Why on Earth Did We Allow $20 Game Skins to Become Normal?

• The rise of expensive skins in video games
• Unpacking the collector's edition of Baldur's Gate 3
• Controversy over expensive cosmetic items
• Widespread acceptance of expensive skins
• Conditioning to high prices and theories on the rising trend

The Rise of Expensive Skins in Video Games

Yesterday, my attention was drawn to the latest update from Halo Infinite. The game now offers a new cosmetic skin with a price tag of $20. Initially, I was too busy to delve deeper into the matter. However, throughout the day, I found myself pondering over one recurring question: How did we end up here?

Unpacking the Collector's Edition of Baldur's Gate 3

As I pondered the rising trend of expensive skins in video games, I came across a video unpacking the Baldur's Gate 3 Collector's Edition. This was a reminder of the deep connection between traditional role-playing games and the modern gaming world.

The Controversy over Expensive Cosmetic Items

I am aware that most of you, my readers, are not fans of pricey skins in video games. You might even mock the absurdity of these expensive cosmetic items. But, we, the writers, editors, and consumers of gaming media, represent a tiny fraction of the gaming audience. When I ask, "Why does it seem like no one really cares anymore that Fortnite or Diablo are selling cosmetics and skins for $10 or more a pop?" I am not referring to you specifically. I am speaking about the wider gaming community.

The Widespread Acceptance of Expensive Skins

Looking around, it is not hard to find popular video games that are more than happy to sell you a digital costume for $15 or more. Halo Infinite, Diablo IV, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Overwatch, to name a few, are all part of this trend. It seems that the practice of charging high prices for cosmetic skins in free-to-play, online video games has become commonplace over recent years. Despite occasional pushbacks and criticisms, the trend appears to be here to stay.

Reflecting on the Past

As someone who witnessed the horse armor controversy over 15 years ago, the current situation is mind-boggling. Back in 2006, Bethesda faced severe backlash for charging players $3 for a cosmetic horse armor in Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. The incident became a popular meme and a long-standing joke. Fast forward to today, and the thought of a company charging $20 for a single skin doesn't seem as outrageous as it once would have.

Conditioning to High Prices

These days, I find myself scrolling through community forums where players justify the pricing of $10 or $20 skins. I open in-game shops and don't bat an eyelid at $5 skins. It's not that I approve of it, but rather, I've become conditioned to accept it as normal.

Theories on the Rising Trend

So, how did we end up here? I have a few theories, but the main one is the conditioning of younger players. Essentially, the backlash against the horse armor incident showed that, back in 2006, gamers were not ready to shell out extra money for minor content. Despite initial resistance, publishers persisted, and over time, the gaming community became more accepting of the practice.

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