Is it normal to have "microtransactions" in $60 AAA games?

[Ruler]

Tachikoma said:

Ruler said:

wrong, the installbase got bigger, they get more money than ever. What changed is the high demand from stock holders to raise profits. These gaming companies sold all their shares to them instead to remain independent 

Unfortunately, reality doesnt support this claim.
Gran turismo 1, 3 and 4 all sold more than 5 and 6, various early marios all sold more than the latest marios, same for pokemon titles and various other major franchises.

The reality is simply that while sales have remained more or less the same, production costs have skyroceted, thus profits are down.

And thus, other avenues of revenue are being explored/implamented.

where do you know production costs have sky rocket? It could be the same if you count inflation.

All the games you have listed were first party exclusives by the way, you compare wiiu mario vs super nitendo mario and ps3 gran turismo vs ps2 gran turismo. Those games came out in completly different time and market condition for their platforms