Update: 27 Feb, 2016: The Division beta players uncovered an in-game currency called ‘Phoenix Credits’ which, according to the in-game description, are used to purchase high end equipment. In the beta you could already buy better gear with Dark Zone Funds, so this discovery led to speculation that the discovered currency would be bought for real money. According to a Ubisoft community manager, this isn’t the case.
After being asked what Phoenix Credits were for, Ubisoft community manager Natchai Stappers said the company would “communicate on it later, but don’t worry,” following that up with: “There will be no microtransactions, and definitely no P2W.”
It still isn’t clear what sort of DLC will be available, so we will have to wait for the game’s release before we find out how Ubisoft define the difference between microtransactions and DLC. Ubisoft previously admitted that they weren’t sure if there was ” a globally agreed definition of the word microtransactions”. See below:
Original Story: 15 Jan, 2016: From our early impressions, The Division could actually be rather good, but there is currently a bit of amibuity surrounding whether the game has microtransactions or not.
Is it an MMO? Is it a shooter? Whatever The Division is, check out our list of the best shooters and the best MMOs on PC.
In a recent interview with Eurogamer, The Division’s creative director Magnus Jansen gave a bit of a confusing answer when asked if the game would be supported by DLC or microtransactions.
“It’s definitely just the one – the DLC,” said Jansen. “I don’t know if there’s a globally agreed definition of the word microtransactions, but you don’t pay to win or advance or anything like that. We have DLC plans – which we’re not talking about now – and obviously you’ll pay for that, but in addition to that there’s no microtransactions, as I define them.”
Ubisoft have since clarified this statement by revealing that vanity items will be sold through “first-party stores”, but the company is being very careful to avoid the term ‘microtransaction’, instead opting for the less harsh ‘DLC’.
Clearly Ubisoft are worried about some sort of backlash from using the M-word, but that’s what they seem to be planning on selling. It’s good news in disguise, though, as this is also confirmation that only aesthetic items will be sold as microtransactions DLC.
If you’re the sort of person who can play Team Fortress 2 without buying a hat, you’ll probably be fine.
The Division is heading to PC on March 8.