A new update for Marvel’s Avengers has added consumable items to the game’s marketplace. These consumable items range from XP boosts to in-game currency and were introduced to the game as something that was acquired by playing the game; Sometimes, they were free to collect from the marketplace. Needless to say, the addition of pay-to-win elements in a live service game hasn’t gone over well with the community, with many gamers calling out developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix over the addition to the marketplace.
Before the game came out, Crystal Dynamics said that the consumables “will occasionally be available to retrieve from the Marketplace, and we’re looking for other ways for you to earn them, as well.” At E3 2019, they talked about microtransactions in general and if they were going to be a part of the game in some capacity. Then, Crystal Dynamics said, “Our promise to the community is that we won’t have random loot boxes or pay-to-win scenarios.”
All over the internet, the update is being called out by players of the game, especially coming off the recent nerf to XP. One fan on Reddit said “This is the real reason they nerfed XP. Let no one tell you otherwise. Such a disgusting company. There is no low they will not sink to, just so they can nickel and dime their customers. They know how much Marvel fans love Marvel, and love using that exploit them in every way possible. Never mind building a good relationship and goodwill with the customers, when they know the fans will be attracted to anything Marvel, like moths to a flame.” Another fan talked about the update on Twitter.
On Reset Era, one fan said “I was already disgusted when they had the nerve to add $14 outfits after removing the way to earn cosmetics in-game because there’s supposed to be a cosmetic rework that they’re working on. That rework is still nowhere to be seen. How you manage to f**k up an Avengers game I do not know. But somehow they managed to do it.”
Marvel’s Avengers has seen a boost in players following its addition to Xbox Game Pass. Crystal Dynamics also shared a new roadmap for what’s next for the game in the remainder of 2021. Whether they roll back on the addition of consumables to the marketplace following the community criticism is something we’ll have to wait and see.