Pricing of new content

fowlero

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

England, UK

We Are The One And Only [rR]

To start off this thread isn't of the intention of having a massive rant about anything, i personally am quite impressed when i thought it was utter bs that they weren't gonna do an update.

So, clearly these prices for the items are a bit steep. I mean £9 for character name change, £6 for each makeover thing is a bit ridiculous. I can buy 2 copies of the game for £15 alone.

Personally I think the prices should effectively be half what they are. £3 each makeovers + £5 name change perhaps, then i'd consider buying one.

I was wondering what people's opinions were as to what would be acceptable pricing since most i know are pretty annoyed by it? What pricing would you consider it at?

(Keep the "it shouldn't be RL money" to other threads please, ideally i agree but the end of the day this is something a lot of players have wanted and so it's hardly surprising they're not going to miss this chance for money.)

Some kind of poll would probably be nice if some magicpower person can do that, i guess in $ as that seems to be the currency for the majority of this forum.

Arduin

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

If anyone is that bothered about the face/name/hair or whatever of their character, you shouldn't whine about a few dollars for the ability to change this.

Seriously, it's only a couple of dollars.

And the I mean £9 for character name change, £6 for each makeover thing is a bit ridiculous. I can buy 2 copies of the game for £15 alone. is getting old fast.

For 15 pounds you won't get a 4 years old character with everything unlocked, Obsidian Armor and GWAMM.

Life isn't free.

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

I am only interested in buying content in a boxed version.

fowlero

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

England, UK

We Are The One And Only [rR]

True life isn't free, but i disagree that this is just a few dollars. £6 is actually a fair whack for something to just sprinkle on the game.

You're right for those really bothered about it it isn't that much, but my question was what would people be willing to spend on this stuff?

I believe if they reduce the prices they could entice a lot more people into buying it, i would if it were cheaper but i'm not bothered enough to at that price so anet won't get my money. If it were cheaper, then they would get some of my money.

I'm not arguing about the not getting the 4 yr old character etc etc that's really not the point of this thread.

Rocky Raccoon

Rocky Raccoon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

Massachusetts, USA

Guardians of the Cosmos

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlero View Post
So, clearly these prices for the items are a bit steep. I mean £9 for character name change, £6 for each makeover thing is a bit ridiculous. I can buy 2 copies of the game for £15 alone.
A simple name change is not so simple. If you have been playing for 3 to 4 years every bit of data associated with that name has to be re-associated with the new name. It took someones time to program the software to do and test this, therefore the pricing. It is a vanity offer and as such I agree with the charge.

Riot Narita

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlero View Post
clearly these prices for the items are a bit steep
"clearly"? No, just your opinion. My opinion is, these prices are peanuts.

Iuris

Iuris

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

Crazy ducks from the Forest

W/

I'm worried about the price.

I am personally happy to pay it, I have the money and GW is one of the things where I don't really look at the money.

However, I fear that the prices are approximately twice as high as I would "feel" the correct price to be. Therefore, OTHERS may not feel it's enough, meaning trouble for the model.

fowlero

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

England, UK

We Are The One And Only [rR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Risky Ranger View Post
A simple name change is not so simple. If you have been playing for 3 to 4 years every bit of data associated with that name has to be re-associated with the new name. It took someones time to program the software to do and test this, therefore the pricing. It is a vanity offer and as such I agree with the charge.
I personally have no experience with coding and so don't know if it really is difficult or not to do. However i'd be interested to know if it actually is that difficult?

I mean new characters with new names assigned to new armors are made all the time. Maybe my ignorance but is it really that extensive to change it?

This post is a bit o/t though.

lewis91

lewis91

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2008

Wales

Order of the Azurelight[OA]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hissy View Post
"clearly"? No, just your opinion. My opinion is, these prices are peanuts.
Could you send me some peanuts then so i can change my chars appearence?

NVM

I think they're abit steep. I'd pay if they were slightly more resonable. £2 for name, £4 for appearence, yaknow something along those lines.

Shayne Hawke

Shayne Hawke

Departed from Tyria

Join Date: May 2007

Clan Dethryche [dth]

R/

If everyone had their way, the price would be lower, maybe even free, maybe even purchasable with in-game items.

The truth is that not everyone needs these.

Targren

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2007

Primeval Warlords[wuw]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shayne Hawke View Post
The truth is that not everyone needs these.
The truth is that no one needs anything in GW. It's a game, and anything one might be lacking in it is a want, at best.

I pwnd U

I pwnd U

God of Spammers

Join Date: Oct 2005

in the middle of a burning cornfield...

Scars Meadows [SMS] (Officer)

I have to agree that the prices are a bit too steep, BUT people will still pay them. It's not like they are asking for your firstborn child. If you don't want to pay for them then don't, but others will. Since GW is a free-to-play game they need to make money somehow, especially in this economy.

NEOgeo

NEOgeo

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Im Paper nerf Scissor Rock is [fine]

these prices are insane relative to previouse store items , and relative to the price of the game and each of the expansions , why would i pay £6 for a storage plane when i can get a WHOLE NEW BASE ACCOUNT for not much more and have loads more storage i just need to dual log wich is extremly easy once u have it setup , IMO they would make even more profit if they halfed their prices , cause personally if they were all half i would have bought all storage planes + a sexchange but im buying nothing from them now ;o and this has no relation whatsoever to my disposable income , its about value, and there is no value here

Bit Player

Bit Player

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2005

R/N

Seems like a reasonable pricing scale given that these features weren't available when I purchased the game. I think it'd be more enticing if the name change feature was rolled into the extreme makeover package.

The name change pricing alone does seem steep; but I'm guessing that part of the reason for the pricing is to discourage scammers from a quick, easy, and *cheap* identity switch.

Hobson's choice I suppose...

mage767

mage767

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2006

USA

LOVE

Me/E

They should have just charged $15 for the ENTIRE update - which would limit each character in each account to 3 makeovers, extreme or normal. This includes ALL the storage panes as well, and you get the free storage pane if you purchased during April 23-29. I'm sure a lot of people who have been pleased with this plan rather than the obnoxious one they got in place now.

If you plan on buying everything they have released, that's easily over $100. Well, anet, guess what? I'm not dumb - my wisdom tells me not to support a company who scams its own customers.

You know Microsoft/Bungie has an intersting model for their Halo 3 map packs - you can buy them when they are released for like $14.99 and then they release them free after 3 months anyway - which explains why they are doing so well. They have a great marketing department in addition to an addicting game, which is why Halo 3 is strong even today. And they release REAL playable content.

Mervil

Mervil

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2008

Wherever Nick the Traveler is

Guardians of Light [GoL]

W/

Yes, the prices are too steep. I will not be purchasing any upgrades because the prices are simply too high. Those of you who think $10.00 is peanuts for appearance change/storage panel, can you all send me $10.00? It IS only peanuts afterall...

Fitz Rinley

Fitz Rinley

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

The Rusty Rose

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlero View Post
To start off this thread isn't of the intention of having a massive rant about anything, i personally am quite impressed when i thought it was utter bs that they weren't gonna do an update.

So, clearly these prices for the items are a bit steep. I mean £9 for character name change, £6 for each makeover thing is a bit ridiculous. I can buy 2 copies of the game for £15 alone.

Personally I think the prices should effectively be half what they are. £3 each makeovers + £5 name change perhaps, then i'd consider buying one.

I was wondering what people's opinions were as to what would be acceptable pricing since most i know are pretty annoyed by it? What pricing would you consider it at?
I expect that in part this is either to help maintain the servers at GW, help launch GW2, or both. The minimal cost of $10 for a chunck of relatively eternal storage (read Server) space does not seem unrealistic or unfair in the long run. It is particularly good for those of us that have doubts about bothering to play GW2, which so far has PvP fest written all over it.

I misunderstood the idea of a makeover. I thought each $10 was going to purchase 5 changes that could be executed across the account: 1 change of hair, 1 change of height, 1 change of face, another 1 change of face, and 1 change of skin, per se. I was delighted to find that the $20. I spent covered every change I wanted to make across 7 of my 10 main characters. I have one extreme makeover I want to purchase in the future.

I would have liked more access to faces and hair styles across professions, but that is unimportant. I was able to reachieve the same basic characters I started with in Prophecies on characters I had remade in other campaigns. That was very nice.

I also realize, that aside from NC West needing seed money and maintenance for the new dedicated server space (for 3 million players, and potentially more storage for 30,000,000 characters), they need funds to pay the guys who worked on it. (Pretty sure they want to eat and pay bills too.)

Aldric

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2007

[IG]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by NEOgeo View Post
these prices are insane relative to previouse store items , and relative to the price of the game and each of the expansions , why would i pay £6 for a storage plane when i can get a WHOLE NEW BASE ACCOUNT for not much more and have loads more storage i just need to dual log wich is extremly easy once u have it setup , IMO they would make even more profit if they halfed their prices , cause personally if they were all half i would have bought all storage planes + a sexchange but im buying nothing from them now ;o and this has no relation whatsoever to my disposable income , its about value, and there is no value here
Maybe not to you but there is to me and i have taken up the appearence package. ~£5 for 5 complete size/face/hair/colour changes ? IMO that is a very very reasonable cost.

As for making more profit if they charged less. Hmm i think maybe, just maybe, that a mutlinational company and its bean counters would have considered the various cost/takeup scenarios before deciding where to put the price for each item. Could be wrong but companies usually have a bash at that....

FengShuiDove

FengShuiDove

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2007

Trinity of the Ascended [ToA]

A/

Oh noes, things we didn't expect to get at all cost too much!

You didn't have it before, you now have the option to pay for it and have it, if you choose, you can go on not having it just like before.

People have said numerous times on THESE FORUMS that they would pay for a face change/makeover. Now you have the option. Gogogogogo.

Fril Estelin

Fril Estelin

So Serious...

Join Date: Jan 2007

London

Nerfs Are [WHAK]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by mage767 View Post
They should have just charged $15 for the ENTIRE update - which would limit each character in each account to 3 makeovers, extreme or normal. This includes ALL the storage panes as well, and you get the free storage pane if you purchased during April 23-29. I'm sure a lot of people who have been pleased with this plan rather than the obnoxious one they got in place now.
That's really a good idea you've got there! Since there's something for everyone, they may have attracted a lot more players? Maybe something more flexible like $5 flat + $2-4 for each feature, or $25 + $5 per tab.

May be that's what we'll have in 3 months, like the Halo 3 model you mention.

FengShuiDove

FengShuiDove

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2007

Trinity of the Ascended [ToA]

A/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fril Estelin View Post
May be that's what we'll have in 3 months
Not entirely sure if this is on topic, but keep in mind they're planning larger-scale updates at 4 month intervals CONTINUALLY from this point forward.

If you didn't find something you liked about this update, wait for the next one.

Targren

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2007

Primeval Warlords[wuw]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by FengShuiDove View Post
Not entirely sure if this is on topic, but keep in mind they're planning larger-scale updates at 4 month intervals CONTINUALLY from this point forward.

If you didn't find something you liked about this update, wait for the next one.
Yeah, we'll finally get our auction house, only $5 per 1k your item sells for.

circuscalamity

circuscalamity

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2007

Zeal Special Forces

R/

I don't understand how people can still play the PvE, dare I call it that, in this game anymore. We finally see a new content addition, and we have to pay for half of it. We don't need storage, we need something to do besides make an assassin to run around tanking everything. How did an assassin wind up being the best tank in the game? I know people well say "If you don't like it, don't play." Well, I don't play anymore. The only reason I am here posting is because I used to enjoy the game. Dungeons - one of the best ideas implemented in Guild Wars - could have been something that you actually needed to pull a group of skilled players together to accomplish. What are they instead? A quick run through. Arena Net is so afraid to nerf the clearly over powered skills that ruin the game in order to keep the people that use them online. For what? This 2-8 player "MMO" had serious potential. Not enough PLAYABLE content was added as it progressed though. If you're all for grinding away at the titles that do absolutely nothing but make people read more, go for it. "A level cap of 20 will test players' skill, not hours played." Bull. I know I'm probably just barking in the dark here, but I'm sure there are some people out there that may read this, and agree with me. Guild Wars 2 looks promising, and for it to take this long, I'd expect nothing less, but the ideas, hours, time and money going into it should have been used to get it right the first time. Each campaign would have served better as an expansion to one decent MMO.

pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

I am only interested if they mark my purchase as ALREADY PURCHASED once I paid for it and can use said purchase anytime as long as GW server is alive.

Yawgmoth

Yawgmoth

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2005

All the new stuff is VASTLY overpriced, if they want to make money they should at least make it worth it. Keep it fair - get more buyers.

For example if they want to SELL a Storage Update for $$$ they should make it really BIG. Something that would really make the difference. Selling mere 20 slots that will fill in a matter of days for $10 is a slap in the face. Pathetic.

Instead they should do something like an Epic Storage Upgrade - 1 package for $10-20 that provides a truly Massive amount of space that would be clearly worth the money. 4 xunlai tabs would be a minimum and it could include specialized storage (like for minipets/dyes/tomes) aswell. I'd pay $20 for that.

And talking about selling playable content - I only want to buy full real products - boxed expansions - that's one of the reasons I've chosen GW over all other games. It's easily the best and most fair business model, giving the best value per $ spent, with no lame tricks involved.

IKNOW

IKNOW

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

I don't agree with any of this micro-transaction baloney but, I do believe name changing option really needed to be charged for and with a hefty price to combat abuse.

Sarevok Thordin

Sarevok Thordin

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Scotland

W/N

It's a mere service that is optional.

The price is to keep the game servers rolling along, and PlayNC know you have alot of long term characters you won't ever want to delete but just want to change something on.

Really, I don't see what is wrong with them wanting to generate revenue to keep the server going.

Rocky Raccoon

Rocky Raccoon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

Massachusetts, USA

Guardians of the Cosmos

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by upier View Post
I am only interested in buying content in a boxed version.
I think you have made that point many times over and that is your option.

HayesA

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Pennsylvania

E/

I bought a make over, and an extra storage pane. I'm planning on buying more next month, too. I see this as really fantastic way to add some length and customization to a player's game. I support this new payment system, too; paying on the ncsoft store with paypal is a HUGE plus for me. So i'm quite content, and, frankly, i'm laughing at the jerks who are bitching so much about this. As they always do, so i'm not surprised.

We got one extra storage pane for free, and a equipment pack for free (well, in-game gold. who cant offord 2,500 gold after all this time? comon.) Nothing else is mandatory for playing the game, and no one is forcing the player to buy it. But it's there for those of us that want it, and will pay for it. Yeah the prices are a little steep, but they are fair in a sense it's their game, on their servers, and that requires upkeep.

Jaroh Magus

Jaroh Magus

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

Winterpeg, Manitoba

The Enebriated Canadians (TeC)

W/N

I do think the pricing is a bit out of wack overall. I would be more comfortable for $20 bucks for all panes unlocked or some such thing. $10 per seems a bit over the top. The other things...? Meh. I know that I don't need or want a makeover or name change. It would have been nice if both were included in 1 price (name and makeover for 1 cost).

Overall though, I would have liked more ingame options to unlock things. I can unlock all skills or pets by physically doing it in game...or I can pay money to do it now. I think having an option to gain the panes in some other way besides money would have been nice. Or a way to increase the already existing bag slots, so that our individual characters could carry more as well.

I'm just hoping that micro-transactions isn't their plan for Guild Wars 2...I don't want this game split between the haves and the have-nots (see Hellgate: London).

Chico

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by Risky Ranger View Post
A simple name change is not so simple. If you have been playing for 3 to 4 years every bit of data associated with that name has to be re-associated with the new name. It took someones time to program the software to do and test this, therefore the pricing. It is a vanity offer and as such I agree with the charge.
LOL. You're funny. Name change has been available since the start, just not the ability to buy it. Cost to develop? Whatever they spent, they spent it on _being able to charge for it_. The feature has been there all the time. That's how issues about bad character names were resolved, with a forced name change.

ShadowbaneX

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

Heroes of the Horn

A/Me

as it is, I'd love to change the hair on some of my characters, but that's about it and I'm not paying $10 US (I'm Canadian so it's even more up here) just to change the hair once and that's it. Now, if I could pay that amount and then have the ability to pick up to 5 characters to change their hair whenever I wanted, however many times I wanted, then, yes, I'd probably pay for that. I could see a limit of say only changing it once a month, but that's about it.

KamikazeChicken

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/

I think they should have at least thrown in single make-over credits for zcoins or as prizes from the traveler. I guess it could have worked like I've heard WoW time credits(?) do?

fb2000

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlero View Post
I personally have no experience with coding and so don't know if it really is difficult or not to do. However i'd be interested to know if it actually is that difficult?

I mean new characters with new names assigned to new armors are made all the time. Maybe my ignorance but is it really that extensive to change it?
I'm pretty the character name is just another variable that can be changed within a few clicks. If you really think the database saves every customized item or stuff like that with your whole name on it, I believe you are sadly mistaken.
var x = "charname"; (half assed example, real coders dont comment please )
Then you just put the "x" where you want it ;x.

ogre_jd

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2008

Canadia

W/

Actually, it *does* save your name on many things - customized items and dedicated minipets, to use the most obvious examples. A generic 'var x = "charname"' would likely end up, for example, having weapons customized for whoever happens to be holding it at the moment, not the character it was customized for.

Feminist Terrorist

Feminist Terrorist

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Oh Noes! The 'burbs!

Anet screwed up my char's face a couple years ago. I've been living with a vapid mouth breather ever since. Now I have to pay $10 to change their mistake? Doesn't seem right to me.

Seraphim Angel

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2008

Sacred Knights of Orr [SKoO]

P/

I could care less how much it is. Anet has already made thousands of dollars on these upgrades. I made my character with the intention of NEVER being able to change it. So its how I like it. As for paying for extra storage I currently have 8 characters (never bought another one for 10 dollars but would if I wanted one). With the free storage upgrade I currently have 62 open slots for PLENTY of itmes. I ve been playing for over 2 years and have over a dozen titles on my main. I play on a regular basis. You people need to stop saving everything you pick up then you would not have to worry about paying for extra storage! Anet is just taking advantage of all the pack rats Meh maybe they are a little overpriced but people will pay for it and until thier sales drops they won't budge with the prices so deal with it. No one is holding a gun to your head saying you must buy it!

Also if everyone here who says they dont have enough storage, post your inventory I bet we can all tell you to get rid of over half of it

Janlijm

Janlijm

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2008

Lowlandlions

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by KamikazeChicken View Post
I think they should have at least thrown in single make-over credits for zcoins or as prizes from the traveler. I guess it could have worked like I've heard WoW time credits(?) do?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feminist Terrorist View Post
Anet screwed up my char's face a couple years ago. I've been living with a vapid mouth breather ever since. Now I have to pay $10 to change their mistake? Doesn't seem right to me.
I say give us a option to get 1extreem credit for each character one's for completing a hard and long quest such as the black moa bird minipet. Which is spread over all the campains. (Why: well because what these people say and because I played Perfect World International and there you can get 1 remakescroll too for each character ones by doing a quest. And you can also buy them in the ingamestore there.)

ToriSama

ToriSama

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2008

Fashionistas Wear [DKNY]

E/Rt

I don't mind the pricing either. I see it as a new expansion pack that I paid for. A-Net needs to make money somehow, and the way they did it making things optional and not game-breaking if you choose not to buy it is awesome!

Myself, I bought the extra storage panes (mainly cos I'm lazy) and like being able to have all my stuff at hand without trying to remember which mule is holding which item/s. I also bought the make-over pack. I love that you can choose hair, etc., from different campaigns. Makes alot more variety for our toons.

For those of us who have had characters for a long time and getting sick of the name, looks, what have you... it's nice to have those options.

Way to go, A-Net!!

Buster

Buster

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Elona

Clan Eternal Legion

D/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by circuscalamity View Post
I don't understand how people can still play the PvE, dare I call it that, in this game anymore. We finally see a new content addition, and we have to pay for half of it. We don't need storage, we need something to do besides make an assassin to run around tanking everything. How did an assassin wind up being the best tank in the game? I know people well say "If you don't like it, don't play." Well, I don't play anymore. The only reason I am here posting is because I used to enjoy the game. Dungeons - one of the best ideas implemented in Guild Wars - could have been something that you actually needed to pull a group of skilled players together to accomplish. What are they instead? A quick run through. Arena Net is so afraid to nerf the clearly over powered skills that ruin the game in order to keep the people that use them online. For what? This 2-8 player "MMO" had serious potential. Not enough PLAYABLE content was added as it progressed though. If you're all for grinding away at the titles that do absolutely nothing but make people read more, go for it. "A level cap of 20 will test players' skill, not hours played." Bull. I know I'm probably just barking in the dark here, but I'm sure there are some people out there that may read this, and agree with me. Guild Wars 2 looks promising, and for it to take this long, I'd expect nothing less, but the ideas, hours, time and money going into it should have been used to get it right the first time. Each campaign would have served better as an expansion to one decent MMO.
We won't be seeing anything major until Guild Wars 2.