Microtransactions Added to Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

In a move that has surprised many, but was foreseen by some, paid microtransactions have been added to Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled post-launch for the cosmetic storefront.

In a blog post from Activision, the company gave a brief explanation and justification for the new addition of microtransactions to the game’s progression system by saying:

As always, the Pit Stop will be stocked with new and returning characters and cosmetic items, which players can unlock using Wumpa Coins*. With all this content available, there will also now be a way for players to fast-track their Wumpa Coin collection if they like. Starting in early August, players will have the option to purchase Wumpa Coin bundles from their game console stores to supplement the Coins they earn by playing. This option won’t change the game’s core mechanics – players will still earn Wumpa Coins by playing the game in any mode, just as before. They will just able to purchase additional coins if they choose.

For those who were not aware, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled has been out for many weeks now, and up until now had a cosmetic reward system to unlock costumes, kart styles and the like using in-game cash. Players will still be able to earn and use in-game currency the traditional way, but with the added option of paying additional real-world money to unlock things faster. Many have already begun vocalizing their disgust and annoyance at this bizarre (though not unprecedented) move on Activision’s part to add microtransactions post-launch.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a remake of the original PS1 game Crash Team Racing, and released back in June to acclaim from critics and cheering from fans. The decision to very casually drop this kind of system into a game that did not previously have them, and which had already garnered so much praise for not doing so from certain fans seems like a move that will only give Activision the kind of attention that they don’t want, considering the growing stigma surrounding microtransactions, especially in full-priced big-budget games.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is available now for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.