Summary
Out of all the key selling points for Turn 10 Studios’ new racing sim,Forza Motorsport, one of the most impressive ones is the conspicuous absence of paid microtransactions. While there are plenty ofnew features inForza Motorsportfor new fans and series veterans alike to explore as they make their way through the game, popups prompting players to open their wallets aren’t among them. This refreshing lack of microtransactions makesForza Motorsportstand out from some of its biggest competitors in the racing game market and helps keep players’ eyes focused squarely on the road ahead rather than on their bank balance.
While skipping microtransactions hasn’t always been the case for the nearly two-decade-old series, the decision to remove them from its latest entry is definitely for the best. Letting gamers focus on the track instead of pummeling them with predatory pay-to-win mechanics makesForza Motorsportplay like a throwback to the genre’s past, giving it a focused feeling that’s sometimes absent in otherrecent racing games. The absence of this sort of paid content inForza Motorsportshows that the franchise is willing to learn from past mistakes and gives it a competitive edge over its more monetization-focused competitors.
RELATED:Xbox Game Pass Adds New Game With Excellent Reviews
Forza Motorsport Learns From Past Entries’ Monetization Mistakes
Past entries in theForza Motorsportfranchise occasionally courted controversy with what many perceived as aggressive monetization, making its absence in the latest title all the more refreshing. Players can purchase car packs and owners of the Premium Edition ofForza Motorsportunlock a VIP membership that gives them a permanent boost to credit collection, but there’s no option to purchase the game’s Credits or Car Points directly. This makes progression through the campaign mode dependent on players’ skill and persistence rather than their willingness to pay.
This is a far cry from 2013’sForza Motorsport 5and its heavy reliance on pay-to-play content. While creative director Dan Greenawalt attempted todefend the microtransactions inForza Motorsport 5following its release, many players remained frustrated with the large number of cars locked behind a pay gate. This fan backlash was evidently an eye-opening experience for Greenawalt, now working as General Manager for Forza Motorsport at Turn 10 Studios, as no trace of that game’s over-the-top monetization can be found inForza Motorsport. This sets it apart from other titles in the genre, many of which depend on microtransactions to keep players paying long after they’ve purchased the game.
The Absence of Microtransactions in Forza Motorsport Sets it Apart from the Competition
When it comes to aggressive monetization, few games are as persistent at pushing players to pay up as Polyphony Digital’sGran Turismo 7. Although the PlayStation-exclusive racing sim is critically acclaimed for its stunning graphics and precise handling, it’s faced pushback from players for its heavy-handed focus on paid content.Fans upset aboutGran Turismo 7’s microtransactionshave cited the astronomically high price of cars compared to previous entries as well as the pop-up at the end of every race prompting players to buy additionalGran TurismoCredits, the in-game currency, as reasons for their frustration.
While it may be one of the most high-profile offenders, these sorts of tactics in racing games aren’t limited toGran Turismo7. Even kart-racing games likeCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueledhave added paid progression mechanics in recent years. It’s still unknown what role these types of paid additions will play in the upcomingEA Sports WRCwhen it releases on November 3, but givenEA’s use of microtransactionsin its other sports titles, it’s likely the publisher will follow this familiar playbook with its upcoming rally racing game.
With its gorgeous graphics, massive car selection, and radically revamped career mode,Forza Motorsporthas plenty to offer players. By learning from the franchise’s monetization missteps and avoiding industry trends, this Turn 10 Studios title shows that there’s still room for a title where winning races takes priority over wrangling revenue from players.
Forza Motorsportis available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Xbox Game Pass Can’t Let Its Fall 2023 Momentum Die Down
