Bonus Mission Pack Availability

Regarding the currency conversions, it strikes me odd that one is required to spend more in EUR/pound sterling than in dollars to be able to receive the bonus mission pack: Using current rates 26€ is about 35 dollars and 17 pounds is apprx. 34 dollars. I'd like to some light be shed on this discrepancy (not to say discmination :P).

Gaile, will SMS payment service be available worldwide or only at specific countries? If it's the second option, do you have any data about Poland?

Well I just got as Visa gift card today; then I bought 3 toon slots and bought the GTY Prophecies upgrade which ran about $37 U.S. and something. So my question has to do with the bonus mission key. Of course when I looked through the “Key” page it showed nothing in terms of this “bonus mission pack.” When does it come in? Is it when EotN becomes available or the day when it actually comes out?

as the announcement says, its available in november. a couple months after GWEN comes out.

Does not actually say when the “key” will become available to your account though. Not the activation of the key to play it, but the key itself. Remember how the Nightfall bonus pack allowed you to add the key before hand and when Nightfall came out the bonus stuff, became available? However the key showed up in the “key” window, between the time before and after Nightfall came out.

It's been a while, but last time i bought somethign from the online store, it automatically was attached to the account ( i didnt' need to put in a key). So it could be that it has recorded your purchase, and when the time comes, your account will have access to the missions. That's just a poorly educted guess though.

Yeah I know, but nothing showed up to the “key” window that showed “Mission Pack” (November 1-30 2007); after I bought that stuff. That’s why I am wondering when the key will come in. This is what Gaile said earlier:

However that seems a little fuzzy when the actual “key” itself will become available.

Gaile is talking about the keys to GWEN, not the bonus packs.

I suspect the keys to the bonus packs won't even be released until Nov 1 - 30, when they are done, to limit any possible exploits (people logging into Missions before they are complete).

It would be nice to show you are at least elgible for the Mission Bonus Packs, however.

Yeah I know, but I was thinking in terms of the idea, "will they be up and available during this time? " However I really doubt anyone is going to hack into the primal database and steal the missions for any genuine purpose. I mean the only thing the key provides is a type of safety net, to those who purchased or received an actual code (kind of like a receipt). Though they could be keeping track of the system in another way, but to me all the key gives is reinsurance that I did get it for the near future.

I have a question.

I have never bought anything on the in-game shop, and I think I'll take the GWEN in that shop, but only if I get a real box with a book, like I'll get in a ordinary shop.

Because, you seem to be talking only about keys, I want a physical product, with cd or dvd, and booklet. Can I get it on the in-game shop?

If the answer is no, then the products in the shop are cheaper than in any other shop?

Because, you are getting less things for the same money in that case.

Thanks a lot!!

I don't know if someone have mentioned this before but I think the best way is giving us the bonus mission if we preorder GWEN or have one of those 5 bucks bonus pack thing that come with the previous NF preorder or give us the bonus content if we have both GWEN preorder+ retail key.

No

You buy just the key code in the ingame store and its added directly to your account and as a bonus you get the Bonus Missions for doing it

You buy the box set in a retail outlet and you get the box, manual, freinds key and other crap... you add the key to your account yourself and you DO NOT get access to the bonus mission pack

Hope that helps

Helps a lot, thanks LoneSamurai.

I'll have to ponder the options.

no worries and the manual will be available as a .pdf download as the others are anyway and Gaile has already confirmed that the preorder pack will be available from the ingame store aswell, so your choices ar:

Ingame store and have bonus missions (and 100% goes to NCSoft/ANet)

Retailer and have box, manual and other gumph (and maybe a touch cheaper)

You are right, after a bit thinking, just 1 sec and 1 neuron (my whole capacity :P), I reached the same conclusion.

I was thinking of getting a physical game with a box, that I will only open once to get the key, a pair of CD's or a DVD's that I will never use, and the manual that I usually only look at the first time to see the pictures...

I prefer getting the mission pack.

Aye and remember the Nightfall manual being outdated days before release?!?! Changeable profession hero? oops

Sparks = "WHEN DO I GET MY MASK"


I like the idea of buying gwen via online aswell as receiving for FREE this sweat extra mission gear. I would love and would glady pay to see somthing for Orr.Cant wait to see how gwen survives the searing and beeing in sales I take my hat off to Anet for this cleaver market stratergy.

The price for buying online should al least be less expensive than in the stores: no box, no cd, no map, no manual, no transport to the stores and NO commission for the retailers! In my opinion this is not honest business, just like the uncorrect conversion rates.
This is only a way of ANet to cut out the retailers and to gain more money and they 'motivate' us with this bonus pack. It's a shame!

A bigger shame would GW going under because of lack of funds... Remember Guild Wars is a free game, no monthly fee's.

That's an interesting point...

I'm not sure who sets the retail: Anet or NCSoft. Does anyone know?

Then there are issues of selling it less than your retailer outlets:

As much as I'd love for Gamestop to become obsolete, it's not going to happen this year. Anet/NCSoft can't afford to piss off major retailers totally, or they risk losing them.

I suspect a bonus pack is the best they can do!

That said, who would you rather your $40 go to: Anet/NCSoft directly, or Gamestop?!?

Last I checked, Gamestop wasn't making any games....

Any chance of this bonus pack being for sale in a place else than the internet? Me having no creditcard or something like that, cannot buy stuff over the Internet.

Also, having 2 accounts means I have to buy something worth 20 dollars or more TWICE? Please just make this available in the real store in town, so I can buy, too.

yes, its NCSoft

And i'd rather NCSoft/ANet had my money straight off... after quitting from GAME I don't want to give them my money to pay monkeys to work in their stores

Personally I think its wrong that Guild Wars content is being withheld from anyone that doesnt spend money in their online store. Anet are built on the concept of free content and updates but now its free content IF you spend X amount in their store.

I'm a loyal customer, bought all their campaigns, including special editions and Collectors Editions, and I'll be buying GW:EN and GW2. But now I miss game content if I dont pour my money directly into their online store. Cant see how thats right.

Never before have I seen or heard of the idea that if purxhase a game online you deserve extra content that the other players do not deserve.

And please, stop making it sound like buying their game from retail shops is no longer good enough, and doesnt help Anet make enough money. They are no doubt rolling in cash and will be even more so when everyone buys GW:EN and GW2, whether its from Amazon, a GAME high street shop or their store. Think of other products, DVDS, music videos etc. You telling me the companies / artists behind those dont make enough cash because we buy their products from Woolworths? Remind me to feel sorry for Madonna. Get real.

Anet is maximising its profits by withholding content unless you spend your cash in their store and I think its a very bad way to do things and a bad direction for Anet to move in.

It is actually really funny that people complaining that something is not fare. Where are we living in? communism/socialism?... I guess not.
You can not blame company for trying to make a buck. They reward people who use their store, that is perfectly clear and understandable. So stop whining already. Life is not fare, not all people have CC, not all people have jobs, not all people can pay, not all people can play... boxed versions suck anyway, I always through away that box and crap that comes with it. So for all people who CAN, this is a great way to get GW:EN for $39 and free bonus mission and free pre-release bonus (as it counts toward full price of GW:EN anyhow). And with an implementation of SMS pay option it will be even easier to leave our money there :-)
For all kids here: be nice to parents and they will buy you whatever you want, but this is an equivalent of doing a hard work for some :-)

The only question for ANet would be if they make GW:EN online price less than in-store, but I give 99.99% that would never happen. Compare to any legit(!) online music retailer (i-Tunes, etc) as their price per track is even more than any comparative CD of same music.

And in addition, a lot of games give the player bonus in the game if they spend money, just remember ogame, and a lot of other web-based games.

I'm happy to buy from the online store, but I need something I want to buy.

I want my box and artwork for GWEN, so I'll be buying it retail, unless they decide to make purchases from the online store with shipping involved. i.e. I buy GWEN, but add a shipping address and they send me the boxed game direct...

Either that or add some things to the store that I actually want to buy in that time. I could buy the completely useless GOTY upgrade, and ANOTHER 3 character slots, but that's it. I already own all the other campaigns. Those things just don't appeal to me I'm afraid.

Instead of this "free" gimmick, Anet should simply have provided us with things we WANT to buy. Ironically, this gimmick IS something we want to buy, and sadly aren't being given the opportunity to.

The worst thing for me is the exchange rate, and having CC companies charge me for the exchange. Being in Australia the price is nearly doubled from what is displayed on the online store. Frankly, it's slightly ridiculous.

That aside, like I said, I'm happy to purchase things to get this bonus mission pack, as long as Anet provides me with things worth purchasing.

Of course, Anet had promised not to do this... (although the GOTY upgrade is pretty close... but then again, it's not like better weapons are not available for free).

That's why Anet is not selling the Bonus Missions directly - that's really close to the line of paying to play.

BUT giving the bonus content free with the purchase of other items: that's just a bonus for using the on-line store.

Remember, you are technically not "buying" the extra content.

You'd rather have a box than more content. That's your choice.

I'm not buying the game for the box. I'm paying Anet for content. More content for same price = no brainer for me.


EDIT: Just thought of an evil idea. Gamestop carries those stupid display boxes with the art on it. You can always snag one of those... (not that I condone such activity).

Gaile, if you are still reading this thread, may I ask if the following would be a viable solution that Arena Net could consider.....

I understand that you need to make a profit and also that selling GW:EN thru the online store is more profitable for you than selling thru retailers. Thus you're actively encouraging the sale from the online store by giving us a freebie. I also understand why you won't sell the mission pack in retail stores. The cost of packaging and shipping it would negate the profits.

However could you sell the mission pack in the online store for those of us who choose to buy GW:EN elsewhere? I don't know your numbers, but let's assume that for each copy of GW:EN sold in the online store nets you $35 in profit and each copy sold elsewhere nets you $29 in profit. Since you just lost $6 in profit from those of us buying retail, how about selling the mission pack to us for $7-$8.

I understand you not wanting to give us the pack free for buying retail, but this seems like a win-win solution for everyone.

So it appears i'm not the only North American who is having issues with foreign currency in the online store.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10175276

This player in Chicago is seeing the currency as Pounds instead of US$. So I'm a Canadian who is being obliged to pay in Euros, and the American is obliged to pay in British Pounds. What on earth is going on here?

This situation is loaded with problems.

A-net online store only accepts credit cards (or similar things with the credit card stamp). Credit cards charge a fee for converting currency. Firstly, the exchange you get is a "retail" exchange rate (so not the rate you see in any currency converter). Secondly, they add a fee for exchanging the currency, and the fee is based on the difference between the currencies - the bigger the difference, the bigger the fee. I'm going to have to pay some exchange fee regardless, but the fee (not the exchange rate) is larger for changing to euros than US$, because 1CAD=.95USD and 1CAD=.70Euros. Bigger difference, bigger fee. And the poor fellow in Chicago... he's being asked to pay a conversion fee on something that is available in his own currency to begin with!

A-Net wants us to shop in their store to increase their profits. Fine, there is not problem with that. Problems come into play when they charge more for their product than other retailers, don't provide any of the tangible materials, and attach additional expenses for the exchange that they don't even receive benefit from (CC fees).

If you want us to use the online store, don't make it painful to use the online store. I'm more than happy to use the online store, i just don't want to be subject to additional gouging for doing so. PLEASE let us select the currency of our preference, or at least have the currency reflect the "zone" or servers we play on. The PlayNC(your publisher) store can do it, I see absolutely NO reason why you can't.

ok so correct me if im wrong please...

the bonus mission pack is only available if you spend 29 dollars between july and october or whatever the months are.....but not beforehand and they cannot be purchased otherwise? herein lies my problem....i cant spend 29 dollars without buying 3 more character slots that will just remain empty...i have all my skills unlocked and all 3 campaigns aaaand goty upgrade....so ive spent around....40 dollars just to round it off.

will there be any backtracking on the account to see what may have been purchased at any time before or are people like me just kinda SoL?

if this question has been asked (which im sure it probably has) then i apologize ahead of time....havent had too much time today to scan through all the threads yet with work and all. ^_^

It's all a bit awkward really.

I can buy a physical copy of GWEN for about the same price as a key from the online store, with all the nice stuff that comes with a boxed copy - manual, box art and stuff.

Or, i can get the bonus missions by giving up the physical stuff.


Seems like there's really no way to satisfy the collector mentality with this release, other than buying a bunch of redundant extras from the online store and buying a boxed copy of GWEN elsewhere. I'm of the opinion that this isn't Anet's intention, but it's how things seem to be shaping up.

I don't think i'll be able to make a decision before i see whether these bonus missions are going to be worth bothering with, or whether they're going to be silly DoA-style hard mode nonsense that i'd play once for the almost-inevitable title grind and never touch again.


Just in case anyone from Anet wants to know my opinion in more detail:

1) DoA-Style Hard Mode silliness with title grind and matching skillset = instant turn off. Assume i'm not interested in any of the following products which are going to be like that.

2) If i could buy a boxed edition from the online store, i would be straight there. It's a shame for some genuinely good retailers, but overall i'd rather send my money to Anet than any of the big game retail chains. I appreciate that this is unlikely, because the reason you've opened an online store is probably to avoid all of the publisher and distribution related stuff.

3) If i could buy the box edition of GWEN elsewhere, and had something worthwhile to spend money on in the online shop to qualify for the bonus missions, i would do that. (WTB complete set of GW models in .obj/.tga format for fanart: £30 whisp)

4) If i could buy the key-only version in the online shop, and could get a digital high-resolution copy of box art with that, i would be very, very tempted, because i'd like to give as large a cut of the profit to Anet as i can.

5) Because there's nothing else in the online store that i would find useful at the moment, it appears that you're asking me to give up all the physical niceness of owning a hard copy of GWEN, and in exchange will give me these bonus missions.

I'll only be happy with the online key-only version if these bonus missions are more attractive than the box art and general niceness of owning a hard copy. DoA style Hard Mode silliness isn't going to cut it - they're going to need to be very good indeed for that swap to be worth considering.

6) I think the biggest hurdle you're going to face with digital distribution among your userbase - payment methods and username stuff aside - is going to be satisfying those with a collector mentality.


I wonder how long i can leave a decision before i damage my chances of pre-order type stuff? Maybe i should try to buy a physical pre-order pack (I'm not sure if these even exist? I seem to have missed confirmation/denial, sorry), and then sit on the decision until later, so i can keep as many options as i can open.

This is all really quite awkward.

You can always buy GWEN.

Guildwars.com says between July 5 and Oct. 31, which leads me to believe it won't be retroactive (again, GWEN).

I can only guess at Anet's intention, but I assume they mean to drive traffic to the online store. That is why the Bonus Mission Pack will not be available at retail outlets.

However, I suspect the Pack would be sold separately in the online store after the promotion ends. (after all, they already made the content, why not milk it?)


The pre-release has not even been officially announced yet (I know Gaile's confirmed it, I'm talking about on Guildwars.com), so you still have time to make up your mind.

Honestly, we don't know if Eye of the North will even have a manual. Hell, they could include the manual with the official guide (assuming they make one).

The great thing about ordering from the Guild Wars online store is it's always an option: They won't run out of stock, and you can buy it whenever you like.

I am not bothered at all by NCSoft cutting out the distributor and the retailer. I have no love of middle men.

I am a little bit annoyed that NCSoft isn't passing on any of the savings from cutting out the middle men to us customers. Though, for a bonus pack, I might be able to get over that...

The thing that prevents me from even considering buying through the online store is the fact that the online store permanently locks your login. This is a gigantic, inexcusable, unforgivable security hole. And I simply will not use the store until it is fixed.

You mean your email address, correct?

You can at least change your password (and use different passwords for the Online Store and the Guild Wars game).

There is a huge debunkle with the system once you visit the online store once.

Changing account information (more specifically password) is a nightmare after you link your game with PlayNC especially if you forgot your information and such you put in through PlayNC to open the online store, like I did.

And with support being less than helpful...I'm pretty much stuck with the same password forever in guild wars.

What i really dont like is that the conversion rates are wrong, roughly its like this
$2=£1
$1.5=€1

yet the pound and euro are being screwed over, no reason either,not like theres a need for the extra.

delivery, no its online

so why is this?


BTW really looking forward to sms buying
-as no credit card means no online shop i can buy items there

Does this mean that there is no confirmation of additional products to be added to the official online store between now and October 31st?

You guys. Think it over.

Think real hard.

Did those brain cells pop yet?

There are quite a few reasons they might have to justify an online purchase.

1. Avoid design issues. For example, they wont have to make a new game box and they wont have to manufacture those saving valuable time and money.
2. Putting the mission pack into production could take a long time and thus we get less mission packs a year and Arena-Net gets less profit per sale.
3. The store is the fastest way to distribute stuff. No box, No retailers to deal with. More profit for them, Faster delivery for you.

One reason many companies are turned off from doing such things is due to all the manufacturing required in making the boxes and then selling them. This way valuable time is saved and in the end, we get more stuff. Sure A knights of the nine thing with guildwars mission packs at one point would be a good thing to do at one point but right now, they don't have enough items to justify a boxed item.

Yes, it locks the e-mail you use for your GW login, not your GW password.

Although all of this has been gone over at some length in other threads, I'll repeat briefly why tying your GW account to your NCSoft account and locking your GW login are so bad:

1. You can't change it if it becomes compromised. Hypothetically speaking, let's say you were unwise enough to use your login e-mail as your e-mail when you signed up here at GWGurur, and let's say that GWGuru announced tomorrow that it had been hacked and everyone's e-mail had been stolen. You'd want to change your login, right? You can't. Hypothetically speaking, let's say sweet old Grandma got a virus on her computer that harvested her address book for a spam list - not only are you getting tons of spam thanks to Granny, but your e-mail address is now sold to anyone at all for fractions of a penny. You might be concerned that account thieves might purchase it. You might want to change your login, right? You can't. Hypothetically speaking, let's say that you knew for a fact that a thief knows your login and is running a brute force attack on the password right now. You'd want to change your login right away, wouldn't you? You can't.

2. Every additional place your GW account information is stored is just one more place for a thief to try to obtain your account info. Every additional place that info is stored makes a thief's odds that much better. I don't know exactly how securely the NCSoft database keeps your GW account info, but I do know for sure that it is less secure than if that info wasn't there at all.

3. The NCSoft site, which you must use for changing your GW password, uses a reduced character set. It's impossible to make a "strong" password using it. This puts users with strong GW passwords in a dilemma -- use a new, but weak password, or use a stale, but strong password. Neither option is a good one.

4. Remembering your login info for your NCSoft account, so you can get in to change your GW password is a pain in the ass. Quick, what's your NCSoft login/password? Bet you don't remember. It's rare for 72 hours to go by without me logging into GW. I don't remember the last time I logged into the NCSoft site for tech support.

5. Not all e-mail addresses are permanent. People change service providers, jobs, schools , and other sources of e-mail addresses. E-mail providers go broke, get bought out, and change domain names. You probably don't want your GW account tied to a non-existent address - or worse: you probably don't want your GW account tied to an e-mail address that now belongs to someone else. But, you can't change it.

To kind of come back to the main topic here. I'd love to play the bonus missions. I'd love to use the store. But, until these security problems are fixed, there's no way in hell that's going to happen.