GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Ryse: Son of Rome to feature microtransactions

Xbox One-exclusive game to include real-money purchases for multiplayer mode; producer compares option to Mass Effect and FIFA Ultimate Team.

987 Comments

Crytek-developed Xbox One-exclusive Ryse: Son of Rome will feature microtransactions in its multiplayer mode to help speed up player progression, VideoGamer.com has reported.

No Caption Provided

Compared to the experience in EA's FIFA Ultimate Team, or Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode, the system will allow users to progress organically by playing; fast-track upgrades by making in-game, real-world purchases; or combine the two to offset the shortfall of in-game currency.

"When we talk about the progression system for multiplayer, it's armour based," the game’s producer told the website during a Gamescom demonstration.

"The way that you get armour is very similar to how you get it in like Mass Effect or FIFA. You only earn gold while playing multiplayer [and] you use that gold to buy booster packs. Those booster packs contain random sets of loot. The different tiers of loot that you get--whether you buy bronze, silver, or gold packs--determine whether you get rare or common items.

"One of the things that we did a little different is that you can buy them with in-game currency and real-world currency. The difference is that if you're close, we also have small microtransactions."

"Say, for instance, a gold pack costs 15,000 gold, [and] you've only got 12,500, you can actually buy the difference and only spend a little bit to make it go to a gold pack. So we offer some variety there."

The gameworld is reportedly being created to allow players to prioritise their upgrade path, be it for more gold, or experience.

"We were very good about designing stages as you play multiplayer, so the stats can change whether you're focusing on grinding for money, grinding for experience, or whether you're playing with a new player or an old player. There's a lot of ways to change and customise your gear," they said.

Published by Microsoft, third-person action game Ryse: Son of Rome has been confirmed as a launch title for the system. The Xbox One goes on sale this November.

UPDATE: Some additional details on how the player progression system will work in tandem with microtransactions, courtesy of Xbox PR:

"The progression system in 'Ryse: Son of Rome’s' cooperative multiplayer experience offers players the freedom to customize their gladiator with a wide range of armor customization options and upgrades which are accessible across five tiers. Players must advance through each tier by earning experience through gameplay before being eligible to acquire ‘booster packs,’ which contain in-game upgrades. Once players have reached a new tier, they may either purchase ‘booster packs’ using in-game Gold earned through battle, real-world currency or a mix of both, and then must continue to play to advance to the next tier (there is no way to ‘buy’ your way to the next tier). Players who purchase ‘booster packs’ with real-world currency will only receive a minor boost in how quickly they acquire the items they’ve earned compared to those who only use in-game Gold."

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 987 comments about this story
987 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for The_Gaming_Baby
The_Gaming_Baby

6425

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 117

User Lists: 52

This game really is shaping up to be a shit show

6 • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

Edited By tomservo51

So youre saying it's looking better than before?

4 • 
Avatar image for Swoopalz
Swoopalz

293

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Swoopalz

FUN FACT: I played the demo at SDCC and you don't even have to get the QTE's right, you'll still stab them in the throat regardless.

6 • 
Avatar image for deliman
deliman

386

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

**** off with this bullshit.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ch4ppysgamerev
ch4ppysgamerev

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

They did this in ME3 and I had a lot of fun with the game and never wasted any money. As long as you can level up organically that's fine with me.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jefferson1964
jefferson1964

273

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

@ch4ppysgamerev u do notice the lack of likes on your comment as this thread is full of sony fanboys just trying to bash anything msft related. What the sony kids will not say is that the Uncharted Series also had microtransactions, but thats on the lowdown hush up, cant say that about sony, and if these fools think the PS4 or one of the publishers will not be putting in microstransactions they are blind or nieve or just stupid...being sony luvers, i will bet its the latter of the 3....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pbex
pbex

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I haven't thought I can be less interested in this title, but now I am.

9 • 
Avatar image for jefferson1964
jefferson1964

273

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

@pbex being a sony punk u never had any intentions of buying the game so your comment is irrelevant....did u play uncharted? they had micortransactions or did u forget that or fail to mention it....lol...yeah right.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

@pbex My disinterest is turning into loathing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Remember a wonderful launch game in the past that sounded good to begin with but got worse and worse the more you heard?

It was called Lair.

They just need to announce that Ryse has forced Kinect controls to complete the comparison.

4 • 
Avatar image for jecomans
jecomans

817

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k Aw man Lair looked fun - flying dragons and taking out armies with a sweep of your tail. I think I only ended up playing about 4 -5 missions, and that felt like dedication.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Master_Overlord
Master_Overlord

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k hey - Lair and Liar are quite similar words.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Bowser05
Bowser05

1141

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 149

User Lists: 0

While I'm EXTREMELY excited for this game, I don't like this idea. Microtransactions for aesthetic and non-gameplay changing things I'm all for. Customizing is great and it doesn't detriment anybody else. Level boosting and stuff I HATE. I spend $60 on the game like everybody else...I am NOT also going to spend more money JUST so I can keep up with others in multiplayer. Good thing I'm getting this game for the SP. I am not going to support this microtransaction boosting crap even a little. Screw you.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nickske1
nickske1

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By nickske1

"Ryse: son of rome will feature microtransactions in its multiplayer mode to help speed up player progression" Gamers don't need HELP, especially not from microtransactions, otherwise there will be no satisfaction for spending hours playing the game and getting an epic sword or gear, instead you could just keep paying for the game and opening gold boxes..

And as you can see from the gameplay, not much skill is required so basically, the richest player can win easily from the most "skilled" player.

But hey, it's "next gen", so graphics is all that matters, right?? Anyone?? No?? No.

2 • 
Avatar image for DMND
DMND

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@nickske1 Dude, there are 30 casuals for every 1 hardcore gamer, they claim for help and will pay every penny to shorten the time leveling or grinding for gear.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nickske1
nickske1

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@DMND @nickske1 But then again, aren't the hardcore players the ones that actually want to pay for a game since they play it a lot?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for yboucher
yboucher

504

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

no. hardcore gamers that go on forums are some of the most self-entitled individuals you'll ever find. They feel they should actually be getting games for free from developers on the merits that they play a lot, and therefore "support them". Few groups put as little money where their mouths are than those so called "hardcore haters".

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lie01234
lie01234

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Prediction!

Dark Soul 2 on Xbox One 1 dollar for every live and 50 cent for gold member.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DMND
DMND

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By DMND

@lie01234 Dark Souls are made by japanese. They don't even like MMOs so they're not used to microtransactions. Let's hope for the best.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Haeravon
Haeravon

764

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

Edited By Haeravon

@DMND @lie01234 Capcom.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZeroFallout1
ZeroFallout1

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

News Flash Quantum Break live episodes will be on PPV for $39.99. What a deal!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DespVand
DespVand

108

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

no probs won't be purchasing xbone (or xbxnone whatever you like) anyways so who gives a f....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

In other words, a BIG FU to gamers!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nickpeck36
nickpeck36

756

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@tomservo51 Warframe, DC Universe, Planetside 2 & Blacklight, all on the ps4, all F2P and all have microtransactions. But guess what, in Ryse and all of the games mentioned, you DONT have to purchase anything if you don't want to.

It's only a "BIG FU" if you are a moron, and well, I won't comment on that.

2 • 
Avatar image for outlawoftorn
outlawoftorn

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@nickpeck36 @tomservo51 that is the point. those games you mentioned are free to play, while Ryse is not.

the f2p model is good since you can try it out. if you enjoy it you can pay in small amounts to get things that attract you in the game.

i know for a fact that you are not penalized for not buying anything in planetside 2. i have played for months. you can enjoy it and compete effectively without ever paying anything.

but paying $60 up front and finding further costs in-game is hard to swallow.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Orga777
Orga777

175

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@nickpeck36 @tomservo51

Free to Play is not the same thing as spending $60 on a game that adds in crappy micro transactions. Understanding is hard. XP

3 • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

@yboucher @Orga777 @nickpeck36 @tomservo51 Optional or not, it affects game-play and the overall experience.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for yboucher
yboucher

504

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By yboucher

@Orga777 @nickpeck36 @tomservo51 "Totally freaking optional" seems to be really hard to understand too. People will read what they wanna read.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

Edited By tomservo51

@nickpeck36 I'm glad to see you like micro-transactions in full priced games.

2 • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Thanatos2k

@nickpeck36 @tomservo51 Obviously a free to play game is going to have Microtransactions.

But this isn't a F2P game, it's a Fee to Pay game, the worst abomination in gaming.

5 • 
Avatar image for spartanx169x
spartanx169x

2905

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

@nickpeck36 @tomservo51 Do you know if they will be F2P once on PS4? or will the have a standard price. I was under the impression they are complete lyseparate from the online versions.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Game looks like crap anyways. Just one big quick time event from start to finish.

Maybe copy the fun parts of God of War next time?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for yboucher
yboucher

504

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k Ah yeah, you played it? When? Where? You finished it?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nickpeck36
nickpeck36

756

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k Why not, it's not like God of War came up with those from nothing, as they copied them from previous games as well. Welcome to the video game industry where everything is borrowed :D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@nickpeck36 @Thanatos2k God of War has fun gameplay AROUND the quick time events. Ryse doesn't appear to have realized this.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

http://i.qkme.me/3uv1mb.jpg

5 • 
Avatar image for spartanx169x
spartanx169x

2905

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

If you read these together- " the system will allow users to progress organically by playing; fast-track upgrades by making in-game, real-world purchases; or combine the two to offset the shortfall of in-game currency.

"When we talk about the progression system for multiplayer, it's armour based," the game’s producer told the website during a Gamescom demonstration. "

to me that very much says PAY TO WIN.

4 • 
Avatar image for DespVand
DespVand

108

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@spartanx169x that to me very much says NO WAY I'M BIUING THAT SHIT!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Raged4Life
Raged4Life

222

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

lol

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ioshilee
ioshilee

106

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Next thing would be a free Xone, but MS will charge you a 1$ when your games being saved.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for buy2playz
buy2playz

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By buy2playz

@ioshilee 1$ for every button click

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tomservo51
tomservo51

698

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 0

@buy2playz @ioshilee 50c for Gold subscribers

Upvote • 
Avatar image for buy2playz
buy2playz

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Knack Preordered

2 • 
Avatar image for Jumpy7
Jumpy7

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This is ridiculous. Everything Microsoft does is a scam. People are finally starting to see through their cloud of deceit.

2 • 
Avatar image for Master_Overlord
Master_Overlord

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By Master_Overlord

So in the end what does XONE has?
1. Ryse of Microtransactions.

2.Forza Motorsport 1/5 Completed game.

3.Dead Rising 3-30 Frames Per Second.

Definately best launch lineup in gaming history.

11 • 
Avatar image for jd7904
jd7904

101

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Master_Overlord

Edit: Dead Rising 3: Special Call of Duty Fan Hardcore Shooter Edition

Upvote • 
Avatar image for northArrow
northArrow

370

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Master_Overlord The power of the cloud

9 • 
Avatar image for buy2playz
buy2playz

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Preorder cancelled

9 • 
Avatar image for Bakercat
Bakercat

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoYWdHe4tQ4

Upvote •