Wacktopia
Dark Side Of The Womb
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Posted - 2011.06.23 15:13:00 -
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Edited by: Wacktopia on 23/06/2011 15:15:59
Here's my take on it:
CCP put in a lot of time and effort for forewarn us about the MT. Including the CSM in discussions so we understood it and 'knew it was coming'. Whilst I and other players probably don't like the idea of micro-transactions, if this is something that CCP feel that they want/need to introduce into the game then let it be so. CCP did a good job of being transparent here.
Shortly after this the concept of AUR was published, showing how we can convert existing ISK > PLEX > AUR > Items > ISK, with the existing feed of PLEX coming from $$$. This seemed a little strange, seeming as ISK and PLEX already exist and would support a MT market. However, CCP explained AUR by saying that a PLEX was "too large" in itself to use as a currency and they wanted something "smaller". Furthermore, it would give them a variable factor in between PLEX and AUR to "help control PLEX prices".
Then we get the product. First problem is that the items cost seems to cut completely against the very nature and vocabulary of MT (the M = micro, right?). I was seriously expecting to see items of clothing that equated to a $1 or $2. A bit like an app in an app-store. This is the whole essence of how MT should work - players purchase many small items at a price they perceive to be inconsequential to them. The win is in the volume sale here - it should be obvious, hoerver, CCP managed to achieve the exact opposite of this.
Why does the massive price matter? The price leaves the player base feeling cheated. Existing players who were looking forward to Incarna / barbie dolls have to pay through the nose to wear a new style of tshirt. Or can you imagine a new player wanting to buy something as simple as a monocle... that will be 4 billion ISK please or 4 months game time. The price is just so off-the-scale it's un-imaginable how they decided on it.
So we move on to, and this is the big one, the issue of trust. Throughout the whole MT process CCP has been fairly open and honest about the way MT would be implemented. Well, beware the smiling tiger; out comes Incarna and there is this big nasty surprise and feeling that somehow we're all going to get cheated big time in the next few years.
Sure, there are people yelling "BUT JUST DON'T WEAR A MONOCLE". True. Don't need to wear a monocle. However, suppose in future they break that trust we're all worried about and bring out non-vanity items that are only obtainable via the NeX store, for which CCP control the ISK exchange rate for? This is probably what players are really worried about - less so the monocle. Now, you made a very good point that players can buy Plex > ISK > Ships now and gain an advantage, however, it should be noted that it is entirely possible to perform well in the game at present without having to do this. Could this change in future? Perhaps... time will tell.
Finally, on to immersion. I have to bring these up:
- how can a monocle / boots /etc cost the same as a mile long space ship?
- how come when you die your monocle / boots / etc magically appear back at your med clone
- I thought we were naked in the pod anyway?
- Why do we have to leave our pod to change ship now? Why not Dock > Hangar > CQ
The NeX / AUR system and their prices just a jolt to immersion, which ironically is what CCP were wanting to achieve with CQ.
TL;DR - Trust, Poor MT business model, Immersion-breaker.
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