Guild Wars 2

Asking around in my own guild it seems none of us (around a dozen people) have bought chests, yet 2/3 of us would happily buy Halloween weapon skins off the cash shop were they available.

I’m wondering if this is a common phenomena, it’s just, if 2/3 of the entire game population is also keeping their purse strings tightly drawn in respect to chests, but would happily pay for the skins outright… is this something Arenanet needs to think about, if not for this event, then for future events?

Or is my guild somewhat unique and oddly Scrooglelike in nature?

<Dons flameproof suit for the inevitable wave of destroyer trolls who feel making skins available to all and sunder would cheapen their gameplay>

Edit: Oh, right. Forgot the mandatory image macro

They wouldnt be unique if they were just …..available now would they?

Eh who cares if they are unique, eventually it will be chaos gloves and obby armor everywhere all over again anyway, I suppose some people do enjoy looking at other people and being like, O MAN THAT GUY IS SO COOL. I’d rather just not care about other people, and look cool myself, instead of having to look at some one else.

It is just a game after all, fun for all and all that jazz?

You can buy them off trade post, to my knowledge.

I would buy the skins if only the accessibility to them were more reasonable.

Frankly, I don’t even know what to make of these people who say “dont like dont pay” when clearly even they aren’t getting the skins, they might be fine with not having them but the fact is, they themselves know that the chances from the BLC aren’t worth it, and in the end thats the only true problem isnt it? Regardless if you think the chests are ok or not, no one considers the current “chances” to be anything near okay.

Who says they have to be unique? – The GW1 clothing skins wern’t unqiue either (Actually they WERE because they were limited edition during that event only)

Surely any item you buy with money isn’t unique to begin with since possession is limited only by your finances not a symbol of prestige like a legendary weapon which requires serious time investment

Before all this happened, yes i would have purchased skins straight from the BLTC. After having bought the keys last night…. not so much. Probably never gonna spend another dime. I’ll take my monthly allowance of gem money and put it towards a different game now.

Well, they’re right there on the TP now.

Well technically they can do that right now, all the skins are available in the TP so one could argue that buying gems, converting to gold then buying the skins its the same thing.

After what I have seen today.. That is the only way I will buy them. No more key purchases from from me.

Well I’m heartened to see I’m not alone. Maybe in future (Or if we’re really lucky, this event) we’ll see cash shop skins instead of chest-gambling skins

Minion of Vey.4398:

Well, they’re right there on the TP now.

Last check to buy on TP (assuming you arn’t already filth rich in-game), would require converting $50-80 of gems into gold. That is possibly the most expensive cash-shop item ever.

The major issue isnt the skins, or Halloween for that matter. It is the inflation prices of gems that is the real issue. I play mostly pve and I dont really care about the markets all that much. The issue is if I want to buy something other than BL Chests, it is now a ridiculous price for that item using in game gold. This basically forces the user to use Paypal or Visa to get the item they want, be it fine transmutation stones, boxing gloves or Karma boosters. The philosophy of Anet letting people use ingame gold for gems is starting to come into question. Lets hope this is inadvertent because if not then it goes DIRECTLY against their mandate.

Stormcrow.7513:

The major issue isnt the skins, or Halloween for that matter. It is the inflation prices of gems that is the real issue.

Not really. The value of money-to-gems is essentially static.

Gold to gems is variable yes but, if you’re paying with gold you’re not actually paying arenanet at all, so this is an entirely different question (What is the fair conversion rate of gems to gold and vice versa). In fact if you’re buying gems, to sell for gold, to buy skins off TP then inflated gem prices are in your favour.

I’d gladly pay for the skin I wanted, but at current gold prices on the gem exchange I’d be spending upwards of the $70 I spent on keys for a single skin. Put that in the $20-$30 range and I’ll do it. but now I’m just a bit annoyed that I have 83 fine transmute stones 200+ tonics and can’t even dump them into a merch for a slight refund in copper.

I’m sure that Arena Net has noticed a problem with their drop rates, now I’m just waiting to see what they will do to “reward” those players you spent a considerable chunk of change on gems expecting to have a reasonable chance of getting a weapon skin. I was expecting something that comes close to the purchase price of cstumes in GW1 to be reflected in the chance for a skin in GW2 chests. I was wrong. I should have waited for someone else to be the idiot first, but I wanted to surprise my GF with a weapon skin to use for the event so I dumped what I figured would be enough money, taking into account random variation, for two skins… $70 later I’m hoping they just misplaced the decimal point and will correct it. I’m not the only disgruntled player at the moment.

Go ahead mods call this one an infraction too. I know you’re trying to cover up what going on and sucker a bit more cash out of your players, but someone is going to read this before you do so I still win.

I’d buy skins outright for a reasonable gem price. I won’t be gambling with keys though, and I’m surprised so many people actually are.

I only gambled because I assumed that arenanet had a decent respect for casual players who wanted to show them some support… the current drop rates are for the botters and exploiters and the hardcore gamers who spend 12+hours a day in game and are buying gems with gold.

I would buy the skins outright. I’m planning to buy them off the TP once I can farm enough to get them without dipping into my savings, because I’ve been looking for the Deathly shoulders forever after seeing the bull set on some NPCs (the avian and regular ones are even better!), but if they were available through the gem store I’d already have them.

I had some money set aside to buy gems for the event, but nothing that’s been released has really caught my fancy. If they release a minipet of the feline familiar the witch costume summons, though, I’ll be all over that.

karma.8763:

They wouldnt be unique if they were just …..available now would they?

I’m sorry, I missed the fine print where it said they had to be “unique”?

It’s a HOLIDAY, for cryin’ out loud. Not a contest.

I would totally buy a skin in the gem shop if I liked the look of it. I prefer gory looking things, anyway. Not that you could tell on my tiny Asura.

I would be highly annoyed since I already spent a lot on getting the recipes for the permanent crafted version.

I’d definitely buy them outright. The Greatsaw and the Crossing are good general-purpose skins that aren’t exclusively tied to the Halloween motif, and are exactly the sort of thing I’d drop hard currency on.

I will not, however, drop $50+ in keys just for a chance at getting them. I also don’t waste my retirement fund in Vegas, note.

If the chests had a reasonable drop rate I MIGHT consider the gamble, because then it’s less of a risk. But at these rates? Not on your life. So, that’s less money for Arenanet that they could have had.

The droprate for halloween items in the black lion chest is way too low. I’m just lucky I stopped after trying 5 keys and went to the forums directly after that.

I would buy permanent weapon skins gladly for gems, but i won’t spend any money on lottery tickets for digital items anymore. Even if only 1 weapon skin was even 10 euros I would still consider it if it was really cool.

One other thing I noticed is that lower level characters of my seem have a better chance get an extra key from the chests to be able to open another one. My lvl 80 character never got any extra key’s anymore. Seems that everything is more expensive when you are lvl 80, even when it comes to gem items.

So Permanent items or no Sales for me.

I would have rather they put the skins up on the market at 500 gems a piece or something. Even if they did put them up there in a later phase of the event I would still be hesitant since Ive blown so much money on the lion chests already.

Kana.6793:

I would be highly annoyed since I already spent a lot on getting the recipes for the permanent crafted version.

Well, to use the usual argument used against people who are critical toward the current status quo, “Sucks to be you lol!”

Or in other words, it’s amusing to see how people still expect an MMO to cater to them precisely, sod everyone else, even after a near decade of the genre being mainstream.

The other 1/3 isn’t buying chests after this I can tell you that.

I would love it if weapon skins were available to sell on the TP. I think it’d be a great idea. People are willing to pay for that stuff!

On the topic of the gold to gems price, that is based off of supply and demand. A lot of players are using the gold to gems service right now for Halloween stuff so the price is going up naturally, so blame your fellow players for making it such a popular idea. If you want it cheaper, buy gems with real money like those of us who are supplying your gems to you! :P

Leiloni.7951:

If you want it cheaper, buy gems with real money like those of us who are supplying your gems to you! :P

You’re not supplying anything to me.

I’m only interested in [The Crossing]. I’d rather buy just its skin from Gem Store. I have a very busy schedule and barely any time to play. So chances of me getting 500 Tokens + 40 Elonian wines + the rest of the stuff… is pretty much impossible and major disappointment.

Radene.3194:

Kana.6793:

I would be highly annoyed since I already spent a lot on getting the recipes for the permanent crafted version.

Well, to use the usual argument used against people who are critical toward the current status quo, “Sucks to be you lol!”

Or in other words, it’s amusing to see how people still expect an MMO to cater to them precisely, sod everyone else, even after a near decade of the genre being mainstream.

What are you on about? I expect them not to take my gold and then change the product. Just as I would expect them not to sell chests and then remove the Halloween items before people open the chests. Hardly catering to me precisely.

What does the genre being mainstream have to do with anything?

iSmack.1768:

I’m only interested in [The Crossing]. I’d rather buy just its skin from Gem Store. I have a very busy schedule and barely any time to play. So chances of me getting 500 Tokens + 40 Elonian wines + the rest of the stuff… is pretty much impossible and major disappointment.

The only things you need to earn this week are the Halloween items. So make sure you have 250 Candy Corn (easy to do) and 100 Nougat Center. The rest of the items you can earn later. The recipes will be available all year round, it’s just that the Halloween items are only available this week.

I would but I’m not particularly bothered by how things are at the moment, just how the system is at the moment.

I will admit that I think the Black Lion Chests need to be overhauled to provide a better risk/reward factor though.

For instance what I would do is have most of the current rewards available in the gem store and have the chest give people some tonics, a random booster and an item from the gem store.

Cheap items would have a much higher chance of dropping than expensive items but the chance for expensive items would exist, if I was feeling particularly devious I might even make it so costume set items are available but only single parts of the set each chest so players have incentive to put more in for the chance of recieving their full set of gear.

I would also keep items such as the permanent express bank and other similar rewards unique to the Black Lion Chest with a very low drop chance so players would have yet more incentive to purchase keys and would feel special for getting the item if it drops.

The reason I’d do it like this would be so players would be able to get most items if they want them but they can get the chest for a chance to get a bargain and Anet would be clear from blame if someone decides to spend ridiculous money on keys.

Everyone is a winner.

I would buy a couple.

I would not, and never will spend money on a “chance” at anything.

Kana.6793:

I would be highly annoyed since I already spent a lot on getting the recipes for the permanent crafted version.

I wouldn’t expect them to put the crafted skins in the gem store, since they’re something that’s supposed to be worked toward in game. They’re high-end prestige items (even if they’re holiday-themed) and they’re implemented the way they are for a reason. I would be disappointed if they were sold for the same reason I’d be disappointed in legendaries and other exotic skins being sold.

However, I’d really like to see the BLTC items sold outright. Right now we have a choice between gambling and spending in-game gold.

Yeah I’m not a fan of the gambling nature of the Black Lion Chests frankly (I’ve had my fill of disappointment of raid drops in WoW and I’m tired of that kind of mechanic) If I saw a skin I really liked I’d buy it outright, providing its not going to cost me an arm and leg. I haven’t really seen anything I like so far. Fluff pets would be nice. Who wouldn’t want a cute quaggan for example?

I would buy every skin if they were up for sale. I will never buy keys.

Id buy the crossing in a heartbeat
but as a mini ledgendary pass
love the costumes and minipets though apart from a few things that tend to over shadow this event so far its actually pretty fun
the main thing im worried about is lowbies missing drops at the special event i really want to take my necro but i did see a spoiler item for level 40 plus ………

I would definitely buy almost all of them if they were available (dagger and shields would be the only ones I probably wouldn’t). Would LOVE to buy the crossing and spider bow from the Gem shop.
Already bought the costumes/minis. Now if only I could buy the skins (without resorting to gambling or horrible gem→coin ratio)…

Kana.6793:

I would be highly annoyed since I already spent a lot on getting the recipes for the permanent crafted version.

Those are two different things. What’s being discussed here are the skins that come from the BLC what you’re talking about are the Rental skins and the god awful process to make them permenate. So no worries nothing for you to be annoyed about.

I would yes, I was lucky enough to get a skin for my staff in 2nd chest but I’d buy others for sure

karma.8763:

They wouldnt be unique if they were just …..available now would they?

They’re not unique anyway.

In an MMO, “Unique” means “Obtainable in specific ways, not dropped by enemies or farmable”.

These skins are unique. They’d continue to be unique if people could just plain buy them.

Nobody gives a crap if only 5 people have them. Nobody’s in it to look cooler than everyone else. People just want THEIR character to look cool. If you’re worried about “But if everyone has them, I won’t be special” that’s your problem. The reason everyone wants them is for their characters, not to look special to everyone else. They want to look special to themselves, which they will, even if they are available for everybody.

The game is about cosmetics, nothing needs to be “unique” or “hard to get” as long as it’s a cash shop item.

If the game actually have good variety you’re not going to have 80% of the population wearing halloween skins all year round…

What’s to stop everyone from wearing Flame Legion set 90% of the time?

I’ve bought every costume piece in the Gem Store so far. The town clothes, I get one set of and store in my bank when not in use so all my characters can share. The armor skins, I’ve bought twice each and plan to buy one more light and medium to have one for all 8 of my characters. Even if they never use them, I like having them available. I’ve bought a ton of bank and pouch slots to hold all this crap too. I guess City of Heroes spoiled me, because I’m kind of a costume junky. I would buy these skins without hesitation, unless the price point was something completely absurd (more than, say, $10 each).

I won’t gamble on them. Especially when the regular rewards from BL Chests are such a waste that I don’t even bother unlocking them with “free” keys any more.

WeLoveKanjimari.6725:

karma.8763:

They wouldnt be unique if they were just …..available now would they?

They’re not unique anyway.

In an MMO, “Unique” means “Obtainable in specific ways, not dropped by enemies or farmable”.

These skins are unique. They’d continue to be unique if people could just plain buy them.

Nobody gives a crap if only 5 people have them. Nobody’s in it to look cooler than everyone else. People just want THEIR character to look cool. If you’re worried about “But if everyone has them, I won’t be special” that’s your problem. The reason everyone wants them is for their characters, not to look special to everyone else. They want to look special to themselves, which they will, even if they are available for everybody.

TL;DR Yes, i would

This is exactly what i’ve been saying. Majority of people aren’t obsessed with how this other person looks like. Most people treat everyone around them as NPCs. There is nothing wrong with that and it’s completely normal considering that you have to deal with people all day every day and want to get some peace in your favorite video game. And while you play you dont give a kitten about this other guy with the cool sword.

I would buy the items just like i have bought the witch costume, which isn’t a lot. 700gems = $10 = 1h of work. However if you try to buy it with gold it gets more expensive depending on individual’s gold gain.
I never buy gems with gold, because i value my time. I’d rather give 10 dollars that required me 1 hour of work, than 10 gold which required me 2-3 days of grind. Some people make less, some more – it doesn’t matter!
It also doesn’t matter who else has the item. Because simply people don’t care about you. This isn’t wrong, or sad, and if it doesn’t fit into your little world of how things ought to be – boohoo too bad, so sad. I want the item because it makes me feel good that my own character has it, and i am willing to give my money to ArenaNet.
1) Giving them money to support further development.
2) I expect to feel rewarded for my contribution VS someone who never spent a cent to actually support the developer.

But so far it seemed like those who actually support ANet with money and actions are idiots, and those who never gave them a cent outside of the $60 to buy the game (or maybe someone bought it for them, further not giving a cent at all) are calling donors “entitled idiots”.

Yes, i am sure the game will run on you spending in-game currency.

If they just put all the skins available they would’ve made donors much happier, and they would spend their money on future events and sales. I got my scythe after 20 chests but i can assure you that i will be buying only the things available directly, without a gamble, and will never attempt buying keys to get things out of BLC or use my gold to get them off the TP.

Just my 2c (cents, not copper).

taomang.2183:

But so far it seemed like those who actually support ANet with money and actions are idiots, and those who never gave them a cent outside of the $60 to buy the game (or maybe someone bought it for them, further not giving a cent at all) are calling donors “entitled idiots”.

I resent that.

I actually haven’t spent a cent on this game, it was gifted to me by a good friend. I simply do not have the disposable income to spend on the in-game shop myself, unfortunately – I would, if I could bloody spare some.

But I’m not calling anyone “entitled idiot” and would have been firmly on your side, but fine, if this is the way you want to play it, fine. Consider all the money you spent on the game simply a fine for insulting people you never met and know nothing about.

I expect a bloody apology.

I would not purchase them from the gem store. I like that the skins are prestigious and show a huge amount of dedication to obtain. Obsidian armor from GW1 ring a bell?

If people could just throw money at a skin and purchase it (sure I guess you can do that still by converting gold to gems and purchasing the mats), it would cheapen the value of the skin and take away all of its prestige.

Add me to the list of those who totally would have bought skins for a reasonable amount of gems, but who won’t buy keys or buy gems to transfer into gold to buy them off of the trading post (too rich for my blood).

I love this game but one of the things I’m the most sad about is that there are some items that are literally unobtainable for me, as a casual player and mother of five. I will never have a legendary anything, and I will never have some of these Halloween items. I do think that everything in this game should be obtainable for a regular person, maybe not easily obtainable but obtainable.

I am however grateful for the horns, the book, and the witches outfit which I think is super fun. See, I do support Anet…I’d support them even more if they’d put the weapon skins up for sale.