For anyone who has been keeping up with loot boxes and how they’ve been facing some heavy criticism, Rockstar recently shared their own thoughts on it.
As any GTA 5 Online player will know, microtransactions are a big part of the multiplayer experience.
And it’s been confirmed that Red Dead Redemption 2 will have its own version of the system currently employed in Grand Theft Auto.
And speaking during the Credit Suisse event this week, Take-Two president Karl Slatoff revealed the company’s current standpoint on loot boxes and the question of gambling.
“We don’t view that thing as gambling,” Slatoff commented.
“Our view of it is the same as the ESA statement for the most part; so [potential legislation is] going to play its course.”
“In terms of the consumer–the noise you hear in the market right now–it’s all about content and over-delivering on content,” Slatoff added.
“It’s about making making sure you’re focused on engagement, and I think that has been our strategy; that has been our focus.
“And as long you keep your eye on that ball, you’re going to be okay. The consumer’s going to be really happy with what they get.”
And Slatoff also gave a potential nod to how RDR2 would be employing the same kind of expansion support, recently seen in GTA 5 Online, via offering microtransactions.
“Yeah, you can’t force the consumer to do anything,” Slatoff said. “You try your best to create the best experience you possibly you can to drive engagement, and driving engagement creates value in franchises.
“That’s how it’s always been and how it always will be.”
Rockstar have provided a new update concerning Red Dead Redemption 2 and their goals for the new console game.
Launching next year during the Spring release window, RDR 2 will be both a single-player and multiplayer experience.
Rockstar have confirmed that they will be pushing more online content in Red Dead Redemption 2, something akin to what has been seen in GTA Online.
And Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick had this to say about the new title during the company’s Q2 earnings call with investors.
“With regard to your question on Red Dead, though I have a strong point of view, which is look, entertainment competes with every activity and no activity”, Zelnick explains.
“And to the extent that we are competitive, we compete with all of our own titles and everyone else’s titles too.
“So, I don’t think the launch of any new title specifically has a direct effect on an existing title any more than someone else launching a competitive title would affect for example how one of our titles is doing.
“If we have something great in the market and we continue to support it with great content, people will continue to show up. That’s historically the case and certainly that’s our aim. So, we think Red Dead stands alone.
“Naturally we’re incredibly excited. I think the whole market is. And, but it will stand alone and succeed on its own merits.”
While Rockstar and Take-Two are pretty confident that RDR 2 will be a success, it seems likely that the new title will pose a tempting target for both current and lapsed GTA Online players.
A new GTA 5 Online update has been released on PS4 and Xbox One.
Players can now purchase the P-996 Lazer jet, which comes with a hefty price tag.
Retailing for $6,500,000 at Warstock Cache & Carry, fans maybe tempted to continue just taking the thing from the military base instead.
Rockstar have also released the new Transform Races content onto the Race Creator tool, meaning fans can now make their own experiences and upload them to the game.
Players are also receiving two weeks of Double GTA$ & RP bonuses on a wide variety of activities, along with a 25% time boost on Gunrunning Research and Manufacturing December 11th.
This includes:
- Transform Races – Assert your dominance across land, sea and sky with extended double payouts on all Rockstar-created Transform Races.
- Special Vehicle Work – From Escape Escort to Arms Embargo, Securoserv is coming through in the clutch with double rewards for all Special Vehicle missions launched from your Office laptop.
- Biker Contract Missions – Head over to your MC’s Clubhouse and earn some extra green by taking on any of the morally-dubious tasks pinned to the meeting room wall. The less questions asked, the better.
- Motor Wars – Parachuting into a warzone packed with Weaponized Tampas & Half-Tracks isn’t for the faint of heart, but fortune favors the bold.
- Stockpile – Bask in the tears of your enemies as you shoot and loot your way to success in a frantic aerial capture for up to 4 teams.
- Every Bullet Counts – Set your spray n’ pray tactics to the side for this one. Conserve rounds and take out the opposition one by one to emerge victorious, keeping an eye out for extra ammo pickups along the way.
- Inch By Inch – Grab the package and rack up points for your team by reaching the opponent’s end zone. Did we also mention there are guns and grenades? Because there are also guns and grenades.
- Running Back – The elusive Runner must go the distance and get across the end zone line with the help of their Offensive teammates while their Defensive-minded opponents must ruthlessly block, crash and pummel their way to try to stop them.
- Bodyguard and Associate Salaries – Climb the corporate ladder at twice the speed with Double GTA$ Salaries for those belonging to Organizations.