Guild Wars 2

Astaroth.5146:

The way I see it is Anet decided that the price they would ask for HoT would be 50$ base on whatever estimation and research they made, that is not important, they made a product and priced it at 50$ and that’s their decision to make. Up to that point, everything is fine.

At some point, after the company decided on the price but before advertising it, it was decided that they would add the core game to the package for new players. And that is where it gets touchy. Good plan on the surface to attract new players, but by doing so, they created a situation that makes the 50$ purchase not fair for everyone. New player get the full thing for the price while those who have the core game already only get HoT.

Now IF those who already have the core game ALSO get an additional core game (the way I understand it they don’t) for the price, then it’s kinda fair. That would be the bare minimum to do. But then comes another issue, not all players want a new base account, I personally don’t but some might do. In any case, the issue come with the absence of the option to not buy the core game again for those who already have it.

Anyway, the situation is a mess and Anet HAS to do something about it. I like to believe that they are discussing it right now and will come with something.

In the case they read all those posts here are the possible solution I can think of or that I’ve seen so far and think could work:

-Make a second set of Editions (50$, 75$ and 100$) but substitute the core game for something else (I would highly suggest a character slot) – Probably my favorite and give the option to those who already bought it to substitute the edition they bought for the equivalent without the core game. Anet don’t lose money and most will be happy about it.
-Make a second set of Editions with reduced price without the core game – Another good option but then Anet would have to accept a “loss” on the value they estimated HoT was.
-Give a separate code for both the core game and HoT so the “veteran” get an additional base account – Not the best option since not everyone actually want an additional base game but like I said before, that would be the bare minimum so everyone gets the same thing for the price they pay even though they are forced to pay for something they don’t want to get the part they want.

Anyway, my 2 cents. I hope Anet will come out with something that will be fair for everyone.

This! So much this! You sir just won the internet in my book. Any of those solution would go a long to towards alleviating the PERCEIVED lack of value (perception is the basis of reality for each individual and is subjective.)

@ OP
Entitlement based on assigned value to play? That is a novel notion. How about I play your game? GW 2 is an international game. It’s reach is not restricted to just NA and western EU but rather extends far beyond. The above mentioned demographic may or may not even be the majority of the player base.
That said please consider that in parts of the world where this game is sold and played you can buy a 2L bottle of Coke for 4 cents I find the logic behind your argument trying to infantalise these so caled “entitled” veteran players quite absurd.
The fact that these players having played GW1 trusted enough in ANET and its bussiness practices to pony over crazy amounts of cash ( taking into account conversion rates), I find it odd for members of the community such as you, a community these very people are a part of, to just belittle their concerns over the lack of value for the HoT bundle and their ire at not even getting a free copy of the game which is mentioned when buying the bundle to be ridiculous and boderline close minded.

As a veteran player I can not deny the enjoyment I got from the game, BUT, when I pay 50 dollars for the expansion and the free base game, I expect the free base game. If I do not need the base game as an alt to farm laurel on , I could give it away to create a new cutomer who might buy HoT and then would have an extra code to use or give away as well ( a self sustaining paid recruit a friend model if you wish). Such an easy matter which ANET in its greed either forgot or chose to not implement.
Why do I say greed? Well if the base game is free and vets cant get it since it is no longer a product why can I not make a free alt vanilla GW2 account? Why are box copies of GW 2 still sitting on shelves and not been recalled? Hell that last would have made the whole “buying from third party and getting jipped” that a lot of the newer players are feeling, not even be an issue.
Offering people seperate codes maybe as an opt in at the check out would have solved all of this. It can still solve all of this if ANET wants.

How long will these item be available from the mats merchants? That is: Will they disappear when Cuthroat Politics is released or stay till the end of the month?