Star Wars Galaxies

I wish SWG would be allowed to go to another company.  I can't stand SOE's practices.

There are many issues here really and my other reply was meant to get laughs but..

I think an honest and intellegent response to RMT would be longer than anyone would want to read.  Plus the fact I couldn't write it..  Honest yes.. intellegent no.

My personal view is that the game mechanics most MMO's have adopted actually make RMT attractive.  I've played MMO's where RMT wasn't really an issue (not many).

I could say well I'd rather see the developer get this cash than *random* pharming company.. who is either trying to inject viruses into my computer through their website (or websites they own under a holding company name) so they can steal my account, trying to steal my credit information to open non restricted accounts with, spamming me in game/in game mail or in general screwing with my ability to pharm.

However, then I have to wonder if a company was selling gold.. Do they then adjust drop rates.  So that its harder for me to make cash in game.. thus trying to push me to buy from them etc

Any form of 'item mall' that sells anything other than crap you don't really need.  Is just a front for a developer to lure you in with the "free 2 play" mantra.. so that you will spend MORE than $15 at their mall each month.

I mean if someone wants to buy pajamas for their alter ego with little smedlies on them.. ok that's their choice.

So ya RMT is bad enough as it is.. and definitely has the ability to be just as exploited by developers.

Unless they only sell "fluff" items.

The bottom line is, if you have microtransactions, then you HAVE to create new content in order for the game to stay afloat.  You have to - there is no way around it.  That means you HAVE to have a solid game from the outset.  Why?  Because if you're spending all your resources on just making the Live game playable, then you aren't making new content.  And if your Live game is shit, then no one is going to play it anyhow, thus there won't be enough money coming in through the microtransactions to keep the game afloat.

The irony of this is pretty great if you ask me.  Since they'll have no choice but to make sure the core game is completely solid, then they'll end up doing what they should have been doing in the first place.  And if they had just done that in the first place, then they would never have needed a different business model.

Why is this such a big deal?  Because through microtransactions - YOU are paying for THEIR mistakes.  Anyhow... I suspect RMT's will be here to stay.  I predict within the next 5 years, you won't be able to play an MMO that isn't run through microtransactions.

Originally posted by Beatnik59

In RMT games, there can be no good crafting or economic system.  Hence why Smed thinks "sandbox can't work."  In other words, it can't work for his microtransaction plans.

The thing Smed doesn't realize though is that there is a reason the action/adventure format died in the 90's, and why GTA IV just pwned every other game out there.  People want more.  They want a world of options and multiple avenues of advance.  They want the gameplay to take priority over the gear.  They want ambiance and depth.  People want the option to play taxi drivers or valets.  They want the camera and the customizing.

It's obvious that Smed doesn't want to be in the computer entertainment business.  He wants to be in the casino business, because that's what RMT does to these games.  It turns the game into a loot lottery for the promise of cash and high roller status.

In fact, I always wondered about the applicability of racketeering laws and gambling laws to MMOs that allow for the exchange of data items for cash.  It would seem to me that once a piece of loot can be sold or exchanged, it is no different from a casino token, ie a form of private currency for the purposes of facilitating gaming (in the "casino gaming" use of the term "gaming").

Maybe you should look into that, ArcAngel?

Heh :) I'm still marking papers, then planning to look at dev chats pre-ToOw in light of fraud legislation.  That oughta keep me more busy than I'd like lol.  It's certainly an interesting point though, and the comparison to casino tokens makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

Originally posted by Antarious

There are many issues here really and my other reply was meant to get laughs but..

I think an honest and intellegent response to RMT would be longer than anyone would want to read.  Plus the fact I couldn't write it..  Honest yes.. intellegent no.

My personal view is that the game mechanics most MMO's have adopted actually make RMT attractive.  I've played MMO's where RMT wasn't really an issue (not many).

I could say well I'd rather see the developer get this cash than *random* pharming company.. who is either trying to inject viruses into my computer through their website (or websites they own under a holding company name) so they can steal my account, trying to steal my credit information to open non restricted accounts with, spamming me in game/in game mail or in general screwing with my ability to pharm.

However, then I have to wonder if a company was selling gold.. Do they then adjust drop rates.  So that its harder for me to make cash in game.. thus trying to push me to buy from them etc

Any form of 'item mall' that sells anything other than crap you don't really need.  Is just a front for a developer to lure you in with the "free 2 play" mantra.. so that you will spend MORE than $15 at their mall each month.

I mean if someone wants to buy pajamas for their alter ego with little smedlies on them.. ok that's their choice.

So ya RMT is bad enough as it is.. and definitely has the ability to be just as exploited by developers.

Unless they only sell "fluff" items.

This didn't show up on my exploitation radar for two reasons.   First of all, the items were indeed "fluff."  I didn't need any of them to be useful to teams in the game, or to remain competitive in pvp.  I could take them or leave them, and it would make no difference whatsoever to my game play experience.

Second, NCsoft has never misled me in the two years I've done business with them.  Not even once.  So this didn't concern me, and it still doesn't.

With SOE, on the other hand, I don't trust that gear purchased in a spy MMO is going to be in the "fluff" category.  I expect it to be functional gear that will impact how you perform.  I'll have to wait and see if this turns out to be a correct assumption of course, but what I've read on the subject has given me this impression.  Also, SOE has a history of taking actions to benefit their revenues (so they hoped) at the expense of the players' best interest.  This is not the kind of company I would trust with a RMT game, not with their track record and the same management in place.

Originally posted by MrListerSir

5+ years and still complaining, you guys should get together and apply for a spot in the Guiness Book, I'm absolutely positive it would get a mention at the very least - because it is most assuredly a record.

Hmmm...not a bad idea actually. Anything to get more publicity for the cause!

The NGE is a factual failure. That is on record.

Originally posted by Lateris

The NGE is a factual failure. That is on record.

At this point it's an undisputed fact.

Originally posted by tman5

 

Originally posted by Daffid011

 

 

The real question is why do you think you are entitled to the same rewards as another players simply because you do not play as much as someone else.   I'll flip that question and ask why should my lack of available game time penalize me?  "Time" is a gate for some MMO content.

Everyone pays for the same exact OPPORTUNITIES in the game world.  What you CHOOSE to do with that is of your own making.  When you stop playing a game and instead PAY someone to play it for you, perhaps MMOs are not for you.  Why not just offer cash for a few victories to those kids who keep pwning you?  Same result.  I do not have the same opportunities because I do not have the same amount of time to devote to the game.  Under original SWG Jedi rules, I never would have made Jedi (Mind you, I didn't want Jedi, just using it as an example)   The casual gamer is and always has been at a disadvantage in MMOs when compared to those who have copious amounts of time to devote to gameplay.  What you are really saying is casual gamers should not participate in MMOs.

There are plenty of free to play grinders that allow you to buy your way to the top that you are free to go play.  You don't, because we all know they suck.  This may be true but, again, I do not believe this is caused by MTs, but more of a lack of initiative on the part of the developers.  As has been pointed out, SWG has no (sanctioned) microtransactions and it sucks, too.

  

 

Fact is, microtransactions are happening now, through Ebay, gold sellers and the like.  There is precious little game developers and publishers can do to stop it.  It wouldn't be a problem if there was not a demand for it.  So why shouldn't game developers adress that demand, set up a system to allow for it, CONTROL IT, and take their cut?

You don't want MTs, don't play MT games.  The bottom line is if gamers reject MTs, they will go away. 

Do you expect to get the same amount of money as someone who works twice as much as you?  Do you expect a 4 year college degree if you only complete 2 years worth?  There are plenty of things in the world that are happening that are against the law or should not be happening.  The fact that people are doing them anyhow is not just reason to make them legal is it? 

The point is you get what you put into PLAYING the game.  Just because you don't have the same exact rewards as someone else at the end of the month doesn't mean you are somehow a disadvantaged poor soul who needs a leg up.  You are not disadvantaged, you are just greedy or lazy and want something for no effort in a game.  There is no other way to explain that.

Wife- Hi Honey, how was work today?

Husband- Great!  I earned enough to get 10 levels and that fiery sword of noob slaying.  Beware to those unemployed who keep pwning me.

*sigh*