Station Cash: Good Idea?
Station Cash appears to have been both announced and pushed live this morning. I hadn’t heard about it before today, and I pay pretty decent attention to most games (especially those I used to work on). I’ll avoid giving my opinions about it, but I’m interested to see what other people think about it. In short, EverQuest and EverQuest II players can now pay real money to get certain items such as experience bonus potions. Thoughts?
While my initial thoughts were negative, eventually I decided that should I return to EQ2 I’d probably be picking up some of the XP potions. Does their availability make me more likely to return? Not right now, but it would influence my decision if I left my current MMO.
XP gain is so fast in EQ2 anymore, I’m surprised that anyone even bothers with XP potions at all anymore, much less that SOE thinks that they will be able to sell them for microtransactions.
as to the rest… so long as they’re more or less “fluff” items, I don’t mind it, but if someone can buy the “Sword of 1000 Truths” via this program, then. . . . yikes!
Admittedly, I don’t think that’s the case, but without being able to be home to log in to look at all the items, I don’t know yet.
Hmmmm. Interesting. Launched just around the time of reports that Sony will be laying off 8,000 employees. They are saying they will slash all non-money-making divisions to save more than a $1 billion. Wonder where those cuts will come from?
I only see this type of thing growing in the future. One shot items and fluff stuff being gained via micro-transactions. I personally don’t mind. I grind out my own characters but, honestly, if I could drop five bucks and temporarily speed up the experience gain of my alt I’d do it.
I think there are a lot of applications in this regard. Some of us just don’t agree that alts mean reply ^_~ they just mean we want to change class or try something new at the end game.
If they make good money from selling experience potions doesn’t that just give the business incentive to add more of the grinds you are trying to skip?
I absolutely despise it.
Yes, I understand SOE is in business to make money. But, this is no free game we are playing. I already have shelled out money for the initial game (x3, as my husband and teen also have accounts), all expansions (minus TSO) and expansion packs, plus at least one account pays for Station Access (because, in spite of my better judgment, from time to time I must peek back into SWG.)
And now these “fluff” items are introduced for real money. It’s just disgusting to me. For now, it’s fluff, but I just know that one, two, six months down the road, items will be introduced that are worthwhile. Armor. Weapons, etc. And, to be honest, I often enjoy fluff much more than the worthwhile stuff.
I am not competitive in MMOs. I don’t raid and I don’t much care about The Jones’. This isn’t about someone having an “edge” over me, or any other ego-wounding advantage. For me this is a matter of principle. This move cheapens the game.
You don’t really believe that SOE will be satisfied with the profit they make selling fluff do you? Within months they will add items that will give extra abilities and advantages to players who are willing to shell out real money. This is the end of EQ2 as we have known it.
Hmm,
The reality is MMO developers are in fact businesses with millions of dollars in outlay and investment. In order to recoup some of those investments, revenue streams have to be created. For some developers choose to sell their items and gold, others choose to charge excessive fees for trivial automated server transfers, some are even propose charging their customers extra for access to official forums. For some developers the games sell themselves and that alone is enough.
Honestly, am I against it? Yes and no. I mean is selling a micro-expansion where you get special loot from an event, too far away from just straight selling the loot? Not really, but one is certainly different in my own mind.
What is funnier about that site and why I will never buy an SOE product again, is their complete lack of values beyond the dollar. I mean they’re selling virtual items at an infinate amount markup, and in addition they are selling the ad space for the pleasure of looking at their advertisements.
I am not defending SOE considering I don’t play any of their titles any longer but I do need to point out a thing or two here.
First, Lars makes a great point. It absolutely does give them an incentive. We can only hope they resist.
Second, to everyone else who is concerned that they will shortly be selling armor and weapons you need to take a minute and let everything settle. Yes, that is a possibility. Is it occurring now? No. Why let something that hasn’t happened upset you? If it does, THEN get upset. Light the torches and buy a pitch fork.
Until then, they’re just selling fluff items. It is an attempt to either make up lost income or generate new income. In either case, it -might- actually lead to a better game. If that money is put directly back into the products that is great. If it goes to share holders it is more or less of no benefit to you.
I find it … unpalatable, I suppose, that a subscription game would have add-ons like this. I’m canceling station access & eq2players as a sort of result of this. I’ve realised I’m paying a premium for “additional content” that is not delivering added value anymore. It’s not because of the new RMT but it certainly is related: it feels like yet another money grab. I’ve been handing over cash without thought and I’m starting to feel taken advantage of.
I’m indifferent. I play on the Test server so I have a permanent 50% experience buff, don’t need potions. None of the housing items looks interesting enough to spend $, at least right now.
“I am not competitive in MMOs. I don’t raid and I don’t much care about The Jones’. This isn’t about someone having an “edge†over me, or any other ego-wounding advantage. For me this is a matter of principle. This move cheapens the game.”
What principle is it a matter of?
“What principle is it a matter of?”
The principle that a company with integrity does not double dip, and that I do not hand over my money without first taking into account that integrity (or lack there of).
We are already paying for content in this game. The content is not (usually) simply handed to us but must be earned through various means such as questing, raiding, crafting, etc. That is how content in a subscription-based MMO should be delivered.
To me, that they are willing to charge money, on top of our monthly sub fees, in order to make the game more “customizable” and “fun” is insulting. Why? Because players have been asking for this “fluff” for nearly five years in EQ2. These items, be they fluff items or not, should be included in the game for the price we already pay each month, and for the price we shell out for expansions.