A microtransaction is a small purchase made inside a game. It may use real money directly or a paid in-game currency.
What players buy
Microtransactions can include skins, emotes, currency, character slots, boosts, cosmetics, battle passes, loot boxes, convenience items, or extra content.
Why the term matters
Players often judge microtransactions by fairness. Cosmetic purchases are usually accepted more easily than purchases that give competitive advantages.
Microtransactions are common in free-to-play games, mobile games, live-service games, and some full-price games with ongoing content.