Marvel's Avengers' controversial paid XP boosts to be removed following backlash Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Marvel's Avengers' controversial paid XP boosts to be removed following backlash As "first step in rebuilding...confidence in us". News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 2 Nov 2021 72 comments Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are removing Marvel's Avengers' controversial progression boosts from sale today as a "first step in rebuilding [players'] confidence in us as a team". Square faced a furious backlash from Avengers players last month after it began selling XP booster "consumables" in the game's real-money store, despite pre-launch promises it would only ever monetise cosmetics. It was a step the community had feared was coming ever since Crystal Dynamics introduced an unpopular XP nerf back in March, and fan response to the arrival of paid boosters was swift and brutal. Neither Square nor Crystal Dynamics responded to player criticism at the time, but now, almost a month later, the companies have announced that Hero's Catalysts and Fragment Extractors will be removed from Marvel's Avengers' in-game store "by the end of today". Watch on YouTube Marvel's Avengers: Xbox Series X/S vs PS5. "We apologise for not responding sooner to your concerns about the addition of paid consumables in the Marketplace," Square and Crystal Dynamics wrote in an official statement posted to Twitter. "We introduced them as an option for an evolving player 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," the statement concluded. "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". Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store