxes, battle passes, and paid-for gameplay advantages can be seen as predatory by the gaming community. It’s understood that developers are businesses too and live-service games cost money to maintain and produce content for, but consumable boosts that offer paying players superiority are a step too far for many fans, who strongly believe that everyone should be on a level playing field. Square Enix stating it was not going to monetize gameplay advantages in the past only further compounds the delicate issue.

Of course, Marvel’s Avengers isn’t the only game to be criticized for predatory monetization tactics. Electronic Arts’ immensely popular FIFA series is constantly under fire for its implementation of loot boxes in its Ultimate Team game mode. Still, EA never said it wouldn’t sell gameplay advantages, unlike Crystal Dynamics with Marvel’s Avengers. It will be interesting to see how the developer responds to the backlash, as in live-service games, the player base is everything. No one playing the game means there is no one to group up with to play through content, and as many PlayAvengers Subreddit members have stated that they will no longer play the game, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics may have to do some damage control, and quickly.

Marvel’s Avengers is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

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