Battleborn Getting Microtransactions, Here's When and How Much They Cost


Recommended Posts

Quote

 

Soon you will be able to buy skins and taunts, but they won't affect gameplay.

Last updated by Eddie Makuch on June 14, 2016

 

Microtransactions are coming to Battleborn, 2K Games has announced. Starting on June 16, players will be able to buy taunts and skins across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, the publisher said in a blog post this week.

These are cosmetic items; they do not affect gameplay in any way, though 2K warned that they "may make your teammates and opponents incredibly jealous." Battleborn already has taunts and skins that you can unlock through normal progress, while the game's upcoming DLC will also add more of these.

 

2K also teased that it is looking at "convenient ways" for players to add more bank spaces and loadouts, and new methods to boost their XP and credit payout. However, whatever is added will not affect gameplay, the publisher stressed. There is no timetable yet for when these features might be introduced, but you can leave feedback for 2K in the game's forums.

Here is how much Battleborn's microtransactions will cost:

 

$1.99 for 230 Platinum

$4.99 for 700 Platinum

$9.99 for 1625 Platinum

$19.99 for 3500 Platinum

$49.99 for 9300 Platinum

 

Continues...

 

-----

 

Oh Randy :no:

Patching in MTs after release is incredibly scummy. It's just to avoid it being mentioned in reviews.

 

Randy is one of the most untrustworthy guys in the industry.

Just now, Audioboxer said:

Patching in MTs after release is incredibly scummy. It's just to avoid it being mentioned in reviews.

 

Randy is one of the most untrustworthy guys in the industry.

That and during E3 week, where it will be in amongst the avalanche of news :no:

  • Like 1

I may have missed something here, but if the micro transactions don't make a difference to gameplay, is it really a big issue?

  • Like 1
11 minutes ago, dipsylalapo said:

I may have missed something here, but if the micro transactions don't make a difference to gameplay, is it really a big issue?

A lot of people do not believe it is very "ethical" that $60 games should include micro-transactions. Especially when they use bait and switch tactics like Battleborn has when reviews have been completed, or like with Overwatch where they are very similar to gambling.

  • Like 1
1 minute ago, Andrew said:

A lot of people do not believe it is very "ethical" that $60 games should include micro-transactions. Especially when they use bait and switch tactics like Battleborn has when reviews have been completed, or like with Overwatch where they are very similar to gambling.

Hmm okay. For me, I don't really mind micro transactions if it's just cosmetic stuff. I paid $60 for the game and gamplay, being able to change the colour of my outfit. I really couldn't care less about. That's just me. :)

5 minutes ago, dipsylalapo said:

Hmm okay. For me, I don't really mind micro transactions if it's just cosmetic stuff. I paid $60 for the game and gamplay, being able to change the colour of my outfit. I really couldn't care less about. That's just me. :)

I can see both sides of the coin, because I have the will power to avoid them too. However, I don't think it's right to include them, as it is designed to make you "jealous" and spend extra. Further, the unlock/progress system is always impacted if you can buy the items in game with real money and virtual game currencies. Your progress, drop rate, item quality etc is always slowed or negatively impacted with micro-transactions, because they are banking on the psychology of you becoming impatient and buying them instead.

This was planned from the beginning, so yeah, guess Randy Pitchford's not even trying to hide his charlatanism now. Shame, I used to like him because of Borderlands. I'm just gonna leave this video here; it might make some of you feel better...

 

 

I'm not trolling when I ask this. Does anyone even play Battleborn anymore? It did okay the first few days it came out and then from what I've seen most people quickly got bored with the game because it's very repetitive.

 

I mean obviously there are some people who enjoy it a lot but...?

10 hours ago, trag3dy said:

I'm not trolling when I ask this. Does anyone even play Battleborn anymore? It did okay the first few days it came out and then from what I've seen most people quickly got bored with the game because it's very repetitive.

 

I mean obviously there are some people who enjoy it a lot but...?

The game has all but died. I think peak numbers hover around 1K on Steam.

10 hours ago, trag3dy said:

I'm not trolling when I ask this. Does anyone even play Battleborn anymore? It did okay the first few days it came out and then from what I've seen most people quickly got bored with the game because it's very repetitive.

 

I mean obviously there are some people who enjoy it a lot but...?

Let's put it this way: There are more people "playing" a piece of graphics card overclocking software on Steam than Battleborn...

 

...and just because I've been reminded of this in the comments, I'm gonna post it:

 

  • Like 2

Usage numbers tanking might be why they're adding MT now, you have to think if sales/usage was strong like at the start they'd have less need to.   I'm really tired of this f2p mobile trend console and PC titles are on.  Sure it's fine for mobile, I could care less on my smartphone but come on guys.    I'm also tired of this MP/Co-op/online only trend to, ala division and titanfall and so on.   I'm going to hold on to my love of SP narrative driven AAA games till i'm old and crusty and ready to die.   Screw this MP online loving trend as well, kill it with fire I say!

On 6/15/2016 at 8:56 AM, Andrew said:

However, I don't think it's right to include them, as it is designed to make you "jealous" and spend extra. ... The game has all but died. I think peak numbers hover around 1K on Steam.

I agree that most MTX options are closer to evil than they are consumer demand.

 

However, if it comes to a nearly dead game, releasing non-gameplay related MTXs, all I can really think is that a fool and his money are soon parted...

The MTXs may exist bc of the game's poor state. I don't blame the crew behind Battleborn for trying to recover their (poor) investment. Expected behavior.

  • 3 months later...
34 minutes ago, Andrew said:

Supposedly Gearbox wanted to go F2P from the start, but 2K forced them to go "buy to play".

Won't surprise me in the slightest if that's true. It's always the publishers that get greedy and screw it up (like with Deus Ex Mankind Divided; Square Enix forcing Eidos at the last minute to shove in microtransactions and an F2P-like game mode).

48 minutes ago, Andrew said:

Latest is the game is going F2P in a "number of months", according to Kotaku's source. Supposedly Gearbox wanted to go F2P from the start, but 2K forced them to go "buy to play".

I honestly still haven't even given the game a look, after Borderlands 3 I washed my hands of it all.  Is it worth trying if it does go F2P?

14 hours ago, LostCat said:

I honestly still haven't even given the game a look, after Borderlands 3 I washed my hands of it all.  Is it worth trying if it does go F2P?

Definitely. It has some issues, but nothing that other games don't suffer. It is the decisions outside of the actual game which have hurt it most.

 

Randy tweeted shortly after Kotaku's article:

 

Which he later elaborated on to say a trial version is possible:

 

Gearbox denies rumor that Battleborn is going free to play, but says a "trial version" is planned

Well, I'm sure the several hundred people that are still playing it will be pleased when the trial version comes out. I'll give it a try when it's out. They've probably left it too late, though, as Paladins is set to suck up most of the F2P Overwatch crowd.

 

Something else worth mentioning...

Has Randy never heard of World of Warcraft or StarCraft II? They are Blizzard games, so maybe he's pretending they don't exist. I'm pretty sure Killzone 3 and Uncharted 3 on the PS3 did this, too, with the multiplayer side of the games.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Likely nothing will be done in corporate America, there have been countless Tesla self-driving incidents. Then again, there have also been countless human operated incidents. It's literally daily news here in Canada, to the extent that it's now odd if we get a day where a collision doesn't get announced on the radio throughout the day...
    • SKG Hand Massager with Heat OS500 hands on by Steven Parker I was offered the chance to test out the SKG Hand Massager with Heat OS500, and full disclosure, they let me keep it regardless of my findings. Anyway, I jumped at the chance due to my long hours sitting at my desk, mousing around. Apologies for the knife cut across the top of the box; that was my doing, being a bit too heavy-handed with opening up the outer packaging. First up, what's in the box: SKG Hand Massager with Heat OS500 1x Type-C charging cable User Manual 1-Year Warranty (card) In short, everything you need to get started. According to the official Amazon listing, here are the key features: Full-Hand Air Compression: OS500 wraps your fingers, palm, and wrist with multi-chamber air compression for a complete hand relaxation experience. The extended massage chamber helps cover more of the hand and wrist area than standard palm-only hand massagers Palm Kneading with 6 Modes & 6 Intensities: Built-in palm kneading rollers add a hands-on massage feel, while 6 preset modes and 6 pressure levels let you choose the comfort level that fits your day—from gentle relaxation to a firmer full-hand massage 3 Heat Levels with Cooling Fan: Choose from 104°F, 113°F or 122°F warmth to suit different seasons and comfort preferences. The built-in cooling fan helps reduce stuffiness during heated sessions, keeping your hand feeling fresh and comfortable Easy Visual Display & Smart Timer: The digital image display clearly shows massage area, mode, intensity, heat level, and remaining time at a glance. Select 10, 15, or 20-minute sessions for quick office breaks, evening relaxation, or everyday hand care Rechargeable, Cordless & Comfortable: A 3000mAh battery supports over 90 minutes of full-function use on a full charge, with convenient USB-C charging. The soft inner lining, smooth ABS/PU finish, and premium black-gold design make OS500 ideal for home, office, or gifting With all that out of the way, here are my own findings. I gave it a try on both left and right hands, and as you can maybe see from the above YouTube Short, (sorry for the shaky video), my whole hand fits in, but my wrist barely enters the Hand Massager. I was able to push through a bit more with my fingertips extending out the other end to get a bit of massaging on the start of my wrist. Usage For some reason, there is a strap that is very difficult to fasten to my wrist with one hand. I am not sure what function it has, and it isn't mentioned in the user manual. The only thing I could find was in the product images that claimed "wrist precision". Unlike the Bob and Brad Hand Massager, this device does not massage the wrist anyway, even though a "wrist mode" is mentioned, which must be for smaller hands than I have, as it is mainly intended for the hand and fingers. In addition, for its steeper price, there are no disposable gloves provided in the box, which is a bit of an issue considering the internal cover (which appears to be elasticated nylon) cannot be removed for washing; so you are left with only one choice: always thoroughly wash your hands before using it. I can imagine this thing getting a bit grimy after a period of use, and that is a bit of a shame. With that said, the buttons on the device, from left to right, do the following: Heat button: 3-level heat control at 104°F, 113°F, or 122°F Mode button: Auto mode Circular mode Soothing mode Relax mode Palm and fingers mode Palm and wrist mode Intensity button: from (First-time users) 15Ka, 25Ka, 35Ka, 45Ka, 55Ka, 60Ka (Intensive relief) Knead button: on or off (6 pressure levels) Power button: Long-press to turn on or off Cooling button: turn on or off the cooling fan Also, in the product imagery, it states there are 36 "custom modes," but nowhere is it listed what these modes are. I can only imagine that they mean a combination of all of the above settings in different intensity levels. The device itself seems to rely on a single "kneading" mechanism located at the palm area of the hand, which spins when in use, and the other massage features are mainly utilized through the air sacs, increasing and decreasing at various levels on the hand and fingers. I am not sure it offered too much relief for someone who is typing and operating a mouse for hours at a time; further testing may be required. It does feel nice, though. Finally, you may be wondering how this fits into the scope of a tech website? Well, let me tell you something: sometimes I sit for up to 15 hours working on Neowin, and although I take breaks in between, it takes a toll on my body. I think in the immediate absence of a partner to apply relief, a good massager like this Hand Massager can shed the strains of the day in just a couple of 15-minute bursts. On the official website, this has an MSRP of $99.99, but luckily for our readers, it is selling at $10 off for just $89.99 right now on Amazon. SKG Hand Massager with Heat OS500 for $89.99 (with $10 off coupon), $99.99 MSRP For me, this gets a thumbs hands(?) down. However, it could be improved by making it so that the protective covering could be removed and thrown into the washing machine, or get yourself some disposable gloves to use with it. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Thanks for the info, but I'm still not sure if I need this....
    • We check out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager by Steven Parker I was offered the chance to test out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager, and full disclosure, they let me keep it regardless of my findings. Anyway, I jumped at the chance due to my long hours sitting at my desk; I figured it could offer some neck pain relief. What's in the box: SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager Rechargeable Battery (inside massager) Type-C USB cable User Manual Quick Start guide 1-Year Warranty In short, everything you need to get started. According to the official listing, here are the key features: Biomimetic Kneading & High Torque Motor: Designed with innovative biomimetic kneading heads that perfectly simulate the touch of human hands. Powered by a high-torque motor, this massager delivers powerful and precise deep tissue relief to effectively target stiff neck muscles and release built-up tension Soothing Heat & Integrated Sound Relaxation: Experience the ultimate Relaxationation with our dual-action approach. The soothing heat function gently warms your neck, while the built-in sound Relaxation provides calming audio tracks, helping you achieve a state of mindfulness and mental tranquility during your physical massage Cordless Convenience & Travel-Ready & Father's Day Gifts: Crafted for maximum portability and ease of use. Its lightweight, cordless design allows you to enjoy a premium massage anywhere without the hassle of tangled wires-whether you're taking a quick break at your desk or winding down at home Versatile Relief for Home & Office: An essential wellness companion for office workers, gamers, frequent travelers, or anyone looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily routine. It seamlessly fits into your lifestyle, providing instant neck relief whenever and wherever you need it Safe & Premium Materials: Manufactured with high-quality, skin-friendly materials to ensure a safe and comfortable experience without irritation. SKG backs this device with dedicated customer service, making it a thoughtful tech-health gift for family and friends App & Bluetooth Music Control: Connect via Bluetooth to control your massage settings through the dedicated app and enjoy your favorite music during your massage session for a fully customizable and immersive relaxation experience Red Light Warmth Technology: Features advanced red light warmth technology that penetrates deep into neck muscles to enhance blood circulation and provide soothing comfort while relieving muscle tension and stiffness Design With all that out of the way, here are my own findings. SKG does not say what materials are used to make the neck massager. However, on the product website, it mentions "soft-touch silicone" with what looks like PU leather cushioning, with the rest being mostly made up of plastics. On the inside of the massager, there are two "biomimetic kneading heads" that are motorized for the different styles of massage, which are not actually listed at all in the paper user manual, but the standard included modes are: De-stress mode, Mediation mode, Relax mode, Shiatsu mode. The massager looks quite premium and is actually very comfortable to wear. This massager is small and light enough to go anywhere, as it doesn't get in the way of anything, so I was able to use it in the chair while writing this review. Unlike the back massager, SKG does not warn in the user guide not to use it for more than 30 minutes a day (or two 15-minute sessions). However, there is a long laundry list of important safeguards to consider before and during the use of the device, and it is warned that the neck massager is not waterproof. It also includes a 1,400mAh battery with a rated power of 14W and input of 5V, which is the standard for up to USB 3.0 power (although the Amperage is not mentioned at all). SKG does not say how long it takes to charge, but a quick calculation at 2A (if that is what it is) would mean it would take roughly 1.5 hrs to charge from empty. In any case, the light around the button changes from orange to green on a full charge. In addition, it is not possible to use the device while it is charging. On the right of the neck massager is the On/Off and modes button, which also acts as a joystick. You can operate all the modes directly from the power button, as well as the app, which I'll get into a bit later: Push up: Short press to adjust Heat levels On/Off button: long press Mode Switching: Short press (while in operation) ➕ Push left: increase Music volume ➖ push right: decrease Music volume Push down: Short-press to turn Music on or off The massager defaults to De-stress mode, and it is not stated anywhere if the neck massager has overheat protection. This time around, regarding heat, the only detail I could find is that it has "triple action soothing heat." The temperature stages are not listed anywhere in the paper manual, Amazon listing, or official website. The heat levels can be adjusted through the app or directly on the device using the joystick button. Usage There's also the SKG Health app, which makes using the massager far easier than feeling around for the button on the side of your neck. If the app is stopped, you are required to log in with a verification code over email, which I am not too pleased with, as this means it will only work that way for however long SKG decides to support it through said app. However, I was not able to get the app to connect to the OS500, which I have reported back to my contact. Bluetooth appeared to be working on the neck massager as it became available to pair with my phone, but the SKG app failed to discover it. Before I forget, there's also a switch next to the USB charging port to deactivate and activate the Voice Prompt, which, when enabled, audibly tells the user when switching intensities, modes, or connecting to the app and informs when the massages start and are completed. That said, on to my likes and dislikes, which are listed below. What I didn't like Unable to connect the Neck Massager to the app Use through the mobile app relies on continued support from SKG What I liked Can be used without the app Cordless use Light and comfortable to wear Heat is also quite comfortable Where to buy: According to the official website, this has an MSRP of $249.99, but is currently $50 (on Amazon). To sweeten the deal a bit more, there's also an in-page coupon that knocks a further $20 off the price. SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager for $179.99 on Amazon (was $199.99) Apply the in-page $20 off coupon for the final price of $179.99 Just like the back massager, this gets a confused thumbs up (due to the cost). However, I cannot rate it through app usage as it failed to connect. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • This Samsung T7 external SSD deal lasts less than a day by Sayan Sen Recently we had covered some nice deals of internal NVMe SSDs which include the 4TB TeamGroup G50 for only $400, the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB for just $243, as well as the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB for $370. If however you require an external SSD for portability and quick data transfers and have a budget of less than $200 the Samsung T7 1TB model is currently on a limited time deal at just $190, it's lowest price in nearly three months. The deal ends today so you better hurry if you need one (purchase link below). The T7 weighs in at just 72 grams meaning it should be fairly easy to carry around helping in the portability department. Via its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface the T7 promises sequential read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s and writes of 1000 MB/s. It is also fairly robust with a drop protection of up to 2 meters, though bear in mind that this is not waterproof. For that you will have to choose the rugged T7 Shield. The technical specifications of the Samsung T7 1TB are given in the table below: Specification Value Model Code (1TB) MU-PC1T0T / MU-PC1T0H Interface USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Dimensions (W × H × D) 85 × 57 × 8 mm Weight 72 g Sequential Read Speed Up to 1,050 MB/s Sequential Write Speed Up to 1,000 MB/s Drop Resistance Up to 2 m (6.6 ft) Encryption AES 256-bit hardware encryption Operating Temperature 0°C to 60°C Non-Operating Temperature -40°C to 85°C Humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensing) Shock Resistance 1,500 G, duration 0.5 ms, 3-axis (non-operating) Vibration Resistance 20–2,000 Hz, 20 G (non-operating) Get it at the link below: Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray: $189.98 (Sold and Shipped by Amazon US) Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Dedicated
      Almohandis earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Dedicated
      JuvenileDelinquent earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • First Post
      DrWankel earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      DrWankel earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Week One Done
      Supreme Spray LV earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      505
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      184
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      85
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      78
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      76
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!