Amazon Games is dead set against pay-to-win.
New World, the developer’s new MMO, includes an in-game store, but it doesn’t feature characters boosts or anything directly connected to gameplay.
The “focus” of the store is cosmetic items that players can use to “enhance” the visuals of their characters, according to creative director David Verfaillie. These microtransactions provide alternative aesthetics for players.
“We have definitely heard the feedback from players and our focus is we do not want [New World] to be a pay-to-win experience,” Verfaillie said in a press conference.
The “emphasis” of the store is on cosmetics at launch, but the devs believe there’s room for “quality of life improvements” that won’t cross into “the pay-to-win territory.”
“We’re going to be focusing on the cosmetic experience at launch,” Verfaillie explained. “We believe that’s something players will enjoy and definitely doesn’t cross the line. And then we’ll be working with our community to decide where we can go that everyone thinks is fair.”
Related: New World won’t be pay-to-win but will include microtransactions, Amazon reveals
In the future, players will be able to purchase things like additional storage from the store, according to Verfaillie. But everything available with real-world money will also be obtainable in-game.
“In-game there are ways to increase your storage. But there are some people that may not have the time or want to do the commitment to all those in-game ways,” Verfaillie said. “So, there are just ways that people that are less time-available can keep up with players in certain aspects like that.”
For the time being, cosmetic items, including weapon and armor skins, house decor, dyes, emotes, and company crests are available to purchase from the store for a range of prices. The cheapest option costs $2.99 and the most expensive option will set players back $19.99.
“While the in-game store will provide additional opportunities for customization and feature unique cosmetic items, there is a wealth of visually diverse in-game loot for players to discover and earn across Aeternum, at the same level of aesthetic quality with items found in the store,” Amazon said.
New World is live.
