It looks like the next installment into the Gears of War series will offer up microtransactions, but fear not, they are completely optional. Players will be able to purchase and download crates that will contain cards that will offer different levels of rare items, and will also change cosmetic things in the game. All this was revealed in an interview with GameSpot, where Rod Fergusson talked about the microtransactions and how they won’t really affect the gameplay itself. He explained in the interview why they chose to go with cards:

“I feel like that paradigm of cards is really clear to understand for collectibles, like the ability to collect things. We had weapon skins and character skins, so that idea of collecting cards is just easily understood. It felt like it added some engagement in terms of its not the, ‘Oh, I like Tiger Stripe. I bought Tiger Stripe. I’m done. I don’t need to engage with that system anymore. There’s no need for me to hang around.’ I like the idea of why you buy Magic: The Gathering booster packs… If I could just buy the one card I want then I’m out, then you lose it, right?”

Gears of War 3 had in-game purchases as well, so it’s not too new of a concept to the Gears series.

Gears of War 4 is set to release later this year for the Xbox One in October. But if you just can’t wait that long, the beta for multiplayer in the game starts on April 18, just next week. But to access it for that date, you would have had to play Gears of War Ultimate Edition for the Xbox One or PC before April 11.