Why not just include mission pack inside GW:EN gw.dat file when bought or downloaded?

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Why not just include mission pack inside GW:EN's gw.dat file when bought or downloaded?

I know Anet want to make a profit and their selling it online so as not to be undercut from the RRP. But why is the mission pack even being provided seperately from GW:EN?

Anet is releasing two expansions, virtually at the same time, but releasing them seperately. This seems odd to me.

One, because the mission pack is only 4 missions and tiny.

Secondly because the original bonus pack (which you can buy seperately now), was released with one of the special edition versions before it was sold seperately.

I could understand them releasing it seperately if you didnt want to buy GW:EN, but I think they should include it into GW:EN for those who do.

It wont cost them anymore to do so because your not creating extra CDs or packaging. Your not adding anymore materials during production.

I'm obviously one of those people who likes to buy their games from the store, and have a box to hold. Because of that, I wont ever be able to purchase the mission pack as its being sold at the minute.

I dont want to pay full RRP for a game which I can get cheaper elsewhere, and there is nothing else in the online store I would want to buy for £17.99.

Yes Anet get undercut when retailers sell their games for less then RRP, but thats marketting for you! If they dont want people going to play.com or game.uk then they need to offer more competitive prices.

If they sold a boxed set of GW:EN in their online store for £17.99 then I could be tempted. But at the minute play.com is screaming out to me saying "dont be a fool and pay £10 more when you dont need to!".

In terms of marketting, Anet isnt really offering us enough to temp us away from sights like play.com.

Spending £29.99 for an unboxed GW:EN that will take hours to download and a mission pack that only offers another 4 missions, doesnt apeal to me or win me over!

So why not just include the mission pack as part of GW:EN?

Vinraith

Vinraith

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

Since the mission pack was supposed to be released "around November" I figured they weren't going to have it done at GW:WN release, hence the delay. I do think they need to create some other options for buying it. I have no problem with the online store, and understand their desire to promote direct sales, but in the long term content like this should be available to everyone IMO.

Nemo the Capitalist

Nemo the Capitalist

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2006

Trust me you dont want to know my Chasms of Despair

Zaishen Brotherhood

N/Me

another form of anets corporate greed on the defenseless Ascalonians(Us)

acidic

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2005

I seriously hope they don't start charging for 'mini mission packs' in the future. This concept of nickeling and dime-ing the users will backfire on ANET. Just look what happened to battlefield, they choose to release 'maps' for money causing a massive backlash.

Cimoa

Cimoa

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

UK

WIMP

Mo/

The offer for the mission pack is supposed to be an incentive for people to use the online store and give Anet a bigger profit margin on the sale of games.

I can see how this could be a good thing for the community as a whole because the more cash they make before going into GW2, which is a seperate game and will have its own revenue, the longer the servers for GW can be kept running.

I am not saying I agree with this marketing method but if I am made to buy GW:EN (the only item I am likely to want) through the online store and pay more than I would have from another retailer to get access to this "exclusive" content then it is made available some other way a couple of weeks later I for one will be taking my money elsewhere and not buying into GW2!!

hallomik

hallomik

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2006

The Illini Tribe

N/Mo

off topic: I just did an "image" download and I'm halfway through a 1.3 gig download. Guess I won't be playing tonight afterall. What I believe this means is that a good portion of GW:EN is sitting on my harddrive right now waiting to be unlocked.

on topic: My honest prediction is that they will offer the bonus missions in the online store for $4.99 about 3 months after GW:EN's release. They can't release it too soon after the incentive offer, but that won't be the only way you'll ever be able to get it. If you won't be too bummed out by not getting on those missions early, I think you'll be rewarded with a little patience. You'll get your box, manual and maps for not much money and you can pick up the missions later.

I know you want your cake and to eat it too, but you will have to make a choice.

Enix

Enix

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

I am in a transitional period.

GRE

God forbid a gaming company from trying to make a little more money.

Seriously... Get over it.

Yawgmoth

Yawgmoth

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2005

I totally agree with OP.
The mission pack has a price tag to it and it shouldn't be called 'free bonus'.
I think it should be added for free for anyone who Preorder GW:EN, just as the free extra char slot was given for preordering Nightfall. It would make most sense. People who don't want to preorder GW:EN or are too late for it should of course still have the old pricy way available.

Mordakai

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by acidic
I seriously hope they don't start charging for 'mini mission packs' in the future. This concept of nickeling and dime-ing the users will backfire on ANET. Just look what happened to battlefield, they choose to release 'maps' for money causing a massive backlash. Look, everybody needs to realize the Chapter concept is dead. That's pretty much been announced.

At this point, we have no idea how Anet will make money on Guild Wars 2.

We know there will be no monthly fees.

So, the question is, what do you prefer? Micro-transactions or buying a $50 package every 6 months or so?

I think it's too early to decide, as I don't know the quality of the product, and I don't know how much they will charge for it. As long as it works out to be less than $15 a month, and it's not mandatory, I'll be happy with whatever payment scheme they come up with.