Ecco, thanks for answering. It was a great read and you hit most of the points we both made and agree to disagree on some things. Others we are closer to agreement than it appears due to the different sides of the fence we sit on.
That being said, your reply the one above it and the one directly below it still do something I've seen often in SOE forums. That is ignoring what is happening to your fellow players by turning blind eyes and in some cases telling people to STFU and leave. There is something so disfunctional in a community when the knee jerk reaction is telling people to leave.
SOE has been doing this for years to the community. They are chasing your fellow players away one segment at a time with this type of behavior. That is why the forums are littered with people who get so upset at this company. Why the games do so poorly in the market. Why things are so rushed out or unfinished. These are all the results of those decisions that the faithful fans have little issue with and it just empowers the cycle to continue. Regardless of if people accept the changes or ignore them it is pretty hard to deny that there are plenty of reasons for people to be upset by this. Very valid reasons.
It is times like this when I really have to scratch my head as people start topics in this forum like "why doesn't EQ2 attract more people".
On the contrary, nothing in my post indicated "shut up and leave." It was referring to those that use their claims of quitting as some kind of weapon against SOE on the forums. Nothing is wrong with having a problem, or offering ways and suggestions to limit damage or change it all together. It is simply aimed at the drama queens and kings I see on the official forums. I didn't mean you as in you specifically, but I should have edited it. It isn't something I see worth complaining about. Like ecoo, my line is drawn elsewhere.
I did not think I was coming off as caustic, but if I was I apologize. But I do resent the implication that I "ignore what is happening." I am well aware what is happening, thank you, but my response stays the same. Until it is damaging, I personally, don't feel the need to start hailing fire and brimstone on SOE and Smedley.
the xp pots in station cash are crap, you get better ones in the vetrean rewards, nothing in station cash effects the game play, at all, soe is trying to recover some revenue in the failing economy, they just laid off 8000 people, i would rather have em sell worthless junk that doesnt effect the game at all to idiots who will buy it instead of closing down eq2 which is my favorite fantasy mmo.
Ecco, thanks for answering. It was a great read and you hit most of the points we both made and agree to disagree on some things. Others we are closer to agreement than it appears due to the different sides of the fence we sit on.
That being said, your reply the one above it and the one directly below it still do something I've seen often in SOE forums. That is ignoring what is happening to your fellow players by turning blind eyes and in some cases telling people to STFU and leave. There is something so disfunctional in a community when the knee jerk reaction is telling people to leave.
SOE has been doing this for years to the community. They are chasing your fellow players away one segment at a time with this type of behavior. That is why the forums are littered with people who get so upset at this company. Why the games do so poorly in the market. Why things are so rushed out or unfinished. These are all the results of those decisions that the faithful fans have little issue with and it just empowers the cycle to continue. Regardless of if people accept the changes or ignore them it is pretty hard to deny that there are plenty of reasons for people to be upset by this. Very valid reasons.
It is times like this when I really have to scratch my head as people start topics in this forum like "why doesn't EQ2 attract more people".
On the contrary, nothing in my post indicated "shut up and leave." It was referring to those that use their claims of quitting as some kind of weapon against SOE on the forums. Nothing is wrong with having a problem, or offering ways and suggestions to limit damage or change it all together. It is simply aimed at the drama queens and kings I see on the official forums. I didn't mean you as in you specifically, but I should have edited it. It isn't something I see worth complaining about. Like ecoo, my line is drawn elsewhere.
I did not think I was coming off as caustic, but if I was I apologize. But I do resent the implication that I "ignore what is happening." I am well aware what is happening, thank you, but my response stays the same. Until it is damaging, I personally, don't feel the need to start hailing fire and brimstone on SOE and Smedley.
Here is my take on it. I own and pay 4 accounts of EQ2 for myself and family. I also have 2 other family members that play also, which they bought the expansion. Had I known now that they were going to do this, I would have never bought anything, canceled my accounts and we all would have gone to another game.
It is times like this when I really have to scratch my head as people start topics in this forum like "why doesn't EQ2 attract more people".
You know what, I am amazed as well that people can ask such questions.
To me is pretty obvious.
People keep saying that this SoE hating is the usual unrational antipathy that people has for big corporations.
Well it is not.
Personally I am not someone that hate big companies because they are big.
I love Blizzard, and business wise, I respect EA.
I buy Sony products whenever I can afford them, and usually judge a company for what they do not for what they are.
SoE though is another beast.
They just drive me absolutely nuts.
They behave in such a way which is almost unique in business.
They behave like a company that has the monopoly of the market, rather than a company which need every single customer to gain a bigger slice of the market (and their slice is pretty small atm)
I do not doubt that all the actions SoE took during the years were aimed to get an even bigger slice of the market, but what they forgot is the rule number 1 in business: "customer is always right".
Generally the first rule in business is to retain your existing customers before even try to get new ones.
SoE totally ignored this golden rule.
Companies go to extreme lenghts to keep their customers, SoE is just not bothered.
Which is amazing.
I mean, serious companies fight to their teeth to keep each and every single customers.
So lets see what SoE does to keep their customers.
1) They introduce the glorious NGE to SWG. Half of the population leave the game.
2) Not happy with almost killing SWG they try to do the same with EQ2..........enters RoK. At least 1 third of players left.
4) Suddenly SoE realised they were losing customer and revenue, so they introduced the lovely card games, aimed to milk more cash out of the few cows left.
5) But that wasn't enough. There were not enough people interested in buying card decks to get in game items. So, enter the station cash, RMT for you and me. Something EQ and EQ2 community always despised. Yet SoE shoved it down their throats without even warning them. I am sure lots of people left because of it.
6) And finally. Not happy on turning all their game into WoW clones, SoE finally decided to take the plunge and enter the console market with 2 semi-MMORPG like The Agency and DC Online. Those are games which people will play for a couple of months before moving to something else.
Newsflash for Mr Smedley, the console crowd is very volatile, they are unable to stick with a game for more than few months, they like Multiplayer games..........and possibly free (something SoE will never be able to offer)
I bet my precious balls that Diablo 3 Multiplayer, will have 1000 times more subscribers than those 2 games put together, again Blizzard will show them how it is done, they will have not only the more successful MMORPG but also the most successful Multiplayer game.
Now, can anyone name any of the above measure that actually got SoE more customers?
I believe none of them, in fact they only lost customers, so how can anyone defend this company as being competent.
Quite obviously they are not.
And if that wasn't enough to convince people how inept and clueless SoE executives are, I invite you to name something good SoE has done for the MMO industry and community, apart from starting the MMO craze with UO.
Name 1 thing that made people appreciate SoE.
I would love SoE to go back to basics and be just a great MMO publisher like it used to be before WoW entered the arena.
I don't hate SoE for the sake of it, but because I loved their game and I know they can create great games if they stop thinking with their wallets and start putting back passion and innovation in their games.
It is never too late, but SoE needs to stop bullshitting their customers, and putting more effort in creating original games.
You know what? Wah. Every time you make some post about how much you hate SOE you just make yourself look bad because you can't be mature enough to just leave the damned game. See, thats what most people do when they get this angry. They just leave the situation. But no, instead you sit on forums and whine over and over again. I think that says quite a bit about you. And that SOE must be doing something right or you'd just LEAVE... like a normal person.
You know what? Wah. Every time you make some post about how much you hate SOE you just make yourself look bad because you can't be mature enough to just leave the damned game. See, thats what most people do when they get this angry. They just leave the situation. But no, instead you sit on forums and whine over and over again. I think that says quite a bit about you. And that SOE must be doing something right or you'd just LEAVE... like a normal person.
So what does it say about somebody like you? one that has no interest in the game, the company or the players who seems to have this uncontrollable desire to, as you call it, 'whine' about these gamers and their opinions?
Perhaps you should take your own advice since it seems to bother you so much.
You know what? Wah. Every time you make some post about how much you hate SOE you just make yourself look bad because you can't be mature enough to just leave the damned game. See, thats what most people do when they get this angry. They just leave the situation. But no, instead you sit on forums and whine over and over again. I think that says quite a bit about you. And that SOE must be doing something right or you'd just LEAVE... like a normal person.
there's a difference between 'hating SoE' and liking the game, except for one element that was implemented 'after they said they wouldn't.... and i'm leveling in the game i like, and ignoring the Station Cash that i don't, in game, and expressing myself here..... multitasking, if my wife could see me now, she wouldn't believe it
"We aren't going to ... Period. End of statement."
Originally posted by ste2000 SoE though is another beast. They just drive me absolutely nuts. They behave in such a way which is almost unique in business. They behave like a company that has the monopoly of the market, rather than a company which need every single customer to gain a bigger slice of the market (and their slice is pretty small atm)
I do not doubt that all the actions SoE took during the years were aimed to get an even bigger slice of the market, but what they forgot is the rule number 1 in business: "customer is always right". Generally the first rule in business is to retain your existing customers before even try to get new ones. SoE totally ignored this golden rule.
Companies go to extreme lenghts to keep their customers, SoE is just not bothered. Which is amazing.
I mean, serious companies fight to their teeth to keep each and every single customers.
So very true.
When I was in high school I worked at McDonald's. And the thing they taught us then is this: for every customer a company pisses off, they tell on average 10 other people, who will tell others. This is why McDonald's has had an "customer is always right" policy. It works as they're a top money making corporation in the world, despite competition and even bad press at times.
For every gamer SoE pisses off, they tell even more than 10 other gamers online. SoE tries to manage the damage on their forums, but that's like trying to prevent the Hoover dam collapsing with bubble gum. Today folks tell bad things about companies to audiences of hundreds to thousands online (which can even get the eye/ear of the news media), w-a-y beyond the control of the corporation in question.
Most of the time gamers don't ask for much -- the game plays without bugs; it's fun; it's not boring. But they get angry when all three are ignored and then treated as cash cows on top of it. Isn't the purpose in buying the game and paying a monthly subscription to pay for the bugs to be fixed; the game to be fun to play (not tedious); and not so boring you're crying? The item mall insults those who did buy the requirements.
SoE did not hold up to their side of the deal. Every time gamers feel they can trust SoE, every time they smack the gamers again. It's no wonder why the hate for SoE is so intense, as it's not a one time pot shot, it's almost every three months. Worse, unlike movie and music stealers, these are PAYING CUSTOMERS.
Somewhere in the bowels of Sony, there's more honorable managers. I hope they have the courage to appeal to their misguided higher ups, before Sony becomes as badly ridiculed as Microsoft (and unlike MS, Sony depends on end-users to buy their goods, not corporate IT departments).
You know what? Wah. Every time you make some post about how much you hate SOE you just make yourself look bad because you can't be mature enough to just leave the damned game. See, thats what most people do when they get this angry. They just leave the situation. But no, instead you sit on forums and whine over and over again. I think that says quite a bit about you. And that SOE must be doing something right or you'd just LEAVE... like a normal person.
So what does it say about somebody like you? one that has no interest in the game, the company or the players who seems to have this uncontrollable desire to, as you call it, 'whine' about these gamers and their opinions?
Perhaps you should take your own advice since it seems to bother you so much.
rofl... wth are you smoking? I've been playing the game almost since the day it opened. I'm just sick of people moaning about every goddamned thing this company does. There's a simple solution... don't like the game then leave it. Protest with your money instead of constantly moaning. If nothing is ever being done about anything you don't like about the game, then why the hell aren't you leaving?
If a restaurant has food you don't like then why would you continue to go to the restaurant? Just to complain to everyone sitting around you? If you don't like a hotels service, then why would you continue to go to the hotel? Just to complain to everyone that ever visits? If a gas station sells watered down gas for far too high prices, then why would you continue to buy from that gas station? Just to complain that it sells watered down gas?
Don't you think thats incredibly idiotic?
I've already taken my own advice with OTHER GAMES. I didn't like WoW, Eve, DaOC or Heroes and Villains so I left. I protested with my money leaving their game. And then... I MOVED ON TO GAMES THAT I ACTUALLY LIKE.
The 'concept' is incredibly easy for me to grasp...i was a dedicated EQ2 player for over two years and i left, what you cannot seem to grasp is your double-standards.
Why complain about a group of people who are simply expressing their opinions on a game when -you know- that you have 0% effect on what they complain about?
Why continue to come to a certain thread that is specifically talking about changes within a game that some gamers don't like when -you know- you have 0% effect on anything they talk about?
Why complain about a group of peoples opinions when they have 0% effect on your gameplay and/or life?
Seems like a pretty idiotic thing to do doesn't it?
So, your entire contribution to this thread is basically to tell everyone else to shut up and move on....that if they don't like it, leave.
Again...maybe you should take your own advice if it bothers you so much.
The 'concept' is incredibly easy for me to grasp...i was a dedicated EQ2 player for over two years and i left, what you cannot seem to grasp is your double-standards. Why complain about a group of people who are simply expressing their opinions on a game when -you know- that you have 0% effect on what they complain about? Why continue to come to a certain thread that is specifically talking about changes within a game that some gamers don't like when -you know- you have 0% effect on anything they talk about? Why complain about a group of peoples opinions when they have 0% effect on your gameplay and/or life? Seems like a pretty idiotic thing to do doesn't it? So, your entire contribution to this thread is basically to tell everyone else to shut up and move on....that if they don't like it, leave. Again...maybe you should take your own advice if it bothers you so much. I know its a hard concept to grasp but try.
Why does it bother me? Because you people won't stop. If you don't like it, then leave. I'm not getting the logic behind this. Just leave. It really is as simple as that because you know damned well that they aren't going to change anything when you are whining on a web site that doesn't even belong to the game.
Yet again...maybe you should take your own advice and leave, I'm noticing a pattern here, you seem more than willing to give other's advice on this thread...but seem extremely incapable of taking this same advice and using it yourself, hence the double-standard you thrown around....nobody is forcing you to post here or even acknowledge this discussion.
I don't know if it has escaped your attention, but so far this discussion, and it is a discussion not a 'rant', for the most part has been pretty civil....a few ruffled feathers here or there but pretty civil nonetheless and all things considering a very interesting read.
You see, SoE isn't a perfect company...it never was, talking about what certain players percieve to be wrong for some is a release, they come to a forum...talk about their greivences and move on...and feeling a bit better in the process...something which obviously didn't occur to you.
EQ2 isn't a perfect game, it never was...but being able to talk, or indeed 'rant' on a paticular subject is also a release, not to mention -extremely common-, so do you intend to fight them all?
Again...how does this in any way affect you, your gameplay or your life?
Why is it such a horrible thing for a group of gamers to talk in a thread about something they don't like? in what way does it possibly affect you?
Answer: It' doesn't...unless you want it to...which you have.
I cancelled my sub a little over a month ago, had NO idea this was coming, just couldn't afford the expansion at the moment, and was getting pretty tired of the game, to be honest.
While EQ2 has done many things RIGHT, in my opinion, this definitely is not ONE of those things.
Your post here....comes just in time for me. I was actually considering re-subbing and asking for the expansion for Christmas. Pffft...nix on that idea. Thanks for the headsup.
I'm a bit grieved that "The Agency" (an MMOFPS that I was looking forward to) belongs to SoE. Ugh. I had high hopes for that game.
On a brighter note......"The Old Republic" will NOT belong to SoE....YAY. I hope that fare's well.
Trouble is the old republic may have microtransactions in it too..though it seems thats to be decided..i hoope not i really want that game to be halfway decent.
This thread crosses the line between having a major grievance or just sitting on your ass waiting for an excuse to whine.
Firstly, the prices of the new cash shop are sheer extorsion. It would take someone $15/day to have +50% XP all day (and still sleep). If someone wants to pay 15%/day for such a small XP increase then what is the problem? Presuming that the money is reinjected into EQ2 then I don't see a problem.
We've just entered an economic crisis, subscription gaming is cost-effective for most users but gaming will be on the top 10 list of things to start budgetting for a lot of people. EVERY division of Sony is currently losing money, if they want to introduce an over-inflated cash-shop to break even then again I don't see a problem.
I will never agree with SOE's behaviour though. As a company they lack the moral responsibility to their customer base that comes with basic human decency.
-- Note: PlayNC will refuse to allow you access to your account if you forget your password and can't provide a scanned image of the product key for the first product you purchased..... LOL
I will never agree with SOE's behaviour though. As a company they lack the moral responsibility to their customer base that comes with basic human decency.
Which is what this discussion is all about....................
Also if you followed SoE hystory you will understand that this is just the beginning, in due time they will include raid armor and weapons in the shop.
Mark my word.
The Station Cash is just the tip of the iceberg, what we are discussing here is the bad and wrong attitude that SoE has towards existing customers.
In my books a company that has zero regard for their customer need to be punished with bad publicity and consequently loss in revenues.
That's the only way big companies listen.
If you do nothing, they will keep kicking up your balls until they explode.
I will never agree with SOE's behaviour though. As a company they lack the moral responsibility to their customer base that comes with basic human decency.
In my books a company that has zero regard for their customer need to be punished with bad publicity and consequently loss in revenues.
That's the only way big companies listen.
And this is the very issue.
As customers we can't allow big compagnies to treat us like mindless sheeps.
Our power lies in not buying their products anymore and saying it to all our friends.
Firstly, the prices of the new cash shop are sheer extorsion. It would take someone $15/day to have +50% XP all day (and still sleep). If someone wants to pay 15%/day for such a small XP increase then what is the problem? Presuming that the money is reinjected into EQ2 then I don't see a problem.
$15/day is cheap by RMT standards, as the addicted/raiding/pvping item mall buyers will buy $500 a week to keep their edge, on things just like that -- double XP and heal pots. The last MMO I played before playing EQ2, it cost $15 just for a cap increase for 20 levels -- per specialization (and there were 8 specializations for tradeskilling alone that could use the cap increase, and that doesn't count the combat skills).
See?
Those who understand how RMT works from playing in F2P games with item mall shops, also understand how it affects overall gameplay when there's a guild with even one member spending at least $5,000/yr on these item mall buffs. They become unstoppable in the game, and the GMs and all tolerate their abusive behavior (as such power gets to their heads), as they don't want to stop their gravy train buying habits.
Read. Learn. Understand. Folks aren't complaining just because they have too much time on their hands, they've been there and saw what it does to the game they played.
$15/day is cheap by RMT standards, as the addicted/raiding/pvping item mall buyers will buy $500 a week to keep their edge, on things just like that -- double XP and heal pots. The last MMO I played before playing EQ2, it cost $15 just for a cap increase for 20 levels -- per specialization (and there were 8 specializations for tradeskilling alone that could use the cap increase, and that doesn't count the combat skills). See?
Gasp, I nearly fell from my chair reading that.
The day most MMO become like that is the day I'll go play on private pirated servers. I would even be willing to give them 15$ a month just to piss off the MMO managers.
$15/day is cheap by RMT standards, as the addicted/raiding/pvping item mall buyers will buy $500 a week to keep their edge, on things just like that -- double XP and heal pots. The last MMO I played before playing EQ2, it cost $15 just for a cap increase for 20 levels -- per specialization (and there were 8 specializations for tradeskilling alone that could use the cap increase, and that doesn't count the combat skills). See?
Gasp, I nearly fell from my chair reading that.
The day most MMO become like that is the day I'll go play on private pirated servers. I would even be willing to give them 15$ a month just to piss off the MMO managers.
For item mall MUDs it's worse -- $500 for an axe, and it they dual weld.... Oh, and when they die in PvP guess what can drop?
Those players INVEST in a game, to the tune of over $25,000 over the years.
That's what is in store for gaming if item malls/RMT are accepted: serious money exchanges, not between players, but the company store. The poor sods who can't afford it can never catch up, and in raids and pvp, they'll just die.
Hope folks understand now why I h-a-t-e RMT -- hate, hate, hate it -- good games ruined by sheer greed and folks who need to show who's bigger than others, and bankrolling it!
How the bloody hell does buying a fluff ugly ass pet that does nothing for you equate to buying $500 of uber gear that isn't even offered? What are you people smoking?
Comments
On the contrary, nothing in my post indicated "shut up and leave." It was referring to those that use their claims of quitting as some kind of weapon against SOE on the forums. Nothing is wrong with having a problem, or offering ways and suggestions to limit damage or change it all together. It is simply aimed at the drama queens and kings I see on the official forums. I didn't mean you as in you specifically, but I should have edited it. It isn't something I see worth complaining about. Like ecoo, my line is drawn elsewhere.
I did not think I was coming off as caustic, but if I was I apologize. But I do resent the implication that I "ignore what is happening." I am well aware what is happening, thank you, but my response stays the same. Until it is damaging, I personally, don't feel the need to start hailing fire and brimstone on SOE and Smedley.
exactly how I feel about it
On the contrary, nothing in my post indicated "shut up and leave." It was referring to those that use their claims of quitting as some kind of weapon against SOE on the forums. Nothing is wrong with having a problem, or offering ways and suggestions to limit damage or change it all together. It is simply aimed at the drama queens and kings I see on the official forums. I didn't mean you as in you specifically, but I should have edited it. It isn't something I see worth complaining about. Like ecoo, my line is drawn elsewhere.
I did not think I was coming off as caustic, but if I was I apologize. But I do resent the implication that I "ignore what is happening." I am well aware what is happening, thank you, but my response stays the same. Until it is damaging, I personally, don't feel the need to start hailing fire and brimstone on SOE and Smedley.
Here is my take on it. I own and pay 4 accounts of EQ2 for myself and family. I also have 2 other family members that play also, which they bought the expansion. Had I known now that they were going to do this, I would have never bought anything, canceled my accounts and we all would have gone to another game.
They knew about this way in advanced.
It's difficult to complain about the fire when your hands smell of gasoline.
This, too, shall pass.
You know what, I am amazed as well that people can ask such questions.
To me is pretty obvious.
People keep saying that this SoE hating is the usual unrational antipathy that people has for big corporations.
Well it is not.
Personally I am not someone that hate big companies because they are big.
I love Blizzard, and business wise, I respect EA.
I buy Sony products whenever I can afford them, and usually judge a company for what they do not for what they are.
SoE though is another beast.
They just drive me absolutely nuts.
They behave in such a way which is almost unique in business.
They behave like a company that has the monopoly of the market, rather than a company which need every single customer to gain a bigger slice of the market (and their slice is pretty small atm)
I do not doubt that all the actions SoE took during the years were aimed to get an even bigger slice of the market, but what they forgot is the rule number 1 in business: "customer is always right".
Generally the first rule in business is to retain your existing customers before even try to get new ones.
SoE totally ignored this golden rule.
Companies go to extreme lenghts to keep their customers, SoE is just not bothered.
Which is amazing.
I mean, serious companies fight to their teeth to keep each and every single customers.
So lets see what SoE does to keep their customers.
1) They introduce the glorious NGE to SWG. Half of the population leave the game.
2) Not happy with almost killing SWG they try to do the same with EQ2..........enters RoK. At least 1 third of players left.
4) Suddenly SoE realised they were losing customer and revenue, so they introduced the lovely card games, aimed to milk more cash out of the few cows left.
5) But that wasn't enough. There were not enough people interested in buying card decks to get in game items. So, enter the station cash, RMT for you and me. Something EQ and EQ2 community always despised. Yet SoE shoved it down their throats without even warning them. I am sure lots of people left because of it.
6) And finally. Not happy on turning all their game into WoW clones, SoE finally decided to take the plunge and enter the console market with 2 semi-MMORPG like The Agency and DC Online. Those are games which people will play for a couple of months before moving to something else.
Newsflash for Mr Smedley, the console crowd is very volatile, they are unable to stick with a game for more than few months, they like Multiplayer games..........and possibly free (something SoE will never be able to offer)
I bet my precious balls that Diablo 3 Multiplayer, will have 1000 times more subscribers than those 2 games put together, again Blizzard will show them how it is done, they will have not only the more successful MMORPG but also the most successful Multiplayer game.
Now, can anyone name any of the above measure that actually got SoE more customers?
I believe none of them, in fact they only lost customers, so how can anyone defend this company as being competent.
Quite obviously they are not.
And if that wasn't enough to convince people how inept and clueless SoE executives are, I invite you to name something good SoE has done for the MMO industry and community, apart from starting the MMO craze with UO.
Name 1 thing that made people appreciate SoE.
I would love SoE to go back to basics and be just a great MMO publisher like it used to be before WoW entered the arena.
I don't hate SoE for the sake of it, but because I loved their game and I know they can create great games if they stop thinking with their wallets and start putting back passion and innovation in their games.
It is never too late, but SoE needs to stop bullshitting their customers, and putting more effort in creating original games.
You know what? Wah. Every time you make some post about how much you hate SOE you just make yourself look bad because you can't be mature enough to just leave the damned game. See, thats what most people do when they get this angry. They just leave the situation. But no, instead you sit on forums and whine over and over again. I think that says quite a bit about you. And that SOE must be doing something right or you'd just LEAVE... like a normal person.
So what does it say about somebody like you? one that has no interest in the game, the company or the players who seems to have this uncontrollable desire to, as you call it, 'whine' about these gamers and their opinions?
Perhaps you should take your own advice since it seems to bother you so much.
there's a difference between 'hating SoE' and liking the game, except for one element that was implemented 'after they said they wouldn't.... and i'm leveling in the game i like, and ignoring the Station Cash that i don't, in game, and expressing myself here..... multitasking, if my wife could see me now, she wouldn't believe it
"We aren't going to ... Period. End of statement."
ya. ok. whatever.
but what do i know, i'm only a vanbois i'm told.
So very true.
When I was in high school I worked at McDonald's. And the thing they taught us then is this: for every customer a company pisses off, they tell on average 10 other people, who will tell others. This is why McDonald's has had an "customer is always right" policy. It works as they're a top money making corporation in the world, despite competition and even bad press at times.
For every gamer SoE pisses off, they tell even more than 10 other gamers online. SoE tries to manage the damage on their forums, but that's like trying to prevent the Hoover dam collapsing with bubble gum. Today folks tell bad things about companies to audiences of hundreds to thousands online (which can even get the eye/ear of the news media), w-a-y beyond the control of the corporation in question.
Most of the time gamers don't ask for much -- the game plays without bugs; it's fun; it's not boring. But they get angry when all three are ignored and then treated as cash cows on top of it. Isn't the purpose in buying the game and paying a monthly subscription to pay for the bugs to be fixed; the game to be fun to play (not tedious); and not so boring you're crying? The item mall insults those who did buy the requirements.
SoE did not hold up to their side of the deal. Every time gamers feel they can trust SoE, every time they smack the gamers again. It's no wonder why the hate for SoE is so intense, as it's not a one time pot shot, it's almost every three months. Worse, unlike movie and music stealers, these are PAYING CUSTOMERS.
Somewhere in the bowels of Sony, there's more honorable managers. I hope they have the courage to appeal to their misguided higher ups, before Sony becomes as badly ridiculed as Microsoft (and unlike MS, Sony depends on end-users to buy their goods, not corporate IT departments).
.:| Kevyne@Shandris - Armory |:. - When WoW was #1 - .:| I AM A HOLY PALADIN - Guild Theme |:.
So what does it say about somebody like you? one that has no interest in the game, the company or the players who seems to have this uncontrollable desire to, as you call it, 'whine' about these gamers and their opinions?
Perhaps you should take your own advice since it seems to bother you so much.
rofl... wth are you smoking? I've been playing the game almost since the day it opened. I'm just sick of people moaning about every goddamned thing this company does. There's a simple solution... don't like the game then leave it. Protest with your money instead of constantly moaning. If nothing is ever being done about anything you don't like about the game, then why the hell aren't you leaving?
If a restaurant has food you don't like then why would you continue to go to the restaurant? Just to complain to everyone sitting around you? If you don't like a hotels service, then why would you continue to go to the hotel? Just to complain to everyone that ever visits? If a gas station sells watered down gas for far too high prices, then why would you continue to buy from that gas station? Just to complain that it sells watered down gas?
Don't you think thats incredibly idiotic?
I've already taken my own advice with OTHER GAMES. I didn't like WoW, Eve, DaOC or Heroes and Villains so I left. I protested with my money leaving their game. And then... I MOVED ON TO GAMES THAT I ACTUALLY LIKE.
I know its a hard concept to grasp but try.
The 'concept' is incredibly easy for me to grasp...i was a dedicated EQ2 player for over two years and i left, what you cannot seem to grasp is your double-standards.
Why complain about a group of people who are simply expressing their opinions on a game when -you know- that you have 0% effect on what they complain about?
Why continue to come to a certain thread that is specifically talking about changes within a game that some gamers don't like when -you know- you have 0% effect on anything they talk about?
Why complain about a group of peoples opinions when they have 0% effect on your gameplay and/or life?
Seems like a pretty idiotic thing to do doesn't it?
So, your entire contribution to this thread is basically to tell everyone else to shut up and move on....that if they don't like it, leave.
Again...maybe you should take your own advice if it bothers you so much.
I know its a hard concept to grasp but try.
Why does it bother me? Because you people won't stop. If you don't like it, then leave. I'm not getting the logic behind this. Just leave. It really is as simple as that because you know damned well that they aren't going to change anything when you are whining on a web site that doesn't even belong to the game.
Ahem... word of mouth you know.
Well, we'll speak about that when SOE bad behaviour with his customer base will be such a hindrance that top managers are seriously impacted.
I just hope it will be done soon enough and much before too many good employee are hit by SOE layoffs
Moirae:
Yet again...maybe you should take your own advice and leave, I'm noticing a pattern here, you seem more than willing to give other's advice on this thread...but seem extremely incapable of taking this same advice and using it yourself, hence the double-standard you thrown around....nobody is forcing you to post here or even acknowledge this discussion.
I don't know if it has escaped your attention, but so far this discussion, and it is a discussion not a 'rant', for the most part has been pretty civil....a few ruffled feathers here or there but pretty civil nonetheless and all things considering a very interesting read.
You see, SoE isn't a perfect company...it never was, talking about what certain players percieve to be wrong for some is a release, they come to a forum...talk about their greivences and move on...and feeling a bit better in the process...something which obviously didn't occur to you.
EQ2 isn't a perfect game, it never was...but being able to talk, or indeed 'rant' on a paticular subject is also a release, not to mention -extremely common-, so do you intend to fight them all?
Again...how does this in any way affect you, your gameplay or your life?
Why is it such a horrible thing for a group of gamers to talk in a thread about something they don't like? in what way does it possibly affect you?
Answer: It' doesn't...unless you want it to...which you have.
Well, wow.
I cancelled my sub a little over a month ago, had NO idea this was coming, just couldn't afford the expansion at the moment, and was getting pretty tired of the game, to be honest.
While EQ2 has done many things RIGHT, in my opinion, this definitely is not ONE of those things.
Your post here....comes just in time for me. I was actually considering re-subbing and asking for the expansion for Christmas. Pffft...nix on that idea. Thanks for the headsup.
I'm a bit grieved that "The Agency" (an MMOFPS that I was looking forward to) belongs to SoE. Ugh. I had high hopes for that game.
On a brighter note......"The Old Republic" will NOT belong to SoE....YAY. I hope that fare's well.
President of The Marvelously Meowhead Fan Club
Trouble is the old republic may have microtransactions in it too..though it seems thats to be decided..i hoope not i really want that game to be halfway decent.
This thread crosses the line between having a major grievance or just sitting on your ass waiting for an excuse to whine.
Firstly, the prices of the new cash shop are sheer extorsion. It would take someone $15/day to have +50% XP all day (and still sleep). If someone wants to pay 15%/day for such a small XP increase then what is the problem? Presuming that the money is reinjected into EQ2 then I don't see a problem.
We've just entered an economic crisis, subscription gaming is cost-effective for most users but gaming will be on the top 10 list of things to start budgetting for a lot of people. EVERY division of Sony is currently losing money, if they want to introduce an over-inflated cash-shop to break even then again I don't see a problem.
I will never agree with SOE's behaviour though. As a company they lack the moral responsibility to their customer base that comes with basic human decency.
--
Note: PlayNC will refuse to allow you access to your account if you forget your password and can't provide a scanned image of the product key for the first product you purchased..... LOL
Which is what this discussion is all about....................
Also if you followed SoE hystory you will understand that this is just the beginning, in due time they will include raid armor and weapons in the shop.
Mark my word.
The Station Cash is just the tip of the iceberg, what we are discussing here is the bad and wrong attitude that SoE has towards existing customers.
In my books a company that has zero regard for their customer need to be punished with bad publicity and consequently loss in revenues.
That's the only way big companies listen.
If you do nothing, they will keep kicking up your balls until they explode.
That's as simple as that.
In my books a company that has zero regard for their customer need to be punished with bad publicity and consequently loss in revenues.
That's the only way big companies listen.
And this is the very issue.
As customers we can't allow big compagnies to treat us like mindless sheeps.
Our power lies in not buying their products anymore and saying it to all our friends.
I'm surprised nobody has snapped up smedbucks.com yet!
$15/day is cheap by RMT standards, as the addicted/raiding/pvping item mall buyers will buy $500 a week to keep their edge, on things just like that -- double XP and heal pots. The last MMO I played before playing EQ2, it cost $15 just for a cap increase for 20 levels -- per specialization (and there were 8 specializations for tradeskilling alone that could use the cap increase, and that doesn't count the combat skills).
See?
Those who understand how RMT works from playing in F2P games with item mall shops, also understand how it affects overall gameplay when there's a guild with even one member spending at least $5,000/yr on these item mall buffs. They become unstoppable in the game, and the GMs and all tolerate their abusive behavior (as such power gets to their heads), as they don't want to stop their gravy train buying habits.
Read. Learn. Understand. Folks aren't complaining just because they have too much time on their hands, they've been there and saw what it does to the game they played.
.:| Kevyne@Shandris - Armory |:. - When WoW was #1 - .:| I AM A HOLY PALADIN - Guild Theme |:.
Gasp, I nearly fell from my chair reading that.
The day most MMO become like that is the day I'll go play on private pirated servers. I would even be willing to give them 15$ a month just to piss off the MMO managers.
Gasp, I nearly fell from my chair reading that.
The day most MMO become like that is the day I'll go play on private pirated servers. I would even be willing to give them 15$ a month just to piss off the MMO managers.
For item mall MUDs it's worse -- $500 for an axe, and it they dual weld.... Oh, and when they die in PvP guess what can drop?
Those players INVEST in a game, to the tune of over $25,000 over the years.
That's what is in store for gaming if item malls/RMT are accepted: serious money exchanges, not between players, but the company store. The poor sods who can't afford it can never catch up, and in raids and pvp, they'll just die.
Hope folks understand now why I h-a-t-e RMT -- hate, hate, hate it -- good games ruined by sheer greed and folks who need to show who's bigger than others, and bankrolling it!
.:| Kevyne@Shandris - Armory |:. - When WoW was #1 - .:| I AM A HOLY PALADIN - Guild Theme |:.
How the bloody hell does buying a fluff ugly ass pet that does nothing for you equate to buying $500 of uber gear that isn't even offered? What are you people smoking?