Switch and Bait - were equipment packs supposed to be that? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Longasc

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

26 Apr 2009 at 13:00 - 1

Except the small equipment pack, which can be bought for 2500 gold, they all require zaishen coins.

A lot of Zoins, 7500 in case of the 20 slot pack.

As we got a free storage pane as reward for registering and merging our account with a PlayNC Master Account, I wonder where they would stop with selling "optional" things, as extra storage panes have already been declared optional.

The time requirement for a heavy equipment pack is, depending on how often you repeat quests with multiple chars and so on, around 2-3 months. For very casual gamers it is totally out of reach.

Now let me introduce you to the driving force behind all item mall systems:
Buy an advantage/shortcut/convenience.

Alternatively, pay 4,99$ and get a 20 slot equipment pack from the shop.

Note, I do not suggest this.
But let me play the advocatus diaboli... I mean, we get the 5 slot bag for free, and everything more is optional, right? Who many of use would buy one "just/at least for the main char?" Just the usual item mall trade: Money for convenience, reduced grind.

I am glad that they did NOT do this. Someone at ANet seems to distrust and loathe micro payment systems as much as I do. Thumbs up. But I guess this *might* be a reason why the bags have such an absurdely high cost:

They were meant to be the bait.

The high price, to give players and incentive to shell out some bucks, seems to have been forgotten/ignored after the decision was made not to sell equipment packs.

Bowman Artemis

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Gold Coast, Australia.

Overclockers Australia [OCAU]

26 Apr 2009 at 13:16 - 2

Or maybe you should put away the tinfoil hat, get some nice fresh air and come back with a clearer head.

EDIT: I'm not sure why very casual gamers would -need- an equipment pack to be honest.

Wish Swiftdeath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2007

Mo/W

26 Apr 2009 at 13:30 - 3

Most people don't use weaponsets or bring multiple sets of armor so imo it's not necessary.

I think the reason for Heavy Equipment packs being so hard to get is so that we actually have a reason to do the zaishen quests. I probably wouldn't care half as much if i didn't want the pack to store my 19 pvp weapons.

Lux Aeterna

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2009

RAH

Close Enough [XVII]

W/A

26 Apr 2009 at 13:34 - 4

Equipment pack was big disappointment, I was hoping to relieve some space in my cramped inventory with a bag for all of my large collection of pvp weapons... oh but I get 5 more slots for 2500g ? Why did I even bother to read the announcement for this ?

And why do they expect me to pve or do whatever this is just for more space.

It also sucks that my Xunlai chest is now cluttered with greyed out options I will absolutely never have the money to buy.

TLDR: Anet needs to make money, gave us stuff to buy, nobody will buy it and we're mad.

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

26 Apr 2009 at 13:35 - 5

no i have to disagree, IMHO, the heavy equipment packs being so hard to get is because it will tie players to the game longer so they will not leave before Guild Wars 2 is out, but mwahahahahaha, i am not even gonna get it ArenaNet.

You think ArenaNet would not have put the heavy equipment packin the online store if it wasn't the last and only thing in this update that makes players want to play the game just a little longer :P

Lux Aeterna

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2009

RAH

Close Enough [XVII]

W/A

26 Apr 2009 at 13:39 - 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkin pie

no i have to disagree, IMHO, the heavy equipment packs being so hard to get is because it will tie players to the game longer so they will not leave before Guild Wars 2 is out, but mwahahahahaha, i am not even gonna get it ArenaNet.

You think ArenaNet would not have put the heavy equipment packin the online store if it wasn't the last and only thing in this update that makes players want to play the game just a little longer :P

PvP is what keeps me playing this game longer.

Oh look more options too bad u cant afford em = makes me want to quit.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

26 Apr 2009 at 13:44 - 7

Look. They want people to actually play the game, rather then spend there farmered/powertraded/z-preditition made/or ebayed money.

Lyphen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2006

26 Apr 2009 at 13:50 - 8

I don't really get it either. The cost needs to go down, I'll never be able to get it on more than one character at this rate. A simple "no-trade" on ZCoins would've been enough to keep this legit.

Detraya fullvear

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

I l Power Overwhelming I l [HaX]

Mo/Me

26 Apr 2009 at 13:50 - 9

budge up guys, they are tradeable.. you can buy one when people start getting them.

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

26 Apr 2009 at 13:53 - 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux Aeterna

PvP is what keeps me playing this game longer.

Oh look more options too bad u cant afford em = makes me want to quit.

lol yeap i cannot afford to give money to company i already paid, I give them to charity :P~

beaverlegions

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2006

The Siege Turtles

R/

26 Apr 2009 at 14:43 - 11

Actually you got it all wrong, anet killed kennedy and is behind the war in Irak, Osama is a Anet employee and the are watching you right now using you webcam. If you hear someone knocking on the door it's prolly their top trained assassin team coming to kill you.

SpiritThief

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2008

R/Me

26 Apr 2009 at 14:53 - 12

The 5 pack works perfect for me. my weapons are finally off my belt. My ale moves to my belt

and F6 is closer to where I typically place my main skills.

IlikeGW

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

26 Apr 2009 at 15:05 - 13

He could be right. They sold the bonus mission pack after promising it as an exclusive to EOTN buyers. You never know what they'll do with the store... I'm sure it's a constant temptation to milk the idiot dollar that will buy anything. But selling equip packs would be a very, very disagreeable move to the majority of the community so I hope for their sake they can just get funding elsewhere.

I still think they need a better gold zcoin reward, and fast. Wtf is the traveler doing with new weapons and minis when the top rewards for the new grind is bags? The participation curve is going to start going down to nothing over time... Put some crazy ass sword in there like a red eternal blade or a chaos staff, or what have you... some dumb piece of bling that people can show off for spending their life grinding.

Daesu

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Oct 2008

26 Apr 2009 at 16:10 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlikeGW

But selling equip packs would be a very, very disagreeable move to the majority of the community so I hope for their sake they can just get funding elsewhere.

Not true. Many people here have already said, they would rather pay the $5 than to grind for the bags.

Apollo Smile

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2008

[LORE]

E/Mo

26 Apr 2009 at 16:18 - 15

Didn't a bunch of people bitch about missing the Bonus Mission Pack Promotion? Hence it being added, just like the Fire Imp?

A red Eternal Blade would be cool!

Sarevok Thordin

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Scotland

W/N

26 Apr 2009 at 16:22 - 16

Ok, you know, this "grind" argument has to stop somewhere.

It's not REPETITIVE, since the quests CHANGE all the time. You have daily challenges to WORK for what you want.

If you really wanted to whine, why not call the FoW armor a GRIND, since that is what it is, grinding those two areas for ectos/shards and whatever till you can get the armor (hey I don't even think it's worth that, but some people can get it if they really like it. I may get the Rt one sometime).

It's something for you to do since GW2 is going to be a little while off, for at least the Beta.

Who knows, maybe you can take something with you, like a freebie in some form.

Grj

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2007

26 Apr 2009 at 16:29 - 17

The price/time/grind or whatever.. of the bags is set high on purpose to make the storage in the store look attractive as possible.

Its done on purpose to make the gamer think screw it, this will take to long i'll get extra storage from the store.

Professor K

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2009

Mo/A

26 Apr 2009 at 16:33 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarevok Thordin

Ok, you know, this "grind" argument has to stop somewhere.

It's not REPETITIVE, since the quests CHANGE all the time. You have daily challenges to WORK for what you want.

If you really wanted to whine, why not call the FoW armor a GRIND, since that is what it is, grinding those two areas for ectos/shards and whatever till you can get the armor (hey I don't even think it's worth that, but some people can get it if they really like it. I may get the Rt one sometime).

It's something for you to do since GW2 is going to be a little while off, for at least the Beta.

Who knows, maybe you can take something with you, like a freebie in some form.

Whats funny is some people have complained that catching animals for the Menagerie is grind too. The term "Grind" is being used too much by people as of late. Its only grind if YOU turn it into that. I have done a couple of the daily Zaishen Challenge Missions everyday since they have started and i'm having a good time. If just playing the game is grind to you, I think you are in need of a break from Guild Wars.

Apollo Smile

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2008

[LORE]

E/Mo

26 Apr 2009 at 16:38 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grj

The price/time/grind or whatever.. of the bags is set high on purpose to make the storage in the store look attractive as possible.

Its done on purpose to make the gamer think screw it, this will take to long i'll get extra storage from the store.

That theory would make sense if they were the same type of storage. I'd care less about the box storage. I'm saving these zoins so I can have a large storage on myself. They are expensive, ArenaNet should lower the prices of them, but at the same time I don't expect them to just hand em out on a silver platter. It won't kill anyone to earn something.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

26 Apr 2009 at 16:40 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarevok Thordin

It's not REPETITIVE, since the quests CHANGE all the time. You have daily challenges to WORK for what you want.

To be honest I don't see these quests as much... questy. More like another reward which requires you to talk to a couple of things. Besides, it'll be ages for them to go through all of the missions at that much time.

@Professor K: Grind is repetetive action. You can't "turn" something into grind, if it's repetetive, it's grind.

Sarevok Thordin

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Scotland

W/N

26 Apr 2009 at 16:42 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

To be honest I don't see these quests as much... questy. More like another reward which requires you to talk to a couple of things. Besides, it'll be ages for them to go through all of the missions at that much time.

PvP has never been quested yet in such a way (with other people)
I personally cannot wait for the RA quest to roll around >:3

Then there is the HA quest (imagine the look of delight in some HAer faces)

Apollo Smile

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2008

[LORE]

E/Mo

26 Apr 2009 at 16:45 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

To be honest I don't see these quests as much... questy. More like another reward which requires you to talk to a couple of things. Besides, it'll be ages for them to go through all of the missions at that much time.

Having tons of PUGs in three different areas of the game each day is a wonderful breath of fresh air.

Shuuda

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Guildless

Me/

26 Apr 2009 at 16:46 - 23

Oh yes, Anet are Communist Nazis who want to scam you out all your hard earned savings. Their vile greed knows no bounds, they'd shoot their mothers just for a penny. We must protect ourselves from the plain villainy of Anet.

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

26 Apr 2009 at 18:29 - 24

Meh, if it was a /bonus item I would pay for it, really.

All I want is GW being fully 'pay once' again.

Being gathering Zcoin so slow to get the heavy bag doesn't make want to make the quests, it works the other way around.
I'm not spending tim forming parties to get something I will enjoy only a few days before GW2 is released.
And I first need to know if GW2 will have those horrible micropayment methods before ever considering to get it.

The greatest the new features are, the more disappointing and frustrating is when the methods to acquire those features are out of your reach.

UndeadRoadkill

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

26 Apr 2009 at 18:35 - 25

Grind or not, I think the equipment bags should have been more easily and immediately available, and zcoins should have been for some nice vanity items.

Imaginos

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

26 Apr 2009 at 18:58 - 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux Aeterna

PvP is what keeps me playing this game longer.

Oh look more options too bad u cant afford em = makes me want to quit.

/agreed

Friend of mine and I feel the exact same way. This only gives me incentive to quit and not buy gw2.

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

26 Apr 2009 at 19:06 - 27

What I can't understand is how they didn't see that 10 and 15 slot bags will be barely acquired.
When something has a max, most people go directly for the max. You don't see many people looking for a 50% maxed sword. And most people go directly for the max armor.
Many pre-Searing players go get the 4 armors pieces as soon as they can.
So, the logical thing to assume is that anyone with half a brain will pay for the 5slot bag since gold is faster to get and they may have it already, and then go directly for thw 20-slots bags.
Why to add the 10 and 15 slots ones, then?
It's completely illogical! As if people will settle just for the smallest ones, knowing they can get a big one in more time if they don't waste coins in the smaller ones.

It's as if they were just adding suggested stuff without even stopping to think about it.

Sarevok Thordin

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Scotland

W/N

26 Apr 2009 at 19:30 - 28

This update was applied with more sustainable revenue in mind.

The servers need to be paid for after all, just give em a break, it keeps the game running.

The Little Viking

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

innergalactic gargleblasters

W/Mo

26 Apr 2009 at 20:14 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daesu

Not true. Many people here have already said, they would rather pay the $5 than to grind for the bags.

This may be what they are saying at the moment...but when the time comes to actually fork out cold hard cash for these, we will be back to where we are at the moment after all the other stuff they have put on the market..storage, name change etc...
They say now they are willing to pay $5.00 for the large equipment packs, but wait until they actually offer this in the online store...people will wine and cry because "it cost to much" or "why should we have to pay for this"? you get the picture.
It all boils down to people NEEDING something to complain about.
Personally, I really dont care one way or the other...over time, I will have the large on my 3 main characters, maybe more, but I will also be doing it the hard way.(Weather they are ever offered in the online store or not). As for calling it "grind" for these items, why not call it enjoying the game and having a reason to go back to those long lost areas that you haven't been to in over a year? Already I have been to 2 places that I haven't seen in a year because of the zaishen quests/missions. Yea, its going to take me a while to achieve what I want, but I am also going to have fun getting there. And in my opinion (for as little as it may count here) anything that I have fun at I dont consider grind.
On a side note, Im really thankful the managerie was free.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 20:45 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo Smile

Having tons of PUGs in three different areas of the game each day is a wonderful breath of fresh air.

Tons of pugs? I checked out perdition rock a few times today. It's true it's way more populated because of the zaishen quest there atm, but the whole district was quiet. And tomorrow it will be another place on the map.

So they were able to concentrate the population more which is a good thing I agree, but don't exagerate. People just prefer h/h unless on elite missions and areas because they can't bring 7 heroes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Little Viking

It all boils down to people NEEDING something to complain about.

True and sometimes they have more than enough reason to complain and this is the case with the 20 slot equipment pack. The fun you talk about is nothing new to me. I had plenty of fun last 4 years, but this is a slap in the face. We're not talking about some bling items and e-peen here, no this is handy feature for the playerbase to use on the spot.

Vilaptca

Pre-Searing Vanquisher

Join Date: Jun 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

26 Apr 2009 at 20:48 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

Tons of pugs? I checked out perdition rock a few times today. It's true it's way more populated because of the zaishen quest there atm, but the whole district was quiet. And tomorrow it will be another place on the map.

So they were able to concentrate the population more which is a good thing I agree, but don't exagerate. People just prefer h/h unless on elite missions and areas because they can't bring 7 heroes.

Did you turn local chat on?

I'd say half the people there were starting groups and spamming for certain classes to join them so they can leave. While the other half grabbed their heroes and henchmen and left.

So far everywhere I have gone there are tons of people and a nice chunk of them are looking to PuG the mission too.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 20:54 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilaptca

Did you turn local chat on?

Local chat was on yes. Maybe I came three times at the wrong moment.

Who needs a pug to kill a boss in perdition rock anyway, even on hm? I saw pugs forming to beat Kanaxai yes, but I don't think we can generalise atm and say this is true for all the zaishen quests.

CHannum

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2007

W/E

26 Apr 2009 at 20:59 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longasc

A lot of Zoins, 7500 in case of the 20 slot pack.

The time requirement for a heavy equipment pack is, depending on how often you repeat quests with multiple chars and so on, around 2-3 months. For very casual gamers it is totally out of reach.

Somehow people survived four years without equipment packs of ANY size and suddenly everybody needs 20 slot bags? You can get three 15 slot bags for the price of one 20, you can get fifteen 10 slot bags for the price of one 20. You can buy the 5 slot bags for the money they give doing a few of these daily quests. There is no problem here, merely QQs without a femptogram of perspective as usual.

No one is holding a gun to anyone's head to hold out for the 20 slot.

If you're a more casual player, grab the 10 slot, that will take you a week of playing at most. It holds one complete extra set of armor and up to five extra weapons and/or headgear. A month or so later you'll be able to upgrade to 15's on the characters who need them and then, if you really feel the need, you can work toward the 20.

I think the price is actually fine and not some sort of oversight as you think. The 20 slot is supposed to be hard.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:04 - 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHannum

The 20 slot is supposed to be hard.

No it's not. You start out with a 20 slot backpack for free when you make a character. Where's the hardness in that?

Shuuda

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Guildless

Me/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:07 - 35

Quote:

Somehow people survived four years without equipment packs of ANY size and suddenly everybody needs 20 slot bags?

What you say here is correct, but at the end of the day this comes down it:

"Ooooh, shiney new thing! I want it I want it I want it!"

And of course, people will bitch when they cannot have what they want.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:21 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuuda

What you say here is correct, but at the end of the day this comes down it:

"Ooooh, shiney new thing! I want it I want it I want it!"

And of course, people will bitch when they cannot have what they want.

It's a fecking white bag just like the backpack you get for free. You can't show it off so there's no e-peen involved.

You're missing the point, it's not about a shiny new thing, you have plenty of rare items for that purpose, this is a useful feature that people wanted for years. GW was always limited from the start when it comes to storage. Now people thought that with this update, they finally could put their armours and weapons away at the fitting character on the spot. Wrong, they first have to play another two months and a lot of people will never get one. It's really lame you know, if you can't understand that then yes it seems like another QQ. People are disapointed, what did they expect?

Shuuda

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Guildless

Me/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:24 - 37

I'm talking about the equipment bags... you know, the 20 gold Zcoins one, or whatever.

And yes, this does come down to "shiney new thing". These slots are new, but they are hard to get, and you cannot just buy the best one with money.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:27 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuuda

I'm talking about the equipment bags... you know, the 20 gold Zcoins one.

Yes the one that can hold 20 items like the backpack you get for free. It's even worse than the backpack in terms of functionality. See my point?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuuda

And yes, this does come down to "shiney new thing". These slots are new, but they are hard to get, and you cannot just buy the best one with money.

That's where our opinion differ. You call it a bling item, I call it bad game design.

Shuuda

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Guildless

Me/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:29 - 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

Yes the one that can hold 20 items like the backpack you get for free. It's even worse than the backpack in terms of functionality. See my point?

Erm... I'm talking about the new bags that you get from trading in zCoins (The shiney new cool thing). If those were free, no one would be QQing.

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

26 Apr 2009 at 21:31 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuuda

Erm... I'm talking about the new bags that you get from trading in zCoins (The shiney new cool thing). If those were free, no one would be QQing.

Exactly! The playerbase would be happy, but we can't have that can we?