Bungie adds microtransactions to Destiny

Destiny has become the latest triple-A console title to introduce microtransactions, with a new currency launching next week.

Announced via the Bungie blog, these in-game purchases will centre around a trader that will only sell items for ‘Silver’, a virtual currency that players will be able to purchase through their platform’s digital store, such as Xbox Marketplace or PlayStation Store.

The trader will appear from Tuesday, October 13th, and will sell emotes – the gestures gamers can use to interact with others – and other items.

Bungie has stressed that these purchases are optional, do not impact the game in any way, and that players will never be forced to buy them. Regular updates will still be delivered to all users for free.

“Our plan is to use these new items to bolster the service provided by our live team for another full year, as they grow and create more robust and engaging events that we’ll announce later this year,” the studio wrote. 

“It has been, and continues to be, our goal to deliver updates to the game. Going forward, our live team is also looking to grow beyond vital updates and improvements to focus on world events, experiences, and feature requests.”

Free Silver will be given to every user so they can purchase their first emote.

The news follows confirmation that Assassin’s Creed Syndicate will also include microtransactions that accelerate the game, while recent release Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain uses them to help players customise and strengthen their Mother Base.