Microtransactions in NBA 2K21 are summarized as...
Every feature in the game is designed around making as much money as possible. Practically everything costs in-game currencies, but grinding these is incredibly slow, encouraging real money purchases.
It also contains several types of gambling. They come in the form of lootboxes, slot machine, and spinning wheels. They practically have an entire in-game casino. So many different mechanics pray on addictive personalities.
Perhaps the biggest sin of all are the numerous amounts of in-game advertisements. Some of these are more disguised than others, for example in-game cosmetics that match real life brands. There's also court-side billboards for real brands. It even features unskippable video ads during loading screens.
This is a full-priced game. None of these "features" have any right being in this game.
👎
Premium currencies come in quantities that do not match the price of regular shop items, forcing you to spend more for less.
👎
Contains in-game gambling mechanics other than Lootboxes (e.g. Slotmachines, scratch cards, etc.).
👎
Contains items that only come in bundles and can not be acquired on their own.
👎
Includes mechanics that are intentionally slow or inconvenient, but can be bypassed with real money purchases.
👎
Contains premium currencies that can only, or almost exclusively, be purchased with real money.
👎
Contains in-game advertisements for real world products.
👎
Contains cosmetics for extraordinarily high prices, sometimes costing more than full priced games.
👎
Contains lootboxes that can be bought with real money.
👎
This is a full priced game yet features microtransactions like you'd expect from a free-to-play game.
👎
Dark patterns. This game includes design choices that are intentionally deceptive to try and get you to spend money.
âž–
Features unique cosmetic rewards for pre-ordering the game.
âž–
Has a "deluxe" edition of the game which features (almost) nothing but in-game cosmetic items.
