Is it just me, or has Guild Wars acquired the following trend in all of it's major updates?
1. Major Content Update Announced
2. Hype and Buzz about particular features
3. Developers continue to comment on and elaborate on the details of this update
4. The update finally comes.
5. Everyone is already aware of most of it, except for a few new things added to the cash shop.
6. No warning or even the slightest information was given about the new cash shop content by the developers.
Why do they do this? Is it Anet's decision or NCSoft's decision to leave people in the dark about cash shop updates? Is this a plot to gain profits by "shocking" people into buying the cool new shiny things?
The Update Trend?
shinta_himura
ItsJustMe
Because most folks appreciate little surprises.
shinta_himura
Suprises are nice, yes...
But the only suprises we are being given involve microtransactions. Everything else is given months of information and hype.
But the only suprises we are being given involve microtransactions. Everything else is given months of information and hype.
Gli
I guess they don't want any new shop additions to be chewed up and spit out by a horde of jaded and fashionably cynical fanboys months in advance. They probably get a lot more impulse buyers at or soon after the launch if the community hasn't already been thoroughly soured to the idea.
zeeZ
Boohoo, I paid for this game over 5 years go and have clocked an average of 3 hours per day, and now they expect me to pay for updates? Outrageous!
TheGizzy
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Originally Posted by zeeZ
Boohoo, I paid for this game over 5 years go and have clocked an average of 3 hours per day, and now they expect me to pay for updates? Outrageous!
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FoxBat
Here's the thing though: Anet isn't actually hyping much of anything. It's the players who are doing this.
- Players identify major concerns and whine about them over and over, like 7 heroes and death of pugs.
- Developers let players know they're working on those issues.
- Players bombard their talk page with questions around those known issues.
- Devs selectively respond to the player interest. They're mostly talking to identified issues, and not to new additions that players have no clue about nor have expressed a clear interest in.
If Anet wants to "hype" something, they aren't going to be using wiki talk as their tool. They're going to release viral campaigns or skill previews. They're going to set up articles and interviews as they did on release of this patch, where they covered everything including the microtransaction Mercenaries at length. Not to mention stuff on guildwars.com which *always* includes the microtransactions. The amount of Anet-initiated "hype" just isn't that large of late. It's mostly players here at Guru going on and on and on about certain issues that "hypes" those issues, which is just a small slice of whatever Anet is working on.
- Players identify major concerns and whine about them over and over, like 7 heroes and death of pugs.
- Developers let players know they're working on those issues.
- Players bombard their talk page with questions around those known issues.
- Devs selectively respond to the player interest. They're mostly talking to identified issues, and not to new additions that players have no clue about nor have expressed a clear interest in.
If Anet wants to "hype" something, they aren't going to be using wiki talk as their tool. They're going to release viral campaigns or skill previews. They're going to set up articles and interviews as they did on release of this patch, where they covered everything including the microtransaction Mercenaries at length. Not to mention stuff on guildwars.com which *always* includes the microtransactions. The amount of Anet-initiated "hype" just isn't that large of late. It's mostly players here at Guru going on and on and on about certain issues that "hypes" those issues, which is just a small slice of whatever Anet is working on.
Chrisworld
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Originally Posted by zeeZ
Boohoo, I paid for this game over 5 years go and have clocked an average of 3 hours per day, and now they expect me to pay for updates? Outrageous!
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Arduin
I for one did not know about the heroes being alphabetized in the party search screen.
Estic
Spot the sarcasm in zeeZ' post. I dare you!
Grunntar
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Originally Posted by shinta_himura
has Guild Wars acquired the following trend...?
...snip... 6. No warning or even the slightest information was given about the new cash shop content by the developers. Why do they do this? Is it Anet's decision or NCSoft's decision to leave people in the dark about cash shop updates? Is this a plot to gain profits by "shocking" people into buying the cool new shiny things? |
I would advise you to *always* assume that there will be something for sale in anything they do beyond bug fixes and an occasional skill update.
Hobbs
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Originally Posted by Arduin
I for one did not know about the heroes being alphabetized in the party search screen.
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There may be some truth behind what you're saying OP but in the end does it matter? Knowing what's in an update beforehand doesn't actually change what you get in the end. If ANet gets more impulse buys this way, bully for them.
AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by Gli
I guess they don't want any new shop additions to be chewed up and spit out by a horde of jaded and fashionably cynical fanboys months in advance. They probably get a lot more impulse buyers at or soon after the launch if the community hasn't already been thoroughly soured to the idea.
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Hobbs
Creating your own build without restrictions is like using a build where you're limited to 5 skills none of which you get to choose? Righto.
AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by Hobbs
Creating your own build without restrictions is like using a build where you're limited to 5 skills none of which you get to choose? Righto.
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Rites
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Originally Posted by AmbientMelody
Oh wow, enlighten me why are they called 'mercenary heroes' and not 'heroic henchmen' then.
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AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by Rites
because mercenary means you have to pay for them, ie microtransaction
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Skyy High
So that people don't feel "cheated" out of "promised" content by them releasing it as cash-shop only. By hyping the free content, everyone gets exactly what they promised, and the cash-shop stuff is a nice little extra for people who have the money and want to spend it on such things.
AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by Skyy High
So that people don't feel "cheated" out of "promised" content by them releasing it as cash-shop only. By hyping the free content, everyone gets exactly what they promised, and the cash-shop stuff is a nice little extra for people who have the money and want to spend it on such things.
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When you set the price that high and offer a service of questionable use/quality, it is kind of obvious that you forward your offering only to the least critical and demanding segment of your customers, who happen to have an online wallet.
Compared to the cost of individual campaigns during their release, prices in cash shop are simply outrageous for the little functionality they add.
Kunder
Methinks that if they announced it before hand all the "its totally not worth it" discussions that would happen in between the announcement and the release would dissuade a lot of people from buying it.
So it is with EVERY add on released these days. At least Anet has the excuse that they are hosting and providing content updates free of charge, in contrast to other companies who do neither and have as bad or worse priced offerings.
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Originally Posted by AmbientMelody
Compared to the cost of individual campaigns during their release, prices in cash shop are simply outrageous for the little functionality they add.
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AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by Kunder
Methinks that if they announced it before hand all the "its totally not worth it" discussions that would happen in between the announcement and the release would dissuade a lot of people from buying it.
So it is with EVERY add on released these days. At least Anet has the excuse that they are hosting and providing content updates free of charge, in contrast to other companies who do neither and have as bad or worse priced offerings. |
Such philosophy hardly follows 'we want to offer quality services to our dear customers at appropriate prices'. Well, they pay, so price is certainly appropriate, no? No, it isn't. You settle for mediocrity, Anet, when it comes to microtransactions. That's an insult to your customers, especially those 'desperate enough'.
The profit margin for such services is so shamefully high, that they ought to be more reasonably priced, therefore more accessible, therefore contributing in higher degree to customers' satisfaction.
Gli
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Originally Posted by AmbientMelody
Some of these shouldn't be introduced at all for sale, given their negative effect on the game overall.
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bwillcox
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Originally Posted by Gli
Which ones had a negative effect on the game overall?
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Kunder
Don't you shudder at the thought of people renaming their character or changing their hairstyle?
Verene
I know I simply swoon at the thought. Someone fetch the smelling salts!
Hobbs
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Originally Posted by AmbientMelody
Oh wow, enlighten me why are they called 'mercenary heroes' and not 'heroic henchmen' then.
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None of the additions to the store have had any negative effect on the game (except that I have to see that crappy female lich costume everywhere). Mercenary Heroes are a non-issue since you're never in direct competition in PvE and due to the instanced nature of GW, it really has no effect on you how effective someone else's team is.
shinta_himura
"Which ones had a negative effect on the game overall?"
Any update which added content that cannot ever be obtained by non-paying players through other means.
The quick skill unlocks... You can either do it the long way and get every skill, or pay for it and get every skill. In the end, both sides CAN get every skill. Anet still makes money because lots of people will want the convenience. This is an example of a passable microtransaction.
Costumes... If you don't pay for the costume, there is NO OTHER WAY to obtain it. This is an example of a bad microtransaction.
Any update which added content that cannot ever be obtained by non-paying players through other means.
The quick skill unlocks... You can either do it the long way and get every skill, or pay for it and get every skill. In the end, both sides CAN get every skill. Anet still makes money because lots of people will want the convenience. This is an example of a passable microtransaction.
Costumes... If you don't pay for the costume, there is NO OTHER WAY to obtain it. This is an example of a bad microtransaction.
Hobbs
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Originally Posted by shinta_himura
Costumes... If you don't pay for the costume, there is NO OTHER WAY to obtain it. This is an example of a bad microtransaction.
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Don Zardeone
euh, imo the microtransactions aren't micro enough
that's a trend too
that's a trend too
c0c0c0
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Originally Posted by zeeZ
Boohoo, I paid for this game over 5 years go and have clocked an average of 3 hours per day, and now they expect me to pay for updates? Outrageous!
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lemming
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Originally Posted by c0c0c0
In terms of entertainment hours per dollar, Guild Wars has been the best investment I have ever made in my life, bar none. I can absolutely afford to toss a few bones their way for some useless skins every now and then.
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Verene
I'm pretty sure that the amount of money I've spent on GW since I started playing would even out to being the same as if I was playing an MMO that charges you $15 a month to play it. I own all campaigns and EOTN, CEs of Factions and Nightfall, a second account with all three campaigns and EOTN, I've gotten four extra character slots, a storage slot, skill unlocks, and makeover pack on my main account, all costumes, bought Factions for my boyfriend, Nightfall for my brother...yeah, it's clear that I have no problem paying for optional goodies for this game.
The difference, though, is that I wasn't obligated to pay for it (I would never pay for a pay-to-play game), I did because I wanted to. Yeah, there's a limit on what I'll spend on something (as much as I'd like the 8 merc heroes pack, it was a bit out of my budget), but I don't mind and enjoy being able to support a game that has given me so much fun.
The difference, though, is that I wasn't obligated to pay for it (I would never pay for a pay-to-play game), I did because I wanted to. Yeah, there's a limit on what I'll spend on something (as much as I'd like the 8 merc heroes pack, it was a bit out of my budget), but I don't mind and enjoy being able to support a game that has given me so much fun.
ShaJiexi
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Originally Posted by Verene
I'm pretty sure that the amount of money I've spent on GW since I started playing would even out to being the same as if I was playing an MMO that charges you $15 a month to play it. I own all campaigns and EOTN, CEs of Factions and Nightfall, a second account with all three campaigns and EOTN, I've gotten four extra character slots, a storage slot, skill unlocks, and makeover pack on my main account, all costumes, bought Factions for my boyfriend, Nightfall for my brother...yeah, it's clear that I have no problem paying for optional goodies for this game.
The difference, though, is that I wasn't obligated to pay for it (I would never pay for a pay-to-play game), I did because I wanted to. Yeah, there's a limit on what I'll spend on something (as much as I'd like the 8 merc heroes pack, it was a bit out of my budget), but I don't mind and enjoy being able to support a game that has given me so much fun. |
I usually buy for two reasons:
1) I figure I can buy a cheap meal, the cost difference pays for it in a day or two at most.
2) I want to support ANet and the great game that's given me so much fun over the years (minus a 3 year break, but that was hardly their fault...busy with college and whatnot). I used to be an alpha tester up until real life kicked in, and I am really thankful to Anet for that opportunity as well. Given that a book I read in ~3-10 hours (debating on length and density) may set me back ~$30-40, a game that has given my thousands of hours of enjoyment is certainly worth spending a bit of extra dough. 3-4,000 hours for about $50? That's a steal. So I spend another hundred or so on extra bonuses, I'm still way below what monthly fees might have cost (actually, I might be breaking even, after buying some name changes and makeovers....)
So that's what it boils down to. The cost is still relatively cheap, and it allows me to support a company and game that has given me great enjoyment over the years. If they come out with new paid content that's worth buying, I'll keep showing my support.
And the reason I didn't get the mercs isn't the cost; it's the fact I'd have to re-equip them, and I'm now too poor in game to afford runes or weapons for more heroes, and see no need to strip my already-smexy heroes for new ones that function the same. Maybe if mercs could use PvP weapons from an NPC.... (I know, I know, you guys thought of it and it had technical issues. Wait til I save enough for FoW three or four years from now and I can start worrying about equipping mercs!)
ogre_jd
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Originally Posted by ShaJiexi
And the reason I didn't get the mercs isn't the cost; it's the fact I'd have to re-equip them, and I'm now too poor in game to afford runes or weapons for more heroes, and see no need to strip my already-smexy heroes for new ones that function the same. Maybe if mercs could use PvP weapons from an NPC.... (I know, I know, you guys thought of it and it had technical issues.
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1) Having to equip them when I can barely keep the existing Heroes equipped decently enough to use for 7-Hero parties on nine of my characters (the tenth is going to be in Pre- for the foreseeable future).
2) The cost in real-world money in real-world money is a bit excessive for someone like me on a fixed income, especially when combined with the third and most important reason...
3) Except maybe to get a second Ritualist on my characters (*not* a fan of the Desolation, so it's fairly unlikely that many of my characters will ever bother to finish Nightfall to get Razah), I can't see myself ever having a use for Mercenary Heroes. Extra storage slots? Got 'em all and almost wish I could get a couple of more. Extra character slots? Got two of 'em and that's enough so I can have one of every profession - if I had a guild and AB wasn't mostly dead, an eleventh slot would be worth investing in. Costumes? Some of them are quite good and I use the ones I've got on a regular basis. But Mercs? Mostly useless...
kewlsnake
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Originally Posted by c0c0c0
This. The fact that some people didn't detect the sarcasm ("Boo hoo"? C'mon, folks!) just underscores how prevalent the attitude is. In terms of entertainment hours per dollar, Guild Wars has been the best investment I have ever made in my life, bar none. I can absolutely afford to toss a few bones their way for some useless skins every now and then.
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If someone would have told me years ago I would have to to pay ~100 euro for a game I'd be like "hell no". Yet I bought Nightfall when it was new for 40-50 euro, later EOTN for 30-40 euro and some time ago I also bought Factions/Prophecies for 15 euro each. Well played Anet.
Now that mercenary heroes are available, I kind of wish I had made more than one PVE character. I can definitely see people getting happy to be able to play together with all the characters they've created over the years. It seems game trancsending in a way. That you're able to make 7 heroes of the same class just seems a funny afterthought in my opinion.
I don't like the name though. It sounds like if they're mercenaries for hire. Heroes of Tyria or Tyrian Heroes would be more fitting. It would be a general name for characters of Tyria(the world) and would fit in the lore of guild wars since you also have a "Young Heroes of Tyria" book that talks about all the things you have done for everyone. It'd be only fitting that you could be used as a hero by your other characters on your account. Personal story like in gw2 ftw!
AmbientMelody
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Originally Posted by bwillcox
I'd be interested in knowing this also. Please enlighten us.
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lemming
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Originally Posted by AmbientMelody
PvP unlock kits, to some degree BMP. Draw your own conclusions where I've drawn the line and why.
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shinta_himura
"But it doesn't DO anything. Your playing experience isn't hindering in the slightest."
I can't believe you... I just... ugh!
One of the center-pieces of Guild Wars is its vanity aspect. There are tons of different armor sets in the game now at the same price, they have no different stats or uses but they offer players different visuals. There are even more armor sets that are much more expensive but don't do anything different. There are an absurd amount of skins for weapons. The game was all about players having options that didn't force them into one role or another, and every option was obtainable.
Now this is NOT THE CASE. The only armor and item artwork being developed anymore is for the cash shop. Not to mention the artwork and design is considerably more impressive than anything previously seen. They don't even bother to release free armor updates anymore (like elite knights or the gladiator helmet), the most we get without having to pay even more ridiculous amounts of money are holiday helmets, which likely took maybe 30 minutes to an hour in a 3d modeling program? An hour writing and double checking its code for the game? How long do you think it takes a professional 3d designer to model a halo ring, for crying out loud.
I can't believe you... I just... ugh!
One of the center-pieces of Guild Wars is its vanity aspect. There are tons of different armor sets in the game now at the same price, they have no different stats or uses but they offer players different visuals. There are even more armor sets that are much more expensive but don't do anything different. There are an absurd amount of skins for weapons. The game was all about players having options that didn't force them into one role or another, and every option was obtainable.
Now this is NOT THE CASE. The only armor and item artwork being developed anymore is for the cash shop. Not to mention the artwork and design is considerably more impressive than anything previously seen. They don't even bother to release free armor updates anymore (like elite knights or the gladiator helmet), the most we get without having to pay even more ridiculous amounts of money are holiday helmets, which likely took maybe 30 minutes to an hour in a 3d modeling program? An hour writing and double checking its code for the game? How long do you think it takes a professional 3d designer to model a halo ring, for crying out loud.
Bandwagon
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Originally Posted by shinta_himura
One of the center-pieces of Guild Wars is its vanity aspect. There are tons of different armor sets in the game now at the same price, they have no different stats or uses but they offer players different visuals. There are even more armor sets that are much more expensive but don't do anything different. There are an absurd amount of skins for weapons. The game was all about players having options that didn't force them into one role or another, and every option was obtainable. |
...Buuuut, since no one was able to get the point across using logic, I'll use caps.
YOUR PLAYING EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THE GAME IS NOT AFFECTED PERIOD.
REGARDLESS ON WHETHER I AM SPORTING AN EMERALD EDGE AND DRACONIC AEGIS IN FULL OBSIDIAN ARMOR DYED WITH A COMBINATION OF THREE BLACK DYES, AND ONE WHITE DYE ON EACH PIECE OR A PVP SHORT SWORD, PVP STRENGTH SHIELD, AND PVP TYRIAN ARMOR, FUNCTIONALLY THEY ARE THE SAME AND IN GAME TERMS NEITHER PLAYER HOLDS A STATISTICAL ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER.
THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE END. GW IS NOT A PARIS FASHION RUNWAY AND OFFERS NO TANGIBLE REWARDS FOR SUCH THINKING.
You can pretend that there is a mystery Guru poster shouting into his/her computer making obscene gestures at the screen if it makes the preceeding paragraph any funnier.
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Originally Posted by shinta_himura
......the most we get without having to pay even more ridiculous amounts of money are holiday helmets, which likely took maybe 30 minutes to an hour in a 3d modeling program?......
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Wow really? You must have been working with the live team in order to gleam the actual effort required to make the helmets, you must be correct!
[/ sarcasm]
Would you prefer no one has access to any costumes to appease your self entitled claims of "what is fair"? Because that is the only alternative besides releasing the micro transaction. Personally I am fine with the option to buy costumes, it doesn't effect me when I don't buy them, and when I do, well I get a little something to play around with that doesn't impede or overpower the efforts of other players as they experience the game in either PvE or PvP.
Hell, they were nice enough to make the costumes auto hide in PvP so profession identification wouldn't become a problem.
Verene
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Originally Posted by shinta_himura
"But it doesn't DO anything. Your playing experience isn't hindering in the slightest."
I can't believe you... I just... ugh! One of the center-pieces of Guild Wars is its vanity aspect. There are tons of different armor sets in the game now at the same price, they have no different stats or uses but they offer players different visuals. There are even more armor sets that are much more expensive but don't do anything different. There are an absurd amount of skins for weapons. The game was all about players having options that didn't force them into one role or another, and every option was obtainable. Now this is NOT THE CASE. The only armor and item artwork being developed anymore is for the cash shop. Not to mention the artwork and design is considerably more impressive than anything previously seen. They don't even bother to release free armor updates anymore (like elite knights or the gladiator helmet), the most we get without having to pay even more ridiculous amounts of money are holiday helmets, which likely took maybe 30 minutes to an hour in a 3d modeling program? An hour writing and double checking its code for the game? How long do you think it takes a professional 3d designer to model a halo ring, for crying out loud. |