Moonbreaker (opens in new tab), the next project from Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds, received its first content patch today. In response to community feedback, Unknown Worlds has "completely overhauled the business model" of the game, removing all monetization and in-game purchases.

"Based on your continued feedback, we are recalibrating Moonbreaker to better reflect our Early Access goals," the patch notes (opens in new tab) read, and also completely disabled the in-game store, allowing the purchase of It adds that players who have purchased Pulsar, the currency, will have their purchases automatically refunded to their Steam wallets. They also added that players who have purchased Pulsar, a purchasable in-game currency, will have their purchases automatically refunded from their Steam wallets. Blanks and merits are converted into a currency called Sparks, which can be used to upgrade the rarity of units (which itself is only an appearance effect).

Booster boxes, a purchasable item that unlocks more miniatures, will also be gone forever. Units will be automatically unlocked in the base game of Moonbreaker, as well as any units added as part of a new season.

Frankly, even if I am not opposed to in-game purchases, I feel that the new system would greatly reduce the number of things to grasp. Whether or not you buy with real cash, I can't help but think that one easy-to-understand currency would be better than a system with three different currencies for different uses.

Moonbreaker's Founder's Pack DLC (opens in new tab) - a bundle of skins and currency available for real money - will not go away, but the Pulsar component will be replaced. Instead of Pulsar, buyers will get additional skins for Zax and Slopper, and if those who have already purchased the Founder's Pack are not satisfied with it, Unknown Worlds will provide refunds upon request.

As to why the developers are making such a drastic change, Unknown Worlds says that Early Access is "a time to experiment and improve the game" and that currently "monetization in its current form was affecting that goal. It's quite a decision: wiping out basically every game that was supposed to generate ongoing revenue is not a decision that can be made lightly. I hope it turns out well for players and developers alike.