Guild Wars 2's microtransaction system won't "upset or alienate" the player base

ArenaNet president Mike O'Brien has said Guild Wars 2 wasn't offered as a straight free-to-play title due to being a high quality MMO, not "the lowest cost MMO."

Speaking with VentureBeat, O'Brien said Guild Wars 2's quality is what will set the game apart from other subscription-free MMOs, and microtransactions won't "upset or alienate," the player base.

"We're really focused on creating the highest-quality MMO, not the lowest-cost MMO," he said. "I think Guild Wars 2 is one of the best values in gaming, period. Where else can you get this many hours of enjoyment, of content, of polish, of replayability, for $60?

"Creating a microtransaction system that doesn't upset or alienate your player base is straightforward, once you clearly define what's in-bounds and what's out-of-bounds."

O'Brien said the team wanted to be transparent with players regarding all microtransactions, reiterating that items in the store will be only "non-essential additions to the game and convenience services."

The MMO will also offer its own RMT system in order to let players trade with one another, which takes the "power away" from those who would "lie, cheat, and steal to make that profit."

You can read the entire interview through the link.

GW2 is out sometime this year.