What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Starbreeze Studios has apologized for a recent price increase of the Payday 2 DLC bundle, the Infamous Collection, which rose by 44% from $118 to $170. Following community backlash, the studio reverted the price to its original amount and offered an additional discount. The price hike coincided with the launch of a new subscription service for Payday 2, leading to speculation that the increase was intended to push players towards the subscription. Starbreeze clarified that the timing was coincidental and acknowledged the poor communication surrounding the change.
Why It's Important?
The incident underscores the importance of transparent communication between game developers and their communities. The backlash highlights the sensitivity of pricing strategies in the gaming industry, where perceived attempts to monetize content can lead to negative reactions from players. Starbreeze's response demonstrates the need for developers to maintain trust and goodwill with their player base, which is crucial for long-term success and community engagement.
What's Next?
Starbreeze's apology and price reversal may help restore some trust among players, but the studio will need to ensure better communication in future updates and pricing changes. The incident may prompt other developers to reevaluate their pricing strategies and community engagement practices to avoid similar issues.
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