Champions Online: OMEGA System, Microtransactions Unveiled

MikeB · July 2009

In this newest State of the Game address posted on the official Champions Online website we get the skinny on the microtransaction system to be available in Champions Online, as well as details on the endgame OMEGA System.

First let's look at what Microtransactions will mean in Champions Online:

The Skinny on Micro-transactions

Champions Online will support micro-transactions, but contrary to the concerns of some people, the game is not ‘based’ on them. There are the basic tenets for our micro-transactions:

The vast majority are aesthetic items, such as costume pieces, action figures, emblems, etc.

A very few are account-level management tools, such as being able to rename a character

Micro-transactions should never limit your ability to enjoy the game or reach the level cap

Any micro-transaction that has a game effect can also be earned in the game through play

It's important to note that all purchases are account wide, so whatever you purchase at the Champions Store will be available to all characters you create.

So what is the OMEGA System all about? The OMEGA System is Champions Online's answer to end-game content. Each day UNITY will alert heroes to five different global hot spots of criminal activity. These hot spots will require superpowered teams to quell; and once all five areas have been taken care of, a sixth secret mission will be revealed. Upon completing this mission players will receive commendations that allow them access to special upgrades, or even access to certain challenging end-game areas that also contain proportionally awesome rewards. The address also reveals the that there will be rewards for the Crafting system, PvP, and Perks that can be earned through the OMEGA system.

Also mentioned in the address is the fact you'll be able to make at least 8 characters, with more earned through play, and likely through the Champions Store as well. A new PvP mode called B.A.S.H. is now available in beta, though no details are provided, and finally the Nemesis system has returned to the beta for players to mess around with.

For the full State of the Game Address, go here.

Pandrax · July 2009

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

Suvroc · July 2009

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

In all fairness it does state "Any micro-transaction that has a game effect can also be earned in the game through play". But IMO if someone can simply buy what I've worked for in an MMO I personally feel like it's been de-valued to me.

I was looking forward to this game but I'll have to reconsider it now.

lornj · July 2009

this process will not deter me from trying this game out. i could care less if jackleg can buy an item and i worked for it. personally i really dont care what people do with their time and money with MMOS and really its none of my business.

Soki123 · July 2009

No big deal to me. I m the same who cares if smeone buys their way through a game that can be done without buying. What difference is it that people buy gold online and just buy whatever they want anyways. I feel more sorry for them that they can t play a game the way it s meant to be played.

Veridic · July 2009

Originally posted by Suvroc

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

In all fairness it does state "Any micro-transaction that has a game effect can also be earned in the game through play". But IMO if someone can simply buy what I've worked for in an MMO I personally feel like it's been de-valued to me.

I was looking forward to this game but I'll have to reconsider it now.

You see, by you being able to earn an item through play that someone else buys actually gives value to that item that would otherwise only be your time.

Having spent lots of time in f2p korean grind fests- these store bought items can most likely be traded- giving a direct value to in game currency which then gives the in game economy a good solid drive. It gives greater purpose to grinding... by grinding x spot or performing x tasks I will achieve something that would otherwise cost 5 dollars... without the option to buy said item, it is just another item. Although in some cases the addition or existance of an item mall makes the value of in game currency drastically lower than what it otherwise might be.

I wouldn't write the game off for trying to utilize this method that allows for so much good for the game itself without first giving it a shot.

alakram · July 2009

I dont know if the game will have a monthly sub apart from the microtransactions, but it looks like it will. It really is a bad move if they made it and I dont understand it. Just they dont have enought with the monthly sub plus the box sales? they want even more?. I already said so when SOE enabled them in EQ2.

What a greedy people.

Wraithone · July 2009

Originally posted by Suvroc

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

In all fairness it does state "Any micro-transaction that has a game effect can also be earned in the game through play". But IMO if someone can simply buy what I've worked for in an MMO I personally feel like it's been de-valued to me.

I was looking forward to this game but I'll have to reconsider it now.

I will never understand some peoples perspective. Simply because other people have what you have, some how lowers it utility to you? Just so long as it can be gained either way, why should it matter? No one is forcing you to part with your money. If you wish to gain something in game, then by all means do so. Those who refuse to play games with cash shops are limiting their own entertainment options. But thats their decision(shrug). But when its done right, its not only profitable, but enhances the game.

EricDanie · July 2009

The news become worse and worse at every announcement.

Superhero MMO with monthly fee, retail cost and costume restrictions based on you spending extra money along with many others that will squeeze some money out of you. Great.

Sovrath · July 2009

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

Actually it can very easily become mainstream.

Do you have cable? Do you pay a monthly fee? Do you pay a little extra for special movies or to add an additional premium channel?

As far as games go, there is already a precedence. There is a secondary market for games with monthly fees. So someone is paying a monthly fee and still paying to use the secondary market.

This is why it's so hard for game companies to ignore. Players keep saying they don't want any rmt but the evidence points to the opposite.

pigfist · July 2009

Originally posted by lornj

this process will not deter me from trying this game out. i could care less if jackleg can buy an item and i worked for it. personally i really dont care what people do with their time and money with MMOS and really its none of my business.

Yeah who cares what other people spend their money on. Hm, but here is something to think about. Lets say there is a certain item you want that can be gotten by either item shop or drop from a mob. Now you have to think that the company wants you to buy the item, otherwise why would they place it in a store. So they are of course going to make getting that item hard. What could have been a 10% chance drop in a pay to play game, is now at a 0.001% chance drop in the game with an item shop. Xp for level 45-46 might have been 100k in a pay to play game, but is now 200k in the item shop game. Well not if you buy that xp bonus item that gives 50-100% more xp. Item shops are designed to drain you of your money or your fun.

SwampRob · July 2009

The money issues aside, there's something else in that post that steers me away from this game. It implies (I admit, it does not implicitly state) that the best rewards will only be available to groups. In other words, if you're a soloer, the OMEGA system is not for you.

I pass on this game.

lornj · July 2009

Originally posted by pigfist

Originally posted by lornj

this process will not deter me from trying this game out. i could care less if jackleg can buy an item and i worked for it. personally i really dont care what people do with their time and money with MMOS and really its none of my business.

Yeah who cares what other people spend their money on. Hm, but here is something to think about. Lets say there is a certain item you want that can be gotten by either item shop or drop from a mob. Now you have to think that the company wants you to buy the item, otherwise why would they place it in a store. So they are of course going to make getting that item hard. What could have been a 10% chance drop in a pay to play game, is now at a 0.001% chance drop in the game with an item shop. Xp for level 45-46 might have been 100k in a pay to play game, but is now 200k in the item shop game. Well not if you buy that xp bonus item that gives 50-100% more xp. Item shops are designed to drain you of your money or your fun.

well who cares how long it takes me to get from level X to level X. thats all part of the game. im not in it to see how fast i can get to the max level. im in it for entertainment and enjoyment factor. not to see how much money i can spend to max myself out. if i can do it in game, then i will do it ingame.

Kyleran · July 2009

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

Actually it can very easily become mainstream.

Do you have cable? Do you pay a monthly fee? Do you pay a little extra for special movies or to add an additional premium channel?

As far as games go, there is already a precedence. There is a secondary market for games with monthly fees. So someone is paying a monthly fee and still paying to use the secondary market.

This is why it's so hard for game companies to ignore. Players keep saying they don't want any rmt but the evidence points to the opposite.

Totally agree and think its was a terrific analogy. I pay 100 bucks plus per month for cable TV, but they are more than willing to charge me extra for pay per view, special events, extra DVR's etc.

I said it before, creating MMO's is becoming too expensive, and only a select few really hit the big time sub numbers (i.e. 500K +).

Therefore developers are looking for a way to ensure more profits and RMT/Micro transactions is going to become the norm going forward, for almost every game, even from the big guys.

How it is implemented will be the real defining point, whether they are severely game influencing or just added fluff or items that can be earned by everyone fairly quickly.

And to those who attribute it to "greed" Gorden Gecko said it best "Greed is good!" and companies do not exist for the enjoyment of the customer, they exist to maximize revenue for their stockholders and investors.

If you happen to like the product as well, its just a plus in their eyes.

Scyris · July 2009

Try reading it again, anything like costume pieces etc can also be earned in game, as well as bought from the cash shop for the inpatient. Stuff like char renames/server moves will cost.

Talin · July 2009

I would rather someone be able to "buy" their way to the end game, and thereby give money to the development company and support their efforts (thereby sustaining and allowing it to grow and thrive), than have that same person go on ebay and buy a max-level character off of some levelling service.

ianicus · July 2009

Doesnt make ANY difference to me, just provides me an extra option for certain things. Perhaps if there were so many people out there buying in game currancy from the gold farmers we wouldnt have RMT, but the majprity of the MMO player community has shown they dont mind paying a little extra above and beyond thier monthly subs to get ahead, dont blame the game companies, blame your fellow players....

Wraithone · July 2009

Originally posted by Talin

I would rather someone be able to "buy" their way to the end game, and thereby give money to the development company and support their efforts (thereby sustaining and allowing it to grow and thrive), than have that same person go on ebay and buy a max-level character off of some levelling service.

Well stated. Companies that pander to the deluded/envy crowd are the ones that created the ebay/gold seller market in the first place. It wouldn't exist, absent the demand. I'd MUCH rather that the money go to the Dev's, so that they can continue to operate/expand their game.

Bureyku · July 2009

Refuse to play it with this system. I hope that this backfires so badly that devs reconsider going with this model in the future.

qbangy32 · July 2009

So it's the usual gumph then;

Ability to change your name = GameBreaker hahahahaha yeah really.

Ability to buy an emblem to show off on a costume = Yep another gamebreaker.

Ability to buy different costume parts = Yet another huge gamebreaker.

I really can't see why some ppl aren't going to buy this game over something as trivial as being able to change your characters name, is that really going to give someone an advantage over you?? no really is it?

Again I couldn't give a fig about the Micro system, I won't be using it and I don't care if someone else does, I'm not that anal retentive.

Antarious · July 2009

Originally posted by Suvroc

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.

In all fairness it does state "Any micro-transaction that has a game effect can also be earned in the game through play". But IMO if someone can simply buy what I've worked for in an MMO I personally feel like it's been de-valued to me.

I was looking forward to this game but I'll have to reconsider it now.

It bothers me because...

In Ultima Online for the 5+ straight years I played. Sure I pvp'd and pve'd but I loved crafting. I actually like to make things and use things I made.

How does this relate?

Games are starting to take things that would have once been a craft.. and instead turn those items into "fluff" items for you to buy with micro transactions. Its perhaps not as applicable to Champions because you wouldn't expect a "tailor" to be making your uniform aka crafting system.

Its just the way things seem to be going. SOE games are a great place to see all kinds of things like furniture, vehicles etc that used to be crafter made items. Now they just sit on station cash waiting to be purchased.

Then again the cloned core mechanic system level, uber loot and raid doesn't work well with crafting to be honest. Just another reason I am feeling less inclined to play any MMO's.

Sorry if this seems side tracked. I see it as the same thing as its a common move we are seeing around the industry.

sanders01 · July 2009

Just to throw this in here, any game with paid name changes, or paid server transfers, has microtransactions.

Daffid011 · July 2009

Originally posted by Kyleran

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by pandrax

Sigh, another game down the drain. I don't like being drained of my money, and I really don't like it when they are so obvious about it. I really can't see this type of payment model going mainstream when it comes to paying a month fee, and then paying extra for items you should be getting by playing, not paying.

So sad, too bad.