Konamis monetization of eFootball already feels like an own goal

Date:
Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:31:36 +0000

Description:
eFootball, the successor to Pro Evolution Soccer, has revealed its first set of premium content, and its as gratuitous as you might expect.

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Konami has revealed that eFootballs first piece of premium content will cost $39.99 / 32.99, which is close to the price of a full game.

The eFootball 2022 Premium Play Pack includes six Chance Deals, 2800 eFootball Coins, and a further two Chance Deals as a bonus for pre-ordering the free-to-play game in advance. If your eyes are rolling into the back of your head at the sight of yet another in-game currency, and the word chance being used in something youre actually paying for, know that at least youre not alone.

What makes eFootballs microtransaction pack all the more irksome, though, is the fact you wont be able to use the contents until two months after the game launches on September 30, 2021. Instead, youll have to wait until an update scheduled for mid-November of 2021 before you can splash eFootballs monopoly-style money. How the (pro) evolution of Konami's eFootball came to
be PS5 vs Xbox Series X : the two consoles compared Where to buy PS5 : don't miss out

But what are Chance Deals, exactly? Well, they let you sign one of 16
top-tier Ambassador and partner club players, which honestly means nothing to me. A description on the eFootball website , which has since been removed (thanks, VGC ), said that when each Chance Deal is used, youll get a
different player from the list of 16 and avoid any duplicates.

It means, then, that some users could spend $80 to purchase every top-tier Ambassador and partner club player if they really want to. And sadly, countless players probably will, which is why Ive always been turned off by the likes of FIFA 22 s Ultimate Team that sees players spend real-world cash to build a squad of fancy footballers.

eFootballs take on Ultimate Team is Creative Teams. This is where these microtransactions will really come into play (and hopefully won't seep into the other modes). Konami claims its monetization model for eFootball will be rebalanced to ensure that all players can reach the same potential,
regardless of how they acquire in-game items, but forgive me if Im a little skeptical about that.

The game will use three types of currency: eFootball Coins (premium), eFootball Points (earned through gameplay), and GP (also earned through gameplay). If Konami can give out eFootball Points at a generous enough rate, perhaps theres a chance that players wont feel unfairly compelled to purchase the games premium currency, which will no doubt be bundled into very
specific, annoying amounts.

Thankfully, for the rest of us who dont see the value of spending money on building a virtual team of football players, eFootball will let at least let players take part in friendly matches locally or online using the nine official teams that are available. Hopefully, the on-pitch action will not disappoint. Opinion: Cash for goals (Image credit: Konami)

While its common knowledge and completely expected at this point that free-to-play games tend to be littered with microtransactions and premium bundles such as this, I cant help but feel disappointed that Konami is
pushing DLC so readily for what will likely be its main money-spinner, Creative Team, especially as it cant even be used until a later date.

It also makes me worry about the direction of eFootball in general. Theres a real possibility that the development team will be bogged down by trying to monetize the game at every given opportunity, instead of focusing on
eFootball delivering the most convincing game of soccer to date.

I really hope that eFootballs Master League mode, which has always been the highlight of any PES game for me, is free of microtransactions, too. Especially as Konami has confirmed that Master League will be a separate purchase later down the line.

Time will ultimately tell if Konami can get the balance right with eFootball, as the free-to-play model, when done right, can be compelling for both
players and developers. The prospect of eFootball allowing cross-platform play, including against mobile players, is also something that FIFA 22 doesnt offer, and with the game being free, theres at least no barrier to entry this time around. Lets just hope Konami keeps the number of microtransactions in check.

eFootball will be available to download for free on PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X |S, PC, and mobile on September 30, 2021. New games 2021 : mark your calendars



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/konamis-monetization-of-efootball-already-feels -like-an-own-goal/


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