REPO developer semiwork is preparing another chunky update for the hit co-op horror game, answering an old and loud fan request with a fleet of cosmetics that will be proudly microtransaction-free.
"For this upcoming update, we are going to be adding cosmetics to REPO," semiwork explains in a new video "leaking" the next update, before swiftly adding that "we are very keen on making it a good and fun system that makes sense inside the REPO universe and the game design."
The studio touches on what I'd call an unavoidable conflict with buyable cosmetics in paid games: even if you can get them for free by playing, cash shops can leave an irrevocable touch of decay on design sensibilities, planting seeds of doubt in players. Was this decision fun-first or money-first? Updates don't pay for themselves, I realize, and all games are different. But sometimes this kind of thing is an ugly little smudge that can only be scrubbed off for $4.99. That, or at least a missed opportunity to make rewards feel rewarding.
"We don't just want to have a simple menu where you buy stuff with some in-game currency," semiwork stresses. "No, we want to make the hunt for cosmetics exciting and a natural part of the gameplay experience.
"If you happen to love microtransactions, I'm going to disappoint you deeply because these cosmetics will be unlocked simply by playing the game and having fun. There will be no microtransactions. Nothing, I tell you, nothing. Not a single little microtransaction."
Semiwork said just last month that it would be going dark for a bit after a "crazy" October preceding its big monster update, but teased an imminent return. That didn't take long, huh?
