Guild Wars 2

Can we get a confirmation as to whether or not all the Halloween skins have been mailed out from one of the forum mods?

I figure they have but I’m surprised that the TP hasn’t been flooded with a bit more of the skins (maybe a lot of people that won can’t afford to list?). Either way a confirmation from one of the mods would be great, thanks!

I know from a few people who sniped several skins for cheap and hoarding them now
So the skins never reach the people who really want them only traders profiting for the most part.

I submitted 3 tickets… Why didn’t I win one? The game is broken!

There must be something wrong. I gave them around 14 tickets and I didnt get any weapon skin… Must be a bug…

Malediktus.9250:

I know from a few people who sniped several skins for cheap and hoarding them now
So the skins never reach the people who really want them only traders profiting for the most part.

What does sniping a few skins cheap have anything to do with the draw? If they bought them before the Halloween event, that’s just good foresight. If you can afford to buy high-end stuff and hoard them until the value rises…then all the power to you. I bought a chaos GS when it first came out and was still one ticket from the weapon specialist. I paid 60-70g on the TP knowing it would be a long term investment, but was a pretty safe bet the value would rise. Currently it’s at 149g and I’ll probably hold on to it until it hits at least 250g…or until I deem it’s peaked out. I have 500 unidentified dyes sitting there waiting for the prices to recover some after the wardrobe caused the prices to crash…again, I can wait.

Long term investment, while not without risk, is one of the more reliable and least invasive ways to make money in this game that is not based on RNG or grinding.

He was wondering why the TP wasnt flooded with the raffle skins. Because some people bought a few and 1000 skins arent exactly much for the GW2 population.

Malediktus.9250:

I know from a few people who sniped several skins for cheap and hoarding them now
So the skins never reach the people who really want them only traders profiting for the most part.

The point is: there are a lot more people “who really wanted them” than any reasonable raffle could every provide. I’m not sure why folks thought the day after the raffle would mean huge price drops with so few becoming available.

Should’ve just made them available during that time for certain amounts of shiny wrappers instead of this annoying roundabout lottery.

Illconceived Was Na.9781:

The point is: there are a lot more people “who really wanted them” than any reasonable raffle could every provide.

And that’s even assuming that any raffle could even be “reasonable”.

Malediktus.9250:

I know from a few people who sniped several skins for cheap and hoarding them now
So the skins never reach the people who really want them only traders profiting for the most part.

I thought you’d be happy they’re doing that? It keeps the price high and the skins exclusive that way.

Awwh, seems like I got no luck in games.

Kinda bites for the wife and I. Our state’s definition of gambling was revamped after the Allied Veterans case.

We don’t dare buy (with cash) BL Keys and we definitely refused to buy the candies that gave you more wrappers.

We’ll convert gold to gems and snag a key once in a while, but those candies were toxic in this state. We could only use what came out of the ToT bags.

When will ANet learn that not all states will see their “raffles” and “RNG chests” the way ANet sees them and are considered illegal gambling in some states?

I am not sure I understand what you mean Ravion. Can you educate me on the subject? Why would this not be allowed?

Ravion Hawk.4736:

Kinda bites for the wife and I. Our state’s definition of gambling was revamped after the Allied Veterans case.

We don’t dare buy (with cash) BL Keys and we definitely refused to buy the candies that gave you more wrappers.

We’ll convert gold to gems and snag a key once in a while, but those candies were toxic in this state. We could only use what came out of the ToT bags.

When will ANet learn that not all states will see their “raffles” and “RNG chests” the way ANet sees them and are considered illegal gambling in some states?

This should almost certainly not be classified as gambling…….cannot be taxed……unless u try to sell in-game stuff outside for real money…….if u still have concerns then consult your tax professional for confirmation….and hope he doesn’t charge you for the advice

According to me you are safe as long as you’re just giving Anet the money and not making money urself from the game
While I am in the Consultancy profession myself…..I can’t give u any assurance since I don’t live in the U.S :P

It is the first time I see you in a drawing can buy the votes, while those who do not have gems, we have to farmear like crazy hours in maze to get raffles, 250 bags out five raffles … then another without play buys 2000 candy for gems and skins takes, something bad is happening and then from 1000 skins and there are only 4 more in bazaar. sorry for the English

Ramon.4860:

It is the first time I see you in a drawing can buy the votes, while those who do not have gems, we have to farmear like crazy hours in maze to get raffles, 250 bags out five raffles … then another without play buys 2000 candy for gems and skins takes, something bad is happening and then from 1000 skins and there are only 4 more in bazaar. sorry for the English

Surely many used the skins, I can tell you, if I received the scythe or the Crossing, I would have used it. Those that have not used them are simply sitting on them a while to make sure the prices remain stable. Remember, it’s all well and good to say it’s worth 900g and people are hoarding them, but what many people fail to remember is that it costs 45g that you have to pay up front just to list an item worth 900g…and you lose another 90g to sales tax after the item sells. So you only see a net gain of 765g in the bank. Either way, I’d wager many people who won cannot afford that initial listing fee on such a valuable item.

KOPPER.1458:

I am not sure I understand what you mean Ravion. Can you educate me on the subject? Why would this not be allowed?

Any method that a person pays money into that has a random chance of winning is considered gambling and is to be regulated by the state. Since it is known that people sell things in on-line games for real cash, any item that has random chances to get something that a player can sell for real money will fall into this category.

The state left the regulation open enough so they could tear down all the “internet cafes.” This also leaves it open for MMOs with cash shops that contain items that can be viewed as a “game of chance” that players could win something desirable enough that they can sell for real money and therefore winning more money than was put in.

Since the county I’m in IS greedy enough to pull this on people, I was advised not to buy with my own money anything from the Gem Store that would be considered as a use for gambling after they looked over the Gem Store selection and got explanations on what was offered. They even looked at the gold/gem/gold conversion rate to find out the possible going rate in cash for the Black Lion Chest Items and found them to be high enough for gambling charges to be pressed.

So, in part because of gold sellers and idiots trying to make a buck off playing video games, MMOs now carry the possibility of jail time if you buy the wrong thing from the MMO’s cash shop.

So, the Permanent Hair Stylist Contract is to blame for there being a chance at going to jail with the Black Lion Chests and the Ghastly Grinning Shield and Greatsaw Greatsword aren’t helping with the recent raffle.

Doing a search on MMO gambling brings up countries and states that consider certain things in MMO cash shops to be gambling and therefore illegal. Some even consider it money laundering and racketeering which can net you even worse charges.

How exactly do you sell GW2 items for real cash? I mean, without trusting a third party money exchange? They aren’t even codes you put in that could be EBayed, they’re digital items inside the game. ANet makes it clear they will not support player-to-player trades. Not that I’ve ever been clear on how money laundering works, but I fail to see how it would apply to someone lucking into a 2K gold item out of an RNG chest … do they become a gold seller with the proceeds? (Which gets them banned, so again, not ANet’s liability).

Ravion Hawk.4736:

KOPPER.1458:

I am not sure I understand what you mean Ravion. Can you educate me on the subject? Why would this not be allowed?

Any method that a person pays money into that has a random chance of winning is considered gambling and is to be regulated by the state. Since it is known that people sell things in on-line games for real cash, any item that has random chances to get something that a player can sell for real money will fall into this category.

The state left the regulation open enough so they could tear down all the “internet cafes.” This also leaves it open for MMOs with cash shops that contain items that can be viewed as a “game of chance” that players could win something desirable enough that they can sell for real money and therefore winning more money than was put in.

Since the county I’m in IS greedy enough to pull this on people, I was advised not to buy with my own money anything from the Gem Store that would be considered as a use for gambling after they looked over the Gem Store selection and got explanations on what was offered. They even looked at the gold/gem/gold conversion rate to find out the possible going rate in cash for the Black Lion Chest Items and found them to be high enough for gambling charges to be pressed.

So, in part because of gold sellers and idiots trying to make a buck off playing video games, MMOs now carry the possibility of jail time if you buy the wrong thing from the MMO’s cash shop.

So, the Permanent Hair Stylist Contract is to blame for there being a chance at going to jail with the Black Lion Chests and the Ghastly Grinning Shield and Greatsaw Greatsword aren’t helping with the recent raffle.

Doing a search on MMO gambling brings up countries and states that consider certain things in MMO cash shops to be gambling and therefore illegal. Some even consider it money laundering and racketeering which can net you even worse charges.

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game. You may as well say that because we all payed to play the game, every rare item we get from a chest is gambling. The government would not care about this, and if they do I’m leaving this country.

You’re silly sir.

Slayer Durok.2815:

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game.

You seem to forget, that (due to Second Life, and WoW account sellers) there was at some time serious push to make all the virtual income taxable by the state. Yes, in US. IRS was really serious about that. It fell through, of course, but it wasn’t because “it was a video game”. Technically, a slot machine can be also considered to be “only a game”.

Astralporing.1957:

Slayer Durok.2815:

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game.

You seem to forget, that (due to Second Life, and WoW account sellers) there was at some time serious push to make all the virtual income taxable by the state. Yes, in US. IRS was really serious about that. It fell through, of course, but it wasn’t because “it was a video game”. Technically, a slot machine can be also considered to be “only a game”.

A slot machine is “only a game” that you put real money directly into it (or tokens you purchased with real money). The raffle in a video game is entirely different.

only turned in about 50…so wasn’t expecting anything,
already had the scythe….my charr warrior would have loved the GS….but wan’t meant to be.

gratz to the winners.

Astralporing.1957:

Slayer Durok.2815:

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game.

You seem to forget, that (due to Second Life, and WoW account sellers) there was at some time serious push to make all the virtual income taxable by the state. Yes, in US. IRS was really serious about that. It fell through, of course, but it wasn’t because “it was a video game”. Technically, a slot machine can be also considered to be “only a game”.

In this state, if there is no skill involved, it is a game of chance that you paid real money for. Already had an attorney in the area clarify what in the Gem store would constitute to illegal gambling and I avoid them unless I convert in-game gold to gems for it.

And thanks for reminding everyone about the IRS trying that stunt.

No junk rewards for the runners up ?

Ravion Hawk.4736:

Astralporing.1957:

Slayer Durok.2815:

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game.

You seem to forget, that (due to Second Life, and WoW account sellers) there was at some time serious push to make all the virtual income taxable by the state. Yes, in US. IRS was really serious about that. It fell through, of course, but it wasn’t because “it was a video game”. Technically, a slot machine can be also considered to be “only a game”.

In this state, if there is no skill involved, it is a game of chance that you paid real money for. Already had an attorney in the area clarify what in the Gem store would constitute to illegal gambling and I avoid them unless I convert in-game gold to gems for it.

And thanks for reminding everyone about the IRS trying that stunt.

Yes, it is entirely possible you could be in trouble IF you sold in game items/gold for fiat. If you did not, there’s no possible way it is gambling. None.

Or wear one of those shiny metal hats.

Friggarn.9451:

Or wear one of those shiny metal hats.

I love it when people use the “Tin Hat” response when an attorney has already weighed in on it.

If I want a Black Lion Key outside the nearly non-existent drop rate, the nerfed key farm, or from map completion, I’m safe to convert in-game gold to gems. Buying Gems with cash then spending them on the keys (or candies for Halloween) can net you jail time now for illegal gambling.

But hey, what does an attorney know?

And yes, they specified the Black Lion Key from the Gem Store and anything else that could be purchased in the Gem Store that can give you a random chance at something that can be considered valuable enough that a player could be tempted to sell for real money.

You do realize you could sell the Halloween Skins mentioned and the Permanent Hair Stylist Contract for $300 USD each and other players would pay it since it is a saving of around $50 USD in Gem purchases.

And before anyone mentions the Legendary Weapons, those do not come out of the BL Chests and they don’t come from a raffle that you can purchase “tickets” from the gem store.

Ravion Hawk.4736:

Friggarn.9451:

Or wear one of those shiny metal hats.

I love it when people use the “Tin Hat” response when an attorney has already weighed in on it.

If I want a Black Lion Key outside the nearly non-existent drop rate, the nerfed key farm, or from map completion, I’m safe to convert in-game gold to gems. Buying Gems with cash then spending them on the keys (or candies for Halloween) can net you jail time now for illegal gambling.

But hey, what does an attorney know?

And yes, they specified the Black Lion Key from the Gem Store and anything else that could be purchased in the Gem Store that can give you a random chance at something that can be considered valuable enough that a player could be tempted to sell for real money.

You do realize you could sell the Halloween Skins mentioned and the Permanent Hair Stylist Contract for $300 USD each and other players would pay it since it is a saving of around $50 USD in Gem purchases.

And before anyone mentions the Legendary Weapons, those do not come out of the BL Chests and they don’t come from a raffle that you can purchase “tickets” from the gem store.

It is not gambling unless it’s sold for real money. That’s the defacto truth, all of your “coulds” hold no weight, regardless of however you’re spinning “attorney” speculations.

Ravion Hawk.4736:

Astralporing.1957:

Slayer Durok.2815:

How in any way would a County/State office see or care that you played a video game, entered a raffle that accepts virtual items, and gives out a virtual item as a reward? It’s a video game.

You seem to forget, that (due to Second Life, and WoW account sellers) there was at some time serious push to make all the virtual income taxable by the state. Yes, in US. IRS was really serious about that. It fell through, of course, but it wasn’t because “it was a video game”. Technically, a slot machine can be also considered to be “only a game”.

In this state, if there is no skill involved, it is a game of chance that you paid real money for. Already had an attorney in the area clarify what in the Gem store would constitute to illegal gambling and I avoid them unless I convert in-game gold to gems for it.

And thanks for reminding everyone about the IRS trying that stunt.

I’m sorry but are you kidding me? you are so scared of some law that would have to be debated in court for years to actually come to any sort of judgement that you actually consulted an attorney? come on man do you really think they have that much power? lol come on now. you need to man the heck up.

I’m curious what state you’re in. I just spent 19 years as a defense attorney in the DC area. The only jailable gambling statute I ever saw was for shooting dice in alleys (at least, that’s where the police grab people and charge them with gambling). Granted, I represented the indigent who didn’t usually have computers, let alone do a lot of gaming. Still .. yeah no. I’m not even slightly worried the law will come calling because I bought some Black Lion Keys.

Welp, I didn’t win any skins, but with only ~30 wrappers turned in (out of, what was it, 3.8 million?), I wasn’t seriously expecting to get anything anyway.

um…………for all that talk about it being unlikely for someone to get more than one skin, i know someone who got 12 skins from this thing, and they only submitted 13 tickets. methinks someone needs to look at the “pull a name out of a hat” program

Ravion Hawk.4736:

But hey, what does an attorney know?

Only as much as you tell them.

They’re experts in law, not in video games. If the attorney you consulted was under the impression that there were official channels to sell in-game goods for real money (of which there is precedence, but in this case there isn’t) then he would have believed he was giving you correct advice; if he wasn’t familiar at all with how GW2’s cash shops work then he would have erred on the side of caution because a) it is a game of chance and b) there is the potential for monetary gain.

Additionally if you have any concerns about the legality of MMO gambling, remember that none of us actually own anything in this game. Our initial purchase was for accessing the GW2 service and gem store purchases with real cash is to access features of said service – anything you “win” in lockbox gambling or raffles is still the property of ANet, so you aren’t actually winning anything at all.

That being said, while it’s not legally gambling, it’s still morally gambling and you shouldn’t throw real money at games of chance for virtual goods that you can’t even claim ownership of.