Today, the video game developer NetherRealm Studios took to the officialInjustice 2forums to announce that its forthcoming fighting title is going to contain a microtransaction system once it goes live. While many fans may be quick to cry foul about the company’s decision to add a microtransaction system toInjustice 2, NetherRealm Studios and the game’s publisher Warner Bros. Interactive have stressed that it will not operate on a “pay to win” structure.
According to NetherRealm Studios,Injustice 2will have a premium in-game currency called Source Crystals that players will be able to purchase with actual money for cosmetic items and for faster leveling. That said, NetherRealm has said that Source Crystals will are non-game-changing items and won’t afford players any additional benefits when it comes tothe title’s gameplay.
“Source Crystals are a new type of currency available inInjustice 2that are used to purchase cosmetic features for characters. Source Crystals can be purchased using real money but aren’t required to progress or advance in the game and can’t be used to purchase Gear or an advantage in gameplay. We value our community and want to be clear – you cannot ‘pay to win’ withInjustice 2.”
Bearing that in mind, NetherRealm Studios also said that once a player reaches level 20 with one character inInjustice 2, they may use Source Crystals to advance other fighters up to level 20. Despite the fact that it sounds like a pay to win strategy, NetherRealm Studios has said, “This is optional and won’t affect gameplay or game progression."
NetherRealm Studios went on to use its post onInjustice 2’s forums to declare that the game has a “Transform Gear"loot systemthat will utilize Source Crystals as well. According to the developer, fans will be able to use Source Crystals to ensure their characters are decked out in their favorite aesthetic styles while not sacrificing performance.
“Transform Gear allows you to apply the visuals of one piece of Gear to another piece. For example, if you have a piece of Gear with your perfect stat loadout but it doesn’t have your perfect look, you can apply the visuals from one of your other pieces of Gear to it. After using Transform Gear, your Gear piece will have your preferred stats matched with your preferred visuals.”
While character shaders inInjustice 2will allow players to alter the look of a particular characters' gear, NetherRealm Studios has said that the game’s premier skins are even more advanced. Rather than simply change a fighter’s costume, it can technically change them into other heroes or villains altogether.
“Premiere Skins will change your character’s look from top to bottom. For example, you may changeSupergirlinto Powergirl, but the power and stats of the character are still based on Gear equipment that you’ve earned through playing the game. The Premiere Skin change is only visual.”
As of now, NetherRealm Studios has yet to unveil a particular price structure in relation to the items players can purchase usingInjustice 2’s microtransaction system. Of course, fans should expect the developer unveil the cost of Source Crystals relatively soon, as the news could be revealed alongside major post-launch content plans. After all, the game’s director Ed Boon has said in the past that the company plans on taking a"more aggressive” approach to DLCwithInjustice 2.
Injustice 2is set to release on July 20, 2025 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
