Halo: The Master Chief Collection may be getting microtransactions eight years after it launched.
343 Industries has revealed that it’s currently exploring adding microtransactions to the game, allowing players to purchase “Spartan Points” (currently called “Season Points”) to unlock gear and customizations they may have missed.
“For players who are new to the MCC, or who may not have dedicated much time specifically to unlocking items during the seasonal updates, or are simply completionists looking to catch the last outstanding items they need, we are internally exploring a potential new feature for the future in the form of purchasable Spartan Points,” 343 revealed in a blog post.
Currently items are unlocked with Season Points, and 343 states that it’s still happy for players to unlock items through play in the same way.
“We are happy with the current system of how players earn Spartan Points, by completing challenges and leveling up through play,” they added. “This would be an optional, additive alternative for players who might find the vast scope of content to be an intimidating amount of playtime and want to get ahead on (or skip) the grind, or maybe want to grab specific items they want (we all have our favorites!)”
The option of purchasing Spartan Points then is an added extra – you don’t have to do it. However, the thinking is that it will allow new players to catch up, or older players to grab specific items they want without having to grind for them.
“We wanted to inform you of this exploration in advance and provide assurance that purchasable Spartan Points would be an additive feature. We will have more information to share about this in the future.”
It’s currently unclear if/when these new Spartan Points will become available, but the Halo MCC community is already uneasy about the thought of microtransactions entering the game.
Do not put MTX’s in MCC. If you’re worried about the amount of content being “too much” for new players, give more points out for challenges/progression or allow us to unlock levels in seasons completely non-linearly
— Big Grey Donut | Halo News (@BigGreyDonut) June 23, 2022
Whether or not 343 Industries will find a good middle ground remains to be seen, but selling the new Spartan Points as an “additive” way of gaining your favorite items is certainly a start.
Need some help with Halo: The Master Chief Collection? Check out our guide to all the different games included in the collection, not to mention our cheats and secrets to help you get ahead.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.