Mike O’Brien on Microtransactions

[Tyris Requiem]

In before Lensor :P

http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obrie...n-guild-wars-2

[Lensor]

Continue the discussion here.

[Lensor]

Mike O’Brain posted an interesting update on the ArenaNet blog this evening detailing the game currency and the microtransaction system, an area which has not previously been discussed. Here’s some of the juice from the article. In*Guild Wars 2*we have three currencies: gold, karma, and gems. Gold is the common in-game currency. Karma, which players [...]

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[shawn]

O'Brain, huh?


O'Brien.

[RD]

Wait, we have three threads on this now? hehe

Anyway.

What do you want to do tonight, O'Brain?
The same thing we do every night, GWO. Try to discuss Microtransactions.

[Cyberman]

Hm. Not sure what I think about it yet, but I'm glad to read the following:

We have a new player-driven market that allows players to trade gold for gems and gems for gold. If you want something, whether it’s an in-game item or a microtransaction, you ultimately have two ways to get it: you can play to earn gold or you can use money to buy gems.

(emphasis added)

So those who buy gems (with real money) won't be a secluded elite. Anyone can buy gems, you "merely" have to make enough in-game money.
That was one aspect of Eve Online I thought was well made.