Guild Wars 2

There’s the one outfit I’ve been looking for, for a long time – the winter explorer. Since it was data-mined, I knew I had to get it for my norn. I even spent some time and coin getting all the dyes I wanted. Alas, my norn will have to make due with his standard-issue Vigil armour, as I will not purchase gems with cash from Anet until they start to treat us like players, and not customers and above all throw the trait change down the drain.

That outfit is what, 700-800 gems? So that’s a $10 sale you just lost, Anet, because I was really going to buy it.

Anybody else not buying anything from gemstore?

I probably will be buying something from the gem store.

I would totally buy ascended armor from the gem store!

I bought the outfit and the gift carrier. And a few keys, as I was one scrap shy of 5 tickets and I adore the new BL weapon set.

I might some day buy gems if I really want something, but I stopped buying them to support the game a couple of months back. The trait changes were the reason for me as well.

Oh, I don’t buy nearly as many as I used to, not since the town clothes change. Instead I specifically buy when I want a particular item and keep close to a zero gem balance. I also less-want some items, such as the various gathering tools. They’ve looked cool, but I haven’t felt like spending on them when I likely would have before the town clothes thing kicked me in my fashionista gut.

just……..

I am an avid believer in “Vote with the Purse”. However since I returned to the game some of the changes made by the developers have gone along with what the players were asking for (that doesn’t mean it wasn’t internally planned before players asked, it doesn’t matter really). I buy gems on occasion now simply because they do listen, they do make changes, they do make improvements.

Not everything may be what you wanted improved or changed, but everything can’t be done over night.

I do vote with my purse, I do buy gems. You surely don’t have to.

I’d rather be treated like a customer, as it’s what I am. I am a customer and client of a product and service, and I expect to be treated as such

I understand where you’re coming from, but no one is forcing you to buy gems. If you really want the outfit but refuse to buy gems, there’s an in-game currency exchange sitting in wait for you.

Eric.6109:

as I will not purchase gems with cash from Anet until they start to treat us like players, and not customers and above all throw the trait change down the drain.

I hate to tell you, but not purchasing the outfit doesn’t tell them you dislike being able to buy things and that you hate an update they did 6 months ago. It tells them that outfit wasn’t enticing enough, and they will likely just release a different one in the future.

A Nifty Unicorn.4358:

I understand where you’re coming from, but no one is forcing you to buy gems. If you really want the outfit but refuse to buy gems, there’s an in-game currency exchange sitting in wait for you.

I think Eric does understand that, and indeed he might do that. But to re-iterate his point, he was a gem buyer, possibly with some degree of regularity. And now because of a general issue with Anet (communication/respect), and one specific one (traits), he doesn’t feel that he can support the game as he once did. He is not alone in that. I’m in the same boat. As are a few others who have declared as such, and possibly more who have remained silent.

The question for Anet is, with what some perceive as severe issues with the game and Anet, and as a result they refuse to further support the game, is it a situation that Anet can afford for long?

Thats not to say those who have taken up that position, if they stay true to their assertion are a substantial section of the playerbase, or even a substantial section of the gem-buyers. But they are a lot more vocal in their criticism, and is Anet aren’t willing to hear it, there may be players who are.

Perhaps the vocal nature of that position may force Anets hand in responding to that specific issue. That is certainly the hope of some.

A Nifty Unicorn.4358:

I understand where you’re coming from, but no one is forcing you to buy gems. If you really want the outfit but refuse to buy gems, there’s an in-game currency exchange sitting in wait for you.

Wolfheart had it right. I used to purchase about 1600 gems a month (give or take, depending on what’s offered). So instead of buying gems with cash, I’d probably revert to converting gold for that, which means that they have lost bussiness. Not a lot, I know – $10 won’t even appear on their radar, but given time and more players getting on board with this they will face the issue. They have shown that they listen only when bottom-line in at stake, like in the gem exchange fiasco. The "custom option didn’t become available because they wanted to, or admitted mistake: it was added because they felt it would hurt their profit. I’m sad that it has come to this, but this – as it seems – is the only way to get their attention as they are reluctant to communicate with us.

Being passive-aggressive isn’t actually a great way to negotiate though.

Ok then, please enlighten me: what method would you use, when the other side won’t recognize your existence and refuse to openly and candidly communicate with you?

Donari.5237:

Oh, I don’t buy nearly as many as I used to, not since the town clothes change. Instead I specifically buy when I want a particular item and keep close to a zero gem balance. I also less-want some items, such as the various gathering tools. They’ve looked cool, but I haven’t felt like spending on them when I likely would have before the town clothes thing kicked me in my fashionista gut.

Agreed. I was purchasing every new armor set that became available until this change. The town clothes nerf was a rude awakening. Then to top it off, Anet decided to nerf mix-and-match armors, further limiting customization.

Eric.6109:

A Nifty Unicorn.4358:

I understand where you’re coming from, but no one is forcing you to buy gems. If you really want the outfit but refuse to buy gems, there’s an in-game currency exchange sitting in wait for you.

Wolfheart had it right. I used to purchase about 1600 gems a month (give or take, depending on what’s offered). So instead of buying gems with cash, I’d probably revert to converting gold for that, which means that they have lost bussiness. Not a lot, I know – $10 won’t even appear on their radar, but given time and more players getting on board with this they will face the issue. They have shown that they listen only when bottom-line in at stake, like in the gem exchange fiasco. The "custom option didn’t become available because they wanted to, or admitted mistake: it was added because they felt it would hurt their profit. I’m sad that it has come to this, but this – as it seems – is the only way to get their attention as they are reluctant to communicate with us.

Fair enough, I see your point. I’m sure that they wish that they could put out all the stuff on the Gem Store out into the game for free, and perhaps not even have a Gem Store at all. But, they’re doing what they have to do from a business standpoint to survive as a company. Maintaining a big game such as GW2 surely isn’t cheap, and without a monthly sub fee, the Gem Store is the only option. Not ideal, but it’s the hand we’re dealt and I can’t really see ANet changing their standpoint on it.