Rockstar will be wanting to squeeze every penny they can out of GTA V. And it appears, from the image below (via twitter) that there’ll be a host of not-so-microtransactions releasing with the game at around £2-4 each.
It’s likely this is just a photoshop hoax, drumming up trouble in the weekend lull before GTA V’s release on Tuesday, considering that the Xbox Live Marketplace now uses real money instead of points.
If true, though, it’s ultimately a bad move – those prices seem steep for a gun considering that the game is £40. I can see how it would work, though, with a DLC section in the gun stores.
What do you think? Fake, right? Let’s hope so.
Update: A Rockstar spokesperson has been in touch to let us know that, since they’ve only just got the game out the door (review tomorrow, by the way), they’re not sure what their DLC plans are yet but that $5 guns would certainly not be a part of any plan they do come up with.
CJay
I really hope this is fake. I’d like to think that Rockstar are better than this – it’s not like they’re not going to make enough money from the game without resorting to micro-transactions. I don’t think they would take this approach to their most loved franchise and risk ruining it.
Youles
Could be fake – although not conclusive, they do say “Machinegun” and “Machine Gun” which seems like a school-boy error, not being consistent.
Kennykazey
Yeah, and “Assault Sub Machinegun” doesn’t even sound like a real thing. And I don’t think the Atomic Blimp will be released as DLC so soon. And a Bullpup isn’t even a shotgun if I remember correctly, but I may be wrong there.
transbaconist (formerly bacon_nuts)
A bullpup is a type of firearm where the action is located behind the trigger, as you might have seen from an AUG or Famas if you’ve played COD. A bullpup shotgun therefore can (and they do) exist, although they’re much less common place.
Assualt sub machinegun though, yeah… Along with Assault Machine Gun are jut non specific terms that describe any number of things very badly. If it said SMG or Assault RIFLE, I’d be more inclined to believe it. Assault Sniper Just sounds hilarious.
Aside from the fact that the creator of this knows very little about guns, GTA V doesn’t use licensed guns from what I’ve seen, but pictures and more specific terminology is something I’d want, there’s loads of assault rifles in the world, what one am I buying?
I’m calling BS.
Dazbobaby
with all the money they’re set to make on this game, it’d be bad for gamers and might be bad for RS.
BTW the pre-load has been bumped to tomorrow for the UK
http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/gta5/news/gta_5_psn_preload_brought_forward_to_sunday.html
Wardy-77-
Not 100% sure but I believe there is a Bullpup shotgun that comes with one of the special editions.
Dazbobaby
Hang on, didn’t XBL make the switch to real currency a couple of weeks ago?
Wardy-77-
yeah it does say that XBL have recently switched to real currency.
Dazbobaby
DOH! must learn to read all of the post before replying.
Dazbobaby
And not just look at pretty pictures :)
Wardy-77-
lol but the pictures are the best part ;)
Andrewww
Can somebody let me know what exactly the problem with microtransactions would be..? (although this may be fake)
Given they invested an enormous amount of money in the game (£170m), and that the game sells relatively cheap this late in the console cycle, I’m sure they consider how to raise profits, who would not?
So far, the microstuff has never bothered me in games, I’ve just not bought any, and it definitely has never ruined my experience. I would trust Rockstar to do this in a way which would not spoil the game for anybody.
bunimomike
Non essential goodies would be fine with me. However, they’re projecting that Rockstar will possibly hit a billion dollars worth of revenue from this very, very quickly. So… with the development cost you mentioned, you can see how it might be seen as gouging. Then again, depends on the transactions if they went ahead with any.
Starman
The problem is it raises suspicion that the rate you earn in game currency will be slowed so you’re more likely to get fed up saving for a weapon and just buy it with real money instead.
Andrewww
Ok, reconsidering, there is definitely a lot you can do wrong, when introducing microtransactions. They could e.g. let you buy trophies… ;o)
I just wanted to say they don’t necessarily have to be bad, and I still trust RS not to mess up. Let’s just wait and see… reminds me, I’ve not even decided what to do about this game, which of course is a must-play, probably buy it a bit later, when my backlog is smaller…
SLUMMO316
Almost certainly fake. The screen shot doesn’t look right and as the article says it should be in local currency not ms points
TSBonyman
If GTA Online was a stand-alone, free-to-play game i would understand … on second thoughts no, no i wouldn’t understand at all! Definitely fake, probably.. hopefully. :/
ron_mcphatty
This must be fake and even if it isn’t there’s going to be plenty of ways to raise money for guns in the game, we can surely just ignore the microtransactions and carry on with our merry crimes!
Amazon dispatched my copy yesterday, I’m so excited!!
matthangzhou
I’m fine with any dlc that can also be unlocked via natural progression for those that don’t have the time/skill to get them that way.
Having read everyone else’s comments I’m inclined to agree with the fake verdict.