Developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix have decided to stop selling Hero Catalysts and Fragment Extractors through the Marvel’s Avengers in-game marketplace. This means premium XP boosts and in-game currency have been removed from the store having already caused a backlash amongst those who remember their promise to only ever sell cosmetic items through there.
The statement apologized for the slow response to player concerns before claiming they didn’t believe the Hero Catalysts and Fragment Extractors would be considered pay-to-win mechanics. The two items won’t be removed from Marvel’s Avengers completely, remaining as items that can be earned through gameplay. Additionally, cosmetics can still be purchased for real-money in the game’s store. You can read the full statement below:
We have decided that by the end of today we will remove Hero’s Catalysts and Fragment Extractors for purchase. pic.twitter.com/8am9nSstP2
— Marvel’s Avengers (@PlayAvengers) November 2, 2021
We apologize for not responding sooner to your concerns about the addition of paid consumables in the Marketplace. We introduced them as an option for an evolving power base, and did not see them as pay-to-win since they don’t offer power directly.
After considering your feedback, we have decided that by the end of today we will remove Hero’s Catalysts and Fragment Extractors for purchase. They will continue to be earnable rewards and those already owned are still usable.
We hope that this can be the first step in rebuilding your confidence in us as a team.
It continues to be our goal to make the very best game possible. Thank you for being a part of the Marvel’s Avengers community.
The backlash started when the Hero’s Catalysts and Fragment Extractors were introduced at the start of October. This broke previous promises from the developer that Marvel’s Avengers would never have pay-to-win mechanics, with microtransactions never affecting gameplay. Unfortunately it also brought out the worst in the gaming community, leading several people to harass individual developers over social media. Hopefully this move goes some way to solving those problems and focus can return to the Marvel’s Avengers’ upcoming events and the anticipated release of the PlayStation-exclusive Spider-Man content.
