Assassin's Creed Syndicate, like its predecessor, will have microtransactions. According to game director Francois Pelland, these paid options will be used for players to "save time and accelerate progress."
"The model for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is quite similar to Black Flag, allowing players who do not have time to fully explore our huge game world to still be able to eventually acquire the game’s most powerful gear as well as other items," he told IGN, assuring players that all of the game's content will still be available without paying anything additional. "The game has been balanced such that microtransactions are 100% optional," he assured.
The kneejerk reaction is to call Ubisoft greedy MF-ers, but I honestly don't have a problem with it. If Assassin's Creed Syndicate is truly balanced, then I don't have a problem with a completely optional system for those who are willing to pay to save a little time. While back in the day this sort of thing would be accomplished through a free "cheat code," it's 2015 now, and times have changed. I don't like it, but I don't have a problem with it either — as long as it really is balanced.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate will also have a Season Pass because video games. It will include a Jack the Ripper campaign, a few extra missions, and two "top-tier" sets of gear and weapons.
