As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of microtransactions in games, but the way The First Descendant handles its outfit paint is nothing short of baffling. It’s like they took everything that’s wrong with in-game purchases and crammed it into one system.
Initially, The First Descendant might have been underestimated by some. However, it turned out to be more well-received than anticipated. Despite criticism for its commonplace looter-shooter aesthetics, narrative, and gameplay before its official launch, its exceptional shooting mechanics and top-notch graphics played a significant role in setting the stage for its live-service phase. However, it’s important to note that The First Descendant does have its flaws, and one of the most notable is its approach to in-game transactions.
As a passionate fan of “The First Descendant”, I’m not surprised to find that it incorporates microtransactions. After all, free-to-play games like global sensations such as “Fortnite” and “Warzone” have amassed legions of fans despite their in-game purchase options. However, the line between acceptable and questionable practices becomes blurred when these purchases extend beyond cosmetic items, which seems to be the case with “The First Descendant”. Even focusing on the microtransactions related to customization, there are a few problematic aspects that make “The First Descendant” appear more aggressive and cynical compared to its peers.
The First Descendant’s Outfit Paint Is One of Its Worst Features
Paint Is a Single-Use Consumable In the First Descendant
Armor paint is easily one of The First Descendant‘s most puzzling features. While it’s not uncommon to have to unlock alternate color sets or shaders for cosmetics in games, earning or purchasing these cosmetics usually means having access to them indefinitely. This is not the case in The First Descendant, which makes the bold decision to make paint a single-use consumable, meaning that once a player obtains a paint color, it can only be applied once: if the player wants to apply the color to another piece of gear, or if they change the color of the previously customized gear piece, then that color will be gone for good.
Making this system exponentially worse is the fact that paint can only be obtained using Caliber, The First Descendant‘s premium in-game currency. At the time of writing, the only way to get Caliber is by shelling out real money, so if a player wants to change the color of a previously-customized piece of gear, they essentially have to throw their earlier purchase away, while spending even more money on the game. This borderline insidious model of in-game spending is surprising, even in an industry that is no stranger to predatory, microtransaction-laden products.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to point out that in the game The First Descendant, the free character skins don’t allow for customization with paint. If you’re yearning to switch up your character’s hues, you’ll need to invest in a premium outfit first, followed by purchasing separate paints to apply.
Why The First Descendant‘s Customization System Is Bad, and How Nexon Can Fix It
In the realm of free-to-play games, The First Descendant isn’t unique in its use of microtransactions. However, it’s important to distinguish between transactions that improve the gaming experience and those that negatively impact it. The latter type, such as time-savers often found in games (including The First Descendant), encourage players to spend real money to bypass a deliberately challenging grinding process. This practice is exemplified in The First Descendant‘s paint feature, which serves as a fresh example of this frustrating tactic.
In limiting the options for customizing paint, The First Descendant unintentionally discourages players from exploring and experimenting with their characters’ appearances. This pay-to-change system may lead to a monotonous cycle of spending more in-game currency (Caliber) each time one wishes to alter their character’s color scheme. As the game progresses, it would be beneficial for Nexon to make outfit paint purchases permanent, fostering positive sentiment among players and encouraging them to invest in these paints, knowing that their money won’t be wasted.
Read More
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- MNT PREDICTION. MNT cryptocurrency
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- GLM PREDICTION. GLM cryptocurrency
- USD MYR PREDICTION
- BCH PREDICTION. BCH cryptocurrency
- PUSH PREDICTION. PUSH cryptocurrency
- USD UAH PREDICTION
2024-08-16 01:06