I don’t care for microtransactions; some don’t mind them in specific cases, I’m not that kind of person. If your game features microtransactions that I keep seeing hourly, I’m going to mention the metaphorical man rubbing himself on the bus. I say this because they do make me feel uncomfortable, much like creepy men on public transport, that and the disease. Why does that need to be said? Well, “live service” games or games as a service are known for this type of thing. What game has stepped in it this time? Fallout 76.

Admittedly I haven’t and will not play 76 for the following reason: it is Fallout 76. Though it has become the latest stick which to beat Bethesda ’round the head with for having the gall to make a game that is following tends, as every other developer does. Though Bethesda doesn’t make it easy to say, “they’ve taken a single misstep, leave off it.” This is another one of those instances, as Bethesda have updated Fallout 76 and it has riled up the three people left playing it.

The update includes some minor improvements such as quality of life enhancements and new maps. Though it is the Atomic Shop, Fallout‘s microtransaction shop, where the update takes a turn at stupid and backward. The latest items to come into the game via this update to the Atomic Shop is a refrigerator and some scrap collecting robots. The fridge will store food at C.A.M.P.s and these scrap collecting robots will do as they say on the tin, collect scrap around said C.A.M.P.s.

Why has this angered the small player base? Well, it is microtransactions for something that could give you an advantage over other players. Something Bethesda said they were not going to do, as Pete Hines said this time last year to the Metro about the Atomic Shop. Hines said: “Part of the main reason we’re doing it is[,] because we want to provide all of the post-launch content that we do for free. So any DLC or new content we add is free to everybody.” Not a comment that has aged well.

Hines went on to state: “And we feel like we’re being upfront, we’re doing this in a way that makes sense. It’s only cosmetic, there is no pay-to-win. You can earn it in-game if you don’t want to buy it.” This has not gone well with many of the players citing this is a shop crossing from cosmetics over to paid for items (Warning: some comments have strong language). With the Reddit user claiming that this is worse than the repair kits added in April. Some just take umbrage with the pricing (Warning: more strong language) of these two additions.

The argument here would be the fact that this fridge to store food items in your camp is around $7 US. Meanwhile, the full Automatron add-on for Fallout 4 was $9.99 US with lots more to it and quests. It is hard to argue against this, as it is $7 for one item and nearly $10 for a whole suite of items in a better game.

Though what has spiked the ire of several in the community is the fact this was a fan suggestion (Warning: strong language) six months ago. Now, of course, it may not have been the suggestion to make these refrigerators to be paid for, though this is what Bethesda has decided to do with the idea. However, it may be important to note that Bethesda said to PC Gamer that they believed the repair kits not to be “Pay-to-win.”

Some players are requesting that Bethesda make these two items earnable in quests. However, chances are that Bethesda will return with comments similar to those that had for players when the repair kits became available.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.