Mission Bonus Pack & Online Store: The Real Concern

Do not buy anything yet.

This question has been asked countless times across many Guild Wars message boards yet is constantly avoided.

Why has this question been avoided? Because aNet is trying to make the most money in the online store that they can. As we all know, this includes releasing exclusive content available only to those who make purchases in the online store between a specified date; unfortunately, this allows them the opportunity to ignore the demand for product in the online store and exploit their customers.


My Advice:
DO NOT BUY ANYTHING YET.

aNet representatives have refused to answer our questions concerning the addition of products in the online store. However, on the PAX2007 section of the GW website:
aNet may, indeed, have plans to release more desirable products in their online store, but they would receive less income if they were to let us know this ahead of time.

Wait until Mid-Late October to make your purchases for the Mission Bonus Pack because the announcement of this merchandise is too convenient to not be an exploitation of those who would be willing to purchase $30 of products they do not need (desire, or want) simply to receive access to the Mission Pack.

Unless you are going to buy stuff from the online store anyway, this is good advice.

No harm in waiting a little bit.

However: For those planning on buying the pre-release/GW:EN online anyhow, this doesn't really matter. It only seems to affect those that don't want to buy GW:EN online.

well you guys can do whatever you want, complain boycott whatever I personally dont give a flying piece of... poop. Today I am buying my 3 character slots just so I can get the bonus mission pack. Who really cares its only 30 bucks and if you dont want to pay it dont get it, simple enough.

Boycott the boycott by buying stuff!

I'm not promoting boycott. I support aNet and support the online store. I purchase thru it all the time. I understand why they would not announce their plans for adding merchandise and admit it is a smart move for getting the most out of this Bonus Pack and raising online store sales.

I am only trying to make those who were concerned aware of why it is that their questions were not being answered... those who do not have any interest in what is currently available (and, as MSecorsky pointed out, who plan on purchasing a boxed GW:EN) should be patient and wait for more products to arrive.

Some people have already spent money on the online store, are willing to purchase $30 of product that they do not desire strictly for the Bonus Pack, and are also willing to pay for the online merchandise that will be soon released. These people have addressed the fact that they would rather merchandise to be added to the store in support of this Bonus Pack limited offer. This issue has not been properly addressed by aNet and has been conveniently ignored.

Since I do not have anything left of interest in the online store, I am going to wait until early October before I make my purchases in case some of this merchandise may be released by then.

If aNet clearly stated "no, our additional merchandise will be released after this promotional offer" I would gladly buy three more character slots for the Bonus Pack; but, for some reason or another, aNet feels that it is okay to avoid directly addressing this issue and taking advantage of certain customers who are not aware that items may, indeed, be added sooner than they think.

Yeah, I'd like to get a box with mine... But how much is the pre-release going to be?

Good thing you can read eh? Christ...


to the OP: That's what I plan on doing, seeing what else comes out in to buy. I'm really hoping for other things to be put into the store. Good advice.

I still say that they could have avoided all of this crap by offering it as apart of GW:EN(preorder or otherwise) or as a separate purchase.

One still has plenty of time to wait and see what Anet is bringing to the online store in the coming months. The promotion window is huge.

OP.... you sly dog! Very good points here, remember these words of wisdom. I was kinda planning on waiting anyway, just in case. You just put words to my thoughts, something I hadn't quite realized and put together on my own.

The Pre-release will be $5. It will then automatically take $5 off of your purchase of EotN in the Online Store.

So if you buy both the Pre-release and EotN in the Online Store, the Pre-release is free.

And this is why the human race is doomed.

I bought Factions and Nightfall from the online store when i noticed the mission pack bonus deal.

Right after this was announced, Gaile mentioned (I can't find it now, but I know I read it) that the In-Game Store would never offer physical merchandise for sale - the In-Game Store only offers in-game products. So don't wait to buy "merch" in order to get the mission pack.

[EDIT] Found it: http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum...5&postcount=22

I've been holding off for the exact same reasons. I *WANT* to give my $ to Anet, but they are making it very difficult to do so. There's time to wait, and perhaps in that time, someone will get it through their heads that their online business model and store are severely flawed. Perhaps they'll come around, then I'll give them my $. Or they won't, and I won't.

dr ishmael: if that's really the case, Anet would continue their stupidity streak by not offering the standard fare of logo merchandise: hats, shirts, coffee mugs, etc.

Thanks a lot, dr_ishmael, for that information and source.

I definitely still recommend waiting. Though dr_ishmael's reference clearly shows us that we are unlikely to find any new 'physical' products in the online store, there may be hope for us yet.

Has this been confirmed?

The OP posted sound advice...

If you want a physical box for GW:EN then wait for them to release more stuff in the online store.

They know not everyone will want to buy an online version of GW:EN...otherwise they would have just made the mission pack bonus offer apply to the online purchase of GW:EN. The promotion is designed to promote the online store...and right now the content in the online store is rather limited. A lot of people have bought everything they want to buy. Anet knows this. I'm sure they have plans to release more stuff to the online store before the end of the promotion.

They won't announce it until they are ready...so complaining that they aren't giving any specific answers isn't going to get you anywhere. They have about 3.5 months to get more stuff in the online store....that's plenty of time. So just wait. It's not like the offer is over tomorrow. Now if it's October 30th and they haven't released anything new...then I'd complain.

I have no problem buying stuff in the online store...I plan on buying GW:EN to satisfy the requirements of the offer. By the time the offer is over I'll probably pick up a couple of additonal character slots just because I want them...kinda weird but 27 slots just doesn't seem enough across 2 accounts.

The perfect customer.

Imagine all the profits for Anet if we all had the same mindset.


p.s., can I have 30 bucks since it's only 30?

I read a post by gaile that said that. So i believe its true

I really dont see the problem here, if you´ve play guild wars for years, you won´t wanna miss gwen, that´s for sure, unless you´re into pvp only, still... the bonus pack is a pve pack, so... it won´t care to people who do pvp only. On the other hand, people who play mostly pve, will surely buy gwen, hence, get the bonus pack for free, is that so complicated?

It's because you have to decide whether you want the bonus pack + GW:EotN digitally added to your account, or Buy GW:EotN in local store but have the books,manual,map/poster,cd box etc.

im not sure how buying stuff off the online store works... if i actually have to download the content = gg... if they mailed it to me the day gwen came out that would be nice, but... dunno i like buying stuff and play right when things come out.