Most online games have microtransaction features, whether it’s purely for cosmetic purposes or the more controversial pay-to-win models. Titles like Overwatch and League of Legends do it right with their models of purchase, but many MMORPGs have a hard time maintaining community loyalty when players can throw down some cash for end-game gear. Whether you believe in the theory of microtransactions, 2K Games believe they are an “unfortunate reality of modern gaming.”

According to NBA 2K19 senior producer, Rob Jones, he has a few words on the gaming community’s perception of microtransactions. Though it was an unnecessary feature before, the evolution of the modern gaming industry has deemed it necessary. At least, from the developer and publisher standpoint. Speaking to Trusted Reviews on NBA2K’s in-game currency dubbed Virtual Currency (VC), Jones had this to say:

Every game, at some point, in some way has currency and they’re trying to get additional revenue from each player that plays the game. You know, the question has to be when does it feel like it’s a straight money grab versus when does it feel like it’s value added, right?

We know nowadays that most people don’t have the patience to work their way to the top. They just wanna be there right away. So, you know, we look at it as, oh it’s an opportunity for us to allow you to skip the grind, but then if the grind is too long, like some people felt last year, they’re gonna sit there and they’re gonna go ‘well, you knew the grind was too long to begin with.’”

With that said, 2K takes community feedback seriously and they’re working on improvements to the current system in place. However, for those who want to get their head in the game without working for it, microtransactions make progression a little easier. For the upcoming NBA 2K19, there will be different methods of achieving in-game items. The game’s Virtual Currency won’t be necessary to enjoy the game, but it’s there if players want it.

So we’re hoping that by rewarding you more that, A: you won’t need to go in and get as many things [VC] and B: you won’t feel like you know,  ‘Oh this is how they’re getting me.’ You can now participate in other things to get what you want.

I think the biggest problem last year was not knowing where you were going. A lot of the times you wasted VC that you had earned on things that weren’t necessary.”

In other words, there’s not one way to play the game. What do you think of Rob Jones’ perspective of microtransactions in the gaming industry? Do you agree with his sentiment or does the entire idea just need to be obliterated? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or start a conversation on DFTG Facebook page. To stay up to date on gaming news as it happens, follow us on Twitter! Here’s some of our latest:

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NBA 2K19 arrives September 7th, 2018 for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.