'Call of Duty: Black Ops 3' news: microtransactions now available

"Call of Duty: Black Ops 3" has officially launched a new system that fans of the franchise may either love or hate depending on their stand on microtransactions. Introducing "Call of Duty Points," the in-game currency can be used to acquire supply drops and other in-game items.

"For fans that want to secure additional Supply Drops in multiplayer or Vials of Liquid Divinium in zombies," reads the official announcement, "we're introducing Call of Duty Points—a new optional virtual currency for players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC."

It is important to note that the in-game currency does not grant players better equipment or drops but just speeds the process in acquiring said drops. This is instead of having to attain Cryptokeys or other pre-requisites to unlock them. All of the items that can be purchased with microtransactions can be attained by simply playing the game.

Players who log in now will find 200 Call of Duty Points given for free. These can be used right away and are meant as a means of introducing and advertising the new in-game currency to the players. 

Here is a list of items that can be purchased with "Call of Duty" Points in the regular multiplayer mode:

  • Butterfly Knife
  • Brass Knuckles
  • Taunts
  • Body and head variants for each Specialist
  • Epic rarity camo
  • A "wealth" of new Calling Cards
  • Extra Slot Packs

Here is a list of items that can be purchased with "Call of Duty" Points in the Zombie mode:

  • Vials of Liquid Divinium
  • Extra Slot Packs

According to a report from Games Radar, it is interesting to note that the virtual currency is referred to as "Call of Duty" Points instead of something more specific for the "Black Ops 3" universe. This may be a hint that future "Call of Duty" games will use the same virtual currency.

It is also interesting to note that this new microtransaction system for "Black Ops 3" launched almost simultaneously with the microtransaction system in "Destiny," another game from publisher Activision.