Devil May Cry 5 lets you upgrade characters with microtransactions

Devil May Cry 5 is a direct sequel in the acclaimed franchise and takes place years later with a new set of characters. Aside from the new characters, it appears that Capcom is employing new business practices as well. According to a report by GameSpot, players can purchase "Red Orbs" with real money to level-up their heroes. The outlet said, "we discovered that players will have the option to spend real money to accrue more orbs if they wish to expedite the upgrade process and beef up Dante earlier than usual."

Game Director Hideaki Itsuno said the following when asked about the microtransactions which allowed players to become stronger. Gamers may remember similar microtransactions in Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition.

With giving people the ability to purchase Red Orbs, it's something we want to give people as an option. If they want to save time and just want to get all the stuff at once, those people can do that. But on the other hand I don't feel you have to get all the moves. You should be able to play it the way you want to play it.

Since Devil May Cry 5 is a single-player game, purchasing Red Orbs won't give you an advantage over other players because there is no competitive multiplayer. However, it still tempts less-skilled players to purchase Red Orbs to make their character stronger. Many individuals will have an issue with this business practice.

What do you think about having the ability to purchase Red Orbs to make your characters stronger? Let us know. Is it alright if it's a single-player game?

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Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.

23 Comments

Once again they suck us back into their greedy tactics
Don't like this and will not buy the game. Not that I to DMC anyway so ...
Remember when single player games used to have things called "cheat codes"? I member.
You pay now unfortunately.
I was just about to say the same thing.
There were also devices you could buy to unlock all the cheats for games, from memory I think one brand was Shark. Paying to cheat/power up isn't new, but it's definitely an unappealing progression mechanic, that you can only hope hasn't negatively impacted the game's design (i.e required power levels to progress being artificially ramped up).
Meh it's all completely and totally optional so I'm confused where the fire is. Really could care less. STILL preordering and STILL playing it.
I think when it's connected to affecting game play is where it gets into a grey area. That being said if this only affects single player game play then it's not as big of an issue.
If you like to endlessly grind to finish the SP then sure, its not an issue; but it sure as hell makes it into a boring crap game not worth a penny.
It's not affecting gameplay.
With or without it, your single player experience won't change. It's an option.
You are a fool if you think the game progression would be the same if there were no micro-transactions. It has been proven multiple times that when a game decides to remove single player micro-transactions it has to be completely rebalanced and changed to be playable (e.g. see Middle-earth: Shadow of War).
I forgot about that game and haven't played it yet, I'll have to read on it
I thought the MT of ME-SoW affects only the online part of the game?
What this means is the game has been balanced to milk as much Orb purchases from players as possible. Yeah no thanks; Capcom can keep their piece of trash when they decided to ruin the experience in a full priced AAA game with microtransactions.
Won't buy now
Z.z I hope they haven't skewed it so that you don't end up in a endless grind to level up characters. As long the balance is NOT forcing people to buy upgrades with real money in a single player game, I am okay with it - as sadly the practise of microtransactions won't be going away anytime soon. As I understand that studios need to make money to continue making games, never the less Capcom seems to have lost the plot as of late when it comes to certain practises. I however do not like or condone the practise of microtransactions at all, especially in a fullt priced game... any game that does so and If I want to play it - i'll either borrow it or buy it pre-owned from a game shop but will not purchase it full price.
I have zero issues with this. Sounds like you're basically paying to just skip to the new game plus. I wish more games did this. Some games I just don't have time to play through twice. I wish more games would do things like this. Especially games like Fallout 4. I don't have time to go scavenging or doing side quests for certain weapons etc. Happily pay a few bucks here and there to obtain items and stacks of items and ingredients. Same goes for any other game. Sometimes I just want to play through and experience the story, not the grind. The reason full price games should adopt the free to play model yet still charge for the game is because games like these, the single player experience, about 95% of people would not pay a penny.
You buy a game to play it, then pay extra to play less of it?
@Kieran Jeffrey, sounds like you are better of buyinh PC games and use mods or code injection in single player games if you don't have the time to gather items. In the case of fallout 4, heck you could mod the game yourself and there are plenty of mods on nexus.
It's a single player game, who cares?
Well, if they started making it you have to spend real money by making you grind endlessly just for a few items then yeah, it's a problem. Especially when many teens who have almost to little patience and a very short attention span. For gamers who grew up coding their own game play and playing with zero check points it's not much of an issue - except a frustrating time waste in the grand scheme of things.
Then just don't use those items. If people don't want to pay, then don't pay. Unless there is literally a pop up at the end boss door that dictates "you must purchase X to proceed" then this is a non issue.
I see people comments over reacting regarding Micro-transactions, yet no one seemed to realize that the game is a single player game, not multiplayer, so there is really no advantage that would effect other players online. Also, its based on weather or not you want to spend the money to buy red orbs to move ahead in the game. It's only there for a personal advantage considering its a single player game. No one is forcing you to buy anything. It's a choice, if you don't care too, the game will continue as is to the end. I would be pissed if the game did not let you progress ahead, but no where does it say that Micro-transaction is needed to do so. So I don't get how its a problem. Look, Micro-transaction that give you an advantage against other players online, like what happened with Star Wars Battlefront II is a big no, no. Yes, Devil May Cry 5 has no multi-player aspect, so who cares. The game looks great and I will get it.

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