Guild Wars 2

Anet is missing a big point, people are less likely to buy the expansion solely on the reason it’s “shiny stuff” (we’re not Skritts). At the end of the day, it is saddening that developers had their work set on fire before packaging. It is equally saddening for the community to lose more players than gained. The PR/management sure messed up. Here are some of my suggestions to remedy the situation.

1) I’ve read that pre-purchase for GW1 expansion was actually discounted for early birds. If you cannot show more content then a similar discount for pre-purchase could justify the price for value argument. Purchasing early should have a greater incentive. It is simply common sense to not invest your money for a ‘box of chocolate…never know what you’re gonna get’.

2) Although ANet might stand on their point on not giving character slot, as giving it away will devalue the existing bundles. A smart organisation would throw a biscuit to keep their customer’s attention, or at least communicate. For example there was Hall of Monuments rewards for GW1 players in GW2, a similar system could be implemented for current active players. Another solution would be all accounts get a free upgrade to the deluxe edition, since you cannot buy the core game standalone anymore.

3) The package for new players includes a generous bundle of both the expansion and core game in one purchase. People are not arguing that added value for new players is bad. A better alternative would be giving existing players can get an additional account code (with their purchase) for gifting to another friend. Thus prepurchase becomes a referral promotion to grow the community.

For me the Biggest issue ( im sure for others too)

The fact we dont and never will view HoT as more valuable then the core game.

Thats why so many are angry, because the only bundles offer a new core game and the dlc, and you cant split those.

They need to lower the price and drop the core game from it either by adding another option or changing standard editions contents.

Akikaze.1307:

3) The package for new players includes a generous bundle of both the expansion and core game in one purchase. People are not arguing that added value for new players is bad. A better alternative would be giving existing players can get an additional account code (with their purchase) for gifting to another friend. Thus prepurchase becomes a referral promotion to grow the community.

I think most people that buy HoT want to jump right into it. If you just get a code to give to a friend well you can only play with him in the core version. If he upgrades to HoT well then he gets a code as well. You get a code, and you get a code, and you get a code. That’s a lot of codes being passed around.

Also if it is a free code, whats to stop people from selling those codes to try to scam people and make money. There are tons of scams out there especially on the internet. I even recall a thread here once about some site selling HoT when HoT wasn’t even available yet. Giving out free game codes is not a very good idea IMO.

briggah.7910:

Akikaze.1307:

3) The package for new players includes a generous bundle of both the expansion and core game in one purchase. People are not arguing that added value for new players is bad. A better alternative would be giving existing players can get an additional account code (with their purchase) for gifting to another friend. Thus prepurchase becomes a referral promotion to grow the community.

I think most people that buy HoT want to jump right into it. If you just get a code to give to a friend well you can only play with him in the core version. If he upgrades to HoT well then he gets a code as well. You get a code, and you get a code, and you get a code. That’s a lot of codes being passed around.

Also if it is a free code, whats to stop people from selling those codes to try to scam people and make money. There are tons of scams out there especially on the internet. I even recall a thread here once about some site selling HoT when HoT wasn’t even available yet. Giving out free game codes is not a very good idea IMO.

I do understand that there will be likely increase in gold sellers or scammers. However that suggestion was from personal experience.

I started GW2 last year during the free trial for the game. Infact it was 2 friends who suggested that I try the game with them. The game deemed fun and enjoyable for us to justify the full purchase. Similarly I had invited another 2 friends to join me on the game when it was discounted. Word of mouth is a powerful tool for marketing and shouldn’t be under-estimated.