Gaming
Video Game “Whale” Talks About Loot Boxes and Microtransactions
Let’s talk about Loot Boxes and Microtransactions once more. There have been some words spoken on this site in regards to these controversial objects. However, people who defend these transactions claim that companies don’t see customers as things such as “Whales”. However, Eurogamer brought to light a case where this is a wrong assumption.
“Whales”, as they’re disrespectfully called, are the big spenders when it comes to online and social games. Forking out roughly £25 a month on microtransactions and recently, Loot Boxes. In free-to-play games, the vast majority of revenue is generated by ‘whales’ who make up a supposedly small percentage of the player base.
Eurogamer took its time to talk with David “Siigari” Perez, a 34-year-old Twitch streamer from Oregon. This person claimed to be a video game whale in a Reddit MMA previously, and the account he brought about this is quite disturbing.
Let’s start with the simple questions about his background. David is a DJ and audio engineer. Currently pursuing other careers related to audio but still DJ’ing at restaurants. The man claims to have spent over $20,000 in the past five years on Loot Boxes and Microtransactions.
He also mentioned that he quitted League of Legends because of the approach they took. “I played League of Legends for years and when it started its own loot chest system I started losing interest in the game. (…) I was like, I don’t know if I want to see the game going down this path, because I know this path very well (…) It definitely discouraged me from spending and for the past few years I’ve said, ‘Riot, I’m not supporting you with money anymore.’”
He then talked about a game where he invested over $5000 USD named Atlantica Online. The reason why he did this was because it was an RPG that allowed for equipment upgrades, and he wanted to be the best. “I liked the game and I played it with some friends but, honestly, I just liked being powerful in that game. I liked kicking ass and it was really expensive to kick ass in it.”
He then talks about the reasons behind these investments and why people feel encouraged to purchase more. “Part of the reason these games have leaderboards is to make you feel like you’re competing against someone else. Leaderboards exist to pressure players to spend money. It’s a gentle pressure at first.”
He then talks about whether or not he thinks that Loot Boxes are gambling themselves. And the answer is pretty unsurprising if you know the content I have posted throughout the months. “Absolutely! It is gambling and the same feeling you get when you pull the jackpot on a slot machine is the same feeling these companies are aiming for whether you win or lose.”
He makes a few warnings to other “Whales” (Or dolphins, as he considers himself because he doesn’t spend as much as other people who shell out the cash.) “If you are not cognisant of the money you’re spending, you can find yourself in a hole really fast. Especially when these games aren’t offering you anything tangible you can actually put your hands on, you don’t actually realise the perceived, or the real, value of what you’re getting.”
You can read the interview at full right here, but this just goes to show that Loot Boxes and Microtransactions are done with these people in mind. And that even the “Whales” and “Dolphins” are starting to get sick of being sucked off their money as well.
Helldivers 2 proved to be a surprising success, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry. As per Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, it currently ranks as Sony’s seventh highest grossing game in the United States to date, trailing behind a trio of Spider-Man titles, a couple of God of War games, and Ghost of Tsushima. It’s only been on the market for less than three months and is not even being sold at full price.
According to Piscatella, a significant factor contributing to the game’s success is its release on PC. He mentioned that, based on Circana’s Player Engagement Tracker, the game has consistently ranked first in terms of active users on Steam in the US since its launch, including April. The release of Helldivers 2 on both PlayStation and PC has been an extraordinary triumph.
He stated that Helldivers 2 has already become the seventh highest-grossing Sony-published game in history. Without a PC, it would not currently be considered one of the top 20 games. While I’m emphasizing the success of the PC SKU, it’s important to note that I’m not disregarding the success of the PlayStation SKU. I just wanted to clarify that. This launch has proven to be incredibly successful.
Prior to the release of Helldivers 2, Sony made it clear that they would be launching their live service-style titles simultaneously on both the PS5 and PC. The success of this approach will undoubtedly strengthen their strategic vision. It will be intriguing to witness if the company reveals official sales figures in the near future, as the title appears to be one of the platform holder’s most successful sellers to date.
Gaming
The developer of Stellar Blade for the PS5 Expressing gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support amidst a recent controversy surrounding censorship
Shift Up, the Korean developer, seems to be reconsidering its contentious alterations to the Stellar Blade outfit. In a message to fans, they have urged everyone to stay tuned for updates and expressed gratitude for the passionate feedback from players. For those who may not be aware, a petition gained significant attention over the weekend when gamers discovered changes made to a few of the game’s costumes through a day-one patch.
The launch day update includes a fantastic New Game + mode, but some players were disappointed by the changes made to protagonist Eve’s outfit. These alterations sparked debates about censorship. Director Hyung-Tae Kim later clarified that this was the studio’s original vision, but he acknowledged that it may require further persuasion to win over users. Internal discussions were also underway to address any concerns.
Thanks to all our Stellar Blade fans for your passion & feedback. Stay tuned for updates🤍 pic.twitter.com/jCRzM4OQBS
— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) May 1, 2024
There is no definitive confirmation regarding the reversal of the outfits, but considering the language used in the statement and the widespread controversy surrounding the alterations, it is highly likely that a future patch will restore the original costumes. If you want to get a sneak peek at all of Eve’s different outfits and learn how to unlock them, be sure to take a look at our comprehensive guide, All Outfits and How to Get Them.
It’s quite possible. Fans all over the world are interested in Shift Up’s highly anticipated action-adventure game, Stellar Blade. With its captivating post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of Nier and a compelling protagonist named Eve, it’s no wonder the game has generated such widespread attention.
The game consistently impresses with its stunning visuals and high-octane action, leaving players in awe with each new trailer.
Yet, just like other noteworthy second-party and third-party game releases, fans are pondering: Will Stellar Blade be available on PC?
In this article, we delve into the details to determine the platform availability of the highly anticipated title.
Will Stellar Blade be available on PC? Allow me to provide you with the answer.
Unfortunately, Stellar Blade will not be available on PC, at least not initially. Currently, the game is only available on PlayStation 5 starting on April 26, 2024.
Regrettably, it appears that there is no indication of a potential PC release for Stellar Blade in the future. In most cases, trailers for PlayStation timed-exclusive titles conclude with a disclaimer that specifies the duration of their exclusivity.
In the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launch trailer, it is explicitly stated that the game will only be accessible on other platforms starting on May 29, 2024.
Regrettably, when it comes to the stellar blade, there is no indication of such.
It’s important to note that Sony Entertainment Interactive published Stellar Blade, unlike Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This means that the chances of it being released on PC or other platforms in the near future are even slimmer.
However, it is worth noting that there is a chance the game might be released on PC in the future, given PlayStation’s track record of bringing their exclusive titles to the platform. However, it could be a while before this comes to fruition.
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