It's no more intrusive than it was last generation. Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf has had microtransactions for player upgrades for years now. It is more prevalent, just because it's in a higher percentage of games now. This is mostly due to the fact that the library is so small, but it is an increasing trend in the industry at large.
I've played through a few hours of Forza, and I haven't felt like the microtransactions are intrusive or gross. I've never had a pop-up saying "Hey, why don't you plop down some real cash on some credzzzzz?" like a lot of mobile games will do. My gameplay has not been gated by the choice of waiting real time or paying money. That's when microtransactions are intrusive and actually disrupt game experience. In Forza, it's an option, it's there, and it's probably too expensive for what they're offering. However, I most likely will not spend any more money than I did for the disc and will be fine. (I am admittedly a very casual Forza player.)
Assassins Creed IV also has a few dumb microtransactions, like paying to have every collectable revealed on the map (which kind of removes the fun of climbing the towers). That option was advertised on the main menu of the game last time I logged in. I played through 20 hours of that game, and once again, thoroughly enjoyed it without spending an extra penny.
Honestly, I just do not get the outrage at just the mere presence of microtransactions anywhere. I personally think they are pretty dumb, and I've never spent money on them because I do not think they are worth it, unless it's a piece of DLC that I feel adds value to the game experience. That's it! The only way a game like Forza or Assassins Creed or Tiger Woods or any game can "bleed you dry" is if you opt into paying for those add-ons. If the base experience doesn't seem worth it, then don't buy that game, plain and simple.
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