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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

If Nexon IS somehow pulling the strings with their 15% share in NCSoft (which is a shade of a stretch)… they’ve been keeping pretty well in line with cash shop items being largely cosmetic or of little consequence.

Maybe I’m just immune to the draw, but I can say there has been NOTHING in the Gem Store that I’ve felt forced or coerced into buying… or even look at the store at all.

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Posted by: Judge Banks.9018

Judge Banks.9018

Blade and Soul has the same system also called VIP with levels so I already assumed this was for China

Realistically it’s a much better system than the original B&S sub system. It’s a really kittening expensive game to play in Korea, yet still manages to be in their top 10 game rankings.

For example, it’s 23000 Korean WON a month to play. Where as VIP in Korea gives you all basic functionality as well as some extra QOL tidbits, for only $2.00USD a month.

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Posted by: Erick Alastor.3917

Erick Alastor.3917

quote:
“If you didn’t know, the Guild Wars 2 economy is shared globally across the entire games community, with every US and EU server accessing the exact same Trading Post as you. Which pretty much means that we are competing against the entire playerbase. "

What about China? Does anyone know something about it? What will happen?

“Otherwise, your MMO becomes all about grinding to get the best gear. We don’t make grindy games.”
- Mike Obrien

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Posted by: Mimizu.7340

Mimizu.7340

Australia and New Zealand arent in the West.

Should they be worried?

Mimizu Heavy Industries [Doll] – Underworld

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Posted by: Judge Banks.9018

Judge Banks.9018

If Nexon IS somehow pulling the strings with their 15% share in NCSoft (which is a shade of a stretch)… they’ve been keeping pretty well in line with cash shop items being largely cosmetic or of little consequence.

Maybe I’m just immune to the draw, but I can say there has been NOTHING in the Gem Store that I’ve felt forced or coerced into buying… or even look at the store at all.

On the other hand you can look at it like this. Imagine things that are mostly cash shop only, not actually being a part of the cash shop. Imagine these things being Karma based instead.

Maybe even imagine a Guild Wars 2 that wasn’t forced to release early. Possibly a Zhaitan fight that didn’t make you want to commit sudoku.

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Posted by: LiveSpartan.8206

LiveSpartan.8206

quote:
“If you didn’t know, the Guild Wars 2 economy is shared globally across the entire games community, with every US and EU server accessing the exact same Trading Post as you. Which pretty much means that we are competing against the entire playerbase. "

What about China? Does anyone know something about it? What will happen?

They already confirmed awhile back China will have no interaction with NA/EU cause well its China they don’t allow for NA/EU it interact with one another in online games.

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

On the other hand you can look at it like this. Imagine things that are mostly cash shop only, not actually being a part of the cash shop. Imagine these things being Karma based instead.

Maybe even imagine a Guild Wars 2 that wasn’t forced to release early. Possibly a Zhaitan fight that didn’t make you want to commit sudoku.

Let’s be perfectly bluntly honest; there was GOING to be a lot of material in the Gem Store, no matter who had invested in the company. It’s GW2’s primary revenue stream at this point. Arena.net was/is/always will be a company with the goal to make money. That was true even in GW1 with their expansion model. They weren’t giving those expansion and stand-alone campaigns out for free, after all.

Items in the gems store weren’t going to be karma based as long as they felt people would be willing to part with their money for it, Nexon as an investor or not. Let’s be serious, take off the tinfoil, and be honest with ourselves.

As for the Zhaitan mess and rushing the game out early, I can almost assure you that was NCSoft’s call, and would have been their call no matter who their investors are. Because like Arena.net, NCSoft is a company, and their goal is to make money, and the longer that game sits in development, that’s money not being made. For a game that had been in development for over 6 years… your publisher is GOING to get impatient.

The entire “Nexon Conspiracy” is WAY overplayed, and a pretty silly overreaction.

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Posted by: Swagger.1459

Swagger.1459

this might be promising folks! we could possibly get a choice between a full set of ascended gear and/or weapons or a precursor every month with a paid membership!
also, bi-weekly face tattoos might be tossed in as an added bonus!

New Main- 80 Thief – P/P- Vault Spam Pro

221 hours over 1,581 days of bank space/hot pve/lion’s arch afk and some wvw.

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Posted by: Barsimoprimo.2759

Barsimoprimo.2759

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Uhh, like Chinese law making this sort of model necessary?

You may want to take that up with the Chinese government and whatever third party “company” they picked to distribute/nationalize/make proper for viewing the game in their country, not ANet.

A LITTLE BIT OF LOGIC DOES WONDERS HERE. Its not a model for china simply because its a VIP membership. Meaning there is an alternate version, of which requires no monthly subscription. if Chinese laws requires a subscription fee, there can’t be a lack thereof in the game. A vip membership describing more skill points and more prestige obviously means you can play the game without paying for this subscription and simply must endure " less skillpoints" and “prestige”. Therefore the vip system is being researched for a territory that has no laws forcing a game to operate through a subscription fee.

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Posted by: Aedelric.1287

Aedelric.1287

So one can assume this is a test for the Asia region.

My fears have been relieved slightly, though a straight out statement like “No VIP or subscription plans” would make feel much better.

So you don’t buy it if you don’t like it.

Why does it matter to you if someone else does?

I don’t get that thinking at all.

The game was advertised as subscription free, it matters a great deal.

I do not get your way of thinking at all, so docile

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Posted by: Erick Alastor.3917

Erick Alastor.3917

quote:
“If you didn’t know, the Guild Wars 2 economy is shared globally across the entire games community, with every US and EU server accessing the exact same Trading Post as you. Which pretty much means that we are competing against the entire playerbase. "

What about China? Does anyone know something about it? What will happen?

They already confirmed awhile back China will have no interaction with NA/EU cause well its China they don’t allow for NA/EU it interact with one another in online games.

Thank you for the info :* (could you also link me the source?).

“Otherwise, your MMO becomes all about grinding to get the best gear. We don’t make grindy games.”
- Mike Obrien

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

A LITTLE BIT OF LOGIC DOES WONDERS HERE. Its not a model for china simply because its a VIP membership. Meaning there is an alternate version, of which requires no monthly subscription. if Chinese laws requires a subscription fee, there can’t be a lack thereof in the game. A vip membership describing more skill points and more prestige obviously means you can play the game without paying for this subscription and simply must endure " less skillpoints" and “prestige”. Therefore the vip system is being researched for a territory that has no laws forcing a game to operate through a subscription fee.

Or… it’s an additional [x] amount per month on top of the normal monthly fee? Hence “Very Important Person” status?

Nah… that can’t be it. Clearly it’s another scheme by those dastardly villains at Arena.net to turn the game into a subscription model. It all makes PERFECT SENSE!

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

The game was advertised as subscription free, it matters a great deal.

I do not get your way of thinking at all, so docile

Yeah, funny how I really don’t care about changes if they don’t impact me. Why should I care if someone else wants to spend $5 a month… or $10… or $50… or $500?

Clearly, it’s so much healthier to get bent out of shape about every little change to what other people do.

If Arena.net sends me an e-mail saying that all players must spend [x] amount of dollars to play the game… THEN I’ll get up in arms. Giving someone the OPTION to do so could not matter to me less.

(edited by chemiclord.3978)

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Posted by: Aedelric.1287

Aedelric.1287

Yeah, funny how I really don’t care about changes if they don’t impact me. It’s so much healthier to get bent out of shape about every little change to what other people do.

You get bent out of shape more than I do, hence your many replies.

“I am Evon Gnashblade and this message is acceptable to me.”

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Posted by: Barsimoprimo.2759

Barsimoprimo.2759

A LITTLE BIT OF LOGIC DOES WONDERS HERE. Its not a model for china simply because its a VIP membership. Meaning there is an alternate version, of which requires no monthly subscription. if Chinese laws requires a subscription fee, there can’t be a lack thereof in the game. A vip membership describing more skill points and more prestige obviously means you can play the game without paying for this subscription and simply must endure " less skillpoints" and “prestige”. Therefore the vip system is being researched for a territory that has no laws forcing a game to operate through a subscription fee.

Or… it’s an additional [x] amount per month on top of the normal monthly fee? Hence “Very Important Person” status?

Nah… that can’t be it. Clearly it’s another scheme by those dastardly villains at Arena.net to turn the game into a subscription model. It all makes PERFECT SENSE!

So, Um… You think a more logical assessment of the situation is that Anet intends to place a subscription fee on an already existent subscription fee as opposed to them using a very common contemporary gaming market practice of offering a free product with added benefits after monthly payments.

Okay…

P.S: Btw I know it wont happen hear in the US, however the fact that the game is marketed as a f2p mmo and then goes back on this statement is disturbing to me. I have no problem spending money on gems or expansions, i do have issues with false marketing.

(edited by Barsimoprimo.2759)

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

You get bent out of shape more than I do, hence your many replies.

If I was upset, I’d just leave. This forum isn’t worth rage or anger.

I am genuinely curious why players (and it’s not just in this game, mind you) get so worked up about things that really don’t have to impact them in the slightest. If you don’t like the “VIP Status”… don’t buy it, and your game experience doesn’t change.

I’d understand the anger if it did (like if it took away something you previously had unless you paid in), but I don’t see how this, as its presented would. It’s much ado about what amounts to nothing.

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

So, Um… You think a more logical assessment of the situation is that Anet intends to place a subscription fee on an already existent subscription fee as opposed to them using a very common contemporary gaming market practice of offering a free product with added benefits after monthly payments.

Okay…

P.S: Btw I know it wont happen hear in the US, however the fact that the game is marketed as a f2p mmo and then goes back on this statement is disturbing to me. I have no problem spending money on gems or expansions, i do have issues with false marketing.

Yes. I think it’s perfectly logical to assume (based on the official response given) that the “VIP status” is meant as an additional tier to the subscription fee China requires. The more you spend per month, the more perks you get (this would also explain the data mined “levels” you saw).

If you want to assume the official is lying… then there’s really not much we can discuss on the matter, now is there?

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Posted by: Barsimoprimo.2759

Barsimoprimo.2759

So, Um… You think a more logical assessment of the situation is that Anet intends to place a subscription fee on an already existent subscription fee as opposed to them using a very common contemporary gaming market practice of offering a free product with added benefits after monthly payments.

Okay…

P.S: Btw I know it wont happen hear in the US, however the fact that the game is marketed as a f2p mmo and then goes back on this statement is disturbing to me. I have no problem spending money on gems or expansions, i do have issues with false marketing.

Yes. I think it’s perfectly logical to assume (based on the official response given) that the “VIP status” is meant as an additional tier to the subscription fee China requires. The more you spend per month, the more perks you get (this would also explain the data mined “levels” you saw).

If you want to assume the official is lying… then there’s really not much we can discuss on the matter, now is there?

Considering that Martin made no mention of china and simply stated that it wouldn’t be used in the west. I believe you’re adding a bit of prediction to the situation. Regardless, I believe this arguments has gone on long enough.
I apologize for any insult and good night.

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Posted by: Peetee.9406

Peetee.9406

Just my opinion,

Players are frustrated that the money they’ve already put in to this game has not been put to good use. A large portion of money has gone to the development of another NCSoft title. The few scraps that ANet has been given is being used on temp content, jumping puzzles and mini-games that most are not interested in.

Coming up with a new payment plan is not a solution. Weekly sales is not a solution. Asking for more money is not a solution.

Until the players see real content updates most of us are not going to pitch in another dime regardless of the pay model.

Where is the precursor scavenger hunt?
Where is Cantha?
Where are the new weapons, classes and skills?
Where are the alternate sPvP game modes?
Where are the account wide WvW ranks?
Where is Edge of the Mists?

Until we start to see some of these updates, there will be no more financial growth for GW2.

Kayku
[CDS] Caedas
Sanctum of Rall

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Posted by: Calae.1738

Calae.1738

Convenience in exchange for money?

I got a better idea.

How about content in exchange for money. Actual content.

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Posted by: Elthurien.8356

Elthurien.8356

this might be promising folks! we could possibly get a choice between a full set of ascended gear and/or weapons or a precursor every month with a paid membership!
also, bi-weekly face tattoos might be tossed in as an added bonus!

That’s about as optimistic as the people that thought they were going to get a precursor or ascended weapon in their WvW Season 1 chest.

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Posted by: Healix.5819

Healix.5819

I think ArenaNet should implement a “VIP” membership, not as a subscription, but as a bonus for actually buying gems. It would work very much like a yearly subscription, but you would only be buying gems. They could offer stuff like VIP discounts/special sales, priority support and titles for both the forums and in-game. VIP members would also automatically qualifying for any special offers, like the Wintersday one, or how they sometimes send presents for buying gems.

Basically, they should offer bonuses to people who continuously support the game.

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Posted by: Inculpatus cedo.9234

Inculpatus cedo.9234

I wonder if people on the forums of NCSoft games already in existence when Guild Wars 2 was being developed complained that all their money was going to another of NCSoft’s games. I bet they were really up in arms about having to subsidize Guild Wars 2’s development.

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Posted by: LiveSpartan.8206

LiveSpartan.8206

Just my opinion,

Players are frustrated that the money they’ve already put in to this game has not been put to good use. A large portion of money has gone to the development of another NCSoft title. The few scraps that ANet has been given is being used on temp content, jumping puzzles and mini-games that most are not interested in.

Coming up with a new payment plan is not a solution. Weekly sales is not a solution. Asking for more money is not a solution.

Until the players see real content updates most of us are not going to pitch in another dime regardless of the pay model.

Where is the precursor scavenger hunt?
Where is Cantha?
Where are the new weapons, classes and skills?
Where are the alternate sPvP game modes?
Where are the account wide WvW ranks?
Where is Edge of the Mists?

Until we start to see some of these updates, there will be no more financial growth for GW2.

Stop with the bull that ArenaNet doesn’t get much money and of course some of GW2 money is helping NCsoft develop games and you know what’s gonna happen when Wildstar is released its money is gonna used to develop other games. How do think GW2 got the money to be developed?

  • The Precursor crafting is coming its still in development
  • Cantha I don’t care.
  • They maybe working on new weapons, if your looking for new classes your gonna be disappointed ArenaNet already said the current classes already cover most of the archetypes and if they ever do add one it would be a heavy armor class. They just gave 8 new healing skills.
  • sPvP modes are in developement.
  • Account wide ranks also in testing and will likely be introduced in the feature only patch after the end of the LS.
  • Edge of the Mists is being tested.

You know all those things you listed NEED TIME TO BE MADE money isn’t gonna make them come out faster.

(edited by LiveSpartan.8206)

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Posted by: LiveSpartan.8206

LiveSpartan.8206

Blade and Soul already has this same system in China and I’m pretty sure a bunch of other games there have it too. Blade and Soul Korea doesn’t even have VIP. This is just Chinese thing cause as far as I know China is the only territory that’s currently testing GW2.

(edited by LiveSpartan.8206)

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Posted by: Behellagh.1468

Behellagh.1468

ANet already said this isn’t for NA or the EU version of the game 2 pages ago. Why is this still going on?

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/VIP-Membership/3474276

Asian MMOs have different income models and the idea of having a VIP level as well as F2P isn’t unusual there.

However they do have cute pictures showing off the demographic of the beta. Interesting point, no Norns or Charr yet it appears. Looks as if Engineers (I think) aren’t feeling the love over there.

http://gw2.kongzhong.com/news/20131212/1083.html

http://gw2.kongzhong.com/news/20131114/1045.html

Highlights:

Male/Female player ratio 54/46 but Illusionists are 44/56. Guess purple butterflies stereotype the profession there as well. Average player age 22.

Also the home page in China is currently showing a dub version of the “Our Time is Now” video. Not sure the current state of the beta there which is why I was checking. I think it’s still going on.

We are heroes. This is what we do!

RIP City of Heroes

(edited by Behellagh.1468)

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Posted by: Karizee.8076

Karizee.8076

ANet already said this isn’t for NA or the EU version of the game 2 pages ago. Why is this still going on?

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/VIP-Membership/3474276

Asian MMOs have different income models and the idea of having a VIP level as well as F2P isn’t unusual there.

However they do have cute pictures showing off the demographic of the beta. Interesting point, no Norns or Charr yet it appears. Looks as if Engineers (I think) aren’t feeling the love over there.

http://gw2.kongzhong.com/news/20131212/1083.html

http://gw2.kongzhong.com/news/20131114/1045.html

Highlights:

Male/Female player ratio 54/46 but Illusionists are 44/56. Guess purple butterflies stereotype the profession there as well. Average player age 22.

Also the home page in China is currently showing a dub version of the “Our Time is Now” video. Not sure the current state of the beta there which is why I was checking. I think it’s still going on.

Interesting stuff.

Difficult to get the true meaning sometimes from the translations, but I read the 22 years as the total number of hours played between all players (which is a rather meaningless number without knowing how long the beta was up when that was totalled).

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Posted by: Vanthian.9267

Vanthian.9267

Well I am honestly not surprised when not to long ago they released a small scale version of a “VIP” section of Divinities Reach. Now they even have a permanent pass there.

This might be for a “Chinese” launch but they are testing the waters on us as we speak. The more that buy into the “VIP” crap section of Divinities Reach the bigger the green light they get.

Just look in this forum…. there are some people actually defending this horror as if it is a good idea.

I wonder how many people bought the pass….

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

Just look in this forum…. there are some people actually defending this horror as if it is a good idea.

I think most of us are “defending” it because we fail to see the horror.

If adding a “VIP” tier took something away from “normal” accounts, I could understand the rage. Hell, I’d be right along aside you. But as it is… why should I care if someone wants to spend [x] amount of dollars a month for a bunch of silly perks? It means nothing to me. It doesn’t affect me, and I’m tired about worrying myself about what someone else does with their money.

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Posted by: Vanthian.9267

Vanthian.9267

horror.

It does and most likely will affect you.

The day the next living story can only be played by Tier 15 VIP members or higher. Much like only people with a pass can get into the Divinities Reach Noble area.

Edit: [The remainder of this message can only be viewed by those who are of Tier 10 or higher within our VIP services.]

(edited by Vanthian.9267)

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Posted by: Aedelric.1287

Aedelric.1287

horror.

It does and most likely will affect you.

The day the next living story can only be played by Tier 15 VIP members or higher. Much like only people with a pass can get into the Divinities Reach Noble area.

Edit: [The remainder of this message can only be viewed by those who are of Tier 10 or higher within our VIP services.]

Point well made.

“I am Evon Gnashblade and this message is acceptable to me.”

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Posted by: kokiman.2364

kokiman.2364

Reminds me about the whole situation when A.Net changed some text about the gemstore back when the game wasn’t released.

GuildWars 2

Currently playing Heart of Thorns.

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Posted by: Tobias Trueflight.8350

Tobias Trueflight.8350

horror.

It does and most likely will affect you.

The day the next living story can only be played by Tier 15 VIP members or higher. Much like only people with a pass can get into the Divinities Reach Noble area.

Edit: [The remainder of this message can only be viewed by those who are of Tier 10 or higher within our VIP services.]

Hey, lovely extrapolation from nowhere, friend. You are aware the Royal Pass just lets you into a place where everything’s localized, and non pass-holders have a place almost as good. It’s called Rata Sum.

It’s almost exactly like the places in Factions where you could only get in if you were part of the claiming alliance/guild, no mechanical advantages, just a neat little place to be exclusive and throw fruit at the peons. Except there’s no fruit.

Seeking assistants for the Asuran Catapult Project. Applicants will be tested for aerodynamics.

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

It does and most likely will affect you.

The day the next living story can only be played by Tier 15 VIP members or higher. Much like only people with a pass can get into the Divinities Reach Noble area.

Edit: [The remainder of this message can only be viewed by those who are of Tier 10 or higher within our VIP services.]

IF that day comes, THEN I’ll protest it. Not before.

Right now, you’re running full speed down a slippery slope argument. Have fun with that. I see no reason to follow your Chicken Little logic.

The Royal Terrace you claim as evidence has nothing that can’t be found in Lion’s Arch. Hell, it isn’t even particularly more CONVENIENT, unless you absolutely find the walk in LA to be such a chore. If people want to blow their money on such trivial things… I’m not going to stop them.

You, however, can stop overreacting anytime.

(edited by chemiclord.3978)

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Posted by: Chrispy.5641

Chrispy.5641

horror.

It does and most likely will affect you.

The day the next living story can only be played by Tier 15 VIP members or higher. Much like only people with a pass can get into the Divinities Reach Noble area.

Edit: [The remainder of this message can only be viewed by those who are of Tier 10 or higher within our VIP services.]

Darn, I’m only Tier 9……also, I still don’t see the problem with a bought VIP status as long as it brings no combat bonus, and leaves you just as helpless as the rest of us.

Also, I was on that chinese gw2 site, and there was an interesting piece of asian/canthan looking concept art. I reverse image searched it, and it brought me to a some concept art, then the next page was a bunch of guild wars 2 fan art. The first couple pages were fine, but after that was a deep dark realm of terror from which I was barely able to escape!

[You must pay 1500 gems per month to access the rest of this post]

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Posted by: zenleto.6179

zenleto.6179

Australia and New Zealand arent in the West.

Should they be worried?

Nah. We’ll count as the west for this as long as players stay on the NA/EU servers.

Fire up the Hyperbowl ma, we’re going to town!

Would you like some hard cheeze with your sad whine?

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Posted by: Caedmon.6798

Caedmon.6798

Ressurection Buff

What do they even mean with that… ?

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Posted by: Vanthian.9267

Vanthian.9267

….I still don’t see the problem with a bought VIP status ……

Then you are part of the “new player base” that have driven this game into a failing state that it is in and will continue to be. By failing I mean, not living up to what was sold/hyped (by Anet themselves).

With a bought status comes a bought power.

“But anet said they would never sell items that grant more power to the player than what can be earned!!”

They also said that the game wouldn’t be grindy and focus on looks rather than repetitive actions. The path you walk knows no bounds and will continue to drain pockets rather than aim to provide the best gaming experience possible.

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Posted by: Vanthian.9267

Vanthian.9267

IF that day comes, THEN I’ll protest it. Not before.

Right now, you’re running full speed down a slippery slope argument. Have fun with that. I see no reason to follow your Chicken Little logic.

The Royal Terrace you claim as evidence has nothing that can’t be found in Lion’s Arch. Hell, it isn’t even particularly more CONVENIENT, unless you absolutely find the walk in LA to be such a chore. If people want to blow their money on such trivial things… I’m not going to stop them.

You, however, can stop overreacting anytime.

The day it comes is far to late and it is where it is heading. The argument isn’t slippy at all. You are paying more for more access to something that no one else will have unless they also pay. Pretty black and white as it gets. You either pay for that status or you don’t get it.

Also, I am not over-reacting in the slightest. Merely pointing out the obvious (or rather what should be obvious).

(edited by Vanthian.9267)

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Posted by: Vanthian.9267

Vanthian.9267

It’s almost exactly like the places in Factions where you could only get in if you were part of the claiming alliance/guild, no mechanical advantages, just a neat little place to be exclusive and throw fruit at the peons. Except there’s no fruit.

Almost not all at like them. You actually had to play the game to get those areas. They were rewards for playing the game and donating faction within the game not bought possessions. They were free flowing and could change hands at any point. Unlike the pass and the noble area.

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Posted by: Tobias Trueflight.8350

Tobias Trueflight.8350

It’s almost exactly like the places in Factions where you could only get in if you were part of the claiming alliance/guild, no mechanical advantages, just a neat little place to be exclusive and throw fruit at the peons. Except there’s no fruit.

Almost not all at like them. You actually had to play the game to get those areas. They were rewards for playing the game and donating faction within the game not bought possessions. They were free flowing and could change hands at any point. Unlike the pass and the noble area.

No, they’re still just convenience and prestige spots as far as gameplay is concerned. Also, “for playing the game” since launch day of Prophecies I never came close to entering any of those special gates. I spent time looking up what I was missing mechanically and aside from the discounted goods?

Not. A. Darn. Thing.

Royal Terrace is the same way. There is nothing there you can’t access elsewhere.

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Posted by: Nageth.5648

Nageth.5648

I’d like a more detailed explanation why buying expansions is good but an optional sub is bad. What if they gave away expansions for free supported by people who pay subs and buy currency like EVE? How is that model worse than paying for expansions?

You are asking multiple questions and comparing a optional sub to a full sub? Anyway I will take it part by part.

“I’d like a more detailed explanation why buying expansions is good but an optional sub is bad.”

An optional sub still means the income is mainly generated by a cash-shop or similar system. That means game-design is focused on you buying the items (that might also be part of the sub.)
Of course I can imagine an optional sub that works good. For example if they do not really give you anything in the game.. yeah maybe some tag but thats it. However in stead it would give you access to beta test for upcoming content.
But in the current case the problem there is that mostly the core focus will still be micro-transactions and a optional sub is pretty much just a way to get part of those micro-transactions elements automatically.

So why is that focus bad. Once again my links: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/A-focus-on-micro-transactions/first#post3324571 read here why.

“What if they gave away expansions for free supported by people who pay subs and buy currency like EVE? How is that model worse than paying for expansions?”
You mean the people who pay a subscription for x months get the expansion for free but the people who buy the game / expansion get the ‘game-time’ for free. Yeah that would also work just fine. But thats not the case here.

You didn’t explain anything at all. How does an optional sub mean more money needed from the gem shop but optional expansions doesn’t mean more money needed from gem shop?

And your last statement saying my theoretical isn’t the case here. Prove it. How is that not a possibility. Point to evidence. You can’t, because we have no evidence what is going on. Lets not spread FUD when we have no idea what the specifics are.

Well then I guess I did not understand your question and to be honest I am still not sure if I get it.
What do you mean with an optional expansion?

When you focus on expansions you don’t need to focus on a cash-shop.
Pretty much you don’t need a cash-shop because you focus on expansion.

With an optional sub the focus is usually still on the cash-shop and the optional sub mainly gives you some thinks automatically that are in the cash-shop plus some other little thinks.

So then the question becomes. Why a focus on expansion in stead of a focus on a cash-shop and I did explain that in the link.

About the theoretical option.. No thats not the case.. GW2 does not have the option to buy expansions or a subscription.

Did you play GW1 at all? That is a good example of optional expansions. Several people have replied with explanations of optional expansions and how they split the player base. I think you might need to research a bit more if you are still having problems understanding what an optional expansion is.

And again, explain how focusing on optional expansions means you don’t need to focus on the cash shop. Explain the economics. How will the expansions be able to provide enough funds without the cash shop but a sub will not provide enough funds without the cash shop.

This is all theoretical, of course, because as is now proven, there won’t be a sub for the west. So all the instant doom and gloom is proven false. It still doesn’t make the lack of supporting evidence for the sub vs expansion argument you made acceptable in an argument. My position has always been we did not have enough information and requested more. I still would like that information.

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Posted by: chemiclord.3978

chemiclord.3978

The day it comes is far to late and it is where it is heading. The argument isn’t slippy at all. You are paying more for more access to something that no one else will have unless they also pay. Pretty black and white as it gets. You either pay for that status or you don’t get it.

Also, I am not over-reacting in the slightest. Merely pointing out the obvious (or rather what should be obvious).

Then I quit the game. Problem solved for me.

One thing I won’t do is lose my kitten over what MIGHT happen. It’s a game, not a political election.

You are creating a future scenario not in evidence, and using that make-believe scenario as justification for your protest now. That is pretty much the DEFINITION of a slippery slope argument, man. I dunno what to tell you other than it IS a classic overreaction.

Just stop while you’re behind.

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Posted by: lordkrall.7241

lordkrall.7241

How is this thread still going on?
We have confirmation (as many of us stated when this was revealed) that it is for the Chinese release of the game, and yet people are still shouting about how much it sucks and how bad ArenaNet are.

I for one would say that you owe them an apology for this whole thread, but then again, who am I kidding?

Krall Bloodsword – Mesmer
Krall Peterson – Warrior
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Posted by: Majic.4801

Majic.4801

I, for one, welcome our new VIP overlords.

“Not the same, real and true. True you feel inside.
Always follow what is true.” — Sentry-skritt Bordekka

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Posted by: LemnzestManatee.2157

LemnzestManatee.2157

NEXON s…t.

Well at least someone knows who actually calls the shots on everything these days.

Honestly I’ll keep posting this image until that ridiculous rumors like that are dead and buried.

What rumors? That Nexon acquired a 15% interest in NCSoft?http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/Meleagar/112012/24237_NCSoft-Sold-Arenanet-and-GW2-Out-For-Nexon-Investment
According to that pretty reliable site thats a fact, not a rumor.

Taken from the article linked:
’The point is that shortly after Nexon and Crystin Cox arrived on the scene at Arenanet, that company threw 7 years of game philosophy (whether you agreed with it or not), trust, and credibility down the drain in order to, apparently, introduce a gear-treadmill monetization scheme that would require people to either endure a massive grindfest to keep up with top gear stats, or pay to keep up by buying gems in the cash shop, converting them to gold, and then buying Ascended gear and infusions off the trading post.

Essentially, the game has become a pay-to-win scheme."

I stopped reading that stupid article after that paragraph. You can’t buy ascended gear and infusions from the trading post. At the time that this article was written (Nov of 2012), you could either not get ascended items at all (I can’t remember when they came out exactly), or, if you could get them, they were from FotM or laurels (again, I can’t remember when they put out the laurel system). Both of these methods require you to actually play the game, not just purchase gems and convert to gold. This is a bullkitten article that was just trying to get views from a sensationalized headline.

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Posted by: Chrispy.5641

Chrispy.5641

….I still don’t see the problem with a bought VIP status ……

Then you are part of the “new player base” that have driven this game into a failing state that it is in and will continue to be. By failing I mean, not living up to what was sold/hyped (by Anet themselves).

With a bought status comes a bought power.

“But anet said they would never sell items that grant more power to the player than what can be earned!!”

They also said that the game wouldn’t be grindy and focus on looks rather than repetitive actions. The path you walk knows no bounds and will continue to drain pockets rather than aim to provide the best gaming experience possible.

I’ve actually been playing since Gw1 in 2005. And I’ve played other MMO’s with a ‘VIP’ status….

People suddenly getting a VIP status does not affect me in any way, plus, I’m not paying Anet extra money for whatever VIP gets them (which I assume is limited to GEM store discounts and such like that, not any actual combat advantages). It literally doesn’t affect me in any way since all new released content is free when through the Living story, and I will probably have to pay for an expansion, but so? So will the VIP’s! Also, that extra source of money will help Anet to develop bigger and better content in the future.

So I will say it again….

ME!!!!

“….I still don’t see the problem with a bought VIP status ……”

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Posted by: Smith.1826

Smith.1826

I’m not surprised, really. If they’re not going down the expansion route while still claiming they’re giving “free DLC”, they’re gonna have to cut a lot of corner.

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Posted by: lordkrall.7241

lordkrall.7241

I’m not surprised, really. If they’re not going down the expansion route while still claiming they’re giving “free DLC”, they’re gonna have to cut a lot of corner.

Except that they won’t. At least not in the West, and adding something like this in the east is more or less required.

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Posted by: Smith.1826

Smith.1826

If their current trend ceases to stop producing profit, they’ll have to fork out new ways to monetize the game to support it. The need might not arise now – which is nice – but should it be required, they’d still be “in line” to do so.