Microtransactions

Money Guy

Poor Guy

Modding Community

Developers

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We've been selling items in Rust for a while. People get angry when they hear the word microtransactions. I understand why. They've been fucked over. Why would an early access game have microtransactions? If you'd have asked me if I'd ever have a game with microtransactions in 5 years ago, I'd have probably laughed in your face, but the way Valve does it is different. The idea is that no-one loses out. Everyone wins with every transactions.You've got the guys with money, who don't mind microtransactions. They like to dress their character up, have nice weapon skins. All that. Generally more money than time, instant gratification guys.the stuff they buy makes them happier than having an extra $2 in a jar in their house.when they get killed people can loot their purchased items.So you've got the poor guys with no money. They hate traditional microtransactions because it's a paywall. But on Steam they play the game and get random drop items, and can then sell and trade those items on the marketplace. It's not unfeasible that a player will make more money selling items than the game itself cost.they can sell the stuff they get randomly for free, buy games from Steam.they can buy stuff from them.Then you've got the modders. The unappreciated guys who tinker around and make stuff in their bedroom which is in their parents house, because no-one will give them any money because paying people for their creations is terrible.they get to see their work in a game that they love while getting paid for itthey're creating more game content for themThen you've got the developers.they give players more reasons to play their gamethey link their game with a thriving virtual economythey get more money to make more games When you see the system up close and far away, it's a total no-brainer. In fact I would go as far as to say that by not being involved in the marketplace we're screwing our community.