Microtransactions are bigger than ever, and Halo 5: Guardians is the latest to demonstrate the potential profitability of well-executed post-purchase DLC.
Microsoft said that it would match every dollar spent on Halo 5 REQ Packs to increase its World Championship prize pool. The result was an increase of the total winnings from $1 million to $2.5 million. In other words, more than $1.5 million dollars worth of REQ Packs alone have been sold, almost all of which is profit.
This puts into light why developers have taken interest in microtransactions. They're highly profitable, and don't require much investment. For some gamers, they're a reason to play a game longer, making it a win-win.
But there are still those who firmly believe that a game should include everything at its entry price, just like the good ol' days. Gamers in this category have been increasingly disregarded as day one DLC has become more prevalent, microtransactions have shown up even in the most unlikely of games, and multi-tiered game SKUs have watered down the value of a $59.99 purchase.
In the case of Halo 5, Microsoft has handled the game's post-purchase content very well. All updates, significant and minor, have been free. It just charges for REQ Packs, which include a random assortment of vanity items and spawned items for the game's Warzone mode.
