Microtransaction Engine - Activisions' new patent

[665b1e9e12ddefox]

Apparently Activision recently won a new patent for a match-making algorithm called "Microtransaction Engine". It's meant to drive online-gamers toward purchasing ingame-items by intentionally pairing them unfairly against other players with better gear. Thought that's, uh, interesting.
 
Just one of many article that are available on the topic:

PCGamer: "Activision wins patent that uses matchmaking to make you want to buy stuff"
http://www.pcgamer.com/activision-wins-patent-that-uses-matchmaking-to-make-you-want-to-buy-stuff/

Maybe they'd have been better off not patenting that kind of crap (and making it public in the process). Would be kinda funny if their greed turns against them in the end.

[665b1e9e130a8Marvin]

You can bet your ass similar things have already been attempted or implemented without anyone's knowledge. Diablo 3 and its auction house is a perfect example, although they changed it with the newer patches and addons. Now it's just a merciless skinner box.

[665b1e9e1344dfox]

You can bet your ass similar things have already been attempted or implemented without anyone's knowledge. Diablo 3 and its auction house is a perfect example, although they changed it with the newer patches and addons. Now it's just a merciless skinner box.

Yeah, I'd be surprised if nobody didn't. As I said, maybe it's a good thing that they made the rest of the world aware now.