Microsoft: "We’re still learning" about microtransactions

Phil Spencer has admitted that microtransactions on Xbox One are still a work in progress.

The platform holder has faced criticism over the use of in-app payments in Forza 5. The racing series is no stranger to IAPs (Forza 4 had them) but the general feeling is that more content is locked behind paywalls in the Xbox One game.

And while it’s all accessible for free, the ‘grind’ required to unlock it is certainly significant.

"We’re still learning," Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer told Kotaku. "I want to be able to learn from what we put in so let’s make sure we are crafting the game and the analytics so we can see what the consumers – the gamers – like and don’t – if you assume buying habits are a reflection of what people like so that we can craft the experience better for the gamer.

"It’s easy to say something like, ‘I’ll never allow somebody to buy the win of the game, I won’t let them buy victory,’ but that’s kind of a trite answer. I’d say, ‘Yeah, I guess I have that line, that [we wouldn’t have] "Pay five bucks and get 1000 achievements" or something stupid like that.’ I’m always pushing against that.

But, in reality, that’s not what the gamers are looking for. They’re usually looking for customization and their gameplay style opening up."

The conclusion? As is the way with more or less everything, vote with your wallets. If you don’t like something, don’t pay for it. If enough people agree then it will go away.