In Black Desert Online (PC) there is a new camping feature where you can set up a tent. However, there is also an expensive cash shop version that promises exclusive bonuses. This is clearly pay-to-win for many Black Desert players.
Those who wanted to repair items or claim buffs from their villa invitations in Black Desert Online had to visit a blacksmith or the corresponding villa. But now there is the option to set up a tent and perform repairs right in the field.
This is great in itself, but those who buy the expensive real-money version instead of the in-game money tent will likely gain significant gameplay advantages.
Almost as expensive as a real tent!
The tent from the cash shop of Black Desert costs a whopping 50 US dollars. According to a Reddit user, you can buy a decent tent in real life with that. However, the elite tent is not only expensive, but also seems to offer a lot.
The benefits of the real-money tent include:
- Immediate access to villa buffs to which you are registered (you still need to renew access every 7 days). The normal tent does not offer this option.
- A buff of +10 percent on skill experience points for 60 minutes. The normal tent only provides a 20-minute buff.
- You do not need to regularly restock the blacksmith and the shop. The normal tent is “empty” at some point and needs to be renewed at a high cost.
- The repair costs for items at the tent repair station are significantly lower. For the normal tent, they are ten times the shop price at the blacksmith.
Community angry: “This is pay-to-win!”
The cash shop tent offers a plethora of advantages for 50 dollars. This angers the community for multiple reasons:
- Most players agree that the tent is way too expensive. Even many who think it’s fine consider it overpriced.
- Many gamers see the significant gameplay advantages, especially the villa buff and the longer XP bonus, as a clear edge over players who do not spend real money. Therefore, to them, the tent is pay-to-win.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising in several Reddit threads and in the official forum. Some players are upset about pay-to-win, while others complain that they are not used to anything else from Black Desert.
After all, there have been accusations of pay-to-win in the past, including regarding stealth suits and underwear with gameplay value.
In Black Desert, the dress code is relaxed and you can customize outfits yourself.
