Guild Wars 2

Hello.

I know this may seem like a strange suggestion, but at the moment, I believe the price of bank tabs, which currently sits at 600 gems per tab, is sorely overpriced and very unattractive for potential buyers. The reason for this is because of the cost of new character slots, which sits at 800 gems.

Bank tabs offer 30 new slot spaces for us to store items in, which at 600 gems works out to 1 new slot space for every 20 gems spent. Comparatively speaking, creating a mule character would potentially offer us an extra 100 slots to store items (without purchasing the additional inventory bag slot), which means we get 1 slot per 8 gems spent. Given that comparison, and the fact that we get more than 2x the amount of extra storage slots for the amount of gems spent for creating a new character vs buying a bank tab, it makes me wonder why anyone would even bother with bank tabs anymore.

Also, if we consider that the character slot capacity sits at 64, we have a far greater capacity for creating mule characters than we do for increasing our bank capacity, which is currently limited to 11 bank tab expansion. Even if we consider the cost of 20 slot bags into the equation, which are super cheap now thanks to Halloween pails, there’s just no contest.

They go on sale every so often and they sell like hotcakes then, indicated by the spike in the gem exchange rate. If they were cheap all the time then they can’t use a sale to drive sales near end of fiscal quarters.

Behellagh.1468:

They go on sale every so often and they sell like hotcakes then, indicated by the spike in the gem exchange rate. If they were cheap all the time then they can’t use a sale to drive sales near end of fiscal quarters.

That’s fine and all, but character slot expansions also go on sale now and then. I’m just saying, bank tabs probably sell a lot more of they were cheaper and thus more appealing. Right now it’s unbalanced so the appeal is less than it could be.

Actually character slots are less convenient than bank slots. You have to then go into a character, put stuff in the bank, go back into your first character and if you have to do it again, you have to go back. Logging in and out is more annoying then just going to the bank and taking stuff out of it.

It’s more expensive because it’s more convenient.

Backing up Vayne here, if you see what people are willing to pay for convenience ( endless mining picks/harvesters/woodchoppers, royal passes, endless salvage kits…) this is exactly the reason people are also willing to pay more for a bank tab.

Vayne.8563:

Actually character slots are less convenient than bank slots. You have to then go into a character, put stuff in the bank, go back into your first character and if you have to do it again, you have to go back. Logging in and out is more annoying then just going to the bank and taking stuff out of it.

It’s more expensive because it’s more convenient.

You don’t need convenience if you just want to store items for the long term. It’s a simple matter where a player can use mules to carry all the stuff they’re storing for future use, and use the bank to store items you either use often, or swap out often. O_o

For example, I use mules to store a whole lot of ascended rings, or special crafting mats like spinal blades (which I have tons of). Stuff I know I’m not going to use any time soon, but that I store just in case I want to use them later. This leaves my bank plenty of empty space to leave things like boosters, food, or secondary equipment sets to swap out.

Either way, I’d trade a small inconvenience for basically a 50% reduction in gem cost vs capacity ratio.

I have 9 permanent bank license. So obviously people’ll pay for convenient.

You really need to look at it in 3 different ways.

1) Anet have nothing to loose. You said people’ll rather buy another character to store items. So Anet get the money either way.

2) soul bound item. People dont’ have a choice since they can’t put it on mule.

3) you obviously care. That’s why you make this post. Many people care more than you so they bought all the bank tab. Actually I’m pretty sure many people bought all the bank tab before eventhough they can buy another character slot.

This argument’s been made all the way back when extra bank tabs were introduced to the GW1 cash shop. I think the exchange was even worse then, with a bank tab costing about the same as a character slot. The explanation was basically the same as is being made here – it’s more convenient to have a bank tab rather than the same number of slots on a mule.

Of course, back then they also didn’t really have a working microtransactions system either, and had a minimum price per transaction, which I think also influenced pricing.

Also, don’t forget that larger bags cost gold, although comparatively speaking that’s less of a cost than it used to be.

draxynnic.3719:

This argument’s been made all the way back when extra bank tabs were introduced to the GW1 cash shop. I think the exchange was even worse then, with a bank tab costing about the same as a character slot. The explanation was basically the same as is being made here – it’s more convenient to have a bank tab rather than the same number of slots on a mule.

Of course, back then they also didn’t really have a working microtransactions system either, and had a minimum price per transaction, which I think also influenced pricing.

Also, don’t forget that larger bags cost gold, although comparatively speaking that’s less of a cost than it used to be.

Yeah, it only takes about 20 gold to equip each character with 4 20 slot bags now, which, with the starting bag, gives you 100 slots. If we calculate that 20 gold into the gem cost with the current exchange, having a mule still gives you way more bank slots relative to gem cost vs a bank tab expansion.

Tenrai Senshi.2017:

draxynnic.3719:

This argument’s been made all the way back when extra bank tabs were introduced to the GW1 cash shop. I think the exchange was even worse then, with a bank tab costing about the same as a character slot. The explanation was basically the same as is being made here – it’s more convenient to have a bank tab rather than the same number of slots on a mule.

Of course, back then they also didn’t really have a working microtransactions system either, and had a minimum price per transaction, which I think also influenced pricing.

Also, don’t forget that larger bags cost gold, although comparatively speaking that’s less of a cost than it used to be.

Yeah, it only takes about 20 gold to equip each character with 4 20 slot bags now, which, with the starting bag, gives you 100 slots. If we calculate that 20 gold into the gem cost with the current exchange, having a mule still gives you way more bank slots relative to gem cost vs a bank tab expansion.

why don’t you just create a personal guild bank, or just buy another account then.

you obviously care that’s why you make this post.

And you make it sounds like since it’s not worth it “to you”, other people won’t buy it.

laokoko.7403:

I have 9 permanent bank license. So obviously people’ll pay for convenient.

You really need to look at it in 3 different ways.

1) Anet have nothing to loose. You said people’ll rather buy another character to store items. So Anet get the money either way.

2) soul bound item. People dont’ have a choice since they can’t put it on mule.

3) you obviously care. That’s why you make this post. Many people care more than you so they bought all the bank tab. Actually I’m pretty sure many people bought all the bank tab before eventhough they can buy another character slot.

I’m just making a suggestion that I think would benefit both ANet and other players. Yes, lots of players will buy bank tab expansions either way, but a lot of them won’t if they weigh the costs. Not everyone makes a lot of gold, nor has the money to spend on gems all the time, so some do approach the game with a more cautious spending trend even if it means inconveniencing themselves. If the bank expansion price comes down a bit and becomes more appealing as a whole, you’d get more sales on both ends of the spectrum, not just with the higher earners.

Does it affect me as much? No, not really. I spend money now and then either way to support ANet, but I do think some of their gem store prices are unbalanced. For example, the new shadow of the dragon armor pieces, which are 300 gems each for the shoulders, helm and gloves (3 pieces for a total of 900 gems) vs a full set of armor (6 pieces for a total of 800 gems). It just doesn’t make sense from a monetary perspective when you compare the two, so on pure principle, I’d never buy those former items purely because it feels like a ripoff relative to other purchasable items that I’ve bought or am considering buying. I know others who feel the same way.

I reckon ANet would get more sales out of people if their prices were a bit more balanced. I’m sure others feel the same way and I’m sure all of us have, at times, felt that an item is a ripoff or not working as it should. The silver fed salvage-o-matic is a good example and ANet made changes to to it readjust the balance and make it more valuable relative to its costs. I don’t see why they can’t approach other items on the gem store with the same mindset.

Also, why do you always assume that if someone makes a suggestion, it’s purely for their own benefit? I happen to be interested in the future of this game and its players, not just for me. So naturally I’ll make suggestions that I think could improve the game or make it better for others.

Tenrai Senshi.2017:

Vayne.8563:

Actually character slots are less convenient than bank slots. You have to then go into a character, put stuff in the bank, go back into your first character and if you have to do it again, you have to go back. Logging in and out is more annoying then just going to the bank and taking stuff out of it.

It’s more expensive because it’s more convenient.

You don’t need convenience if you just want to store items for the long term. It’s a simple matter where a player can use mules to carry all the stuff they’re storing for future use, and use the bank to store items you either use often, or swap out often. O_o

For example, I use mules to store a whole lot of ascended rings, or special crafting mats like spinal blades (which I have tons of). Stuff I know I’m not going to use any time soon, but that I store just in case I want to use them later. This leaves my bank plenty of empty space to leave things like boosters, food, or secondary equipment sets to swap out.

Either way, I’d trade a small inconvenience for basically a 50% reduction in gem cost vs capacity ratio.

I wouldn’t trade that. I’d pay more for the convenience. Lots of people would. That’s why the price is the way it is, whether you’d do it or not.

Because if no one was buying it, they’d have done something by now.

Tenrai Senshi.2017:

I’m just making a suggestion that I think would benefit both ANet and other players.

That’s hard to say. Because dropping price also mean they make less money per sale even if supply go up.

And people can just wait for sales which Anet do from time to time. They drop the price anyway.

Besides, the people is unwilling to pay bank slot because it is inefficient (cost per inventory slot) is buying character slot anyway. Anet is getting the money either way.

Also the society is M shaped. Meaning real life people consists of super rich or super poor people. Make sense to sale things to target both group.

Buying a new account on sale for $20 sounds better. 5 character slots, 4 guild banks, more login rewards, the ability to mail yourself and infinite trading post storage space for when you feel like investing.

Healix.5819:

Buying a new account on sale for $20 sounds better. 5 character slots, 4 guild banks, more login rewards, the ability to mail yourself and infinite trading post storage space for when you feel like investing.

Well, that’s also true. Lol. XD

But still, that does beg the question. Isn’t it bad for ANet in the long run if there’s a lot of accounts flooding the servers (with multiple accounts only being owned by one active player)? I mean, I’m sure it affects their capacity (though I’ll admit, I’m no expert on this) and you still only really have one player spending for multiple accounts so they’re not really benefiting from it.

Minae Iss.7054:

Backing up Vayne here, if you see what people are willing to pay for convenience ( endless mining picks/harvesters/woodchoppers, royal passes, endless salvage kits…) this is exactly the reason people are also willing to pay more for a bank tab.

Yeah .. for me also convience is very important.
I have meanwhile maxed my bank, and have 17 endless mining picks, and 11 or 12
endless axes and sickles on my 17 character

I don’t really use mules, as I find it inconvenient. That’s not to say a few characters don’t have some inventory slots taken up with dust or fragments.

But, for the most part, I play my characters…in some way, shape or form.

I would rather ArenaNet increased the amount of Bank Expansions rather than any cost reductions. But, that’s just my personal take on it.