The Division wont have regular microtransactions, save for vanity DLC

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Tom Clancy's The Division will have absolutely no microtransactions whatsoever, according to the game's creative director. "You cannot spend a little bit of money and fast-track to get better gear or pay to win or vanity items. We do not have that," Magnus Jansen told VG247 at a recent preview event. "The short answer is no, we don’t have microtransactions, period."

Well, that's nice and clear. Certainly no confusion from that statement. Ah, but what's this quote from earlier in the interview? "Microtransactions, as it’s defined, we do not have them." Um, okay. Maybe I just need to confirm this with another source and everything will make sense.

"I don't know if there's a globally agreed definition of the word 'microtransactions,'" Jansen told Eurogamer at the same event. "We have DLC plans - which we're not talking about now - and obviously you'll pay for that, but in addition to that there's no microtransactions, as I define them." Jansen said players won't be able to pay to fast-track their level or obtain better gear, but just as it looks like things are starting to make sense, a statement from Ubisoft sent to Eurogamer muddies the waters further:

"Magnus's statement is correct, there will be no microtransactions at all. Not even for vanity items. Vanity items will be sold as DLC, through the regular first-party stores." So, no microtransactions, except for yes, there are apparently vanity microtransactions.

This whole kerfuffle seems to stem from Ubisoft dancing around the word "microtransaction," which can admittedly leave a bad taste in the mouth if it's seen as something that impacts gameplay. Vanity microtransactions are generally viewed more favorably though, so I'm not sure why it couldn't just be said that the game will feature microtransactions, but nothing that could be considered "pay-to-win." This whole "not as I define them" shtick is just confusing. In the meantime, I've reached out to Ubisoft for further clarification.

Maybe we need to reassure Ubisoft that it can talk to us earnestly. Or maybe the company is right and any mention of the word ruins The Division's chances of success. What do you think?

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Sam Prell
Sam Prell

Sam is a former News Editor here at GamesRadar. His expert words have appeared on many of the web's well-known gaming sites, including Joystiq, Penny Arcade, Destructoid, and G4 Media, among others. Sam has a serious soft spot for MOBAs, MMOs, and emo music. Forever a farm boy, forever a '90s kid.