Activision Uses Matchmaking Tricks to Sell In-Game Items

Megalith

Megalith

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Activision was granted a patent this month for a system it uses to convince people in multiplayer games to purchase items for a game through microtransactions: in one implementation, the system may include a microtransaction engine that arranges matches to influence game-related purchases. The microtransaction engine may match a more expert/marquee player with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases of items possessed/used by the marquee player. Thanks cageymaru.

The system can also drop players into matches that will make use of an in-game-related purchase, according to the patent. "Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases," according to the patent. "For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, the microtransaction engine may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results."
 
Its good marketing, but I'm not going to buy a pay to win game so how good can it really be?
 
I suppose this could benefit the idiots who play these types of games. As it currently stands P2W games dont really show you what to buy. People just buy based upon whatever information they have gleaned from their matches so far. With the game rigging the odds against you in unwinnable matches that prove you need weapon X to proceed people will know what to waste their money on.
 
Megalith said:
Activision was granted a patent this month for a system it uses to convince people in multiplayer games to purchase items for a game through microtransactions: in one implementation, the system may include a microtransaction engine that arranges matches to influence game-related purchases. The microtransaction engine may match a more expert/marquee player with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases of items possessed/used by the marquee player. Thanks cageymaru.

The system can also drop players into matches that will make use of an in-game-related purchase, according to the patent. "Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases," according to the patent. "For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, the microtransaction engine may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results."
Click to expand...
I really don't understand their definition of fun, so buying something so I can win is fun? No.
 
Thanks for continuing to justify my exit from competitive multiplayer games, Activision.
 
This is exactly the sort of thing that seems likely to eventually kill the goose that laid the golden egg...
 
Wow... so if you don't have money to burn on this... you get on the losing team or get thrown under the bus for been the teammate that s*ck ? Thanks for letting me know such thing is going to happen... all those games will be on my do not buy list and also no recommendation whatsoever ...
 
Wow, the fucks given by Activision on how people perceive it are almost less than zero!

So you're not very good at the game, your record shows it, your gameplay shows it, instead of ranking you up of people of similar suckiness to maybe give you some what a chance, we'll match you up with someone who's much better... but wait if you're not that good you can always buy this little add on to give you a better advantage!

Fuck de fuck fuck.
 
You know when the internet first became available in the 90's, I thought it would be the coolest thing ever to be able to play multiplayer games with people any time of any day.

Then I was introduced to the world of online cheaters/hackers and it tempered my excitement a bit and I withdrew a big chunk of my gaming back to single player steadily over the years. Now I almost exclusively play single player games and only play mutliplayer games (with the exception of two MOBAS) with friends.

I often wondered if I made the right choice, but now with micro-transactions going ballistic, I am certain I did and single player games with a multiplayer option are now preferred. When I see "multiplayer only" I pass on the game and never give it a second look. Oh and the ONLY multiplayer option I am interested in is co-op, no longer DM due to the reasons above.
 
so I'm a noob at an online game instead of matching me up with a similar skilled player I'll be sent in to be slaughtered, that sure sounds like a recipe for fun and continued playing of the game.
 
wow.. so while reading that the only image that flashed through my mind was someone sitting there, arm out stretched, taping on the vein saying.. hit me again !!
 
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