Overkill Software has responded to fan outcry to microtransactions in Payday 2. If you are a longtime fan, unfortunately, you may not be satisfied with their response.
To get straight to the matter of why they added microtransactions in the first place, Overkill explained it’s a consequence of plans not working out. Whereas they could have started work on Payday 3, Overkill instead decided to keep working on Payday 2 to make it“an incredible co-op experience” .
Up until now, Overkill had been putting Payday 2 and its expansions and other content on frequent sales. They would sell the base game for as low as 75 % off, and 16 products were permanently price reduced to 33-43 % off.
You can guess what’s happened. Overkill didn’t get the sales they hoped for from the sales, and this has compelled them to look for other ways to generate income.
Overkill took pains to explain that they really did not intend to launch Payday 2 with microtransactions, and this was a consequence of the circumstances at launch. It had a weapons system that allowed you to use in-game cash to buy, sell, and modify weapons. At the time, this was an advanced weapons system, and Overkill had to repeatedly clarify the game was not designed for microtransactions.
Regarding the reaction from the fans, Overkill claims they did not anticipate that the fans would feel the way they did about it. They also said they partly did not want to talk about it until Crimefest, when the system would be ready.
When microtransactions were launched with the Crimewave event, fans were vocal and upset, and Overkill felt compelled to modify their plans, so that microtransaction item drops would now be available without using real money.
Many fans remain unhappy with Overkill’s decision, to the point that there is this reddit, focusing on the company’s recent financial reports. Whatever they choose to do from this point on, Overkill will have to think harder, and perhaps be more open to their customers regarding major changes like these.
