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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.

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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."

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Avatar image for RicanV
RicanV

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RicanV  Moderator

Update: Fifa 14 is free. Microsoft charges per kick of ball.

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jd7904

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@RicanV Don't forget that you have to buy the ball pump DLC in order to play with a ball that has air in it.

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epicgameresearc

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So, not only does it suck to have micro-transactions, but...

they're not not even "fair" transactions where you are buying a known quantity or product. They're using the collectible trading card game strategy of "random packs" -- like gambling. You're meant to keep spending money until your pack finally comes up with "snakeyes armor." Forget that B.S.

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Thanatos2k

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@epicgameresearc It's the good ol' gachapon. Who says Microsoft ignores Japan!

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ioshilee

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Edited By ioshilee

@epicgameresearc That's what SWTOR fans are facing now, man. I've bought 25 packs of the same cat in a bag to get a mask of a well known Sith lord. Quit playng it after I get 20 identical mounts and a ton of useless shit and no mask.

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deactivated-5a1d4b615a3a3

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@epicgameresearc erm...so you failed to read the part about all packs being purchased with in game money which can be earned playing the game or by purchasing it with real money. It may be a pot luck system but you don't need to pay any extra at all.

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udubdawgz

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@epicgameresearc

lol, gotta love paying for random loot.

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sorotsorot

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Edited By sorotsorot

What is next ? You can get 11 Messi in FIFA game with micro-transaction.

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McSkombi

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Edited By McSkombi

@sorotsorot FIFA for XBOX is completely free because you have to pay for every single player you want to have in your team but don't worry, as generous as Microsoft is they will not charge you any additional fee for the opposing team.

2 • 
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McSkombi

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So basically you're paying 60$ for the game, 60$ for a year of gold AND THEN you should pay again for useless multiplayer stuff that may or may not give you an advantage over others? Hmm seems fair [/s]


What is your Gold account good for again? I mean, I can tell you what PS+ is good for, since I get tons of good games for free...

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deactivated-5a1d4b615a3a3

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@McSkombi Just read the article for goodness sake before posting your idiotic comments, there is nothing in the MP at all which requires a gamer to spend money. If you so choose, you can spend real money to buy more in game money so you can buy more loot packs. In no way whatsoever are you forced to do this, you can just play the game like you normally would and just spend the money you have accrued.

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outlawoftorn

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Edited By outlawoftorn

@pspearman @McSkombi the point is that multiplayer is all about fair play between players.

when you are up against people who have paid their way to best armor, its going to be a long and frustrating road catching up to them, if that is even possible given the time it will take.

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blee575

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@pspearman @McSkombi You are not forced, you are encouraged. When you have 12.000 in game gold it's very tempting to pay that extra 1 or 2 dollars to reach 15.000 and get that RANDOM LOOT (that stuff used to be free back in my days). Also, if your enemies like to pay, they'll have tons of good stuff long before you get them by only playing without buying with real money. That's a typical Pay-To-Win situation.

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Tzardok

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@McSkombi As a person who has 360, PS3, Wii (wife's) and a gaming PC. I can, completely agree with you when you factor all these items together.

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Tzardok

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FFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!! Darn it, I looked forward to this game. Now I can't buy it, just like Dead Space 3. I am taking this "vote with your wallet" very seriously for over a year. I cannot bring myself to support micro-transactions in AAA games. People may still get it and therefore create an incentive, but it will happen so without my support.

Oh well, maybe at some point there could be a GOTY edition which includes everything at some point. Still, despite M$ going back on all the things that offended me with policies and equipments to the XBone, I will pick whichever platform is delivering the promises a year or so after their release. But I really wanted to play Ryse (I like the Roman Empire setting), but for now I will play Rome 2: Total War and consider myself lucky to be able to choose, at least that game is a sure win for my tastes.

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Martyr77

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@Tzardok I salute you! Much respect.

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CKeen666

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@Tzardok play shadow of rome

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epicgameresearc

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@CKeen666 @Tzardok Yes, that's a great game as well!

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Lamesy

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@Tzardok Remember, you're also voting against QTEs which complete whether you press buttons in time or not. It's the definition of anti-gaming. It's a good fight you're fighting, I promise you.

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epicgameresearc

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Edited By epicgameresearc

@Tzardok They're not Rome, but...

try out WARRIORS: LEGENDS OF TROY (PS3 and X360) or SPARTAN: TOTAL WARRIOR (PS2). Both are worthwhile games.

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jhonMalcovich

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Edited By jhonMalcovich

Game over

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XspidervenomX

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59.99$ and "Just pay 100$ for some gold". Greed is ruining gaming not Angry Birds..

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Avatar image for XspidervenomX
XspidervenomX

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Once the scale tips it quickly leans to one side.....

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Avatar image for XspidervenomX
XspidervenomX

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Ok so TitanFall is the only game left im interested in.. I have Ordered 2 PS4's and now im down to one XBOX game I was considering.

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CKeen666

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@XspidervenomX Why can't people just get Titanfall on PC............?

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Tzardok

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@XspidervenomX Same here.

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XspidervenomX

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Edited By XspidervenomX

Mass Effect 3 allowed you to play to earn money,,, or pay,,this game will prevent you unless you pay..

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deactivated-5a1d4b615a3a3

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@XspidervenomX What? move on troll

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Revl8n

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OMFG! I am so glad I dumped my 360 for a PS3 and PS4 pre-order. Just too much, even for M$.

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XspidervenomX

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Pay or suck platform..

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Master_Overlord

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@XspidervenomX well said

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Jumpy7

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Edited By Jumpy7

LMFAO hahahaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaa

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Tzardok

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@Jumpy7 I am very frustrated by this, but the situation is so ridiculous that indeed, it can be hilarious.

First people where not convinced with the quick-time events, then they clarified and we saw a little more footage, just as the son of rome is getting on his feet again, he takes a bunch load of micro-transactions arrows to his face and falls again, apparently not to "ryse" ever again.

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KamuiFei

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Forza is next I bet.

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epicgameresearc

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Edited By epicgameresearc

Ryse of the Micro-Transaction: Son of Quick Time Events!

A somewhat interesting launch game on the XBOX ONE suddenly made absolurtely 100% terrible! XBOX ONE/MS is a joke... a bad one. Everyday another punchline, but this feels like the last straw.

Ballmer just said he's leaving soon...

XBOX ONE

D.O.A.

3 • 
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Master_Overlord

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@epicgameresearc no offense but this might be last gen for xbox brand

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Commander_Snowy

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QTEs and micro-transactions? The future of gaming right here.

/sarcasm

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Master_Overlord

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@Commander_Snowy dats da true next-gen! and oooooooooonly on exbox

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starjay009

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Edited By starjay009

It's a so-so game at best. Nothing spectacular here for the XBONE fanboys to rant on about. Yet another 7.5 score from Gamespot's reviewers in the waiting. I'll pass this one.

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northArrow

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@starjay009 This game is going to be horrible

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foxrock66

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This sure is shaping up to be a great system selling exclusive, isn't it?


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starjay009

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@foxrock66 Love that sarcasm... bring it on !

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Ultra_Taco

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Edited By Ultra_Taco

The multiplayer doesn't even look that enjoyable...

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Ghosthunter54

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Sooo... not only does every kill put you in a QTE, you can pay to win. The only good thing about this game seems to be its graphics. Everything else I hear about it is worse and worse.

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udubdawgz

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@Ghosthunter54

not quite. from what i understand, you're put into a qte, but, your actual qte response doesn't impact anything.

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Master_Overlord

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@udubdawgz @Ghosthunter54 typical cheap launch game

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Orga777

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Edited By Orga777

This game keeps getting worse with each new piece of news released. This game can go screw itself off a cliff.

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DrizztDark

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Don't buy it kiddo and work harder in real life then in the video game... Maybe money won't be such a issue, you dig?

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ssj2los

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Edited By ssj2los

@DrizztDark rich ppl arent rich because they spend it on ridiculous stuff just because they have the money. To have money requires money management. Throwing dollars at a poor business model is bad money management, whether you have money to spare or not, ya dig?

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IJONOI

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This guy is such a bell sniff.

@ssj2los

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sergiodoom

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I don't think so... MS will reverse this policy as well.

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