According to the PlayStation Store and Xbox Marketplace, it appears that Assassin’s Creed III will have some form of in-game micro-transaction system where players can purchase items using real-world currency.
At one point both stores listed different amounts of “Erudito Credits” which could be purchased and then used in-game. The Microsoft listing has since been pulled, however, the Sony listing is still posted on the PlayStation Blog and reads:
- Assassin’s Creed III 155 Erudito Pack – ($4.99)
- Assassin’s Creed III 20 Erudito Pack – ($0.99)
- Assassin’s Creed III 380 Erudito Pack – ($9.99)
- Assassin’s Creed III 50 Erudito Pack – ($1.99)
- Assassin’s Creed III 925 Erudito Pack – ($19.99)
WorthPlaying captured a screenshot of the Xbox Marketplace listing before it was pulled, which mentions that the “Erudito Credits” are in-game and allow “you to acquire some game items, disregarding your current level”.
Ubisoft has not officially stated anything about the “Erudito Credits” system, but the pulled listing seems to indicate that it will be for Assassin’s Creed III‘s multiplayer. If this is the case, Eurogamer speculates that it will be something similar to Mass Effect 3‘s weapon and character upgrades that could be unlocked by either spending real-world money or by virtual currency earned in-game.
In the past Ubisoft has expressed a desire to insert the free-to-play model into their $60 retail games. Given those statements, it is reasonable to conclude that the “Erudito Credits” system is their first attempt towards that goal.
Once Ubisoft officially announces what the “Erudito Credits” system is, or when we find out by popping in our launch copies of Assassin’s Creed III tomorrow, we will let you know.