Forza 5 microtransactiond change following Xbox One gamer complaints

Forza Motorsport 5 developer Turn 10 has announced plans to change how much it charges for cars in the Xbox One-exclusive launch title, following complaints from fans regarding what is perceived as a push towards microtransactions.

The game continues the series' tradition of unlocking additional cars, but unlike previous titles does so using tokens which can be purchased with real-world money. The result is a game which, its critics argue, is geared towards making unlocking cars difficult enough in comparison to previous titles that gamers feel the need to splash out on token packs that can cost more than the game itself.

A common tactic of free-to-play games which, at their worst, become pay-to-win, Forza Motorsport 5's inclusion of the feature is evidence of a growing trend for developers to attempt to cram microtransactions into full-price titles. The result in Turn 10's case was an inevitable backlash, but one it says it is addressing.

"Based on the numbers we’ve seen from our first week of FM5, as well as feedback we heard directly from you, we’re in the process of making some changes to the Forza Motorsport 5 economy," Turn 10's Brian Ekberg said in a statement to players. "While we’re putting the final touches on that, we want to make sure everyone continues having a great time with Forza 5."

The result is a short-term change in the cost of vehicles, representing a 50 per cent discount - making the cars easier to earn without paying real-world money for them, and cheaper for those who do decide to go down that route. The company has also promised a free vehicle - the Lotus E21, one of the most expensive cars in the game - to all Forza Motorsport 5 VIP members, with anyone who already has the car receiving a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO in its place. The payout of credits, in-game points that can be used in place of the paid-for tokens to purchase vehicles, is also being increased.

Those who bought the Forza Motorsport 5 Limited Edition, which included 1,250 tokens that Turn 10 said was enough to buy any car in the game, are being given a free car after it turned out there were several cars that cost more than 1,250 tokens to buy.

Ekberg has promised that additional changes to the Forza 5 economy are planned, but has yet to releas