Gears 5 has been a great success for Microsoft and developers The Coalition. It’s received widespread critical acclaim (including from ourselves), had an excellent launch on the market, and by and large, it’s been called a positive change in direction for Microsoft’s first party efforts. But there’s one thing that the game has been called for by many- its microtransactions.
Though Gears 5 doesn’t have loot boxes like its predecessor did, and though it will offer free post-launch DLC going forward, it’s still a heavily monetized game, and that’s something that it’s come under a lot of flak for, especially seeing as its a first party title. It’s not just that Gears 5 is monetized that has got people concerned, but also how it’s monetized, with many feeling uneasy with the grindy nature of its multiplayer.
Responding to a player on Twitter voicing similar concerns, The Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson said that they’re still “learning as we go”, citing how different Gears 5’s monetization model is from Gears of War 4, before saying that the model we’re currently seeing is in no way final, and that The Coalition will “continue to evolve [it] until [they] get it right.” Take a look at his tweet below.
Gears 5 is currently available for the Xbox One and PC.