Konami has responded to the rather lukewarm reception of their recently announced plans for micro-transactions in Pro Evolution Soccer 2015, claiming that those who don’t want to pay extra can enjoy the game regardless.
”Some people have more time, some people have more money. Some people have a bit of each! Either way, you’ll have the choice,” said Konami Europe’s studio head James Cox in a recent interview with IGN.
In PES 2015’s new myClub mode, an extension of the traditional Master League mode, users will be able to either save up for new players using Game Points earned in-game, or spend real cash to quickly assemble a squad of superstars. It’s hardly the sort of consumer-friendly feature the series is known for, but Cox says you won’t be forced to use it if you’d rather build your team the old fashioned way.
“If you don’t have a lot of time, then with microtransactions you can go buy a lot of players that you want,” he said. “But you also can earn Game Points in the mode and other parts of PES as well. We’re trying to link things together so you can progress and build your team (normally). The idea is that we’re trying to just give the players the choice of what they want to do. Some people have more time, some people have more money. Some people have a bit of each! Either way, you’ll have the choice.”
At least it won’t be a case of buying new packs of cards and hoping you get the players you want. Cox assured fans that if they have their heart set on one particular player, they’ll be able to buy him outright.
“The general principle is that you will be able to buy the players you want,” he explained. “The exact final mechanic is all still being tuned, but yes - if you want to buy Ronaldo, one way or another, you will be able to do that. And you will be happy with what you spend your money on.”
What do you think about those microtransactions? FIFA does something similiar with Ultimate Team of course, but that’s tucked away in a separate game mode from the singleplayer career. Would you pay extra to boost your team like some decadent oligarch?
PES 2015 will be available for PC and consoles later this year.
