At the end of last month, VentureBeat reported on a Ubisoft investor conference call where the company's executives talked about the profitability of microtransactions. Free-to-play was identified as a viable business model for microtransactions, as were traditional retail games.
According to VentureBeat, Ubisoft's chief financial officer Alain Martinez said, "But in the future, with games like Watch Dogs, we could see more opportunity for $60 games to learn from the free-to-play model. The next generation will offer more and more item-based content. This will benefit our games' profitability."
If this week's XBLA and PSN store updates for Assassin's Creed III are any indication, you won't have to wait until Watch Dogs for microtransactions to appear in your Ubisoft games. They should be ready and waiting for you in Assassin's Creed III, which is hitting store shelves this week.
Both console storefronts are offering "Erudito Credit" packs for sale for Assassin's Creed III.
The packs are available in the following denominations:
20 Erudito Pack = 80 MSP ($1 USD)
50 Erudito Pack = 160 MSP ($2 USD)
155 Erudito Pack = 400 MSP ($5 USD)
380 Erudito Pack = 800 MSP ($10 USD)
925 Erudito Pack = 1600 MSP ($20 USD)
The description states that the credits will allow you "to acquire some game items, disregarding your current level."
More articles about Assassin's Creed III