I should have seen this one coming! Once again it’s time for another episode of Didn’t Spend A Dime, also known as the series where I prove to a seemingly ignorant public that just because a game has microtransactions, they are just too frivolous and there is no need to spend your hard earned money on them. In the past I have defended Middle Earth: Shadow of War, Forza Motorsport 7, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Mortal Kombat 11, and just as I predicted a few weeks ago, it’s time to defend Wolfenstein Youngblood from those who want developer blood over something they are not responsible for in any way.

To start off, let me give a little background on my experience with the game. We at GiN received a review copy of the Deluxe Edition for the Xbox One. For the review, I played the main story to full completion with 77% of the side missions completed, for a total of just over 15 hours. My character is currently at a level 45 with about 80% of the three perk groups completed.

However, there are many out there who are complaining about the game having microtransactions, and once again, it’s being falsely claimed as a “pay to win” game. Let’s go over each of these sources of income one at a time.

For starters, we have the standard in game currency: silver. This is used to upgrade your weapon parts as well as unlocking new power suit skins and helmets. They are also used for pep signals and boosters (which I will get to later.) This form of currency is quite easy to obtain over the course of the game.
Then there are the skill points that are represented by a gear icon. These are used mainly to upgrade the three perk groups: mind, muscle, and power. You earn one for each time you level up as well as bonus points for completing missions. Again, these are easy to obtain and do not require you to spend real money on them.

Lastly there is the premium currency, gold bars. The only items you can purchase with gold bars are the power suit skins and armor, which can easily be earned via silver coins. Again, there is no need to spend real money on these unless you are very lazy and want to get an early start.

Now I mentioned the boosters earlier. These are 10 minute boosts to one of three elements: double ammo looted, max armor, or max health. Now you might assume that these are purchased via gold bars, right?

Thanks Lana. No you do NOT have to buy them with gold bars. Each of these boosters are only worth 200 silver coins. Also to be honest with everyone, you really don’t need them as the twins level up so quickly in the game that they become ruthless killing machines in just a few hours. So in conclusion, add this game to the list of those defended in my Didn’t Spend A Dime collection.

But sadly, this is not where I’m going to end my column. Something happened this week as far as Youngblood is concerned that just sickens me to no end. It turned out that the lead designer of the game, Mitja Roskaric, was the victim of an inexcusable Twitter hate campaign over Youngblood’s microtransactions. The harassment got so bad for him that he had to remove his Twitter account, and as far as I’m concerned, that is just inexcusable.

For starters, Roskaric was the LEAD DESIGNER of Youngblood. He was not responsible for any of the microtransactions that were added to the game. If you want to place your criticisms on anyone, go after the heads at Bethesda, not a lead designer. Secondly , if you have to criticize, do it in a professional manner, rather than wishing death threats on someone. I’ve stated many times before that death/rape threats have NO PLACE in this industry, no matter what your opinion is on something. When you do that, you are worse than whatever you are criticizing.

As for Mitja Roskaric, all I have to say is, I’m sorry that you have to put up with this level of harassment for something that is clearly out of your hands. I am hopeful that you will overcome these trials and continue to make great games. You don’t deserve any of this hate. Meanwhile, I’m going to continue playing Youngblood and enjoying it for what it is.

And for you trolls out there who take joy in hurting others…seek help!

Currently Playing: Madden 20, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3