Guild Wars 2

I am by no means quitting, but I did want to come here and say something about how the cash shop has made me feel lately in regards to value. I want to start with by simply saying: I have no issues with cash shops, in fact I prefer cash shops. I like to spend my money how I please and I dropped a few hundred dollars easily on the gem store. I am more then happy to; if I feel that my investment pays off or even makes me feel good for a short time.

I understand the type of game GW2 is as well, it is more for players who enjoy playing with other players and not just using mute NPC like insta-que players to further their individual gear grind agendas. I play MMOs for fun and not for gear, I like playing with other people and not using them to further my own intentions. Im old school like that.

With the last two updates: the RNG boxes from the shops have been a terrible let down. With each update I buy basically anything on interest on the shop. I also always buy the RNG box bundle. These past 2 updates I spent 20$ per update on RNG boxes while also buying any pets and skins because I do love the fluff and aesthetic stuff. The boxes and the fact that the last 2 updates the skins were almost only able to be acquired from boxes is a huge disappointment. The art design in GW2 is the best ive ever seen in an MMO so I do pine after these customization options. After 40$ spent on RNG boxes over the last 2 updates I received almost nothing in return. It would of been cooler to throw my money in a fire, at least I could take a picture.

The only thing I received from these boxes were 1 pet, Lord Faren, which was funny, but by no means really impressive since it is just something that is already in game and nothing really actually unique. Then from the latest boxes from dragons bash, I received a box, complementary, which was nice containing 3 pets and then the risen knight, which i combined to get the colossus from the Mystic forge (which IMO is the most phoned-in pet I’ve seen, thus far) That is it.

40$ for 2 very forgettable things.

Also, during the Southsun event they release the vendors with skinned weapons and gear you can buy with Karka shells, which all look like hobo weapons and were not unique at all and were a terrible let down. I won’t be spending anymore money on this game till I feel my purchase is warranted. I want those jade dragon skins very badly, I would without batting an eye spend real money purchasing every single skin from the gemstore individually like I did with the last skins from frost and and fire. Im pretty bummed on this because love GW2 and I will continue to play it, I will say it does not feel good or rewarding to spend money in that shop. You literally receive next to nothing of value. I am more then happy to blow money in cash shops, I make good money, I love MMOs and I will spend plenty of money to enhance what is basically my favorite thing to do, playing video games.

The current practices make me feel NCsoft is really over-lording Arena Net now and it may get worse. Worst case scenario being that you basically no longer receive quality rewards for actually playing the game and they are (not so slowly) shifting to more of a Sony or Perfect World kind of philosophy where if you want something cool you buy it and not earn it through enjoyment of the game.

Not too toot a horn for Trion, though I am a fanboy, I think they are an excellent dev, the way they have engineered their f2p model has set the bar IMO. It is rewarding and affordable and from launch day their F2P shop has alot more quality items and content to purchase, then other shops ive seen tha have been out for much longer, check it out for yourself. It will sour you a bit on Arena Net’s Gemstore.

TLDR:

I am afraid Guild Wars 2 will turn into a stale game with no quality content and shady gemstore practices to garner money, cash shops should make you feel good to purchase items, not regret them immediately after you are let down. I feel they are going to the short term quick money schemes and shunning practices that would really help maintain retention and growth of what I think is a brilliant and beautiful game.

If you don’t feel the skins are worth the RNG aspect to it, why are you worried about it? As someone who dropped 200$ trying to get a fused skin but didn’t get one, I know how you feel, but I’ve since stopped buying them and if everyone else did that they would stop selling them like that.

Jrunyon.3012:

If you don’t feel the skins are worth the RNG aspect to it, why are you worried about it? As someone who dropped 200$ trying to get a fused skin but didn’t get one, I know how you feel, but I’ve since stopped buying them and if everyone else did that they would stop selling them like that.

I am more so worried about the future of the game if this keeps up. As I said: I will not be purchasing anything from the store until my dollar feels like it has value again. I always want fun stuff to enjoy in GW2, as time as gone by though, less and less compelling content has come out. Ill take great content on a longer time frame then mediocre content every 2 weeks. One does not make up for the other. Each update gives us basically what boils down to a 2-4 hour grind for achievements.

I understand the allure of rarity, but seeing someone with a rare drop from an RNG box versus someone with a hard as hell to get legendary does not equate to me. One only requires money, the other requires mountains of effort.

Mobs Deep.8290:

I understand the allure of rarity, but seeing someone with a rare drop from an RNG box versus someone with a hard as hell to get legendary does not equate to me. One only requires money, the other requires mountains of effort.

Or money, since you can buy the Legendaries from the TP.

lordkrall.7241:

Mobs Deep.8290:

I understand the allure of rarity, but seeing someone with a rare drop from an RNG box versus someone with a hard as hell to get legendary does not equate to me. One only requires money, the other requires mountains of effort.

Or money, since you can buy the Legendaries from the TP.

True.. but you ever did the math on 2000 gold through the exchange rate? I am pretty sure at that point unless money is of literally no object to you, you would not do it. I guess if you are just crazy as hell about getting a legendary. Saving up 2k+ gold through gameplay means is no small task, I would equate that to actually getting a legendary through proper means, for the time sink involved, unless there is some money exploit I don’t know about it. (there always is )

Mobs Deep.8290:

True.. but you ever did the math on 2000 gold through the exchange rate? I am pretty sure at that point unless money is of literally no object to you, you would not do it. Or I am mean I guess if you are just crazy as hell about getting a legendary.

The amount of money needed for a legendary might be quite high, but at the same time people with works can quite easily save up that amount of money in a month or two if they really wanted to.

The whole point was simply to dispel the notion that having a legendary meant you had worked harder ingame than someone with a coffer-skin.

lordkrall.7241:

Mobs Deep.8290:

True.. but you ever did the math on 2000 gold through the exchange rate? I am pretty sure at that point unless money is of literally no object to you, you would not do it. Or I am mean I guess if you are just crazy as hell about getting a legendary.

The amount of money needed for a legendary might be quite high, but at the same time people with works can quite easily save up that amount of money in a month or two if they really wanted to.

The whole point was simply to dispel the notion that having a legendary meant you had worked harder ingame than someone with a coffer-skin.

It is different though, it takes 0 effort to pull a lever and hope you win. You just usually don’t. If acquiring a legendary was equal to a coffer skin, id have a legendary, I assure you. I do see your point though.