14 DAY TRIAL // Valve has introduced a new micro transaction powered business model for its popular squad based multiplayer game Team Fortress 2, allowing gamers to use the funds in their Steam Wallet to get in game items that can be used to change their abilities on the battlefield.
Team Fortress 2 has been initially launched in 2007 as part of The Orange Box and was until now supported only through the payment a player made when picking up the game, with Valve regularly delivering updates that added new game modes, new weapons and new maps.
Valve clearly states in the Frequently Asked Questions sections that accompanies the launch of the Mann Co Store that, “Mercenaries who purchase items through the Mann Co. Store will not have an advantage over their rivals,” trying to convince players that the game will continue to be one of the best balanced multiplayer titles.
Most of the items for Team Fortress 2 that Valve offers in the Mann Co Store can also be obtained by players by performing certain action in the actual game, with the only items that can only obtained with money being those that only change the look of characters.
The developers are eager to get more players to try out and spend time in Team Fortress 2 and offering items for money means that even gamers who do not have the time to always be engaged in battles can get access to certain items if they are willing to pay for them.
Most of the items in the new Mann Co Store will cost between 49 cents and 4.99 dollars, although some of them top out at 17.95.
The store also includes items that have been created by the Team Fortress 2 player community, with the players who made them getting a percentage of the revenue generated from sales.
Initially Steam says that the items taken from the store will not be transferable to other players for the time being, although that can chance in the future when the company is able to evaluate the impact they have on the game.