Microtransactions for Charity

Bristlebane

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

I would like to see more items in the ingame store where money from the purchase would go to charity. It would be entirely optional, purely cosmetical, and provide no ingame advantage whatsoever.
  • Why not donate directly to to charity than through Anet's ingame store?
    - It would be nice with some token knowing you get something ingame at same time as you do something for others in need. This way you could get both.
  • What kind of ingame items are we talking about?
    - How about an Eternal Dye [Pink], untradable, which you get with /bonus.
    - The dance emotes from CE/Pre Prophecies/Factions/Nightfall.
    - Costumes.
    - Additional /bonus weapons.
  • What kind of charities, and who would decide?
    - It would be done in cooperation with a trusted charity organization who can handle this better. Perhaps Red Cross?
  • You need an epeen to show you donated to charity?
    - Sometimes people want epeens, whatever reason that encourages people to donate is still good for charity.
  • Thanks, I will /sign this thread now
    - Why thank you for supporting this idea

Minime The Shadow

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2008

England (south)

Order Of Universal Spirit

R/

I can't see how this would be a bad thing, anything that brings exposure and financial gain to a respected charity is a good thing.
Even if 50% went to charity, so Anet/ NCsoft (cant remember which) has an incentive to implement it, this would still benefit everyone.
Good idea imo,
/Signed

Kojima

Kojima

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2010

Home

En Caligne Veritas [DARK]

R/Rt

I like the idea.

/signed

ArtemisTheYounger

ArtemisTheYounger

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2009

Everlasting Sacred Path [ESP]

R/

I like it, everyone wins.

/signed

Bad Company Sin

Bad Company Sin

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2010

Texas

Embrace Annihilation [?????????]

A/

This would be amazing.

/signed

Bristlebane

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Minime The Shadow View Post
Even if 50% went to charity, so Anet/ NCsoft (cant remember which) has an incentive to implement it, this would still benefit everyone.
Yes, even 50% would be great!

Hobbs

Hobbs

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2006

Organised Spam [OS]

W/

Sure, I always wondered why there were no microtransactions for Pink Dye.

/signed

AngelWJedi

AngelWJedi

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2008

orlando,florida

Society of Souls [Argh]

Rt/E

/sign

only it cant be something cheesy. i seen alot of companies do something like this and all they do is something like a rubber bracelet. oo; couldnt even spring for a real one? lols

go cubs

go cubs

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2007

Chicago

[SIR]

D/

/sign, Agreeeeeeeeed with this idea.

Braxton619

Braxton619

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2008

A/W

/signed

I think a ton more people would buy from ingame store. I would be happy buying a GW bracelet too.

yitjuan

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2007

GMT +8

redt

Rt/

i bought a mini panda and mini kelthuzad from the other game , and i know i wouldnt mind buying something if i get the placebo effect that i'm donating some money.

/signed

Killed u man

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtemisTheYounger View Post
I like it, everyone wins.

/signed

Anet doesn't, which is why this isn't getting done.

HawkofStorms

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

As long as it is a good cause (ie, not something controversial, and not some charity run by the spouse of an employee) this would be a good idea.

Plus, it might get people who don't normally buy microtransactions like me to give a bit of money.

Kosar The Cruel

Kosar The Cruel

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2010

Ontario, Canada

D/

I'll just donated directly to red-cross.

Also, I doubt Anet will ever do something like this.

Sir Mad

Sir Mad

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Moe's Pub

Pigs Can Fly [Pigs]

R/

/not signed, for political reasons (yeah I know, my answer is gonna be border-line, but it can't be helped).

Most of the western charity organizations are more about making money for advertising than advertising for making money (to help people who need it). I had the chance to travel a lot, and discovered a lot of local charity works doing what they do not for the fame, but because they really wanna help people. Unfortunately, that's not where the western money goes. So, for factual reasons, just no, thanks. I'll give money to people I trust. I won't buy IG items to ease my conscience.

Rites

Rites

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2010

Deep in the belly of Texas

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Mad View Post

Most of the western charity organizations are more about making money for advertising than advertising for making money (to help people who need it).
western society in general is only about putting the all mighty dollar in their pockets. i agree with you on how "donations" seem to be used for "charities"

/not signed sadly enough

X Dr Pepper X

X Dr Pepper X

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2008

The Mirror of Reason [SNOW]

R/

Why not donate directly to a charity instead?

I could pay ANet 10$ for a micro transaction which they themselves will take a cut, or I could just pay 10$ to a respectable charity of choice.

/not signed

hahahi20

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2010

The Netherlands

Dutch Flaweless [DL]

D/

just one question, why exactly would you like to have it?? if you want to pay to a charity, then you could better donate money to them yourself so they gain the full 100%.

if you just want new ingame items you could just ask for that, the only problem with that is that arenanet only has 4 people who are still working on gw1 the beyond team, but i think they are to busy at the moment with making WOC.
/notsigned

I am Judge

I am Judge

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2010

We Wear Sombrero's

P/

You should check out Gw-en.com, and the Gamers Giving Back. We host in game parties, with in game items and real life items as 'prizes' during quiz questions and drawings.

The Pink Dye you may see around the game has a special meaning to us as it was released to help promote our Pink Day in LA event and if you look at it is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness.

We will be having another major event about Multiple Schlerosis on April 16th (you can check out the guru posting under community events).

We see none of the money, it goes directly to the various charities that we have been working with be it Red Cross/Cancer Society/Children's Miracle Network/MS Society.

Arena Net has shown lots of support with helping us, and coming out just to hang out. As well as the previously mentioned Pink Dye that many people are carrying around as is. So def if this is something you like you should check it out and see what it's all about.

Anet does win. The fact that Pink Day in LA had over 33 full Districts, and the various sites who covered what was going on is promotion of their product and a valuable name with the support of the idea.

melissa b

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2007

"How about an Eternal Dye [Pink], untradable, which you get with /bonus." = Eternal Pink Dye Service...an in game advantage.

Instead of stacking more microtransactions. Add more promotional items that are free such as the pink dye day promotion. Or for the the future a new quest with a free costume that has the red and white colors that promotes awareness of the redcross but not too blatant with an actual writing on it or red-cross symbol.

Bristlebane

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by melissa b View Post
"How about an Eternal Dye [Pink], untradable, which you get with /bonus." = Eternal Pink Dye Service...an in game advantage.
Could just limit it to only work on your own armor. Just lite other Eternal items have limitations.

Bristlebane

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Minime The Shadow View Post
Even if 50% went to charity, so Anet/ NCsoft (cant remember which) has an incentive to implement it, this would still benefit everyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Killed u man View Post
Anet doesn't, which is why this isn't getting done.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kosar The Cruel View Post
Also, I doubt Anet will ever do something like this.
ArenaNet / NCsoft will donate approx €4.500.000 for Japan

I am Judge

I am Judge

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2010

We Wear Sombrero's

P/

as previously stated Anet does get some benefits even if it is several hundreds of people hearing about the company and their game through the services that are around. The promotional aspect can bring alot of people into their "services/game".

As stated before they have worked with us on various occasions, ie the Pink Dye and Support and they will continue to do so.

As for the micro transactions, they have been approached.

Definatly check out Gw-en.com under the Gamers Giving Back. You may like what you see.

The Super Chilli

The Super Chilli

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2008

BEHIND YOU!

HRUU

Me/

For a donation through the Anet store you should be able to choose a past festival hat or even the anniversary panel in storage if you didnt get it from before.

Bristlebane

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

I see no harm in getting a small ingame item like the anniversary panel, old festival hats, or old promotional /bonus weapons. It's just data, and anything that helps promote or encourage people to donate more can't be bad.

MalibuBarbie

MalibuBarbie

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2010

Canada

Ugly Ducklings[ugly]/Sombreros

D/

Hey!

I just want to point out that Arenanet has been approached about having Microtransactions for Charities before. They have been turned down, but they don't completely exclude the idea of supporting Charity.

They just recently help donated money to the people of Japan. They have supported fundraisers for Haiti, Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer ( That I know of..there could be others...)

The hard part about creating Microtransactions is :

1. How do you narrow down who is going to benefit from it?

2. If they have a small team on Guild Wars 1 atm...maybe they don't have access to being able to implement this in the game. ( Not my thoughts...these were directed to me from Arenanet)


Alas, I want to say, Arenanet has been very welcoming to Gamers Giving Back running fund-raisers for Video Gamers in their community. Maybe this could be something they could look towards for Guild Wars 2.

If you want to help out with Charity....please do check out Gamers Giving Back...as it was founded in Guild Wars and has already made some significant changes. There are other video game oriented charities as well....Extra Life Campaign and Child's Play are two examples of how people can help out!

Go to the community section and check out some fo the things that have been happening in Guild Wars..you will see that just yesterday we raised money for Japan and New Zealand as part of a St. Patrick's Day Party

I love to see the big hearts showing up here....that is why I founded Gamers Giving Back...because I know Gamers are the best type of people out there

~ Rhonda

Fink Dixel

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Feb 2008

The Brotherhood of Steel [BoS]

R/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by I am Judge View Post
You should check out Gw-en.com, and the Gamers Giving Back. We host in game parties, with in game items and real life items as 'prizes' during quiz questions and drawings.

The Pink Dye you may see around the game has a special meaning to us as it was released to help promote our Pink Day in LA event and if you look at it is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness.

We will be having another major event about Multiple Schlerosis on April 16th (you can check out the guru posting under community events).

We see none of the money, it goes directly to the various charities that we have been working with be it Red Cross/Cancer Society/Children's Miracle Network/MS Society.

Arena Net has shown lots of support with helping us, and coming out just to hang out. As well as the previously mentioned Pink Dye that many people are carrying around as is. So def if this is something you like you should check it out and see what it's all about.

Anet does win. The fact that Pink Day in LA had over 33 full Districts, and the various sites who covered what was going on is promotion of their product and a valuable name with the support of the idea.

This post as well as Malibu Barbie's post are great. I really suggest looking into this. It is a very good organization and they do a LOT! They show that even in a video game, great things in real life can be achieved. I would list things that they do, however it was already mentioned. The first time I have ever heard of Gw-en.com and Gamers Giving Back I have decided that I would check them out. I REALLY Suggest looking into this.

Black Metal

Black Metal

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2009

N/

/not signed

when I donate, I want to know where every penny is going and to which charity
when I purchase, I want to base that on economic decisions

I don't like it when there's a muddy gray area, and if it's offered to me as the only choice, I'll generally choose not to

Kaleban

Kaleban

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Hot as hell Florida

[Wckd]

Me/

Unfortunately, even when you donate to the Red Cross or any charter organizations run by the U.N. for example, much of the money ends up greasing the palms of local warlords either through direct transfer or by theft/raiding.

The only true way to make sure your charity gets to those who need it is to literally fly there and hand it over yourself. Of course, handing out money doesn't fix problems, locals frequently have no way of capitalizing on USD$10, and news of charitable foreigners attracts mercenaries and thieves like moths to a flame.

To truly help those in need, Americans have the Peace Corps. That's about it. Governmental "foreign aid" is code for building up puppet governments so the donating government can reap the profits of a sympathetic petty dictator.

Even the money ANet is sending to Japan will most likely be lost to a sea of bureaucracy, just like the millions of dollars a month America spends in the Middle East is largely disappearing in suitcases and idle hands.

When I lived overseas, I helped in the Peace Corps and the local equivalent of Houses for the Homeless in third world and distressed areas. In fact, your own blood, sweat and tears are the only thing you can ever be absolutely sure that is being given to the right folks.

Sad state of affairs, but unfortunately true.

awry

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaleban View Post
Unfortunately, even when you donate to the Red Cross or any charter organizations run by the U.N. for example, much of the money ends up greasing the palms of local warlords either through direct transfer or by theft/raiding.

The only true way to make sure your charity gets to those who need it is to literally fly there and hand it over yourself. Of course, handing out money doesn't fix problems, locals frequently have no way of capitalizing on USD$10, and news of charitable foreigners attracts mercenaries and thieves like moths to a flame.

To truly help those in need, Americans have the Peace Corps. That's about it. Governmental "foreign aid" is code for building up puppet governments so the donating government can reap the profits of a sympathetic petty dictator.

Even the money ANet is sending to Japan will most likely be lost to a sea of bureaucracy, just like the millions of dollars a month America spends in the Middle East is largely disappearing in suitcases and idle hands.

When I lived overseas, I helped in the Peace Corps and the local equivalent of Houses for the Homeless in third world and distressed areas. In fact, your own blood, sweat and tears are the only thing you can ever be absolutely sure that is being given to the right folks.

Sad state of affairs, but unfortunately true.
Don't forget how sometimes supplies can threaten local competition, driving prices down and breaking jobs, it's like treating colds with a dose of heroin. BUT, what's the alternative, do nothing? Not everyone can up and leave their current state of affairs to travel directly and hand out the money.

Kaleban

Kaleban

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Hot as hell Florida

[Wckd]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by awry View Post
Don't forget how sometimes supplies can threaten local competition, driving prices down and breaking jobs, it's like treating colds with a dose of heroin. BUT, what's the alternative, do nothing? Not everyone can up and leave their current state of affairs to travel directly and hand out the money.
Well, one solution would be for every American to become politically active (or at least informed beyond simply knowing that there are three basic branches of government) and vote out all the Congressmen who've been in Washington since before the Civil Rights movement.

When a country with some 350 million people has its leader decided in elections with vote totals less than 50 million, and calls itself the leader of the free world and an exemplar of democracy, well thats just ridiculous.

But as long as there's reality TV, sports players earning $7 million a year to catch a ball, and teachers making $30k a year and still having to buy school supplies or risk losing their jobs because parents don't want to pay more educational taxes, well, I just figure we're all doomed anyway.