Tremendous monetization has been a major problem in the video game industry in recent years. Not only are games getting more expensive, but some companies are actively choosing to implement questionable practices (like excessive DLC and/or microtransactions) that force consumers to spend their hard-earned money on a regular basis.
Of course, not all alternative monetization practices are inherently bad, and there is a clear distinction between what is acceptable and what is not. However, this hasn't stopped some companies from creating games with ridiculous and predatory monetization to the point of tarnishing their legacy forever, even after said practices have been removed or changed. This has happened several times in the history of the industry, but the following eight games are the most famous examples.
Glove
Players can revive their character on the spot by flipping a coin
- Platform: Passage
- Issued by: October 15, 1985
- Developer: Atari games
- Genre: Hack-and-Slash
Contrary to popular belief, questionable monetization has been a problem in gaming since its early years; it has become more common in recent years due to the rise of the Internet. In the 1980s, arcade games were specifically designed to force players to spend as many coins/tokens as possible, but Atari Games Glove took this concept to another level.
Most arcade games allowed players to continue the game by inserting a coin, but all had limited lives/games that forced them to start over when they ran out. Glove However, it set itself apart from the competition by allowing players to revive their playable character at full health on the spot by inserting a coin in a short window of time, meaning that even the most experienced players could get very far in the game if they had enough money. This isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but it's a fascinating look at how exploitative monetization in gaming will end up just a few decades later.
The Sims 4
Over $1000 worth of extensions
Electronic Arts is notorious for implementing strange and/or expensive monetization practices in their games The Sims 4 is one of the most famous examples of this. Originally released in 2014, this iconic life simulation game regularly receives expansion packs with the latest, Enchanted by naturereleased only in October 2025.
For all the various Expansion Packs, Game Packs, Stuff Packs and Sets, the total cost of The Sims 4Additional content is calculated at approximately $1354. While Electronic Arts tried to make up for this high price by making the base game free-to-play in 2022, The Sims 4 it's not really worth playing without any of its expansions, as it feels completely bare and lacks some of its most important content.
Develop
How rampant monetization can ruin a game's reputation
Develop
7/10
- Released
-
February 10, 2015
When Develop it was revealed back in 2014 and immediately hit the entire video game community. The concept of an asymmetrical multiplayer game where one person would take control of a giant Lovecraftian monster while four others controlled human hunters who had to take them down sounded quite refreshing and innovative.
However, 2K destroyed Developthe company's reputation shortly before launch due to exploitative monetization practices. Certain monsters, weapons, and skins were locked into pre-order bonuses, Season Passes, and console exclusivity, which, combined with the fact that the base game was $40 at release, made it feel like the publisher was more concerned with selling content than actually creating a worthwhile multiplayer experience with a loyal community behind it. Develop eventually went free-to-play in 2016, but that wasn't enough to save it and its servers were shut down later in 2018.
Fate 2
Purchased DLC can be locked in a content vault
The Fate The IP is notorious for its questionable monetization, as what was originally marketed as a first-person multiplayer RPG eventually evolved into a live service title that required players to spend money regularly to access newer content. This was especially true for Fate 2 and its collection of over nine different annual expansions.
Prices Fate 2Expansions and DLCs range from ten to thirty dollars, which normally wouldn't be too bad (especially considering the base game was released as free-to-play in 2019) if it weren't for the Destiny Content Vault. Occasionally, Bungie will remove content from said expansions and lock it into “DCV”, limiting consumers' access to things they've already paid for. Needless to say, “DCV” was a major source of controversy Fate 2 players for many years.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
A cautionary tale about the dangers of loot boxes
The list of video games with questionable and/or controversial monetization cannot be exhaustive Star Wars Battlefront 2. In 2017, this multiplayer FPS based on the famous sci-fi/fantasy movie franchise became the most hated video game in the world due to EA's greedy monetization practices.
Game loop Battlefront 2 It seemed designed to make unlocking playable characters (such as Darth Vader) without grinding for hundreds of hours nearly impossible, which apparently encouraged people to do it by spending real money instead. To make matters worse, the game also featured Loot Boxes that could actually give some players a significant advantage in battle, sparking even more consumer outrage and even leading to an investigation by the Belgian government. EA finally listened to its critics and removed both microtransactions and loot boxes from the game. as a result Star Wars Battlefront 2 has become more popular than ever and has seen a large increase in players in the past year.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Activision broke its own promise
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled had the potential to become one of the best kart racers on the market, as not only was it a complete remake of one of the most popular and iconic games in the genre, but it also featured additional content from Crash Nitro Kart and others Crash Bandicoot titles that came out after the original PS1 version.
But there was a huge problem: Activision added microtransactions Nitro-fueled less than a month after the game first launched, even after the company promised there wouldn't be any more at E3 2019. Like most modern games with dubious monetization, characters and skins could technically be unlocked without spending money, but required a lengthy grind that incentivized players to buy microtransactions. Needless to say, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is still a very solid kart racing game, but these pointless monetization practices made it something it was never meant to be.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
An example of everything wrong with modern Call of Duty
Most modern records in Call of Duty series have been heavily criticized for their ridiculous monetization practices, but 2023 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the most controversial because it messed with the legacy of the beloved 2011 classic. For starters, its bare-bones solo campaign is only three to four hours long, meaning more emphasis was placed on multiplayer than the single-player experience.
To make matters worse, Modern Warfare 3 it had all the other paid content one would expect from a modern multiplayer FPS, such as Battle Passes, pre-order bonuses, microtransactions and more. Not only did this spoil the experience for longtime fans who wanted to relive the classic title, but it was also met with criticism because the base game already cost $70. Because of this, most fans can see Modern Warfare 3 as a full-priced game that was monetized as if it were a free-to-play title.
FIFA 22
Loot boxes changed this classic sports franchise forever
Most of Electronic Arts' classic sports game series have been tainted by rampant monetization practices FIFA franchise is the most egregious example. Like all recent entries in this football simulation series, FIFA 22 features a mode called Ultimate Team where players can recruit famous players to form their own all-star team, which sounds good on paper, but there's one caveat.
Said players must be recruited by opening packs of random cards that can be purchased for real money, meaning they are essentially Loot Boxes. FIFA 22 (and most modern EA Sports games these days) have an inherently predatory monetization system that encourages gambling, and its effects on children are a major source of concern for some people. To make matters worse, the base game already cost sixty dollars at launch (in its standard version, the deluxe edition cost one hundred dollars) and even has predatory microtransactions.
