In the text of the patent, Activision provides an example of just how such a matchmaking system may work in a shooter with weapon microtransactions:
The patent provides overt examples of how the so-called “microtransaction engine” would work, persuading players to purchase weapons and specific items. In practice, the system would likely be much more subtle. Modern microtransactions rarely broach into the territory of specific gameplay elements like weapons, after all. If a player started seeing the premium weapon they wanted in every game, it’d be easy to figure out what’s going on. Just seeing loot box content spread around, however, would perhaps be just as effective without being so obvious.
While the idea of matchmaking in a multiplayer game being determined by anything other than player skill will likely sound unacceptable to most game players, Activision seems to think otherwise. The patent describes how such a matchmaking system would make the game better for microtransaction buyers, leading to more purchases:
A question being asked after the patent was revealed today is whether or not Activision’s already begun implementing the system or something similar in its games. While it could be possible that Destiny 2 somehow “encourage” players to make Bright Engram purchases, Bungie has already come forward and officially confirmed no such systems exist in either Destiny or Destiny 2. Could Call of Duty: WW2’s Zombies matchmaking twist players arms to buy microtransactions? How would players know the difference?
Considering the current controversies surrounding publisher practices regarding loot boxes, Activision’s patent will only make things more complicated. When studios like Visceral Games are closed because single-player games aren’t profitable enough, it becomes clear why publishers are pursuing new ways to make money off of microtransactions. But whether that matters to players who increasingly feel nickel and dimed is another matter entirely.
Source: Glixel
