Resident Evil 4 Remake Draws Backlash For Upgrade Ticket Microtransactions

Resident Evil 4 Remake added the original game’s Mercenaries as free DLC today, but alongside it comes 11 “Exclusive Upgrade Ticket” microtransactions, a copy of the otherwise free in-game item that bypasses the usual level restrictions weapons have for their special add-ons.

Already, the community is unhappy with their inclusion, labelling them as “scummy” and “garbage”.

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“Back in my day we called these cheat codes,” @SpawnWaveMedia said in response, a sentiment echoed by @ProjectJeff85. “Um yeah, I’ll just stick to collect Pesetas and Spinels IN-GAME to fund weapon upgrades thank you very much. Ain’t spending $ on [glorified] unlock cheats.”

window.arrayOfEmbeds[“1644200612559749123”] = {‘twitter’ : ‘"n<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Oh cool. They ruined Mercenaries again <a href="https://t.co/Jow8a33PVr">https://t.co/Jow8a33PVr</a> <a href="https://t.co/KPfqWZ4wQq">pic.twitter.com/KPfqWZ4wQq</a>n&mdash; Tak (@TakGoUp) <a href="https://twitter.com/TakGoUp/status/1644200612559749123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>nn"’}; window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “"<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>"”;

Each ticket sells for £2.49, the same as the costumes and original soundtrack swap. You can also buy bundles of five for £7.99, or – alternatively – you can get them for free in-game by completing side quests for the Merchant which earn you Spinels that can be spent on two free upgrade tickets. These net you the expensive exclusive bonus at the bottom of a weapon’s upgrade path, like the Punisher’s “Penetrate through 5 targets” and the Stingray’s “Increase rate of fire by 2x”.

window.arrayOfEmbeds[“1644211955597561857”] = {‘twitter’ : ‘"n<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MICROTRANSACTIONS??? WHY??? <a href="https://t.co/0WecdsXC9S">https://t.co/0WecdsXC9S</a>n&mdash; melty ud83dudda4 (@S1NFUL__SH3LL) <a href="https://twitter.com/S1NFUL__SH3LL/status/1644211955597561857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>nn"’}; window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “"<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>"”;

While many are upset and voicing anger at the inclusion of microtransactions with this update, others don’t see it as that big of a problem. “Kinda wack that people are freaking out over the microtransactions when they’re literally just for weapon upgrades… which you can already do in the game without them,” @Koncreet tweeted.

window.arrayOfEmbeds[“1644223494559760384”] = {‘twitter’ : ‘"n<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">so many people are mad for literally no reason lmao <a href="https://t.co/tVhJMTgxY3">https://t.co/tVhJMTgxY3</a>n&mdash; Havin' a Crowment (@CrankiestCrow) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrankiestCrow/status/1644223494559760384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>nn"’}; window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “"<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>"”;

In response to those less concerned about the inclusion of microtransactions, Twitter users like @Nachobroheem argue that it’s “A death rattle of the gaming industry,” stating that the reason people are mad is that you shouldn’t “normalise MTX”.

Vampire Survivors writer Jim Sterling tweeted a similar comment, “Creepy seeing people lining up to defend this shit. Microtransactions are inherently scummy. Springing them on players post-launch is moreso. There are no good microtransactions.”

window.arrayOfEmbeds[“1644254461525741569”] = {‘twitter’ : ‘"n<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Capcom just HAD to go and worsen a perfect experience…nThankfully, they're easily ignored, but like, I just imagine some shareholder with his veins popping out at the meeting table going. &quot;WHERE IS THE MONETIZATION IN THJS SINGLEPLAYER GAME!?!?!&quot;nFucksakes… <a href="https://t.co/gNDw8DWUKR">https://t.co/gNDw8DWUKR</a>n&mdash; Auraud83cudff3ufe0f&zwj;u26a7ufe0f (@AuraPSX) <a href="https://twitter.com/AuraPSX/status/1644254461525741569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>nn"’}; window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“twitter”] = “"<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>"”;

This isn’t the first time that Capcom has added unlockable extras as microtransactions – we saw it with Devil May Cry 5’s orbs and Resident Evil 3’s item shop, letting you buy every extra, including the infinite ammo RPG. So, in spite of yet more backlash, Resident Evil 4 likely won’t be the last game to feature such monetisation.

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