It is egregious that these weapons are not available outside of the Black Lion Chests. I have never played a game that did not give the option for new items to be available to be sold on the AH/TP. There are numerous examples of game companies allowing everything to be sold on their AH/TP and still making a good profit. I truly see this as a direct attempt at driving sales upward at the direct expense of the consumer. Grocery stores don’t operate on the model that you walk in and by a box that could have that delicious steak you want or a jar of artichoke hearts. Why? Because it offends customers! Customers would turn around and shop at your nearest competitor who didn’t do this. Sure it’s nice to get that steak really cheap, but the times you get the artichoke hearts really really suck. I’m not asking to sell them in the cash shop directly. My analogy was rather poor in the fact that the game industry doesn’t function like the grocery industry does but my point remains. By not having these items be available in any other form you leave a sour taste in the mouths of your consumers.
What really makes this method of distribution harsh is that these weapons are actually pretty kitten awesome meaning if you want it you HAVE to adhere to the method of distribution. These kind of anti-consumer behaviors are the best and most efficient way to drive consumers away from your business. The solution is simple, if the desire is to make money off of gambling, offer a method of release into the market that benefits those doing the gambling. Make them sellable on the TP.
This is a dangerous trend, and it’s really out of place in a game we all paid upfront for. We understand the need to make money to fund new content, but the crossover to this method of distribution makes the company seem greedy, malicious, and untrustworthy.
I have money that I can spend at the BLTC, but I respectfully refuse to spend a single dime on supporting such business behavior and will continue to do so as long as this behavior continues.