Will CKIII have cosmetic microtransactions?

[Officer Crabtree]

The "cosmetic add-ons" you can earn with the Monarch's Journey look a lot like the cosmetic microtransactions many other games have adopted. You can argue the portrait packs are also cosmetic microtransactions but they're on sale now for €9.49 for everything and they're marketed in a completely different way.

So I'm wondering if CKIII will have some form of storefront where cosmetic character modifications can be bought (so if it will have cosmetic microtransactions).

 

[guinea prince]

You can argue the portrait packs are also cosmetic microtransactions but they're on sale now for €9.49 for everything and they're marketed in a completely different way.

I'd count them, and bet good money on portrait packs, unit packs, shield packs or their equivalents returning.

If I win the bet, I'll put the money towards maybe buying some

 

[wielkicien]

I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw rewards for completing monarchs journey... If PDX ever decides to include in game purchases (that's different than DLC purchase, which is done on Steam page and not within the game) then I'm going to really be quite upset...

 

[Officer Crabtree]

I'd count them, and bet good money on portrait packs, unit packs, shield packs or their equivalents returning.

If I win the bet, I'll put the money towards maybe buying some

The thing is that Monarch's journey allows you to unlock single character mods instead of some kind of pre-release modification / portrait pack. I very much doubt they will design a system to keep track of single modifications just for this pre-release advertisement thing. Day one DLC and a deluxe edition are pretty last decade these days and I consider them a slight nuisance but not really that bad. However, I hate microtransactions with a passion and refuse to spend a penny on a game that has them, even if they're only cosmetic.

 

[FabulousFungi]

So I'm wondering if CKIII will have some form of storefront where cosmetic character modifications can be bought (so if it will have cosmetic microtransactions).

I advise abandoning all hope. That's a win-win: if there are hairstyles for 0.99$, then you are not as disappointed. If there aren't, then you're pleasantly surprised.

 

[Metz77]

On the other hand, cosmetic microtransactions might actually cost less for the same amount of content you get in the cosmetic DLC packs we get now, and the cosmetic DLC packs might have to be beefed up to compensate.

I can't believe I'm arguing that microtransactions might have a good impact on a game, but... it actually seems possible if not likely.

 

[Despotism]

I'm fine with portrait packs for different cultures and ethnicities. What I don't want is a bunch of different hats and hairstyles that cross these different cultures. I want each group to feel unique, so I really don't want cross culture cosmetic items.

 

[wielkicien]

Another question is what about modding? If these pieces of equipment would be availibe as DLC's (microtransactions) then it would be in wrong interest to allow players to modify them. Modders could do more and better cosmetics than PDX. What then? Would PDX go full Bethesda and monetize mods? Geeez.... CK3 has me so much worried...

 

[pazur13]

Whatever it is, I hope that it will be possible to unroll the unlocked objects to NPCs. It's going to be awkward to be the only person in Europe with a chaperon.

 

[Officer Crabtree]

Whatever it is, I hope that it will be possible to unroll the unlocked objects to NPCs. It's going to be awkward to be the only person in Europe with a chaperon.

You could show off how much real money you wasted on a silly hat to the AI. I'm sure they'd be impressed.

 

[sb057]

Per the Monarch's Journey forum post on the CK2 forum:

The Monarch’s Journey is a new way of exploring the world of Crusader Kings and will help you earn cosmetic add-ons for Crusader Kings III through Ruler Challenges.

I seriously doubt that CK3 will have "cosmetic add-ons" that are solely for people who play the now free CK2.

 

[guinea prince]

You could show off how much real money you wasted on a silly hat to the AI. I'm sure they'd be impressed.

Ok now I'm sold. Ridiculously extravagant regalia for ridiculously extravagant irl prices actually sounds on-brand. Something nobody in their right mind would ever want to buy, but if 2-3 people not in their right minds buy it then that's enough.

 

[Metz77]

Another question is what about modding? If these pieces of equipment would be availibe as DLC's (microtransactions) then it would be in wrong interest to allow players to modify them. Modders could do more and better cosmetics than PDX. What then? Would PDX go full Bethesda and monetize mods? Geeez.... CK3 has me so much worried...

That hasn't hurt their cosmetic DLCs.

 

[wielkicien]

That hasn't hurt their cosmetic DLCs.

Cosmetic packs were huge DLC's with dozens of clothing/portraits etc. Selling one piece of clothing/haircut separatly is not the same.