Monetization in looter shooters is always a concern, and when you attach EA’s name to such games, that concern becomes even more profound. Both EA and BioWare, though, have been going out of their way to clear up any such concerns regarding Anthem, confirming that the game won’t have any loot boxes, for instance, or that any and all post-launch content for the game, including story DLC or raids or what have you, will be released for no cost at all.
The game does, however, offer cosmetic microtransactions. The worry for some, then, is how those will be monetized, and whether there will be any cosmetics in the game – perhaps even the very best ones – that will be locked behind paywalls. According to producer Michael Gamble on Twitter, that won’t be the case, and any and all items that can be purchased using the in-game store can also be earned in the game itself without having to pay. How much of a grind will that require, though? We didn’t get a clear answer on that, but apparently, BioWare is constantly adjusting the balance of the in-game economy.
Gamble did clarify that there will be some cosmetic items in the game that will be exclusive to those who pre-order it or that serve as promotional bonuses- all items that can be purchased through the in-game store, though, can be earned through gameplay itself as well. Meanwhile, fellow producer Ben Irving stated that the store in Anthem will be a rotating one, and availability of purchasable items will be shifting “frequently”.
Anthem launches on February 22 for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, but will be going live a week earlier for those with Origin Access Premier subscriptions. Recently, tons of new details were released on Cataclysms, Strongholds, open world freeplay, and much more- read all about it through here.