‘SMITE’ Xbox One Players Can Bring Over PC Version Progress
SMITE players on the PC have already invested hours and money into the free-to-play MOBA. With the Xbox One beta for the game right around the corner, it’s time for some details starting with how existing PC players will be treated.
The economy in SMITE is similar to that of other leading MOBAs such as League of Legends and Dota 2. There’s a rotating collection of free characters that players can use, but they can also purchase characters, skins, and other items to play with using in-game currency called gems purchased with real money. These can also be unlocked through play. Developer Hi-Rez Studios recognizes that existing PC players likely do not want to start all over.
“The answer [to your question about having to repurchase content] may vary by territory,” Hi-Rez Chief Operating Offcer told IGN. “Within North America and Europe — the markets we self publish in — we are going to work with Microsoft to have some path for previous playtime and purchases to carry over on a one-time basis. Players can opt in on that. More details are to be determined, but they will not be starting from scratch.”
So, you’ll be able to carry over all your character from the PC version of SMITE to the Xbox One. However, it sounds like your account can then go in different directions on both platforms. This is not all that dissimilar from what Rockstar Games did with players transferring their characters from Grand Theft Auto V on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to GTA V on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
For those unfamiliar with SMITE, the premise is similar to leading MOBAs such as Dota 2 and League of Legends. The game features multiple pantheons of gods and deities based on Norse, Greek, Chinese, Egyptian, Roman, and Mayan mythologies, as well as the Hindu religion.
The primary difference between SMITE and competing MOBAs is also the reason the game will work on consoles. It utilizes a third-person, over the shoulder camera versus the top-down camera in Dota 2 and League of Legends. It is heavy on the action, and already set up to support Xbox controllers on the PC. I can’t necessarily advise using the controller during a competitive PC match, however.
Hi-Rez is hosting the SMITE World Championship from Friday, January 9 to Sunday, January 12 at the Cobb Performance Center in Atlanta, GA. Hi-Rez Studios crowd-sourced the prize pool for the tournament, and it currently stands at $2.55 million. That’s larger than the $2 million League of Legends tournament. Standard tickets are still available for the event, or you can purchase a digital pass to watch via Twitch. Those that are able to attend will be able to try out SMITE on the Xbox One.
[Images via SMITE, Video via IGN]
