IO Interactive’s Next Game May Have In-Game Transactions

IO Interactive has been in hot waters recently, with no game releases this year and none scheduled for the next two. The studio has also posted losses for two consecutive years. But the Danish studio is optimistic about the future and bets on its next two releases, Project 007 and Project Dragon.

Of the two projects, Project Dragon is said to be an MMORPG with “an ambitious connected world”, as described by the studio. Now it appears that IO Interactive might be looking to include microtransactions in the game, as suggested by the latest job listing posted by the studio.

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS 

• IO Interactive is looking to hire a Monetization Designer for their upcoming multiplayer game, possibly Project Dragon.
• Project Dragon is an MMORPG being developed by the studio.
• This is a first for the studio, as none of their previous titles have in-game microtransactions.
• Recently the studio has been in hot waters after posting losses for two consecutive years.
• Project Dragon is not expected to be released before 2025.

The job listing is for the position of Monetization Designer. According to the job description, the Monetization Designer must work on a monetization strategy with the game development team, establish principles for it, and also “design features” for it.

The Monetization Designer must also work “with the team to execute those ideas” and be available for “day-to-day” contact over any monetization-related issue. They must also keep an eye on “monetization KPIs.”

Even though IO Interactive does not make any reference to Project Dragon, it is speculated that the job listing is for Project Dragon. And that is not without foundation. Project Dragon is an MMORPG, something unprecedented for IO Interactive and it can be deemed as “a new journey” for the studio.

The studio also thinks this project will “shape” the studio’s future for years to come. It is the same as the studio’s intention to keep supporting and updating Project Dragon for “10 years” as revealed by Jez Corden, a well-known industry insider.

IO Interactive’s job listing described the project as follows,

IO Interactive is embarking on a new journey – into the world of emergent multi-player on a unique unannounced project that we believe will shape the future for years to come of both our studio and the relationships we’ve built with our players.
When it comes to designing this new console project, we are seeking a game designer with experience in designing the monetization system. “

IO Interactive has never included microtransactions in its games. The lack of it is often valued and thought highly of by the gaming world. So this is a first for the studio, and it seems like its hand has been forced by the increasing financial vows.

Project Dragon is one of the studio’s two projects currently in development, the other is known as Project 007. Project Dragon and Project 007 are not expected to be released before 2025.

What do you think is the reason behind IO Interactive’s apparent decision to include in-game microtransactions? Discuss in the comments below.