Station Cash............

[Annerotica]

Might be the end of my EQ2 Playing...we will see when we can finally log in .

Anne

[Annerotica]

After looking at what they added into the game.  I can still say I am NOT HAPPY with any of it.  Though they may deny it...there are items in there that give unfair advantage no matter how small.  It will take some time for this to sink in.  I thinks it's just the start of something very very bad. 

Anne

[Wren]

I semi-recall the big fuss made over this when SOE announced they were going to make a RL cash oriented exchange server, and I did not get what the big deal was. I remember the surveys, and how I was mildly disappointed that CB did not get any exchange stuffs. Not disappointed enough to switch to Bazaar, mind you.

And I assume you are referring to this (link from Gildan, thanks!): http://eq2players.station.sony.com/game_updates_details.vm?id=50006

If you have any heartier info, please pass it along.

Here are my thoughts on any sort of RL money exchange for items, characters, levels, ANYTHING, no matter how uber or how mundane: bring it on. Make it an option for people that want it. For those that don't, then just don't spend your RL money on anything. I don't see how other players being able to purchase *whatever* will negatively affect MY gameplay.

If we were on a PVP server, then those with more money would have an 'unfair' advantage, and perhaps that would be a problem.

But we're not.

TIME = MONEY.

Often, those with lots of time do not have much money. They may choose to spend their loads of free time raiding 3-6 times a week, thereby increasing their chances at uber loot, and "EARNING" their gear. Good for them. Personally, I don't have that much free time, so that is not an option for me. Still, I cannot help but covet over the ubery gear...

Similarly, those with money often do not have a lot of free time. If those with more money than time want to use their money to save time by buying gear, who cares? If they worked their butts of at an actual, real-life job to earn the money they use to purchase in-game gear, then aren't they "EARNING" it in a way, too?

Meh. My only disappointment is that I hear the items are pretty lame and not worth purchasing.

happy day,

wren

[Gildan]

I have seen the items.  I am not sure why people are upset over them.  New armor for appearance (which is kinda blah looking), some interesting house items that have zero benefit beyond looks, a new passive pet - are all fluff.  Accelerated xp/cxp for a few hours (really, with all the xp bonuses already in game, not to mention potions you can /claim for it now, who on earth would buy these?  I guess you could argue the AA potion is new and unique, but it still takes forever to grind out AA after 150 anyways, so not really caring much about it either.

I'm not seeing what "advantages" people who spend money on this are getting truthfully.  But the bigger issue to me is, how does this affect my gameplay and enjoyment of the game.  Well, not at all.  Most of these services can be bought outside of game already, and it does not affect me right now.  Fluff items are fluff items.  People have been buying them for years via LoN, not much difference either.  So how does this affect my gameplay and enjoyment.  Not one iota.  I wish SOE good luck in generating more revenue, which hopefully keeps a game I love to play going that much longer.

[Gildan]

Oops forgot to mention this...

I do have one MAJOR gripe about this.  The lack of advance knowledge on what is a new mechanic to the game is really disheartening to me.  People on Test knew about it I guess, but I knew nothing about this at all until today via patch notes.  That is poor communication on SOE's part, and something that is inexcusable imo.

[Annerotica]

Gildan, It was not on test server either...which is part of my aggrivation, I feel like it was stuffed down our throats...but here is my bigger worry:

We all spend tons of time in game.  And we all pay a monthly fee for the same equal chance of obtaining any item in the game based on our determination.  Items are rewards for (in some cases) extremely hard work.  If the new station cash marketplace is kept to what it is:    Minor "Fluff" items and "Potions" that only last a few hours....then that is all fine and good.  However, if, down the road (and this is where I see it going, but I am wrong alot ), you have to pay additional cash for uber gear that does not drop, or access to content (on top of what we already pay), Or there is a boss mob that absulutely cannot be taken down without purchases of items from the new station cash marketplace, then I feel at that point that the game will no longer be a reward for effort game, which I hold so dear currently, but a game in which the only thing Sony thinks about is how to make their next buck.  I don't really know how to explain it, but I could play "Second Life" if I wanted to purchase items with real cash all day long and suceed wildly in the game, based upon my willingness to pay out cash for money,  and the game is free, I would know that going in.    I just wish they would leave it more a reward for effort game, versus a reward for making Sony more money game.

Sorry for Rambling!!  

[Gildan]

If that happens I would quit as well.  However, I don't base my 15 bucks a month on what if scenarios.  I see zero reason to even react over this (beyond the horrible communications in the implementation).  It has no impact on me or my enjoyment of the game.  What you described would affect it, however that is purely speculation and not worth worrying about (to me).

[Annerotica]

I am a worry wart with a huge stress problem hehehehehehehehe.   Although this is true, I see your point Gildan and will let it slide like water down a ducks back.  (Smile).

Anne

[Wren]

I got an email alerting me that SOE was granting me 150 sony cash thingies, so I suspect many long-time subscribers will get it.

Anne, I cannot see anyone that runs a game making decisions like what you suggest---it would just shoot them in the foot. But why not make available things to BUY with cash things that are available in the game rather than hope you'll get it, or spent lottsa plat on it (like master spells).

happy day,

wren

[Owari]

The new station cash thing really doesn't bother me. Mostly for the same reasons Gil and Wren stated. If people want to dish out more money for stuff then let them, as long as it doesn't negatively affect me as I pay my $15 a month and still have access to everything. I don't care if it takes me a little longer to gain things. I simply can't afford to put any more money into the game than I already do.

I just don't want them to eventually change over to if you want any good items you have to pay for them, and people who don't pay too bad, you get the crappy free stuff. There are a lot of Asian mmos that follow the free to play plans, as well as Second Life, but make people pay for in game items. I'd rather spend my $15 a month or so and take my time to work for my stuff. But that's me.

If EQ2 switches to where you have to purchase all good items in game, that basically makes my time spent there worthless, and I'll prolly move on to something different.

However from what I understand, the free to play, pay for items method of running an mmo has been highly successful and profitable for gaming companies, so it may be an inevitable change in the future of most mmos.

[Kindharted]

I must say this dampers the "fun" factor to me. EQ used to be the standard... now it's following all the free MMORPG's out there that you can buy "coin" to get in game stuff. Real money is best spent elsewhere IMHO right now considering.
I've actually cancelled my account currently to save the money I spend on 2 EQII accounts (my wifes and mine) so we can afford groceries, gas, or heck... even those occasional nights we might want to rent a movie.

[Elquinjena]

I am with brasse on this...so give her half and me half of your stuff if your leaving.

[shadowedwolf]

This isn't a game breaker for me but, having a heads up WOULD have been nice. Oh, and ummm... Brasse... think you bring out an extra gas mask...? Thanks to your commentary, I'm now paranoid about living in SD. :p

[Annerotica]

All is good just waiting to see where they go with it.  Oh..and GO PANTHERS!

Anne

[Thales]

Initially, the introduction of Real Money Transactions (RMT) would have bothered me.  I specifically choose not to play games whose only source of revenue is RMT.  If a game's only revenue is RMT, then it is to the company's very compelling advantage to make all of the best items cost real-money dollars.  But consider the following:

1. SOE still charges a subscription and they know that if the best items were only available to paying customers, subscribers would leave.

2. People are already paying huge amounts of money to plat sellers so they can buy their way into VP raids and get their epicy ubery gear.  Where do you think 20,000 14 year-olds are getting the 100's of pp to buy into those raids?

3. If you're like me, virtually none of your enjoyment of the game comes from having the absolute top-tier gear.  Most of us in Stealth aren't hardcore raiders, so we don't need the hardcore raiding gear.  I am working hard to get some void shard gear and will be really happy to have it, even if some hardcore raider is able to outright buy the Emerald Encrusted Epaulets of Epicness.

4. Have none of you considered the upsides?  Maybe I _want_ to be able to pay $1 to buy an XP potion to level another toon to 80 faster....

Listen to your Brasse and your Wren.  They are level-headed people, and they are not worried about this.  Nor should you be. 

Thales