Star Wars Galaxies

"John Smedley: We're a big believer in micro-transactions, we certainly think they are part of the future, and that's why we invested in the collectible card business, because we wanted to be in micro-transactions early in the US, and it's been very successful.

I think it's a way to earn money that doesn't piss customers off, because if it gives them the opportunity to play something for free, and then they can just pay small amounts for clothing or whatever, I think that could really expand our space in a big way.

Q: Is it about more choice?

John Smedley: That's exactly it, and when you give people more choice, lots of times they'll give you more money than you thought they would. But then on the reverse side, they get the benefit of not having to pay if they don't want to.

For me that's kind of the ultimate, that try-before-you-buy kind of thing, it's going to be a powerful way to get people into these games."

I imagine people will want to try this type of game for free.  However, if you need the best gear to be useful or competitive, they could just keep making better gear and charging more money for it every time.  Programming new gear for a game like this would be a bit like printing money, if they get enough people caught up in the cycle.

"Come on in and play this game for free!"  Where's the catch you might ask, see above, in red.  Smed running an operation like this, with his track record, is scarey enough without even considering SOE's history of selling things and then disabling or deleting them.

Well Arc his having  10 years old as customers in his mind  when hes talking  about micro transactions.

You know the kid  with big eyes requesting today that shiny item . Wanna have...wanna have ..

and tomorow has forgotten it already ..(and forgotten quality)

His about to start rob kids...

Originally posted by DarthRaiden

Well Arc his having  10 years old as customers in his mind  when hes talking  about micro transactions.

You know the kid  with big eyes requesting today that shiny item . Wanna have...wanna have ..

and tomorow has forgotten it already ..(and forgotten quality)

His about to start rob kids...

This is similar to the ongoing scam that anyone who has paid the bills for a small business knows about.

The billing for  a service not ever seen, but the assumption the scammers operate on is that accounts payable will assume that someone actually asked for the service, and will send a check. When in fact no one ever did ask for the service.

Except they're running against the parents of the 10 year olds.  It will be like people going nuts over mobile phone minutes.  Mom or Dad will see the VISA/MC tab from SOE and go ballistic as all those micro transactions add up to big bucks for virtual crap and they'll put their feet down.  Someone named Smedley will reap the whirlwind of cancelled "free" accounts, which will be offered providing you provide CC info for the microtransactions with no gating.

macrotranzscams

I'm so glad that it will be an SOE game that will fail spectacularly in trying to bring microtransaction scams to North America as opposed to a game that I'm actually interested in playing.

Once again SOE leads the way in showing other companies how *not* to operate!

Tiem will tell i suppose..i think everyone said steam would fail,but there it is looking fine and dandy right now,people are resistant to change but this is something i could see working (not on a game i'm playing btw..i'd quit first) but this may well take off if SCEI come along and impliment it..lets not forget thier involvment in SOE nowadays.

Originally posted by vet-in-exile

I'm so glad that it will be an SOE game that will fail spectacularly in trying to bring microtransaction scams to North America as opposed to a game that I'm actually interested in playing.

 

Once again SOE leads the way in showing other companies how *not* to operate!

Sorry to disappoint but NCSoft is kicking things off early with NCcoin. There is even talk of implementing this to their older games.

I know this will get me flamed, but I don't have a problem with the concept of microtransactions.  And it's been a very long time since I was 10 years old.

The reason is simple:  I am a casual gamer and don't have the time usually required to obtain the best gear, hot items, what have you.  Why should I be at a disadvantage because I have a job, family, school, whatever?  Why should those able to devote 12+ hours a day to a game - those 10 year olds of which you speak or those unemployed or just lazy - rule?  Hey, I want to pwn, too! :D  But I do have extra pocket change which I just might be willing to part with to gain that bit of leverage.

That said, I still think there should be avenues for those who devote time to the game.  I think both options should be open, which is why I say i like the concept of MT but will withhold judgement until I see implementation.

What a scam.  Up yours Smed. Screw you SOE.

As for people who would rather just pay then earn what they get, nothing personal, but this is this biggest thing wrong with MMO's. The gold selling bots would have a field day with this system.

I don't want a commercial filled scam fest. Give me a honest imaginative game that I know my cost UPFRONT.

Don't try to bait me with promises of free, then flash shiney items for real cash in front of me.

Especially SOE like someone mentioned. I was mad enough loosing about every one of my items as a PRE NGE Jedi in SWG. Even without microtransactions I lost real cash in rare items I had.