2K confirms Borderlands 3 has cosmetic-only purchases following microtransactions confusion Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. 2K confirms Borderlands 3 has cosmetic-only purchases following microtransactions confusion Sales pitch-ford. News by Emma Kent Contributor Updated on 3 May 2019 109 comments Anyone who's kept an eye on the recent Borderlands 3 livestream and subsequent Twitter furore will know there's been plenty of confusion over the game's monetisation system over the past few days. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who is currently embroiled in a messy legal dispute with his former general counsel, announced during the stream that Borderlands 3 "won't have microtransactions" or "microtransaction-y, free-to-play junk", but simultaneously told viewers there would be "all kinds of fun customisations like heads and skins". Creative director Paul Sage also told Game Informer Borderlands 3 would be "selling cosmetics", which the publication observed seemed to contradict Pitchford's claim of no microtransactions. What followed was a bizarre Twitter rant in which Pitchford accused Game Informer of ignoring the context of his "no microtransactions" comment, and seemed to double down on his distinction between cosmetic microtransactions and "F2P style" microtransactions, such as premium currency and loot boxes. Eurogamer contacted 2K to ask for clarification on Borderlands 3's monetisation plans, and received the following statement: "Players will have the option to purchase certain cosmetic items like character, vehicle, and weapon skins, but none of these purchases would be considered pay-to-win or impacting on the gameplay, like weapons or actual gear." The working definition of a microtransaction is a small payment for a virtual good, be it cosmetic or gameplay-affecting. So Borderlands 3 will indeed have in-game microtransactions, but these will be cosmetic-only and purchasable without the use of either premium currency or loot boxes (as Pitchford detailed in the stream). This statement also seems to confirm the progression-affecting XP and loot boost mods included in Borderlands 3's special editions won't be purchasable in-game. We also know from the stream that Borderlands 3 will follow a similar model to that of Borderlands 2, with plenty of campaign DLC, and Pitchford has tweeted to say "there will be tons of cosmetic drops as (free) loot in Borderlands 3". Borderlands 2 didn't have in-game microtransactions, but it did have over 50 different DLC packs covering everything from skins to boosts. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, producer Chris Brock explained Gearbox will probably make further content post-launch and doesn't "intend to take what Borderlands was and then chop it up into chunks and sell it". Oh, and also know unlockable emotes are coming to Borderlands 3. I wonder if these will also find themselves in the shop. 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 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 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