The Backlash Against Dragon’s Dogma 2: Analyzing the Fallout of Microtransactions and Performance Issues

The release of Dragon’s Dogma 2 has been marred by a wave of negative reviews on Steam due to the sudden introduction of microtransactions in the game. Players were taken by surprise as these microtransactions were not present in the press build of the game, leading to confusion and frustration. The backlash resulted in the game receiving a “Mostly Negative” rating on Steam, based on over 11,000 reviews and counting. The availability of 21 DLC items, priced between 89 pence to £4.45 in the UK, has further fueled the outrage among players.

Capcom’s handling of the microtransactions in Dragon’s Dogma 2 has been criticized for poor communication with players. Many gamers were already unhappy with the base price of £60/$70, and the addition of paid DLC items only added to their disappointment. The lack of clarity on which items can be obtained in-game versus those that require real-world money has exacerbated the situation. The introduction of a character editor, Art Of Metamorphosis, for £1.70 has raised eyebrows among players, questioning the necessity of such paid content.

Aside from the microtransactions controversy, another significant concern raised by players is the game’s performance on PC. Reports of PC performance woes, including crashes and freezing, have surfaced, prompting Capcom to issue an apology to players. The game’s high CPU usage, particularly in scenarios with multiple characters on screen, has led to frame rate issues and overall instability. Players are advised to avoid playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 on Steam Deck until these performance issues are addressed.

The backlash against Dragon’s Dogma 2 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the sudden introduction of microtransactions, poor communication from Capcom, and performance issues on PC. The negative reviews on Steam reflect the disappointment and frustration among players who had high expectations for the game. Moving forward, it is imperative for game developers to be transparent with their player base and prioritize optimization and stability to ensure a smooth gaming experience for all. Only time will tell if Capcom can address these concerns and win back the trust of the Dragon’s Dogma 2 community.