Gaming is no longer purely skills-based. Now, players can complete in-game payments – as in, they can use real money to buy in-game skins, weapons, and other virtual goods. By purchasing these assets, players can better their gaming performance, boost character stats, and gain access to new levels. While gaming skills remain a requirement, purchasable assets have expanded the possibilities of gaming enhancement.
Before, in-game purchases were found exclusively on free-to-play games. They were offered as a means for game developers to monetize their products. However, in-game payments can now be found on all types of games – from Roblox to FIFA. If you’ve never encountered in-game payments in video games before, here’s all you need to know.
How do you complete in-game payments?
To start with, the most important thing you should know about in-game payments is how to complete them. Generally, you must first purchase in-game currency using real fiat currency. This is commonly done by depositing money into the game using a debit or credit card. However, most games now support alternative payment methods. For example, for increased security purposes, many players now opt to use Apple or Google Pay to deposit funds. As Nick Pappas highlights, the fastest payout online casinos often accept eWallets as they are a quick and secure means of depositing funds to an online gaming platform. eWallets generally offer quicker payment processing times than debit and credit cards, with processing times only taking a few hours.
It may also be possible to use cryptocurrency as a depositing method on some games. If crypto is not accepted, you could always purchase a gift card using cryptocurrency and then use the card to complete in-game purchases. Given that 16% of US citizens are now crypto investors, it may become easier to exchange cryptocurrency for in-game currency in the future.
Most of the time, your deposited funds will be exchanged into whichever in-game currency the game features. For example, League of Legends’ currency is called Riot Points. Fortnite, on the other hand, features a currency called V-points. These in-game currencies can then be used to buy in-game assets.
The different types of in-game payments
In-game purchase options have become a big deal in the world of online gaming. So much so, that most games have lots of different assets that you can buy and utilize within the gameplay. This asset range is part of the reason why 41% of gamers complete a microtransaction once per week.
To give you an example, in FIFA, you can buy everything from stadium customizations to Football Ultimate Team (FUT) packs. In Roblox, you can use V-points to buy game passes in addition to clothing and accessories.
While each game is wildly different when it comes to in-game purchase options, all assets can generally be categorized into one of the following.
Functional purchases
The most common forms of in-game purchases are functional ones. This refers to the direct purchase of anything that enhances character progression – i.e., weapons, characteristics, and skills. These digital purchases don’t merely modify the look of the character, but they enhance the overall performance level of the avatar – hence why they’re referred to as “functional”. Available items can differ from game to game. For example, in Clash of Clans, it is possible to buy special gemstones that can quicken training and building time.
Cosmetic purchases
Cosmetic purchases are not used to enhance the power of your character. Instead, they’re used to change the character’s appearance merely. For example, in both League of Legends and Overwatch, players can browse through a wide range of purchasable clothing, weapon, and vehicle modification options. If gamers want to create a distinct look for their character, then they’ll need to purchase specific cosmetic products.
Loot boxes
While cosmetic and functional purchases allow players to browse through and select items, loot boxes provide gamers with a randomized selection of digital assets. The contents of the loot box can either be worth more or less than the loot box’s price, which makes these in-game purchases great for those who like to take a chance. Loot boxes can be found in a wide range of games, including Fifa Ultimate Team and Apex Legends.
Subscription services
As mentioned above, you can use V-points to buy game passes. Similar passes can be purchased on Call of Duty and are known as “battle passes”. By completing this purchase, you are basically paying for a subscription to an exclusive part of the game. Generally, this part of the game allows you to complete exclusive challenges, earn rewards, and access other forms of unique content.
In-game purchase time limits
In-game purchases can also be categorized in terms of their finite or infinite nature. Here are some time-limit terms you should familiarize yourself with the things listed below.
Auto-renewal vs. non-auto-renewal subscriptions
As discussed in the previous section, some in-game purchases are completed to grant you access to exclusive features and rewards. However, a single purchase generally only grants you access to these benefits for a limited time.
If the purchase is described as “auto-renewal”, you’ll make payments on a recurring and automatic basis. This is normally either done monthly or weekly. By agreeing to pay for this type of subscription, you secure yourself access to the features long–term.
You can also buy a non-auto-renewal subscription. In this instance, you only pay for the features once and are granted a limited time frame to access them. Once this time frame is over, you’ll have to pay for another subscription manually.
Consumables vs. non-consumables
Consumables are an asset type that can only be used once. For example, a specific weapon that only has a one-time use. Broadly, this could include anything from extra lives to explosive weapons. Non-consumables, on the other hand, don’t come with an expiration date. For example, a sword could be considered non-consumable, as you can use it in multiple battles.
Final thoughts
In-game payments open up a whole new dimension to gaming. Instead of improving gameplay through skill, you can simply buy new weapons and assets to transform the experience of the game. These purchases are normally completed through the use of a credit or debit card, but it is possible to use eWallets and cryptocurrency.
