Quote:
Originally Posted by shinta_himura
"Why would you want to?"
Not a legitimate argument. The fact is that now people who pay real money have access to AI teams with 4 or more heroes of the same profession. People who do not pay real money can only make AI teams with 3 or less heroes of the same profession. There is nothing you can do as a non-paying player to change this. With things like skill unlocks, non-paying players are still somewhat equal to paying players because both sides are capable of getting every skill in the game for their PvP characters.
Do you still fail to see this blatant fact? Will you still argue that this is not a sleight against the community? Please, don't, because I think anyone with enough sense here is tired of the NCSoft/Anet "They can do no wrong!" bandwagon.
All you need to do is look how far we've come from the inception of microtransactions in this game. It has been a process of phasing things in. At first the playing field was still completely even, if you paid money you got to skip some grinding and what not, but non-paying players were still able to get all of the same things. Phase two, costumes. Now non-paying players are on a lesser playing field, they are denied certain aesthetic features. Phase 3, character make-overs and name-changes. Still aesthetic, but they were highly requested, highly useful features.
What you're seeing is just a glimpse through the keyhole into what Anet intends to turn GW2 into. GW1 is currently just a laboratory to test how far they can push microtransactions.
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Few years ago, I'd reply to inherent problems with microtransactions by arguing that they are necessary if there is no monthly fee. Most of us are past that age of delusion, though, and the only incentive to bring micro in game regardless of it's business model is pure greed, not even paying for the Live Development Team or the Game Support. We've seen it already with p2p blockbusters charging for such mundane things like name change, character customisation change or in-game mount.
Today, my answer is: if you want my money, then the feature better be 1) good 2) at appropriate price 3) not harmful to the non-paying segment, so the community as a whole isn't partitioned (and that would lead to worse gameplay for everyone in the long run, including micro enthusiasts).
The problem with this set of wishes is that what is appropriate in my view might not be for another player, blissfully shelling out 45$ without second thought. Similarly, the perceived 'usefulness' of a feature is mutually-exclusive with it's non-harmful effect for the non-paying users - if particular micro is highly sought-after, it's because it gives a very clear gameplay advantage over other players or exclusive access to high-quality content.
The game company will obviously disregard any individual demands, focusing on the profit, in return pleasing nobody but ripping everyone, either indirectly through alternative cost ('you could buy another game instead, this one is no fun unless you pay for micro') or directly by wallet. Quite obviously, customer response is always subjective, depending on the individual.
As always, flock of sheep is sacrificed for the 'greater good'
Greed is good, methinks. This doesn't change the fact that in the flood of crap PC games (MMOs in particular), the titles that stand out for their quality and innovation get some slack in these matters, because comparatively they offer best gameplay & best content for the lowest price.
One of such companies is Anet, obviously, regardless of our (often critical) opinions about costumes, character make-overs, name change kits, PvP/Pet unlocks, BMP, mercenaries or microtransactions in general. Out of all of them, though, I despise BMP & PvP unlocks the most, as these either sell
solid game content or give an
advantage over other new players, instead of providing purely-aesthetic matters.
