Microtransactions and aggressive monetization of games has become a widespread issue over the course of this generation, but while most publishers have resorted to implementing such tactics in their major releases, CD Projekt RED have been one of the few developers in the industry who have refused to do so. Their post-launch models have been praised universally, and Cyberpunk 2077 is poised to follow in the steps of The Witcher 3 in that regard.
Details on Cyberpunk 2077’s post-launch DLC and expansions will be revealed soon, but beyond its single player content, another major piece of post-launch content it’ll get (way down the line) is a full-fledged multiplayer component. Given its multiplayer trappings and a setting that inherently lends itself to monetization opportunities, can we expect monetization in Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer mode as well?
We can, it seems. Speaking to investors in a recent Q&A (transcribed by Wccftech), CD Projekt president Adam Kiciński said that Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer will indeed have microtransactions, since it is “a great setting for selling things”, but assured that those microtransactions won’t be aggressive, and will instead be designed in a way “that makes people happy to spend money.”
“We’re never aggressive towards our fans,” he said. “We treat them fairly and we’re friendly. So of course not – we won’t be aggressive – but you can expect great things to be bought. The goal is to design monetization in a way that makes people happy to spend money. I’m not trying to be cynical or hide something; it’s about creating a feeling of value.
“Same as with our single-player games: we want gamers to be happy while spending money on our products. The same is true for microtransactions: you can expect them, of course, and CP is a great setting for selling things, but it won’t be aggressive; it won’t upset gamers but it’ll make them happy – that’s our goal at least.”
Monetization is always a sticky topic, and so often we see developers and publishers failing to strike the right balance with microtransactions in their games. Hopefully, CD Projekt RED will have better luck than most with Cyberpunk 2077’s multplayer.
Though the multiplayer component is still a long ways off, Cyberpunk 2077 itself is on track to launch on November 19, when it will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, with a Stadia release coming later.