Halo 5: Guardians has multiplayer transactions

Developer 343 Industries has confirmed that microtransactions are included in the multiplayer part of upcoming Xbox One title Halo 5: Guardians.

It will be called the Requisition System (REQ). Players will earn REQ points naturally in the game as rewards after each match. These points can then be spent on REQ packs which can contain all manner of goodies including weapons, armour and skins.

Players, however, will also be able to acquire the virtual currency with real cash "as a matter of convenience".

Traditional online mode Arena will restrict players to the use of cosmetic REQ items but it’s a different story in the Warzone mode, which was unveiled at E3 this week. The loadout available to players each match will be limited by an energy system, which will at least limit the impact of any potentially bankrolled arsenal.

In Warzone, our new massive-scale multiplayer experience, we wanted to give fans even more variety and choice in how they play,” studio boss Josh Holmes said. Within Warzone, you’ll have the ability to deploy a multitude of weapons and vehicles from your inventory of REQs throughout a match.

The REQ System is designed to generously reward players with a steady stream of content to keep gameplay fresh. All REQ content in the game can earned through the regular course of play in multiplayer. We’ll also give players the option to purchase REQ Packs as a matter of convenience, with a portion of the proceeds going toward prize pools for the Halo Championship Series.”

Note that 343 has already said that Halo 5’s post-release maps will all be free, which makes a change from lots of multiplayer games that lock such content behind premium DLC and Season Passes.