Dharh
Gallente
Ace Adventure Corp
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Posted - 2010.10.28 18:40:00 -
[1]
 Originally by: Don Pellegrino
How is introducing microtransactions better for the average player than not introducing them? If you need more money, raise the subscription cost, do not create a difference between the players that have money and those who don't, even if it's only vanity items.
For starters alot of it has to do with budgeting. For instance, there is probably zero chance we will ever get custom re-skins for ships. With micro-transactions, there is. Before anyone says they think we should get them without micro-transactions, think about the costs and benefits. The costs of giving it away for free far outweigh the happiness increase it would give to the playerbase.
The massive drawback of micro-transactions is based on the perception that _not_ buying them causes you to fall behind, it makes the playing field uneven for those who wont or otherwise can't afford to spend extra money. So long as CCP makes sure that micro-transaction items they introduce aren't this way, there should be no problem. Eventually the player base will eventually forgive CCP.
However, this means that CCP _must_ be absolutely careful. Typical micro-transaction stores are run by OUTSIDE the normal game developers, which is often why you see actual game play effecting items get introduced into the micro-transaction store. CCP therefore has to ensure a tight reign on what can and cannot be in the store. Whomever controls the game play balance aspect of the game must be ultimately in charge of the group that handles the store.
This probably also means that stuff that CCP would really like to the add to the store, like PLEX for Remaps should be modeled after PLEXs themselves. In otherwords, don't _use_ a PLEX to remap, create a new item like the Attribute Remap Coupon (ARC) for remap. That can be bought and sold on the market along with PLEX. Also, for remaps specifically, since it is potentially a game changing effect, double the cost of a remap every subsequent remap until a year has passed. First remap = 1 ARC. Second remap = 2 ARCs. Third remap = 4 ARCs. A year after the first remap, it goes down, a year after the second remap it goes down again. This should have no effect on the FREE remap every year.
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