‘Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3’ Microtransactions Arrive, Can Be Used For Supply Drops

An update to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 brings microtransactions to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC shooter. Activision and Treyarch have added Call of Duty Points to the mix that lets players spend real-world money on cosmetic items along with Supply Drops in multiplayer and vials in Zombies.

The microtransactions are part of the new Black Ops 3 Black Market feature that allows players to purchase Supply Drops to receive in-game items of different rarity, such as weapon skins, calling cards, and taunts. Supply Drops are purchased with Cryptokeys, which can be earned by competing in multiplayer matches. For example, Rare Supply Drops guarantee at least one Rare item and cost 30 Cryptokeys.

Meanwhile, Zombies players earn vials of Liquid Divinium from in-game play. These vials can be traded in for cosmetic items along with Gobblegum, which give various perks and boost depending on the flavor.

The new microtransactions will allow Black Ops 3 players to skip some of the playtime needed to earn Cryptokeys and Vials by via the new Call of Duty Points currency.

“The entire range of new items can be obtained by simply playing the game and trading the Cryptokeys you earn for Supply Drops in the Black Market,” Activision Communications Manager Scott Lowe announced. “However, for fans that want to secure additional Supply Drops in multiplayer or Vials of Liquid Divinium in zombies, we’re introducing Call of Duty Points—a new optional virtual currency for players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.”

Lowe then detailed how microtransactions can be used to get an in-game boost.

“Fans can purchase Call of Duty Points and use them to acquire Rare Supply Drops in Black Ops 3,” he explained.

“For zombies fans, Call of Duty Points can also be used to purchase Vials of Liquid Divinium otherwise earned by playing Shadows of Evil or The Giant Bonus Map, which can be used to create Gobblegums in Dr. Monty’s Factory and aid in the fight against the undead hordes,” Lowe continued. “Items contained in Supply Drops and Gobblegums remain the same, regardless of whether they’re unlocked with Cryptokeys, Vials of Liquid Divinium, or Call of Duty Points.”

Call of Duty Points can also be used to purchase other in-game content, such as the Extra Slots pack.

Interestingly, the pricing structure for the Call of Duty Points on sale on the Xbox Store is similar to the Silver currency introduced earlier this fall to Destiny. The points do not appear to be up on the PlayStation Store and Steam at the time of this article. The breakdown is as follows.

• 200 Call of Duty Points — $1.99
• 1,000 (+100 bonus) Call of Duty Points — $9.99
• 2,000 (+400 Bonus) Call of Duty Points — $19.99
• 4,000 (+1,000 bonus) Call of Duty Points — $39.99

Microtransactions in a Call of Duty game are not exactly new. Advanced Warfare and even Black Ops 2 featured them with the ability to purchase weapon skins, such as the infamous “Bacon” weapon skin. This is the first time that a store has been built into the game, however, with multiple currency systems.

In many ways, the Black Ops 3 Black Market is similar to the Halo 5: Guardians REQ Packs. The primary difference though is that the Xbox One-exclusive shooter is using the microtransaction system to support free post-release content including new maps and modes. Meanwhile, Black Ops 3 is using microtransactions on top of $15 paid DLC map packs and a $50 Season Pass.

What do you think of the introduction of Call of Duty Points to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3? Sound off in the comments below.

[Image via Call Of Duty]