I'll start, even though it's more like a rant than an answer.
After boycotting Fortnite over celebrating women's day, I've just been going from game to game through Game Pass, not really finding anything that holds my attention. I tried PUBG, but it doesn't feel the same. I saw F1 22 is coming out, hopefully someone trades theirs in fast so I can get it without funding EA.
I watched State of Play, just to see how the other side of the "console war" lives. What a waste of time that was, a fucking cat simulator? GT7 got three new cars, but none of them are very interesting. Still, it's a little tempting to get a PS4 just to try it.
12 June is Microsoft's Definitely Not E3™ show. Anyone else watching it? I'm expecting FH5's first expansion and Forza Motorsport 2021 2022 2023? to finally get a release date.
Paradox DLC is basically as monetized as you get without microtransactions.
Their current model is to launch a game, and then ~7-10 20 buck DLCs, with supporting 7 buck content packs that are associated with them, and 10 buck 'flavor packs' that bridge between the major DLCs-- all of which launch in parallel with a free patch that supports the system changes in the DLC.
It's cancer, but it funds their studio's continuous development.
You get things like this: CK II.
The game itself is free, but the 'full experience' will run you 300 dollars, and buying in after the game has launched requires a strategy guide for which DLC you need to buy and which are optional.
That's confusing just to think about. EA would be proud of that level of mindfuckery to get extra money.
Can't imagine there's many new players then, really.