The high-octane adrenaline of heists and shootouts is returning as the much-awaited Payday 3 prepares to hit the market. However, the thrilling news of its arrival is interlaced with a swirl of controversy because of its microtransactions and season pass system.
Starbreeze Studios recently confirmed that the game will have two different DLCs: Silver and Gold. The former gives players access to the first half-year of DLC. On the other hand, the latter equips players with an entire year's worth of DLC.
In an industry where microtransactions are becoming increasingly mainstream, Payday 3 joins the trend by introducing the Payday Credits digital currency. Players can acquire these credits in exchange for real-life money for purchasing additional cosmetic items in the game. To maintain a balanced gameplay, Starbreeze asserts the items are cosmetic only with zero effect on gameplay.
Still, fans remain cautious. The developers made similar promises with Payday 2 only to introduce changes later on.
This approach echoes the structure established by its predecessors. Despite the normative status of these practices in the industry, the announcement did not sit well with all the fans. A section of the gaming community expressed their dissent by cancelling their pre-orders following the revelation that the game would be online-only. This means that even those who wish to enjoy the single-player campaign are required to maintain an active internet connection, causing a certain degree of discontent.
