An Open Letter To Turbine

wickermanva

An Open Letter to Turbine:

 

Turbine has chosen to create two types of players in LoTRO, those who get a free mount at level 25 and those who don’t.  To Turbine and to those who received the free horse this seems to be no big deal, but to those that did not, and now can never get one, it remains a point of contention.  For those of you who do not understand, let me explain.  Turbine unveiled the plan to reward those players who are Founders, i.e. they pre-ordered the game, or those players who chose the Lifetime membership on or before 3 December 2007, with a free mount at level 25.  While the mount in question is slower than the level 35 mount, it is both free and remains a good 30% faster than running.  To be fair Turbine did offer a reduced monthly fee to those customers who did not qualify for the horse.  But this is where the plan falls apart.  The reduction in price is nice, but hardly equates to the value of a mount, free of charge, a full 10 levels before everyone else.  As a marketing strategy this promotion also fails, if it was offered along with the ability to subscribe for a lifetime, than it would act as an incentive for players to purchase a lifetime account.  But no, the lifetime horse deal closed before it was announced, so there is no incentive.  What is left is a player base split in two, ones who have the gift horse and those who don’t, and never the two shall meet.

            Of course the players who received the gift horse are very supportive of the decision by Turbine.  But their support could be shortsighted.  What this really shows is that Turbine values their customers differently.  Founders, and to a lesser extent, Lifetimers, are more appreciated, than their other customers.  For now that doesn’t really matter to Turbine, as they are still flush with Founders.  But as the game ages Turbine will have less and less founders to hold them over, and if they continue to neglect their newer players, well that in itself is a dangerous game. 

            Many players have defended Turbine, although I have yet to see one who didn’t receive the gift horse come to their defense, but I concede it is possible, that this is just a form of veteran rewards, and that Turbine is just honoring their loyal customers.  But this isn’t a veteran reward, because there is no chance, no matter how long you play the game, to ever get this reward.  You could play from now till the servers are shut down, but you will never get this gift horse.  So no, it is not a veteran reward, veteran rewards are based on loyalty measured by length of play, not by whether or not you pre-ordered or decided to buy a lifetime membership.  A veteran reward should be obtainable by any player who stays with a game long enough, thus it serves two proposes, it rewards loyal customers, and gives new players an incentive to remain with the game.  This free horse did neither.  Long standing players, who pay a monthly fee, but did not pre-order or chose the lump sum lifetime option are forever relegated to the inferior statues of not having a mount at level 25.  In the end Turbine has created two camps within their game, and all the positive spin and accolades, given to them by the free horse members, cannot change this.

Druz

This isn't the first time Turbine has done this and it won't be the last, Turbine is giving gifts to those who have been subscribed for a year. A YEAR, a full year after release means this gift horse is not that big of a deal to those who already have high level characters.. it would be a big deal for new players who never had to run everywhere. I think I should mention Turbine basically waits a bit and then lets everyone have the gift for free



That said I am obviously for the gift horse even though the bonus is a small one, I still think everyone else should get some sort of gift if this post is in fact true

bluealien1

Quit crying, Turbine is simply showing us their appreciation for continuing to subscribe to a game that we have nothing to do in. They want to show us some thanks for staying from the start.

You guys get our Founder's pricing for as long as you are subscribed, just like us, which is a damn good deal, and if I wasn't a founder I would be ecstatic about the pricing they are giving you guys. And hardly equating to you guys getting our pricing? You mean you would rather pay 5$ a month cash for a level 25 horse on each of your characters?

wickermanva

Originally posted by bluealien1


Quit crying, Turbine is simply showing us their appreciation for continuing to subscribe to a game that we have nothing to do in. They want to show us some thanks for staying from the start.
You guys get our Founder's pricing for as long as you are subscribed, just like us, which is a damn good deal, and if I wasn't a founder I would be ecstatic about the pricing they are giving you guys.

I find it funny how many founders tell those of us who are dissatisfied with the situation to stop crying.  If the tables where turned you would be the first to gnash your teeth and pull your hair.

 

Oh and the bone they threw us, the discounted price, is just that, a bone.  They will most likely keep the price reduced in order to stay competitive.

8hammer8

Originally posted by wickermanva


An Open Letter to Turbine:
 
Turbine has chosen to create two types of players in LoTRO, those who get a free mount at level 25 and those who don’t.  To Turbine and to those who received the free horse this seems to be no big deal, but to those that did not, and now can never get one, it remains a point of contention.  For those of you who do not understand, let me explain.  Turbine unveiled the plan to reward those players who are Founders, i.e. they pre-ordered the game, or those players who chose the Lifetime membership on or before 3 December 2007, with a free mount at level 25.  While the mount in question is slower than the level 35 mount, it is both free and remains a good 30% faster than running.  To be fair Turbine did offer a reduced monthly fee to those customers who did not qualify for the horse.  But this is where the plan falls apart.  The reduction in price is nice, but hardly equates to the value of a mount, free of charge, a full 10 levels before everyone else.  As a marketing strategy this promotion also fails, if it was offered along with the ability to subscribe for a lifetime, than it would act as an incentive for players to purchase a lifetime account.  But no, the lifetime horse deal closed before it was announced, so there is no incentive.  What is left is a player base split in two, ones who have the gift horse and those who don’t, and never the two shall meet.
            Of course the players who received the gift horse are very supportive of the decision by Turbine.  But their support could be shortsighted.  What this really shows is that Turbine values their customers differently.  Founders, and to a lesser extent, Lifetimers, are more appreciated, than their other customers.  For now that doesn’t really matter to Turbine, as they are still flush with Founders.  But as the game ages Turbine will have less and less founders to hold them over, and if they continue to neglect their newer players, well that in itself is a dangerous game. 
            Many players have defended Turbine, although I have yet to see one who didn’t receive the gift horse come to their defense, but I concede it is possible, that this is just a form of veteran rewards, and that Turbine is just honoring their loyal customers.  But this isn’t a veteran reward, because there is no chance, no matter how long you play the game, to ever get this reward.  You could play from now till the servers are shut down, but you will never get this gift horse.  So no, it is not a veteran reward, veteran rewards are based on loyalty measured by length of play, not by whether or not you pre-ordered or decided to buy a lifetime membership.  A veteran reward should be obtainable by any player who stays with a game long enough, thus it serves two proposes, it rewards loyal customers, and gives new players an incentive to remain with the game.  This free horse did neither.  Long standing players, who pay a monthly fee, but did not pre-order or chose the lump sum lifetime option are forever relegated to the inferior statues of not having a mount at level 25.  In the end Turbine has created two camps within their game, and all the positive spin and accolades, given to them by the free horse members, cannot change this.

Close this letter to Turbine and put it in the paper shreader...

You are crying about a collection of pixels in the form of a horse given in a game as a reward to certain players.  Why are you trying to turn this into the haves and the have nots...you were either here when it started or you weren't okay.  You had every opportunity to get in on this game early or become a lifetime member, if you chose not to, who's fault is it?  This is what they call a risk/reward situation.  People that paid upfront for lifetime members ships took a risk that this game was going to turnout good and would remain up for a minimum of 2 years.  They deserve the rewards associated with that.  How can this "remain a point of contention"...after 1 whole day of being out you are acting like this is some age old fight?

Why do you think that Turbine would not be more loyal to the people that were there in the beginning or who went "all in" early on, who trusted Turbine and put faith in the product that Turbine was giving them/going to give them; that put up the capitol up front to show that faith.  These people deserve everything they get.  I just got the game, I in no way, shape or form expect to have the same options or rewards as founder or those who purchased a lifetime membership.  I couldn't care less about the horse...I am just ecstatic about the $9.99 offer.  With that itself, this promotion succeeds.  I do not feel neglected and I doubt many others who just purchased the game feel that they are.

/no more crying man.

JonMichael

Originally posted by 8hammer8


 
Originally posted by wickermanva


An Open Letter to Turbine:
 
Turbine has chosen to create two types of players in LoTRO, those who get a free mount at level 25 and those who don’t.  To Turbine and to those who received the free horse this seems to be no big deal, but to those that did not, and now can never get one, it remains a point of contention.  For those of you who do not understand, let me explain.  Turbine unveiled the plan to reward those players who are Founders, i.e. they pre-ordered the game, or those players who chose the Lifetime membership on or before 3 December 2007, with a free mount at level 25.  While the mount in question is slower than the level 35 mount, it is both free and remains a good 30% faster than running.  To be fair Turbine did offer a reduced monthly fee to those customers who did not qualify for the horse.  But this is where the plan falls apart.  The reduction in price is nice, but hardly equates to the value of a mount, free of charge, a full 10 levels before everyone else.  As a marketing strategy this promotion also fails, if it was offered along with the ability to subscribe for a lifetime, than it would act as an incentive for players to purchase a lifetime account.  But no, the lifetime horse deal closed before it was announced, so there is no incentive.  What is left is a player base split in two, ones who have the gift horse and those who don’t, and never the two shall meet.
            Of course the players who received the gift horse are very supportive of the decision by Turbine.  But their support could be shortsighted.  What this really shows is that Turbine values their customers differently.  Founders, and to a lesser extent, Lifetimers, are more appreciated, than their other customers.  For now that doesn’t really matter to Turbine, as they are still flush with Founders.  But as the game ages Turbine will have less and less founders to hold them over, and if they continue to neglect their newer players, well that in itself is a dangerous game. 
            Many players have defended Turbine, although I have yet to see one who didn’t receive the gift horse come to their defense, but I concede it is possible, that this is just a form of veteran rewards, and that Turbine is just honoring their loyal customers.  But this isn’t a veteran reward, because there is no chance, no matter how long you play the game, to ever get this reward.  You could play from now till the servers are shut down, but you will never get this gift horse.  So no, it is not a veteran reward, veteran rewards are based on loyalty measured by length of play, not by whether or not you pre-ordered or decided to buy a lifetime membership.  A veteran reward should be obtainable by any player who stays with a game long enough, thus it serves two proposes, it rewards loyal customers, and gives new players an incentive to remain with the game.  This free horse did neither.  Long standing players, who pay a monthly fee, but did not pre-order or chose the lump sum lifetime option are forever relegated to the inferior statues of not having a mount at level 25.  In the end Turbine has created two camps within their game, and all the positive spin and accolades, given to them by the free horse members, cannot change this.

 

Close this letter to Turbine and put it in the paper shreader...

You are crying about a collection of pixels in the form of a horse given in a game as a reward to certain players.  Why are you trying to turn this into the haves and the have nots...you were either here when it started or you weren't okay.  You had every opportunity to get in on this game early or become a lifetime member, if you chose not to, who's fault is it?  This is what they call a risk/reward situation.  People that paid upfront for lifetime members ships took a risk that this game was going to turnout good and would remain up for a minimum of 2 years.  They deserve the rewards associated with that.  How can this "remain a point of contention"...after 1 whole day of being out you are acting like this is some age old fight?

Why do you think that Turbine would not be more loyal to the people that were there in the beginning or who went "all in" early on, who trusted Turbine and put faith in the product that Turbine was giving them/going to give them; that put up the capitol up front to show that faith.  These people deserve everything they get.  I just got the game, I in no way, shape or form expect to have the same options or rewards as founder or those who purchased a lifetime membership.  I couldn't care less about the horse...I am just ecstatic about the $9.99 offer.  With that itself, this promotion succeeds.  I do not feel neglected and I doubt many others who just purchased the game feel that they are.

/no more crying man.

QFT.

Dhaeman

I don't play LOTRO so I figured I would chime in here as an unbiased opinion (thread was recently active). Turbine seems to be showing their appreciation to players that took a risk on their game and have stayed with them since plunging into their version of Middle Earth. As long as they don't provide something that makes your character more combat effective or a mount better than any other available in the game then I would certainly not complain as a new player. 10 levels of being mountless....really doesn't seem like a lot.

Now, I would still be as jealous as the OP but I don't think the complaints are valid.

Kyleran

OP, you are not being treated unfairly, and you'll get used to running for 10 more levels....

 

JasPlun

Originally posted by 8hammer8


 
Originally posted by wickermanva


An Open Letter to Turbine:
 
Turbine has chosen to create two types of players in LoTRO, those who get a free mount at level 25 and those who don’t.  To Turbine and to those who received the free horse this seems to be no big deal, but to those that did not, and now can never get one, it remains a point of contention.  For those of you who do not understand, let me explain.  Turbine unveiled the plan to reward those players who are Founders, i.e. they pre-ordered the game, or those players who chose the Lifetime membership on or before 3 December 2007, with a free mount at level 25.  While the mount in question is slower than the level 35 mount, it is both free and remains a good 30% faster than running.  To be fair Turbine did offer a reduced monthly fee to those customers who did not qualify for the horse.  But this is where the plan falls apart.  The reduction in price is nice, but hardly equates to the value of a mount, free of charge, a full 10 levels before everyone else.  As a marketing strategy this promotion also fails, if it was offered along with the ability to subscribe for a lifetime, than it would act as an incentive for players to purchase a lifetime account.  But no, the lifetime horse deal closed before it was announced, so there is no incentive.  What is left is a player base split in two, ones who have the gift horse and those who don’t, and never the two shall meet.
            Of course the players who received the gift horse are very supportive of the decision by Turbine.  But their support could be shortsighted.  What this really shows is that Turbine values their customers differently.  Founders, and to a lesser extent, Lifetimers, are more appreciated, than their other customers.  For now that doesn’t really matter to Turbine, as they are still flush with Founders.  But as the game ages Turbine will have less and less founders to hold them over, and if they continue to neglect their newer players, well that in itself is a dangerous game. 
            Many players have defended Turbine, although I have yet to see one who didn’t receive the gift horse come to their defense, but I concede it is possible, that this is just a form of veteran rewards, and that Turbine is just honoring their loyal customers.  But this isn’t a veteran reward, because there is no chance, no matter how long you play the game, to ever get this reward.  You could play from now till the servers are shut down, but you will never get this gift horse.  So no, it is not a veteran reward, veteran rewards are based on loyalty measured by length of play, not by whether or not you pre-ordered or decided to buy a lifetime membership.  A veteran reward should be obtainable by any player who stays with a game long enough, thus it serves two proposes, it rewards loyal customers, and gives new players an incentive to remain with the game.  This free horse did neither.  Long standing players, who pay a monthly fee, but did not pre-order or chose the lump sum lifetime option are forever relegated to the inferior statues of not having a mount at level 25.  In the end Turbine has created two camps within their game, and all the positive spin and accolades, given to them by the free horse members, cannot change this.

 

Close this letter to Turbine and put it in the paper shreader...

You are crying about a collection of pixels in the form of a horse given in a game as a reward to certain players.  Why are you trying to turn this into the haves and the have nots...you were either here when it started or you weren't okay.  You had every opportunity to get in on this game early or become a lifetime member, if you chose not to, who's fault is it?  This is what they call a risk/reward situation.  People that paid upfront for lifetime members ships took a risk that this game was going to turnout good and would remain up for a minimum of 2 years.  They deserve the rewards associated with that.  How can this "remain a point of contention"...after 1 whole day of being out you are acting like this is some age old fight?

Why do you think that Turbine would not be more loyal to the people that were there in the beginning or who went "all in" early on, who trusted Turbine and put faith in the product that Turbine was giving them/going to give them; that put up the capitol up front to show that faith.  These people deserve everything they get.  I just got the game, I in no way, shape or form expect to have the same options or rewards as founder or those who purchased a lifetime membership.  I couldn't care less about the horse...I am just ecstatic about the $9.99 offer.  With that itself, this promotion succeeds.  I do not feel neglected and I doubt many others who just purchased the game feel that they are.

/no more crying man.

It does not matter how long you have played a game,If you are a customer than you should be treated equally IMO.Now what I mean by equally is simply this vet rewards are fine and dandy but do not treat other players like they are some kind of royalty just because they started the game 1st,Or purchased a promotion. Every person playing these games,and are forking their hard earned cash out to have fun should not be made to feel a little lower than the guy that started 1st. I am a vet in many games and I do not expect the game companies to treat me special because I have been there a long time. What I expect is for the devs to continue to publish good fun content and focus on making the game fun and stay out of player politics.

Netspook

That's it? All that whine for what? A free mount?

Heh, SOE (EQ2) has veteran rewards, and giving something extra to the most lojal customers, that's just fine, imo.

JasPlun

Originally posted by Netspook


That's it? All that whine for what? A free mount?
Heh, SOE (EQ2) has veteran rewards, and giving something extra to the most lojal customers, that's just fine, imo.

Yeah and $OE has been known to give the extra they gave you to everyone else as well. $OE IMO is way way way worse than Turbine will ever be. Quit comparing this game to EQ2 nobody cares about EQ2 or $OE.

Estrus

Anyime, any game, makes ANY chnage, there will ALWAYS be someone to whine about it.

It's like clockwork.  I think I prefer the short and simple "OMG thise sux" to the pseudo-intellectual page-long diatribes.

8hammer8

Originally posted by JasPlun


It does not matter how long you have played a game,If you are a customer than you should be treated equally IMO.Now what I mean by equally is simply this vet rewards are fine and dandy but do not treat other players like they are some kind of royalty just because they started the game 1st,Or purchased a promotion. Every person playing these games,and are forking their hard earned cash out to have fun should not be made to feel a little lower than the guy that started 1st. I am a vet in many games and I do not expect the game companies to treat me special because I have been there a long time. What I expect is for the devs to continue to publish good fun content and focus on making the game fun and stay out of player politics.

Sorry to bring you down a little JasPlun, unfortunately in life not everyone is treated equally...sad but true.  In some facets of life it should be the case, in others not a chance.  And this is coming from a person who thinks socialism is a pretty good ideal (however totally unpractical it is as an actual social construct). As far as I know, every single player is treated the same in LOTRO:

1) You get the same content

2) You get the same customer service

3) You have the same play options

I think these show that they/you are treated equally...however you do not get equal rewards, nor should they/you.  Again players who took the "risk" or "had the faith" deserve extra rewards for what they have done.

While I see your point of view, just be happy with what you have...a quality game (so far :-P) at an increasingly reasonable price.

darquenblade

So wait a minute, this guy is crying over a fucking *horse*?

Now, I could see where a point could be somewhat made if this reward was something that founders received and no one else could hope to get, but--the OP even says it himself--wait 10 more levels and the ability to aquire a horse that is *better* than the free one becomes available.

Is it really that bothersome that some people can move from point A to point B faster than you can 10 levels earlier?

Some people just love to bitch, I guess.

wickermanva

All this risk verse reward commentary is a load of dung.  The founders weren't taking any real risk.  They knew the game would launch and they knew the game would last at least a few years.  The argument that founders deserve more because they took a risk is just plain stupid.  Taking risks would be buying into the company, or plunking down millions in venture capitol.  But pre-ordering a game is not taking a risk.  And counter to what people have said, not everyone had the opportunity to become a lifetimer.  It might be all well and good for those of you who have little overhead or real life expenses but I do have real life expenses, and therefor only a small part of what I make can go to gaming.  Now Turbine, in their infinite wisdom has chosen to treat me and its other monthly customers as less valuable.  Fine that is their decision, but do not expect me to be happy with it, and don't call it whining or crying when I voice my displeasure.  I pay a monthly fee, and I am a paying customer like all the rest, I just don't rate as high as others in Turbines view.  Well that sucks in my book, and I have a right to say so.

wickermanva

Originally posted by Estrus


Anyime, any game, makes ANY chnage, there will ALWAYS be someone to whine about it.
It's like clockwork.  I think I prefer the short and simple "OMG thise sux" to the pseudo-intellectual page-long diatribes.

I guess its pseudo-intellectual because I can form complex sentences and use vocabulary above the fifth grade level.  Nice use of diatribe though, hope it didn't take you more than four or five hours with a thesaurus to come up with that one.

Orphes

Jealousy.

boognish75

i didnt get a free mount, and i dont care rea;;y, as for most games i have played the founders have always got little perks

 

huxflux2004

Ohhh, come on! Get a life man!

jesuriah

To the OP:

 

Get a life, or go play in traffic.  It's a game.  I feel dumber for reading your entire post.

boognish75

Originally posted by huxflux2004


Ohhh, come on! Get a life man!

Rofl, bro if i had a life I wouldnt have wasted my days playing just about every single mmo thats come out since my induction to mmo's of earth and beyond, but it sure beats what i used to waste my free time on I suppose, as a recovering drug addict mmo's are very theraputic for me to not relapse.

  And as for founders getting perks for the first year or so of an mmo, it has happened in most mmo's i have played, does it bother me, absolutly not, I enjoy the fact a gaming company rewards there first ever fanbase of players for being there from the start and rewarding them with a thanx for having faith in there vision to create a nice game for us to play. As far as i can tell the founders perks usually die off around a year or so, the rewards then go by date ie: all our players 2 years or older will get (insert prize here) for your loyal patronage and support.

keltic1701

The OP must be new to MMO's. For as long as I've been playing them companies have always given rewards to those who either started when the game was launched or stuck around for X amout of time. I'm sorry but your open letter really isn't worth the cyber-paper it's written on.  

Netspook

 

Originally posted by JasPlun

Originally posted by Netspook


That's it? All that whine for what? A free mount?
Heh, SOE (EQ2) has veteran rewards, and giving something extra to the most lojal customers, that's just fine, imo.

Yeah and $OE has been known to give the extra they gave you to everyone else as well. $OE IMO is way way way worse than Turbine will ever be. Quit comparing this game to EQ2 nobody cares about EQ2 or $OE.

 

 

So SOE is worse than Turbine because everyone has a chance to qualify for rewards?

YOU may hate SOE, that doesn't mean that "nobody cares about EQ2 or $OE". And it's NOT up to you to decide which games/companies we're allowed to talk about.

Shoju

Whats even more outrageous is my wife got a FREE lifetime subscription (I won a contest here at mmorpg.com) so she gets a free horse.....for FREE! 

Seriously though, who the hell cares.  Everyone had the opportuniy to pre-order the game and get the Founder's perks.  Everyone has had months since release to decide whether or not they like the game enough to drop the cash for a lifetime subscription.  Turbine is well within their rights to reward those that have supported the game from the get go, or those that love the game enough to pay a good chunk of cash to subscribe 'for life'.  

Czzarre

You know, there will always be 'Haves' and 'Have-nots' in life and in MMORPGs. you know, I didnt get a pony for my 7th birthday either ..who should I complain to? no, the better question is why should I complain at all?

Its pointless, the deal was to reward the playerbase who gave LOTRO a chance early on. I say, kudos to them

Torrential

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