When we think about microtransactions, we often think about being nickled and dimed for content that should be in a game from the get go. However, Ubisoft game director on Assassin Creed IV: Black Flag’s multiplayer has a different point of view.

During Ubisoft’s GDC conference, Damien Kieken explained how involving microtransactions in ACIV’s multiplayer has allowed the studio to deliver additional multiplayer maps for free.

“Just quick notes here for example in our case,” he said. “We are offering all of our maps… so all of the AC maps are free in AC4. The main reason is we don’t want to split the community. We don’t want to have players saying, ‘I have the DLC, so I’m only playing with the guys who have the DLC, my buddy doesn’t have the DLC, so he can’t play with me.’ It doesn’t make any sense.”

Kieken believes that money is better spent elsewhere in order to keep the AC community playing the same content together.

“For us, because we want all of them to enjoy the game together, to keep playing together, to be happy together, and to spend money on the costume and other things.”

Ubisoft detailed that they saw an increase in revenue due to offering free maps alongside microtransactions, surprisingly. Though many devs are opting to introduce microtransaction into their games today, it appears that Ubisoft is among the few to give other content, like maps, for free because of it.

What do you think? Is this a sound approach to microstransactions and free DLC?

Assassin’s Creed Unity was recently announced alongside an in-game teaser video. No multiplayer details have surfaced, but we do know it’s coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Source: XboxAchievements.