Good post OP. Your stating your case and like someone posted previously, voting with your wallet on principle. I will play a game with MT, I will play a game with a subscription charge. But I won't do both. It's one or the other. I feel that I am getting sneakily getting double charged. To Devs and Publishers: Be up front and pick your poison. Whether its cosmetic items or not: We paid a box price and we pay a monthly fee, give it to us! Is this really costing you an extra 5.99 or do you need to make your quarterly numbers? I've heard so much bad press about NCSofts lack of security. I'll never play this or any other NCS game. IF they are making you pay an extra 5.99 for something, then they best the hell give their customers better security. Hundreds of Aion players have had their accounts hacked and they do nothing about it. Sad.
Btw, you think that by paying a monthly fee you should get everything else for free? How many expansion have u bought? As how u put it , you want that expansion to be free too right?
Yea .. though so!
Every point you make just falls over Ice.
Noone has asked for free extra playable content. I havent, and Ink didnt.
I'm gonna admit I didn't really read every post, just the first 10 or so. I'm basically just gonna say what others have been saying. I have no idea why the OP thinks this is strange or crazy of NC Soft and angers him so much. Let's take a look at the most popular, in subscription numbers anyway, MMO which is WoW. All amounts are in USD:
$15 - Character recustomization(name and appearance change)
$25 - Server transfer
$25 - Race change
$10 - in-game pet (pandaren monk or little k.t.)
So if the most popular game is subscription based but offers special paid services that do not affect game balance or play, then why wouldn't other companies like NCSoft follow suit with Aion. Please, be realistic. That is one of the most ridiculous reasons to quit a game. On another note, I think the game is just fine with the current content. It was well above many other titles that have launched recently. You shouldn't expect any new game to launch with the amount of content WoW has come up with in the past 5-6 years. Unfortunately, my friends didn't enjoy Aion and they all pulled me back to WoW. Hmm, what did I experience in my first week back in WoW. (Let's see...two broken quests in Howling Fjorde and gold spam tells. ) Let's not kid ourselves, most every game has this to some extinct. Fallen Earth has some buggy quests, but at least the mods actually monitor chat and I've had no gold spam t here.
WOW, what a truly useless store, bunch of total fluff items that have zero impact on the game. Now if they had some +exp leveling potions we'd be talking. Move along, nothing to see here.
This. I played aion for a couple of months and it was worth the entertainment dollar for that limited time. I got more out of it than I would a singl-player game, and the breadth and depth of game-play was very good, would have been great had it not been for the gold sellers.
But for anyone to remotely support or write a wall of text for insignificant window-dressing microtransaction items that dont impact anyone elses game-play, deserve to be ridiculed for the pathetic sap they are, imho.
Ncsoft will ban you for selling kinah or items or your account but then will turn around and sell items to you for real life dollars. The hypocrisy is intolerable. By injecting an infinite amount of consumable items into the game world they are disrupting the already fragile game economies. Not only is this a disrespectful money grab it is also an ill conceived punch to the in game economy. You people quote the limited time offer of these things, but do you really believe this will be the last time they will pull this shit? The evidence points to the contrary. After all, this is the second time they have dangled "exclusive" dyes over our heads for real life money.
Those of you who are critcising the OP for complaining about a cash shop selling fluff items are missing the point. It's not just that they're fluff items, but fluff items that most MMOs offer for free. Believe it or not, some players actually LIKE seasonal events (shock horror!) and given that Aion's were already a joke, the fact that they would try to charge for them is ridiculous. Have you considered that the OP might not be annoyed because they wanted the items, but simply because of the principle?
Quite frankly, the services that they are offering are ones that I do not expect, nor do I think should be in the normal part of the game. Account services like this make sense to cost extra, since they are services that are not, and should not be included in the main game for which you pay a sub.
I suppose you hate Blizzard for offering paid server transfers on WoW too, right?
Those of you who are critcising the OP for complaining about a cash shop selling fluff items are missing the point. It's not just that they're fluff items, but fluff items that most MMOs offer for free. Believe it or not, some players actually LIKE seasonal events (shock horror!) and given that Aion's were already a joke, the fact that they would try to charge for them is ridiculous. Have you considered that the OP might not be annoyed because they wanted the items, but simply because of the principle?
At least there are some people out there can see through what they want me to be saying, to see what I am actually saying.
Ahhh yes, the on-going pro and anti MT/item mall/cash shop debate.
Vesavius, I believe you've made your point quite clearly and I've argued the same points myself many times. And in all cases the responses are of the same variety...
- Ignore the main point of the post and instead nit-pick at individual details, taking them out of context when possible, as though they were the main point.
- Don't read the entire post, and then respond in a way that makes it very obvious they didn't read the entire post
- Make comparisons to things that are not fair comparisons...
For example, one of my favorites is attempting to compare server transfers to item malls, with statements like "you support MT if you support server transfers". Ahh... no.
Server transfers merely move your character from one server with all the game content, to another server with all the game content. Your character does not gain anything in-game by moving between servers; no extra items are added to your inventory, your stats aren't affected, you gain no access to content that others don't have access to, etc. In short, a server transfer is an account service. Character make-overs are the same. Same stats, same gear, same content... but you look different.
Conversely, MTs involve acquiring actual content you would traditionally, or otherwise be able to acquire if you wish by simply playing the game, but are instead required to pay additional money for.
In all, I am not out to "stop people from playing MMOs with MT".. I simply choose not to play them. But to try and defend and spin them as anything other than what they are - blatant cash grabs - is just plain disingenuous. When people defend them as "a necessary step over subscriptions" I just have to shake my head; as though "subscriptions" are suddenly some failed concept - even as there are still a number of MMOs around to this day that started as purely sub-based, and remain purely sub-based.
Once again... MT and Item Shops are a cash grab... especially in a game where you're already paying a subscription.
"If you just step away for a sec you will clearly see all the pot holes in the road, and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
So, you are SERIOUSLY going to quit because of the valentines day event? Like srsly? If you don't like the game, no one cares if you quit. But if you're going to say that MT ruined the game, then you're just stupid. RMT did a number on the game with gold sellers maybe, but it looks to me that you were already fed up with the game and just wanted an excuse to quit. MT did nothing, good or bad for this game really. If you don't want it, don't buy it(I know I certainly don't need fluff items like this) but other people buying it does not affect you're game negatively. You can even get in game items from buying a shirt from their J!nx collection lol. None of these items give someone an advantage in PvP, or PvE.
NCSoft is still hard at work on 2.0 I'm sure, but of course not all of the Aion team is working on 2.0. There is a group of people who still has to provide regular updates and events. Because they release a MT Valentine's Day event doesn't in any way mean that they did that "Instead of working on 2.0".
Yes, these MT options will certainly make NCSoft money. OMG a company in America trying to make MONEY!? Blasphemy! We must destroy them before they sully the good name of honest American companies who are in it for their...BWAHAHAHA! Sorry, couldn't even say that with a straight face.
Ncsoft will ban you for selling kinah or items or your account but then will turn around and sell items to you for real life dollars. The hypocrisy is intolerable. By injecting an infinite amount of consumable items into the game world they are disrupting the already fragile game economies. Not only is this a disrespectful money grab it is also an ill conceived punch to the in game economy. You people quote the limited time offer of these things, but do you really believe this will be the last time they will pull this shit? The evidence points to the contrary. After all, this is the second time they have dangled "exclusive" dyes over our heads for real life money.
I agree.
These items are obviously water testers to see how much there user base will stomach. Even if the take up is minimal they will push this in more and more imo. It's all free profit on stuff they would have put in as part of the sub anyhow after all.
It honestly wouldnt amaze me that in 12 months time, based on supposedly 'protecting' their users from 'evil RMTers' they offered kinah for sale for RL cash, due to 'customer demand'.
I say 12 months because they would need that time to normalise the buying of fluff items, and for their players to further attach themselves to their characters and legions, before they go that far.
Ahhh yes, the on-going pro and anti MT/item mall/cash shop debate. Vesavius, I believe you've made your point quite clearly and I've argued the same points myself many times. And in all cases the responses are of the same variety... - Ignore the main point of the post and instead nit-pick at individual details, taking them out of context when possible, as though they were the main point. - Don't read the entire post, and then respond in a way that makes it very obvious they didn't read the entire post
- Make comparisons to things that are not fair comparisons...
For example, one of my favorites is attempting to compare server transfers to item malls, with statements like "you support MT if you support server transfers". Ahh... no.
Server transfers merely move your character from one server with all the game content, to another server with all the game content. Your character does not gain anything in-game by moving between servers; no extra items are added to your inventory, your stats aren't affected, you gain no access to content that others don't have access to, etc. In short, a server transfer is an account service. Character make-overs are the same. Same stats, same gear, same content... but you look different.
Conversely, MTs involve acquiring actual content you would traditionally, or otherwise be able to acquire if you wish by simply playing the game, but are instead required to pay additional money for. In all, I am not out to "stop people from playing MMOs with MT".. I simply choose not to play them. But to try and defend and spin them as anything other than what they are - blatant cash grabs - is just plain disingenuous. When people defend them as "a necessary step over subscriptions" I just have to shake my head; as though "subscriptions" are suddenly some failed concept - even as there are still a number of MMOs around to this day that started as purely sub-based, and remain purely sub-based. Once again... MT and Item Shops are a cash grab... especially in a game where you're already paying a subscription.
Sometimes my faith in there is inteeligent life on these boards is rewarded, and this is one of those times.
it's amazing to think that your and Gordunks posts were working from the same source material
You state that MT was the final straw for you. So, it's obvious to follow the logic that MT ruined the game for you, and that your thread is in fact titled "Aion is done for me after seeing the MT" making most if not all people believe that MT made you quit.
You complain about the fact that MT is "Just a cash grab." Well, I hate to tell you this, but there isn't a single thing that any company on this earth is going to do that isn't going to make them money in some way shape or form. Anything they do that seems like it's good for people everywhere is merely good publicity to ensure further sales. So, of course NCsoft is going to do everything within their power to make money while trying to retain as high of a player base as possible. It's capitalism at work. What you're really conveying with this pathetic bitching is that, you in fact do not approve of NCsoft's methods of making money. Now if I really wanted to be an asshole to you as you have been to me, I could take this a step further, call you an anti-capitalist and tell you to fuck off to North Korea.
MT is going to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO AION. It will barely affect the game's economy if at all(In deed, the bigger issue there is the botting problem), it will not affect the game's main components, (I.e. crafting, PvP and PvE) and in turn will not affect normal players either. The only thing it will affect is the buyer's appearance, really.
If you're going to complain about anything...what about Pre-purchasers and Collector's edition owners. I have a title which of course gives me stat buffs, along with a hat, special wings with increased flight time, and special earrings that give extra stats as well. I suppose that's bad too? What about Aion veterans rewards? I can give any character I want about 18 lodas amulets, ensuring tons of bonus EXP. Is that pay to achieve since I've subbed longer than some people? If you have problems with P2A, then target things that actually make a difference next time.
Please stay on topic and refrain from personal attacks.
That's right. The OP got a point about the MT. He just suprised to the game he already paid every month but there are still more things to pay on top of the monthly fee. The MT makes people think that if he did not spend the new MT then he maybe sacrified in certain prospect, or least makes people believe he is compromise player.
The MT is just show how Ncsoft doing business. In other businesses, ie, if you buy a car, you may still need to pay for extra furnishments. It is business and business only goal is making money. Some companies offers with high quality, and some companies offers with poor quality.
If a new game keep losing subscribers, it means the game is poor quality, and no one even want to pay the monthly fee, not to mention the extra fee on top of the monthly fee.
If the game is high quality then it is up to you to buy the extra or not. If the game is low quality, paying extra fee will not help the game better.
First things first... I am not a troll. In fact i have supported Aion on these forums before many times. I am a day 1 adopter that had suspended their account for the time being while NCS got more content into this potentiol gem of a game. That suspension is now definitly a termination though. NCS can go .... Btw, for those a little too dense or with a childishly short attention span who don't like reading a lot of words, best move on now. This won't be for you. Just a fair warning. This is for people that can process more then a paragraph of text. I posted here on these forums earlier saying that if Aion 2.0 was good I would prbably resub to Aion, despite my negative thoughts on;
the lack of content and linear 1 path prgression in general the lamest events I have ever seen in a mmo the extremely weak ingame protection vs bots, sellers, and hack apps the lack of GMs and poor CS in general the official forums being so broken and buggy that most won't even use them the core play systems (forts, drops, XP, crafting etc) being still in a beta state being tested and tweaked NCS moving at a mind numbingly glacial speed on everything
Despite all this I was willing to give NCS another chance with no bad feeling. I still believed that Aion could be fixed, that NCS actually cared, that they would come good with free content updates. I wanted to give then a chance to improve on the half a game they sold me at launch and relight the fun I had in the game for a while and regain me as a long term sub. They showed me the Aion trailor, and half of me was just sad at what it showed me that Aion didnt have (and should have had at launch as a AAA title), but half of me was excited for it and wanted to see it badly. The fact that it got released just in time for the Xmas market didnt escape me, but I let it slide in the interests of the longer game. Then I saw, firstly, the profit reports. Something jarred me here... How could a game like Aion, that had been live from the end of 2008 (yes, I DO count the Korean time in terms of development) that showed SO much profit and was doing SO well show so LITTLE investment in terms of game progress and CS in general? Why didnt the investment seem to reflect the revenue? Why, with so much profit, wernt there even GMs on my server? Then I saw the new account services listed on the official front page... Ok, I thought... account services are tolerable in theory I guess (see my sig). They are not ideal in a sub game, but they have the right to charge extra due to them not being part of the core game. They are 'extras' that don't effect my gameplay directly or indirectly, so fine. The fact that they found time to implement these services before delivering value for money on the core game bothered me though. Here they were with half a game (and a pretty broken half at that), which they themselves pretty much recognised in the 'vision' movie, and they wanted to sell us more before filling ot out or fixing it? This jarred me again. I don't like a company that chooses to focus on milking it's playerbase over delivering on what had already been paid for. While account services can be tolerated by me, their timing and obvious priorities were harder to stomach. Their greed was showing through. Despite this, I would still give them a chance, though I doubt any dev that charges £8.99 for an automated in game gender change (!!), or £5.99 for a restyle (!!) deserved it. (Why the high price anyhow? How is it even justified? The game is making massive profits already. It wasnt needed, and why is a gender change more expensive then a name change or restyle anyhow?? What, in a real sense, is the difference in process? An overwhelming feeling of raw profiteering was coming over me.) Then, and this was the nail in the game's (and NCS's) coffin for me, I saw the MT event packs in the store... I mean, they deliver poor poor poor halloween and Xmas events, and then want to CHARGE us £5.99 (!!) for the valentine one? WTF? £5.99 for... •Five True Red Dyes
•Ten Love Potions
•One Sunflower Headband
•One Heart emote Unbelievable to me, honestly. Now, I don't want to get into a debate on whether in game MT is good or not, thats for another day, but when I started Aion I started it as a NON MT game. As someone who hates in game rewards being sold as MT that' was very important to me. I was sold one thing, and now that want to start sneaking in game crap like this in? On top of my sub? No. They can ..... off tbh. I'm done.
So, whats this post? Well, part closure for me, I guess, to say goodbye to Aion and part warning to others. My advice is simply don't touch this profit whoring shell of a game. Noone bregrudges a fair profit to a dev, but thats NOT the same as profiteering, and NCS have joined Cryptic on the wrong side of the line to me.
I waited for this game for 2 years, and then I played in closed and open beta. And was not satiesfied at all so I decided not to buy it or spend any time on it.
From what I hear now I think I made the right choice. There is nothing I hate more than greedy game companies, because all that shows is that its not going good for them and that they need more money in.
If a new game keep losing subscribers, it means the game is poor quality, and no one even want to pay the monthly fee, not to mention the extra fee on top of the monthly fee. If the game is high quality then it is up to you to buy the extra or not. If the game is low quality, paying extra fee will not help the game better.
I don't know about you, but a few of my guildies have already paid for some of these services. One of them had changed his name and started taunting us in chat saying that he's new xD.
A lot of people would pay to do these things, those services should never be free of charge, and it's better to have them for the people who want them rather than not have them at all. Contrary to what some people here believe, lots of players find the prices totally justified.
Aion might be losing subs slooooooooowly just like every single MMO except WoW and EvE, that doesn't mean it's poor quality at all. It might be to you, it's just an opinion. Are all MMOs of poor quality excluding those 2? Again, opinion.
Now concerning the valentine's event rip-off, I totally agree with the OP. Even though I didn't really expect anything on valentine's day, having to PAY for this kind of stuff sucks, and it would have been infinitely better without them.
If a new game keep losing subscribers, it means the game is poor quality, and no one even want to pay the monthly fee, not to mention the extra fee on top of the monthly fee. If the game is high quality then it is up to you to buy the extra or not. If the game is low quality, paying extra fee will not help the game better.
I don't know about you, but a few of my guildies have already paid for some of these services. One of them had changed his name and started taunting us in chat saying that he's new xD.
A lot of people would pay to do these things, those services should never be free of charge, and it's better to have them for the people who want them rather than not have them at all. Contrary to what some people here believe, lots of players find the prices totally justified.
Aion might be losing subs slooooooooowly just like every single MMO except WoW and EvE, that doesn't mean it's poor quality at all. It might be to you, it's just an opinion. Are all MMOs of poor quality excluding those 2? Again, opinion.
Now concerning the valentine's event rip-off, I totally agree with the OP. Even though I didn't really expect anything on valentine's day, having to PAY for this kind of stuff sucks, and it would have been infinitely better without them.
For me, I don't think Aion would hold me too long time until next mmo being released to the market.
Changing name or changing appearance will not increase the fun out of Aion, but it maybe increase your own situation with Aion. For example, if you are a guild leader, you may want to have unique name to symboliz your position in the legion or server. But what I think about Aion is that Ncsoft does not even have naming policy, now they charge money for name changes just sounds ridiculous and uncivilized.
It sounds to me like a country has no law, and all of a sudden, the government released a law, you have to pay to the government so you can walk on the street.
I won't throw my money into the Aion wishing well but I was considering to play 2 accounts. Hopefully, it would make grinding easier and group drop might be better than solo drop. But usually, when I about to play 2 accounts, the market almost have the game I want to jump in.
Well said bud.I can understand where your coming from...
I quit Aion about 1-2 months ago and honestly have been missing it abit lately until I looked on their website this weekend and saw the lame ass video they posted for valentines day! I mean seriously? Does NCS think abunch of kids play Aion? The video was one of the lamest and uninventive videos I've ever seen posted by a MMO company. NCS failed hard for me once I saw it..
To be honest, I think alot of folks are going to see Aion for what it really is soon, and subs will likely decrease drastically. Other then nice character creation, graphics and flying (only in designated areas mind you...) Aion really doesn't have much going for it imo. Its basically another average themepark MMO..
I am thankfull I left when I did (currently playing my first sandbox mmo) and I don't expect to return even when 2.0 comes out. To be honest I'd rather go check out the new WoW xpac coming out then return to Aion.
Its a shame, I had high hopes for Aion but I guess I got one good thing out of playing Aion...I'm bored sick of the same old MMOs coming out with nothing new to offer. My days of playing themepark MMOs are over...I'll likely never return to them
I'm actually quite happy with how my new character looks. It was worth the $10.
But, this game "You are disconnected from game server" is over 9000. Does anyone else have this issue? After an 8 hour instance, we got to final boss and then I d/c @ 15%, log back in, and got nerd raged on HARD. I'ts getting really old.
Ahhh yes, the on-going pro and anti MT/item mall/cash shop debate. Vesavius, I believe you've made your point quite clearly and I've argued the same points myself many times. And in all cases the responses are of the same variety... - Ignore the main point of the post and instead nit-pick at individual details, taking them out of context when possible, as though they were the main point. - Don't read the entire post, and then respond in a way that makes it very obvious they didn't read the entire post
- Make comparisons to things that are not fair comparisons...
For example, one of my favorites is attempting to compare server transfers to item malls, with statements like "you support MT if you support server transfers". Ahh... no.
Server transfers merely move your character from one server with all the game content, to another server with all the game content. Your character does not gain anything in-game by moving between servers; no extra items are added to your inventory, your stats aren't affected, you gain no access to content that others don't have access to, etc. In short, a server transfer is an account service. Character make-overs are the same. Same stats, same gear, same content... but you look different.
Conversely, MTs involve acquiring actual content you would traditionally, or otherwise be able to acquire if you wish by simply playing the game, but are instead required to pay additional money for. In all, I am not out to "stop people from playing MMOs with MT".. I simply choose not to play them. But to try and defend and spin them as anything other than what they are - blatant cash grabs - is just plain disingenuous. When people defend them as "a necessary step over subscriptions" I just have to shake my head; as though "subscriptions" are suddenly some failed concept - even as there are still a number of MMOs around to this day that started as purely sub-based, and remain purely sub-based. Once again... MT and Item Shops are a cash grab... especially in a game where you're already paying a subscription.
Sometimes my faith in there is inteeligent life on these boards is rewarded, and this is one of those times.
it's amazing to think that your and Gordunks posts were working from the same source material
You complain about the fact that MT is "Just a cash grab." Well, I hate to tell you this, but there isn't a single thing that any company on this earth is going to do that isn't going to make them money in some way shape or form.
I have talked repeatedly about profit vs profiteering.
Fair profit is obviously fine.
Now if I really wanted to be an asshole to you as you have been to me, I could take this a step further, call you an anti-capitalist and tell you to fuck off to North Korea.
Like i say, fair profit is fine. I accept that in this society compaines need to make money. I ask for nothing for free and I begrudge no honest reward for honest work.
Btw, lets try and keep this civil? Theres no need for this and I havent attacked anyone personally.
As for being an anti-capitalist, I would prefer Cuba if thats ok?
MT is going to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO AION. It will barely affect the game's economy if at all(In deed, the bigger issue there is the botting problem), it will not affect the game's main components, (I.e. crafting, PvP and PvE) and in turn will not affect normal players either. The only thing it will affect is the buyer's appearance, really.
I have demonstrated how it DOES impact on ALL players in a MMORPG in previous posts. Just saying it 'doesnt' isnt a great counter to the debate I have made.
If you're going to complain about anything...what about Pre-purchasers and Collector's edition owners.
Well, I don't buy into these either, so if you want to agree CE editions with virtual items attached are also a cynical cash grab then fine. I agree.
To be blunt, well as blunt as I can be here on these forums, if you have an issue with CE items (as you seem to have) then you should in fact have an issue with all MT items. They share the same motive and philosphy after all.
Well said bud.I can understand where your coming from...
I quit Aion about 1-2 months ago and honestly have been missing it abit lately until I looked on their website this weekend and saw the lame ass video they posted for valentines day! I mean seriously? Does NCS think abunch of kids play Aion? The video was one of the lamest and uninventive videos I've ever seen posted by a MMO company. NCS failed hard for me once I saw it.. To be honest, I think alot of folks are going to see Aion for what it really is soon, and subs will likely decrease drastically. Other then nice character creation, graphics and flying (only in designated areas mind you...) Aion really doesn't have much going for it imo. Its basically another average themepark MMO.. I am thankfull I left when I did (currently playing my first sandbox mmo) and I don't expect to return even when 2.0 comes out. To be honest I'd rather go check out the new WoW xpac coming out then return to Aion. Its a shame, I had high hopes for Aion but I guess I got one good thing out of playing Aion...I'm bored sick of the same old MMOs coming out with nothing new to offer. My days of playing themepark MMOs are over...I'll likely never return to them
Yeah, I think the more minimum content themeparks are released into the post WoW market the more people are in general are getting disillusioned with them, and introducing MT on top of their subs for 'extras' in order to milk shrinking user bases for maximum revenue will only make this worse. It really is a business philosophy that can ultimately only drive these games into the ground imo.
Niche market heavily sandbox influenced MMORPGs are probably the future for me. If FFXIV fails then I am done with themeparks for good tbh (and the MT model that SE use in that game is a big part of that question for me).
I mean, look at something like Darkfall for example... small indie company, sub based revenue model, and a dedicated and passionate dev thats making the game *they* want to play. This was how games used to be made and run when this genre was new.
And, y'know what, shock, it's still making a profit enough for them not only to get paid, but to expand their live team and produce game updates and a 'free' first expnsion.
DF might not be everyones ideal game, the point I am making dosent involve that, but everyone here arguing to support MT and other profiteering should really take a look at it and see what can be done on a honest clearly priced sub model and fostering a loyal long term player base.
I have to agree with the OP. This is just greed on NCsoft's part and not acceptable.
It doesn't matter to me if it is "just fluff items" that "are only available to buy for a certain time". If they are beginning like that, I can imagine things like xp-packs aren't too far away. Services like server transfers are acceptable, but this isn't.
Well, remember, it's all just my opinion here, there are those that have no problems with MT. It's just that I think this new "trend" is going in a very wrong direction. I would rather pay my subscription fee, maybe fees for server transfer or for (big) expansions and then be able to play without limitations.
And, just to make an observation, so far, "it's just fluff and I don't buy it anyway" has been the only argument for MT . It also seems people who don't mind the MT are more prone to insulting or personal attacks (not all of them, don't feel attacked now).
And, just to make an observation, so far, "it's just fluff and I don't buy it anyway" has been the only argument for MT .
lol I know...
In all the debates that I have had on this topic on these boards, and there have been many, only 1 person ever has confessed to buying MT items in games. All the others have always said 'I support cash shops because they are the trend, but I don't use them'...
Seeing as 'noone uses them', how MT cash shops make more money for devs then subs, it makes you wonder where all that extra cash comes from eh?
It almost as if people who fall for cash shops are a little embarrased about it...
the MT they have now doesn't bother me as much, but does seem NC is getting greedier over the years. Atleast on CoV if you bought one of those armor packs you could use it on any and every character you ever make. the big selling point on whats on the Aion stuff would be the True Red Dye the rest of it is just crap. so its $10 for 5 dyes, may have been worth it if it was like CoV and you could get the dyes on every character you have or make from now on. can only have 8 characters anyway total.
Agree, having the packs on all chars, would be much better as far as I heard as I am not buying does kind of things
Well Ice, this is what you are supporting and arguing for.
Maximum profiteering for the devs.
Tell me, why do you think it's better to sell packs for an account rather then individual characters?
What exactly you didn't understand from "I am not buying does kind of things" ? I just heard that people will be happier if there were packs for the account and not only for 1 char
Wake up!
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy? Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
And, just to make an observation, so far, "it's just fluff and I don't buy it anyway" has been the only argument for MT .
lol I know...
In all the debates that I have had on this topic on these boards, and there have been many, only 1 person ever has confessed to buying MT items in games. All the others have always said 'I support cash shops because they are the trend, but I don't use them'...
Seeing as 'noone uses them', how MT cash shops make more money for devs then subs, it makes you wonder where all that extra cash comes from eh?
It almost as if people who fall for cash shops are a little embarrased about it...
lol, well i would use Cash shop if there was anything decent in them heh, i will pass on the flower hat heh.
If you're going to complain about anything...what about Pre-purchasers and Collector's edition owners. Well, I don't buy into these either, so if you want to agree CE editions with virtual items attached are also a cynical cash grab then fine. I agree. To be blunt, well as blunt as I can be here on these forums, if you have an issue with CE items (as you seem to have) then you should in fact have an issue with all MT items. They share the same motive and philosphy after all. I do not buy into the CE thing either.
Then what the hell are you doing on a MMORPG website ? In a matter of fact, I think you are just "I want attention" here, as for what I can understand from your posts, you can NOT play any MMO's because of your "laws". F2P = Cash Shop = RMT = "No ty for you". P2P = CE = RMT ( more ,less or none ) = "No ty for you". So, again .. what are you doing here? Seriously, you just keep saying bullshit every time , when someone just start saying something against you, but then .. when THIS guy comes and say "I agree with the OP" you are like "Oh see? I told you I am right" .
Are you against the companies which makes MORE money then you wanted to? When you will own a company, please come back ok? EVERY company in this earth ( games or no-games ) wants to make money. Where have u living?
I will stop responding to this thread from now one. It so pointless, but please , keep QQ while others are enjoy their game
Comments
Btw, you think that by paying a monthly fee you should get everything else for free? How many expansion have u bought? As how u put it , you want that expansion to be free too right?
Yea .. though so!
Every point you make just falls over Ice.
Noone has asked for free extra playable content. I havent, and Ink didnt.
Look at my sig even, it's quite clear.
I agree...:)
[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="1"][COLOR="SandyBrown"]Lotro:[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE="1"][COLOR="Wheat"]Rolhad[/COLOR] - [COLOR="Wheat"]The Nine[/COLOR] - [COLOR="Wheat"]Evernight[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]
This. I played aion for a couple of months and it was worth the entertainment dollar for that limited time. I got more out of it than I would a singl-player game, and the breadth and depth of game-play was very good, would have been great had it not been for the gold sellers.
But for anyone to remotely support or write a wall of text for insignificant window-dressing microtransaction items that dont impact anyone elses game-play, deserve to be ridiculed for the pathetic sap they are, imho.
Ncsoft will ban you for selling kinah or items or your account but then will turn around and sell items to you for real life dollars. The hypocrisy is intolerable. By injecting an infinite amount of consumable items into the game world they are disrupting the already fragile game economies. Not only is this a disrespectful money grab it is also an ill conceived punch to the in game economy. You people quote the limited time offer of these things, but do you really believe this will be the last time they will pull this shit? The evidence points to the contrary. After all, this is the second time they have dangled "exclusive" dyes over our heads for real life money.
Those of you who are critcising the OP for complaining about a cash shop selling fluff items are missing the point. It's not just that they're fluff items, but fluff items that most MMOs offer for free. Believe it or not, some players actually LIKE seasonal events (shock horror!) and given that Aion's were already a joke, the fact that they would try to charge for them is ridiculous. Have you considered that the OP might not be annoyed because they wanted the items, but simply because of the principle?
Quite frankly, the services that they are offering are ones that I do not expect, nor do I think should be in the normal part of the game. Account services like this make sense to cost extra, since they are services that are not, and should not be included in the main game for which you pay a sub.
I suppose you hate Blizzard for offering paid server transfers on WoW too, right?
At least there are some people out there can see through what they want me to be saying, to see what I am actually saying.
Thank you.
Ahhh yes, the on-going pro and anti MT/item mall/cash shop debate.
Vesavius, I believe you've made your point quite clearly and I've argued the same points myself many times. And in all cases the responses are of the same variety...
- Ignore the main point of the post and instead nit-pick at individual details, taking them out of context when possible, as though they were the main point.
- Don't read the entire post, and then respond in a way that makes it very obvious they didn't read the entire post
- Make comparisons to things that are not fair comparisons...
For example, one of my favorites is attempting to compare server transfers to item malls, with statements like "you support MT if you support server transfers". Ahh... no.
Server transfers merely move your character from one server with all the game content, to another server with all the game content. Your character does not gain anything in-game by moving between servers; no extra items are added to your inventory, your stats aren't affected, you gain no access to content that others don't have access to, etc. In short, a server transfer is an account service. Character make-overs are the same. Same stats, same gear, same content... but you look different.
Conversely, MTs involve acquiring actual content you would traditionally, or otherwise be able to acquire if you wish by simply playing the game, but are instead required to pay additional money for.
In all, I am not out to "stop people from playing MMOs with MT".. I simply choose not to play them. But to try and defend and spin them as anything other than what they are - blatant cash grabs - is just plain disingenuous. When people defend them as "a necessary step over subscriptions" I just have to shake my head; as though "subscriptions" are suddenly some failed concept - even as there are still a number of MMOs around to this day that started as purely sub-based, and remain purely sub-based.
Once again... MT and Item Shops are a cash grab... especially in a game where you're already paying a subscription.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
I have read the thread...
So, you are SERIOUSLY going to quit because of the valentines day event? Like srsly? If you don't like the game, no one cares if you quit. But if you're going to say that MT ruined the game, then you're just stupid. RMT did a number on the game with gold sellers maybe, but it looks to me that you were already fed up with the game and just wanted an excuse to quit. MT did nothing, good or bad for this game really. If you don't want it, don't buy it(I know I certainly don't need fluff items like this) but other people buying it does not affect you're game negatively. You can even get in game items from buying a shirt from their J!nx collection lol. None of these items give someone an advantage in PvP, or PvE.
NCSoft is still hard at work on 2.0 I'm sure, but of course not all of the Aion team is working on 2.0. There is a group of people who still has to provide regular updates and events. Because they release a MT Valentine's Day event doesn't in any way mean that they did that "Instead of working on 2.0".
Yes, these MT options will certainly make NCSoft money. OMG a company in America trying to make MONEY!? Blasphemy! We must destroy them before they sully the good name of honest American companies who are in it for their...BWAHAHAHA! Sorry, couldn't even say that with a straight face.
I agree.
These items are obviously water testers to see how much there user base will stomach. Even if the take up is minimal they will push this in more and more imo. It's all free profit on stuff they would have put in as part of the sub anyhow after all.
It honestly wouldnt amaze me that in 12 months time, based on supposedly 'protecting' their users from 'evil RMTers' they offered kinah for sale for RL cash, due to 'customer demand'.
I say 12 months because they would need that time to normalise the buying of fluff items, and for their players to further attach themselves to their characters and legions, before they go that far.
Sometimes my faith in there is inteeligent life on these boards is rewarded, and this is one of those times.
it's amazing to think that your and Gordunks posts were working from the same source material
You state that MT was the final straw for you. So, it's obvious to follow the logic that MT ruined the game for you, and that your thread is in fact titled "Aion is done for me after seeing the MT" making most if not all people believe that MT made you quit.
You complain about the fact that MT is "Just a cash grab." Well, I hate to tell you this, but there isn't a single thing that any company on this earth is going to do that isn't going to make them money in some way shape or form. Anything they do that seems like it's good for people everywhere is merely good publicity to ensure further sales. So, of course NCsoft is going to do everything within their power to make money while trying to retain as high of a player base as possible. It's capitalism at work. What you're really conveying with this pathetic bitching is that, you in fact do not approve of NCsoft's methods of making money. Now if I really wanted to be an asshole to you as you have been to me, I could take this a step further, call you an anti-capitalist and tell you to fuck off to North Korea.
MT is going to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO AION. It will barely affect the game's economy if at all(In deed, the bigger issue there is the botting problem), it will not affect the game's main components, (I.e. crafting, PvP and PvE) and in turn will not affect normal players either. The only thing it will affect is the buyer's appearance, really.
If you're going to complain about anything...what about Pre-purchasers and Collector's edition owners. I have a title which of course gives me stat buffs, along with a hat, special wings with increased flight time, and special earrings that give extra stats as well. I suppose that's bad too? What about Aion veterans rewards? I can give any character I want about 18 lodas amulets, ensuring tons of bonus EXP. Is that pay to achieve since I've subbed longer than some people? If you have problems with P2A, then target things that actually make a difference next time.
[Mod Edit]
Please stay on topic and refrain from personal attacks.
Fortune favours the bold.
That's right. The OP got a point about the MT. He just suprised to the game he already paid every month but there are still more things to pay on top of the monthly fee. The MT makes people think that if he did not spend the new MT then he maybe sacrified in certain prospect, or least makes people believe he is compromise player.
The MT is just show how Ncsoft doing business. In other businesses, ie, if you buy a car, you may still need to pay for extra furnishments. It is business and business only goal is making money. Some companies offers with high quality, and some companies offers with poor quality.
If a new game keep losing subscribers, it means the game is poor quality, and no one even want to pay the monthly fee, not to mention the extra fee on top of the monthly fee.
If the game is high quality then it is up to you to buy the extra or not. If the game is low quality, paying extra fee will not help the game better.
I waited for this game for 2 years, and then I played in closed and open beta. And was not satiesfied at all so I decided not to buy it or spend any time on it.
From what I hear now I think I made the right choice. There is nothing I hate more than greedy game companies, because all that shows is that its not going good for them and that they need more money in.
I don't know about you, but a few of my guildies have already paid for some of these services. One of them had changed his name and started taunting us in chat saying that he's new xD.
A lot of people would pay to do these things, those services should never be free of charge, and it's better to have them for the people who want them rather than not have them at all. Contrary to what some people here believe, lots of players find the prices totally justified.
Aion might be losing subs slooooooooowly just like every single MMO except WoW and EvE, that doesn't mean it's poor quality at all. It might be to you, it's just an opinion. Are all MMOs of poor quality excluding those 2? Again, opinion.
Now concerning the valentine's event rip-off, I totally agree with the OP. Even though I didn't really expect anything on valentine's day, having to PAY for this kind of stuff sucks, and it would have been infinitely better without them.
I don't know about you, but a few of my guildies have already paid for some of these services. One of them had changed his name and started taunting us in chat saying that he's new xD.
A lot of people would pay to do these things, those services should never be free of charge, and it's better to have them for the people who want them rather than not have them at all. Contrary to what some people here believe, lots of players find the prices totally justified.
Aion might be losing subs slooooooooowly just like every single MMO except WoW and EvE, that doesn't mean it's poor quality at all. It might be to you, it's just an opinion. Are all MMOs of poor quality excluding those 2? Again, opinion.
Now concerning the valentine's event rip-off, I totally agree with the OP. Even though I didn't really expect anything on valentine's day, having to PAY for this kind of stuff sucks, and it would have been infinitely better without them.
For me, I don't think Aion would hold me too long time until next mmo being released to the market.
Changing name or changing appearance will not increase the fun out of Aion, but it maybe increase your own situation with Aion. For example, if you are a guild leader, you may want to have unique name to symboliz your position in the legion or server. But what I think about Aion is that Ncsoft does not even have naming policy, now they charge money for name changes just sounds ridiculous and uncivilized.
It sounds to me like a country has no law, and all of a sudden, the government released a law, you have to pay to the government so you can walk on the street.
I won't throw my money into the Aion wishing well but I was considering to play 2 accounts. Hopefully, it would make grinding easier and group drop might be better than solo drop. But usually, when I about to play 2 accounts, the market almost have the game I want to jump in.
Well said bud.I can understand where your coming from...
I quit Aion about 1-2 months ago and honestly have been missing it abit lately until I looked on their website this weekend and saw the lame ass video they posted for valentines day! I mean seriously? Does NCS think abunch of kids play Aion? The video was one of the lamest and uninventive videos I've ever seen posted by a MMO company. NCS failed hard for me once I saw it..
To be honest, I think alot of folks are going to see Aion for what it really is soon, and subs will likely decrease drastically. Other then nice character creation, graphics and flying (only in designated areas mind you...) Aion really doesn't have much going for it imo. Its basically another average themepark MMO..
I am thankfull I left when I did (currently playing my first sandbox mmo) and I don't expect to return even when 2.0 comes out. To be honest I'd rather go check out the new WoW xpac coming out then return to Aion.
Its a shame, I had high hopes for Aion but I guess I got one good thing out of playing Aion...I'm bored sick of the same old MMOs coming out with nothing new to offer. My days of playing themepark MMOs are over...I'll likely never return to them
"I play Tera for the gameplay"
I'm actually quite happy with how my new character looks. It was worth the $10.
But, this game "You are disconnected from game server" is over 9000. Does anyone else have this issue? After an 8 hour instance, we got to final boss and then I d/c @ 15%, log back in, and got nerd raged on HARD. I'ts getting really old.
Sometimes my faith in there is inteeligent life on these boards is rewarded, and this is one of those times.
it's amazing to think that your and Gordunks posts were working from the same source material
You complain about the fact that MT is "Just a cash grab." Well, I hate to tell you this, but there isn't a single thing that any company on this earth is going to do that isn't going to make them money in some way shape or form.
I have talked repeatedly about profit vs profiteering.
Fair profit is obviously fine.
Now if I really wanted to be an asshole to you as you have been to me, I could take this a step further, call you an anti-capitalist and tell you to fuck off to North Korea.
Like i say, fair profit is fine. I accept that in this society compaines need to make money. I ask for nothing for free and I begrudge no honest reward for honest work.
Btw, lets try and keep this civil? Theres no need for this and I havent attacked anyone personally.
As for being an anti-capitalist, I would prefer Cuba if thats ok?
MT is going to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO AION. It will barely affect the game's economy if at all(In deed, the bigger issue there is the botting problem), it will not affect the game's main components, (I.e. crafting, PvP and PvE) and in turn will not affect normal players either. The only thing it will affect is the buyer's appearance, really.
I have demonstrated how it DOES impact on ALL players in a MMORPG in previous posts. Just saying it 'doesnt' isnt a great counter to the debate I have made.
If you're going to complain about anything...what about Pre-purchasers and Collector's edition owners.
Well, I don't buy into these either, so if you want to agree CE editions with virtual items attached are also a cynical cash grab then fine. I agree.
To be blunt, well as blunt as I can be here on these forums, if you have an issue with CE items (as you seem to have) then you should in fact have an issue with all MT items. They share the same motive and philosphy after all.
I do not buy into the CE thing either.
Yeah, I think the more minimum content themeparks are released into the post WoW market the more people are in general are getting disillusioned with them, and introducing MT on top of their subs for 'extras' in order to milk shrinking user bases for maximum revenue will only make this worse. It really is a business philosophy that can ultimately only drive these games into the ground imo.
Niche market heavily sandbox influenced MMORPGs are probably the future for me. If FFXIV fails then I am done with themeparks for good tbh (and the MT model that SE use in that game is a big part of that question for me).
I mean, look at something like Darkfall for example... small indie company, sub based revenue model, and a dedicated and passionate dev thats making the game *they* want to play. This was how games used to be made and run when this genre was new.
And, y'know what, shock, it's still making a profit enough for them not only to get paid, but to expand their live team and produce game updates and a 'free' first expnsion.
DF might not be everyones ideal game, the point I am making dosent involve that, but everyone here arguing to support MT and other profiteering should really take a look at it and see what can be done on a honest clearly priced sub model and fostering a loyal long term player base.
I have to agree with the OP. This is just greed on NCsoft's part and not acceptable.
It doesn't matter to me if it is "just fluff items" that "are only available to buy for a certain time". If they are beginning like that, I can imagine things like xp-packs aren't too far away. Services like server transfers are acceptable, but this isn't.
Well, remember, it's all just my opinion here, there are those that have no problems with MT. It's just that I think this new "trend" is going in a very wrong direction. I would rather pay my subscription fee, maybe fees for server transfer or for (big) expansions and then be able to play without limitations.
And, just to make an observation, so far, "it's just fluff and I don't buy it anyway" has been the only argument for MT
. It also seems people who don't mind the MT are more prone to insulting or personal attacks (not all of them, don't feel attacked now).
lol I know...
In all the debates that I have had on this topic on these boards, and there have been many, only 1 person ever has confessed to buying MT items in games. All the others have always said 'I support cash shops because they are the trend, but I don't use them'...
Seeing as 'noone uses them', how MT cash shops make more money for devs then subs, it makes you wonder where all that extra cash comes from eh?
It almost as if people who fall for cash shops are a little embarrased about it...
Agree, having the packs on all chars, would be much better as far as I heard as I am not buying does kind of things
Well Ice, this is what you are supporting and arguing for.
Maximum profiteering for the devs.
Tell me, why do you think it's better to sell packs for an account rather then individual characters?
What exactly you didn't understand from "I am not buying does kind of things" ? I just heard that people will be happier if there were packs for the account and not only for 1 char
Wake up!
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy?
Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
lol I know...
In all the debates that I have had on this topic on these boards, and there have been many, only 1 person ever has confessed to buying MT items in games. All the others have always said 'I support cash shops because they are the trend, but I don't use them'...
Seeing as 'noone uses them', how MT cash shops make more money for devs then subs, it makes you wonder where all that extra cash comes from eh?
It almost as if people who fall for cash shops are a little embarrased about it...
lol, well i would use Cash shop if there was anything decent in them heh, i will pass on the flower hat heh.
March on! - Lets Invade Pekopon
Then what the hell are you doing on a MMORPG website ? In a matter of fact, I think you are just "I want attention" here, as for what I can understand from your posts, you can NOT play any MMO's because of your "laws". F2P = Cash Shop = RMT = "No ty for you". P2P = CE = RMT ( more ,less or none ) = "No ty for you". So, again .. what are you doing here? Seriously, you just keep saying bullshit every time , when someone just start saying something against you, but then .. when THIS guy comes and say "I agree with the OP" you are like "Oh see? I told you I am right" .
Are you against the companies which makes MORE money then you wanted to? When you will own a company, please come back ok? EVERY company in this earth ( games or no-games ) wants to make money. Where have u living?
I will stop responding to this thread from now one. It so pointless, but please , keep QQ while others are enjoy their game
Can someone please translate this for me?