With the 5th Anniversary upcoming, I think it is a strong possibility that we will get more options to give ArenaNet money, whether that is through new costumes or other features. Since there is no donate money button to Linsey and Co., this is the next best way to support a game where we bought the box and game play forever.
Recently, Turbine (a notable MMO company) added a Super Rewards program to their F2P game, Dungeons and Dragons Online. Players can receive Turbine Points in exchange for doing things like [incoming sensationalist rant] installing malware on their computer, giving out personal information for spam, and applying to draconian DVD-a-month clubs, which will make buying your DVDs more expensive [/rant]. To say Turbine has tainted their good will is a conservative estimate.
The point of this thread is that I want to thank ArenaNet for being honest and true when it comes to giving us ways to support their game. As long as we are all honest, let's be honest in that we are not giving them a subscription for the game we play months on end. This, as far as we are told, will be the case with GW2 as well. They still have to make money for their ever growing studio. So for things like $10 costumes, $15 gender changes, and what not I am incredibly happy to pay for the option if I want it.
Thank you also for not making us buy in to a ridiculous point system where we pay $20 for 4567 points and then the costumes cost 1973 points and gender change costs 2117 points and we are left over with 477 points, which can't buy anything. Hopefully even if GW2 has a point system it is simple and clear and tries to give the consumer the most bang for the buck (i.e., least amount of wasted points).
The "worst" promotion on some arbitrary shadiness scale ArenaNet has had involved getting a free pdf MMO magazone for a miniature. Incredibly tame in comparison to what has been out there.
Hopefully you guys can keep walking the good path, but I just want you to know that I really appreciate the way you make me feel as a customer.
Guild Wars Microtrans. and Promos
Ravious
Voodoo Rage
I'd pay for an extra hero slot. 
FoxBat
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ravious
Thank you also for not making us buy in to a ridiculous point system where we pay $20 for 4567 points and then the costumes cost 1973 points and gender change costs 2117 points and we are left over with 477 points, which can't buy anything. |
tripplesix
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Voodoo Rage
I'd pay for an extra hero slot.
|
KZaske
I fully agree with Ravious concerning how ArenaNet has acted with one execption.
[Begin Rant] That execption is this statement: "The "worst" promotion on some arbitrary shadiness scale ArenaNet has had involved getting a free pdf MMO magazone for a miniature." I have no problem with the promotion itself as it did serve a purpose. It provided a second rate online gaming rag a gateway to be a legimate online rag and it provided a modicom of press for ArenaNet's new product (Eye of the North). That rag was one of the first to use Adobe's new (at the time it was new) DRM laden 'interactive' content. That promotion is also the only time I have downloaded that POS rag. I still get monthly notices of a new issue from them. [/end rant]
[Begin Rant] That execption is this statement: "The "worst" promotion on some arbitrary shadiness scale ArenaNet has had involved getting a free pdf MMO magazone for a miniature." I have no problem with the promotion itself as it did serve a purpose. It provided a second rate online gaming rag a gateway to be a legimate online rag and it provided a modicom of press for ArenaNet's new product (Eye of the North). That rag was one of the first to use Adobe's new (at the time it was new) DRM laden 'interactive' content. That promotion is also the only time I have downloaded that POS rag. I still get monthly notices of a new issue from them. [/end rant]
upier
Abedeus
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by tripplesix
I would pay 50 euros for 4 extra slots.
|
Ravious
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by FoxBat
While point systems have many issues, GW seems to have some constraint that they can't sell things less than $10 at a time, which turns many of the features into overpriced luxury items. (Extra storage page for $10? Really?) At a lower price point they might get more buy-in, but that isn't an option for them. With a points system they'd have more flexibility in pricing.
|
I do admit that some things are a bit pricy, but they are all luxury items. Sure, I wish storage pages were $5 or less, and then I might buy some... but ANet [obviously] likes their price point.
Cuilan
I'm fine with weapon skins, costumes, and various fun things in the store. I am or was disappointed by the little selection of stuff. If you're going to have an online store, use it.
Rekliss
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Abedeus
Buying a new account and full unlock with all 3 campaigns + EotN would be a lot cheaper.
|
That just wasnt smart. He's talking about heroes.
And heroes ruined the game in the first place. I do however think that panes should be like $2 instead of $10 anyhow. If we pay for something... why not be something customizable - i'd pay $10 to be able to make my own customized weapon/outfit. Give a base model, then add what you want (gothic sword with chaos glow/crystalline translucency/air wand animation/etc) but any model/any skin. I'm not sure how that would impact the economy, but it couldn't mess it up any worse (by allowing them to be tradeable)
Stuff like that I think people may favor more and buy more of; not stuff like hero slots.
Regulus X
I would buy new maps for PvP, or new skills introduced, if they'd follow through with it because I know that time equals money, and in order for GW1 to recieve any such thing, they'd need that funding to support them. Many players would buy heroes, too. If players are fricking capable of buying costumes that took a weekend to create, I don't see what's holding them back from creating new PvP maps, new objectives, new skills, new PvE content, new heroes, etc... I'd totally buy into it if they did that. Time = Money, and Anet needs to come out with more enticing and noteworthy offers for us consumers to buy into it, and I think my above suggestions would totally work nicely in their favor.
Coverticus
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rekliss
......
That just wasnt smart. He's talking about heroes. |
I also agree with the OP - at least ANet have been up front with what they have given us/charged us for extras. Turbine (having played DnD and LotRO) are a pain in the proverbials in comparison, certainly there are even worse ones out there too.
Anyway, if ANet were to come up with a better pricing model for hero slots (charging £5.99/$9.99 would be too much) then this would be such a bad thing for many. I still think the 3 hero option should stay as (outside of elite areas) there is nothing that cannot be done H/HH....
Whatever they choose to do, many people will still pay for it of course .
Rocky Raccoon
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by upier
Additional hero slots are THE thing I want most for PvE.
Yet I wouldn't dream of paying for them - unless of course they release another expansion and that is part of it. I do not NEED additional hero slots. The same way that I do not NEED to continue playing GW. Or the same way that I do not NEED to buy GW2. Giving us more hero slots would be a huge step for me to keep interest in GW and the GW franchise. |
Ariovist Lynxkind
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Cuilan
I'm fine with weapon skins, costumes, and various fun things in the store. I am or was disappointed by the little selection of stuff. If you're going to have an online store, use it.
|
Eragon Zarroc
your gratitude has been noted...lol
NerfHerder
I would love to have more heros. I enjoy pugs sometimes, but it is getting harder to get a pug in many areas. I don't think Anet would make us pay for them, IF they made them available. I noticed the luxury items we pay for dont give you a huge advantage(minus the skill packs and even still it is obtainable w/o pay). I would be happy if you could add another Hero for each expansion completed per character, your legendary accomplishments encourage more people to fight with you(just a thought). On a similar note, it would be nice if we could take the henchmen in our guild hall into PvE. I dont see how that would give us a huge advantage. And it would be a nice alternative.
I encourage the microtransactions. I understand nothing is free. Unless you want a popup advertisment when u logon or worse during gameplay, its the only way for F2P to make money. I even bought the makeover pack, eventhough I havent used all of it. I realize the more we buy the more Anet can afford to give us fun stuff. And honestly, most of the stuff Anet offers is affordable, even for the younger players on an allowance.
Im glad they never used a point system. In other games it seems like they always overprice the value of what you actually get. Anet is pretty straight foward. You give us $10 we give you this.
I tip my hat to Anet for continuing a reasonable and affordable business model.
I encourage the microtransactions. I understand nothing is free. Unless you want a popup advertisment when u logon or worse during gameplay, its the only way for F2P to make money. I even bought the makeover pack, eventhough I havent used all of it. I realize the more we buy the more Anet can afford to give us fun stuff. And honestly, most of the stuff Anet offers is affordable, even for the younger players on an allowance.
Im glad they never used a point system. In other games it seems like they always overprice the value of what you actually get. Anet is pretty straight foward. You give us $10 we give you this.
I tip my hat to Anet for continuing a reasonable and affordable business model.
mage767
Additional hero slots, and an additional rit hero....since rits are so awesome these days.
FoxBat
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ravious
I do admit that some things are a bit pricy, but they are all luxury items. Sure, I wish storage pages were $5 or less, and then I might buy some... but ANet [obviously] likes their price point.
|
Meridon
You're making it sound like micro-transactions are the only way to fund updates and support for this game.
It's not. The fact that this game has no subscriptions doesn't mean it can't generate revenue without players paying for new assets.
Something as simple as an external advertisement added to the login and character selection screen can probably generate the funds to support the servers.
There's also the option of ranked server lease. For the concept, see Battlefield 2/2142. Private servers could be made for free, without trading, Exp, loot, or rewards, for training, mod use and private PvP play. Licensed servers could be leased from official server hosts for a profit, so guilds can host their own GW standard-issue server, which is just a private district for all of the game in which the leader and officers can kick/temporarily ban people from their server.
Of course, the obvious way of getting funds and income will be GW2. BY keeping the GW1 servers live, Anet caters the dedicated people, which is neccesary to get them to cross over to GW2. So in the end, micro-transactions or not, maintaining the servers is a viable thing. And if there really is the need for added funds from GW1, micro-transactions is definitely not a necessity because it's not the only way to get money off GW1.
It's not. The fact that this game has no subscriptions doesn't mean it can't generate revenue without players paying for new assets.
Something as simple as an external advertisement added to the login and character selection screen can probably generate the funds to support the servers.
There's also the option of ranked server lease. For the concept, see Battlefield 2/2142. Private servers could be made for free, without trading, Exp, loot, or rewards, for training, mod use and private PvP play. Licensed servers could be leased from official server hosts for a profit, so guilds can host their own GW standard-issue server, which is just a private district for all of the game in which the leader and officers can kick/temporarily ban people from their server.
Of course, the obvious way of getting funds and income will be GW2. BY keeping the GW1 servers live, Anet caters the dedicated people, which is neccesary to get them to cross over to GW2. So in the end, micro-transactions or not, maintaining the servers is a viable thing. And if there really is the need for added funds from GW1, micro-transactions is definitely not a necessity because it's not the only way to get money off GW1.
Smarty
I don't particularly like paying for extra stuff for a game after I've bought it, but I do understand that ANet needs the cashflow and I really appreciate that the stuff that's being offered is cosmetic rather than anything which gives richer (irl) players an edge over others in either PvP or PvE. As long as ANet sticks to only offering pretties (costumes/BMP) and things which make life easier (extra storage, name/appearance changes rather than remakes) I'm happy. Extra hero slots in the party for people who are prepared to cough up is getting too close to non-cosmetic for my liking, though. I hope that's one suggestion that isn't implemented.
Snorph
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Abedeus
Buying a new account and full unlock with all 3 campaigns + EotN would be a lot cheaper.
|
shoyon456
I dont care what they do, but if they go full on microtrans then they need to perhaps admit the previous business plan wasn't sustainable and rethink how they plan to sell/maintain GW2.
FoxBat
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by shoyon456
I dont care what they do, but if they go full on microtrans then they need to perhaps admit the previous business plan wasn't sustainable and rethink how they plan to sell/maintain GW2.
|
PowerRAV
I don't believe ANET would add anything to the in-game store that would give players a edge over others such as more hero slots. Yes they sell skill unlocks for pvp but all of that is available in game already. Extra hero slots would give those who bought them a edge over those who didn't. So unless the extra hero slots are available in game for free through other means they wont add them for sell.
shoyon456
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by FoxBat
Er they did, and already said GW2 will not follow the "standalones" model.
|
They couldn't sustain campaigns, but standalone campaigns encouraged new players and thus more revenue if we ignore all other influencing factors. GW2 literally has to be on a WoW-scale to get the same kind of notoriety and profit as GW1. In my mind, I'm not going to go buy the required base game and all required expansions just because the latest one looked shiny. They'll have to put more effort into getting new players in GW2.
Rocky Raccoon
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by PowerRAV
I don't believe ANET would add anything to the in-game store that would give players a edge over others such as more hero slots. Yes they sell skill unlocks for pvp but all of that is available in game already. Extra hero slots would give those who bought them a edge over those who didn't. So unless the extra hero slots are available in game for free through other means they wont add them for sell.
|
PowerRAV
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rocky Raccoon
What would that edge be? I believe they will be playing solo with their heroes.
|
Srsly? I have 6 hero slots and you have 3, do you not see the edge I have over you? Quests, farming, running... anything I do with more heroes will be easier / faster than your 3 heroes.
Rather Harmless
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by PowerRAV
Srsly? I have 6 hero slots and you have 3, do you not see the edge I have over you? Quests, farming, running... anything I do with more heroes will be easier / faster than your 3 heroes.
|
jazilla
How about releasing a map editor and having a contest for designing a PvP map? They could release the editor to the public and we could make the maps. They could choose the top 10 and put them in the map rotation. You could do maps for 4v4/8v8. This would be awesome. Also, drop storage panes down to $5 each. I would buy them then.
Cuilan
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by shoyon456
I dont care what they do, but if they go full on microtrans then they need to perhaps admit the previous business plan wasn't sustainable
|
Stay in school.
Nabru Yar
I'd be more than willing to pay for some new content to hold me over 'til GW2... yet it *does* leave a not so happy feeling, as I've paid for a <cough> Free To Play game.
As I have 5 years and countless $ already invested in GW, hell, squeeze me for a few more dollars.
As I have 5 years and countless $ already invested in GW, hell, squeeze me for a few more dollars.
Mireles
I think the idea of adding hero slots is absolutely absurd, just adding 3 heroes practically killed multi-player pve... making a full party of heroes possible will put it to death.
Some micro-transactions id like to see:
(Death count reset) = So established characters that existed before titles have a shot at survivor.
(Return to Pre)= Same reason as above.... character would start new at level one... retaining titles and equipment when the character returned to post.
(Storage upgrade pack)= Discounted rate for buying all 4 purchasable panes of storage... because 10 bucks for 20 spaces is ridiculous when character slots are 10 bucks for 45 spaces
~~And if they really wanted to rake in the dough(and piss a lot of people off)~~
(Purchasable Mini-pets)= Sell new minis that are customized. If current minis are used... price should be scaled with current rarity and also customized. Or just sell the monument function of these minis to be available in guild wars2 and not the minis themselves. Minis are a very popular fad in the community and i believe that they would sell better than anything currently offered. Plus it will eliminate a large portion of why Chinese hacker steal accounts to dupe these minis.
Some micro-transactions id like to see:
(Death count reset) = So established characters that existed before titles have a shot at survivor.
(Return to Pre)= Same reason as above.... character would start new at level one... retaining titles and equipment when the character returned to post.
(Storage upgrade pack)= Discounted rate for buying all 4 purchasable panes of storage... because 10 bucks for 20 spaces is ridiculous when character slots are 10 bucks for 45 spaces
~~And if they really wanted to rake in the dough(and piss a lot of people off)~~
(Purchasable Mini-pets)= Sell new minis that are customized. If current minis are used... price should be scaled with current rarity and also customized. Or just sell the monument function of these minis to be available in guild wars2 and not the minis themselves. Minis are a very popular fad in the community and i believe that they would sell better than anything currently offered. Plus it will eliminate a large portion of why Chinese hacker steal accounts to dupe these minis.
Dzjudz
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mireles
I think the idea of adding hero slots is absolutely absurd, just adding 3 heroes practically killed multi-player pve... making a full party of heroes possible will put it to death.
|
.
Yawgmoth
GW2 going microtransactions is probably the only one thing that can stop me from getting that game.
I would gladly pay for new quality playable content for GW1, but only if it was worth it and the price was proportional to it's size.
And talking about buying unfair advantages like extra hero slots, how about selling extra slots on the skillbar for more skills? I'm sure many would buy them and NCSoft would make more money... seriously isn't this a great idea? Wouldn't having 10 or 12 skills on your bar be awwwwesome?
Ok now sacrasm off. Both ideas are just as good. Good for making money but it doesn't mean good for the game.
And for those who really feel the need of donating money to support their favorite game there should be an ultimate cash sink added, a special title "I love Anet ($XXX donated)" with no maximum. Buy 100 makeover credits or other nonsense and show off! Bigger number means you're cooler!
I would gladly pay for new quality playable content for GW1, but only if it was worth it and the price was proportional to it's size.
And talking about buying unfair advantages like extra hero slots, how about selling extra slots on the skillbar for more skills? I'm sure many would buy them and NCSoft would make more money... seriously isn't this a great idea? Wouldn't having 10 or 12 skills on your bar be awwwwesome?
Ok now sacrasm off. Both ideas are just as good. Good for making money but it doesn't mean good for the game.
And for those who really feel the need of donating money to support their favorite game there should be an ultimate cash sink added, a special title "I love Anet ($XXX donated)" with no maximum. Buy 100 makeover credits or other nonsense and show off! Bigger number means you're cooler!
Mireles
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Yawgmoth
GW2 going micro-transactions is probably the only one thing that can stop me from getting that game.
|
R_Frost
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by PowerRAV
Srsly? I have 6 hero slots and you have 3, do you not see the edge I have over you? Quests, farming, running... anything I do with more heroes will be easier / faster than your 3 heroes.
|
we have all these heros now and im on the side that says if we have them, let us use them. sure we have a free to play game but if being able to buy the 4th-7th hero slot came availible i too would fork out the money for them.
Essence Snow
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mireles
I think the idea of adding hero slots is absolutely absurd, just adding 3 heroes practically killed multi-player pve... making a full party of heroes possible will put it to death.
Some micro-transactions id like to see: (Death count reset) = So established characters that existed before titles have a shot at survivor. (Return to Pre)= Same reason as above.... character would start new at level one... retaining titles and equipment when the character returned to post. (Storage upgrade pack)= Discounted rate for buying all 4 purchasable panes of storage... because 10 bucks for 20 spaces is ridiculous when character slots are 10 bucks for 45 spaces ~~And if they really wanted to rake in the dough(and piss a lot of people off)~~ (Purchasable Mini-pets)= Sell new minis that are customized. If current minis are used... price should be scaled with current rarity and also customized. Or just sell the monument function of these minis to be available in guild wars2 and not the minis themselves. Minis are a very popular fad in the community and i believe that they would sell better than anything currently offered. Plus it will eliminate a large portion of why Chinese hacker steal accounts to dupe these minis. |
FengShuiDove
Only real problem is the $10 limit guy. I think most of the non-essential stuff they've offered has been well-received overall and very subjective... which is likely the intent. We need to set a precedent of discounting people for buying certain amounts at once. It encourages people to indulge a bit more and feel like they're getting a bit more out of it. Buying in bulk ALWAYS saves money. Carry that trend over.
shoyon456
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Cuilan
Sustainable part doesn't make any sense. You're talking about a company that makes money, as it doesn't mean they can't sustain the game without it.
Stay in school. |
And in case you still don't understand why their original business model of buy once with no microtransactions (which has of course changed) then see the poster below:
And stay in school.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mireles
Micro-transactions are NCSoft's solution to the expenses associated with guild wars 2... if you Google their annual reports.... they have been using much more resources to make guild wars 2 than guild wars 1 is bringing in....
|
FoxBat
GW1 Micro-trans are likely a very small drop in the bucket that sustains the and justifies live team, makes a little money on top of that, and nothing else. There aren't that many playing GW, and much fewer of those willing to buy the random stuff they sell in shop. The majority of GW2 resources come from what they built with GW1 retail and what they expect to make from GW2 retail.
Drawing comparisons to how GW2 will run things isn't necessarily apt. After EotN real GW1 development basically ceased, so they could work on GW2. A similar thing will only really happen to GW2 when they set their sights on a new project, and it's not clear when that will be. In GW1 they were stuck in a business model they didn't like, if they get off on the right foot in GW2 it may be something they stick with longer.
Drawing comparisons to how GW2 will run things isn't necessarily apt. After EotN real GW1 development basically ceased, so they could work on GW2. A similar thing will only really happen to GW2 when they set their sights on a new project, and it's not clear when that will be. In GW1 they were stuck in a business model they didn't like, if they get off on the right foot in GW2 it may be something they stick with longer.