Guild Wars 2

Since we are all not on the same page, lets put the reasons why $50 is not good pricing in nice bullet points topped with a nice little explaination.

• Price > Value

Think about what new players and old players have when comparing the value of HoT between these two groups. New players get over 25 maps, guild halls, features, 9 professions, fractals, dungeons, Heart of the mists, WvW, etc. Old players, or those who’ve already purchaced the core game, are getting one map, one profession and the features involved with HoT.

There is a major gap between what each group gets for $50. And the feeling gets worse the more someone paid for core because the comparison between the two is so huge.

This would not be much of a problem for old players if the expansion was cheaper and included a free character slot bonus just for those who’ve already bought the whole game. So why not do it?

• Favoritism

It is easy to feel dumped as a customer when it becomes obvious that you are not the target market. It feels worse when its blatant since those who do not fit the mold feel they (and their money) are not even the slightest bit important to the company. Not only is that rude but it is the best way to close wallets and lose customers.

From what little I know about business, a customer is a customer. They may not be right all the time but they are the only people who will give the company money. Best to make as many satisfied as possible.

Don’t get me wrong, bringing new players in is important, but entirely focusing on new players does not guarantee they will continue to buy from said company. The players who’ve been playing for a while, those long term customers, are already snared. The only thing keeping them from throwing their wallets at Arenanet is their mood and currently their mood is sour.

Make your long term customers happy and they’ll make you rich.

• Smells like a cashgrab

This is an extension of favoritism but focusing on new players like so has the unfortunate side effect of bringing out the more conspiratorial side of people. Namely, they feel that the pricing has been done on purpose meaning anet expects everyone to deal with it. That’s the line of thought.

The players think arenanet knows the pricing sucks for them but is going through with it anyway because they know players are going to pay regardless.

Despite how irrational or wrong it might sound, it doesn’t change the fact that its pricing is bad for alot of players.

I really do think that all 3 of these reasons would dissolve away if anet gave players more value in each of the packs. I mean if you take $50 off the ultimate and the 4k gems that come with it, that is a deal for old players right there. I am sure you’ll see many more pre-purchases then.

Anyways, these are the 3 main reasons I’ve seen throughout the forums. Take it for what it’s worth. As for me I am too busy these days to spend $50+ for something I may not have the time to use.