Okay, I was looking on Gamestop today, for GTR Evolution and RACE 07 actually, but saw the Champions preview and clicked on it. Included are some nice things, beta access, flight from level 1, etc. Then I saw it.... It included 30 days of free time, normal right? Right below it... "5 Cryptic Bucks for premium in-game items". My heart sunk, my stomach took it's place. I feel to my kness (while sitting down nonetheless) and yelled, and screamed.

Here's the link to the page and a copy and paste of the text:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=647548

Reserve Champions Online and receive :

* A 30-Day Free Trial.
* 5 Cryptic Bucks which can be used to purchase a variety of premium in-game goods.
* GameStop exclusive Insesctoid Airfoil which flaps up to 90 times per second and is ideal for the high-flying hero.
* Level 0 Flight. GameStop customers can utilize the awesome power of flight right at the beginning of Champions Online – something that normally takes users 5 levels to earn!
* Guaranteed access to the Champions Online Open Beta Test, set to start 2 weeks prior to the game's release.

Available for online and in-store customers only while supplies last.

Online / In-Store Pickup Customers: A code giving you access to the beta will be emailed to you prior to the beta's launch.

Store Customers: A pre-order card giving you instant access to the beta will be available in-store prior to the beta's launch.

 "Premium in-game goods", HAHAHA.

I hope they explain that, will we see the first MMO with monthly fees and item malls? Way to rape people's pockets and generate money, it's sad to see MMOs going the make-the-most-money-out-of-players route instead of sticking to the service monthly fee or innovating with the asian hour plans.

Fun, I can check champions online off my list of games "looking forward to". Now I don't have to waste my money on trying it :D! Unless of course, those "premium in-game items" are simply things like bonus content City of Heroes is doing. Other than that, a big ol'Middle Finger towards CO. :)

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

Fun, I can check champions online off my list of games "looking forward to". Now I don't have to waste my money on trying it :D! Unless of course, those "premium in-game items" are simply things like bonus content City of Heroes is doing. Other than that, a big ol'Middle Finger towards CO. :)

If it was content packs like CoH, which are more like expansion packs, I would expect them to use USD. Not carnival money.

I know EQ/EQ2 have RMT, but I don't believe they're really an item mall, I believe they are player-to-player.

Better get used to it.  RMT is the future of all MMO's, they are becoming too expensive to not try and maximize revenues

I know it sounds awful, but we don't really know what "Cryptic Bucks" are. If it is RMT, why use some fictitious form of currency?  I am dubious but....I need more info.

Originally posted by nickelpat

Okay, I was looking on Gamestop today, for GTR Evolution and RACE 07 actually, but saw the Champions preview and clicked on it. Included are some nice things, beta access, flight from level 1, etc. Then I saw it.... It included 30 days of free time, normal right? Right below it... "5 Cryptic Bucks for premium in-game items". My heart sunk, my stomach took it's place. I feel to my kness (while sitting down nonetheless) and yelled, and screamed.

Here's the link to the page and a copy and paste of the text:

 

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=647548

 

Reserve Champions Online and receive :

* A 30-Day Free Trial.
* 5 Cryptic Bucks which can be used to purchase a variety of premium in-game goods.
* GameStop exclusive Insesctoid Airfoil which flaps up to 90 times per second and is ideal for the high-flying hero.
* Level 0 Flight. GameStop customers can utilize the awesome power of flight right at the beginning of Champions Online – something that normally takes users 5 levels to earn!
* Guaranteed access to the Champions Online Open Beta Test, set to start 2 weeks prior to the game's release.

Available for online and in-store customers only while supplies last.

Online / In-Store Pickup Customers: A code giving you access to the beta will be emailed to you prior to the beta's launch.

Store Customers: A pre-order card giving you instant access to the beta will be available in-store prior to the beta's launch.

 

I would watch out for game stop IMO, I have heard quite a bit about the PRe order card scandle,and had it actuall happen to me once. "ohh Im sorry we are all out". but  behind the scense they are giving them to there friends and such,now Im not saying that this is true for every game stop, but just be mindfull...Just a heads up/fyi. and ya that sucks about the $5 Cryptic Bucks. I dont like micro transactions in games...lol lets charge you $15 a month and than add a premium service that makes you pay for the better items in-game

Originally posted by Senadina

I know it sounds awful, but we don't really know what "Cryptic Bucks" are. If it is RMT, why use some fictitious form of currency?  I am dubious but....I need more info.

Maybe its like, 1usd for 200 Cryptic bucks....

ok, but if something costs 200 Cryptic bucks, why not just charge $1.00?

Originally posted by Kyleran

Better get used to it.  RMT is the future of all MMO's, they are becoming too expensive to not try and maximize revenues

Kyleran is right. It is the wave of the future and at least, right now for most games, it is cosmetic stuff and doesn't really add anything to the game. At least CO is adding it from the start and not trying to pull the wool over people's eyes and then, once players get set in the game and hooked, introduce it later like some game companies do.

And in reality, as long as it is cosmetic stuff, it really is no different than transfers, name changes, etc....

And I am glad you purchase "Cryptic bucks" and its not straight up cash...that too me is a better system than straight up cash sells.

The issue arises that what happens if they start offering needed things for money - gear, powers, new missions and quests. That is where I get upset and am less likely to play a game that does it.

The best thing to do is wait and see but I am not going to run around like chicken little just yet.

lol i worked ata  game stop like 4 years ago and thats what we used to do is give them to friends lol

but also each store gets a certain ammount of pre order cards and a few stores may not have that many pre orders so they can do whatever they want, to this day if there is a pre order for a game for beta i just head to my local gamestop and get it just for being friends with the manager.

Yes, RMT seems to be the future. But not RMT AND a subscription... I hope.

My GameStop around here is a very awesome place, few issues. Although I know as a chain they have issues. Due to that, Amazon also backs this up:

http://www.amazon.com/Champions-Online-Pc/dp/B0024FA6EY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1246940376&sr=8-1

Pre-order Bonus Items
Pre-order today and receive three in-game goods (Harlequin Headpiece, Grenade Chest Strap, and Black Knight Helmet) and five Cryptic Bucks. Directions will be sent within 10 days after the game releases. Offer good while supplies last. Must be sold and shipped by Amazon.com to be eligible. Limit one per customer.

It has also been confirmed by Cryptic they will be there, beta testers have reported seeing a button for a "Champion Store" and an error message saying something about microtransactions. The article was actually posted on MMORPG.com.

Oh I fully expect them to be there and I fully expect people to use Cryptic bucks too.

All I want to see is WHAT you can use them for.

And it works with a sub, if it is cosmetic stuff. You want glowy hands? Pay $5. You want ______ (cosmetic or pointless item/thing)....go right ahead and pay.

As far as I am concerned even if its things like a last name or some crap like that, its fine too.

Where I get concerned is when its experience boosts or additional character slot, or an additional travel power.

I am fine if people want to buy items to decorate their house or some other action in game that doesn't directly effect game play. It is when you start messing with gameplay for $$ that I become less likely to play said game.

Disappointing news. I was interested in checking this game, sadly not any more.

This may or may not indicate an RMT model.

Lots of games give pre-order people special items.  Perhaps Cryptic bucks are just funny money allowing pre-order peeps to choose from some cool starting items.

Turbine recently did this with the Mines of Moria expansion, but they were tokens that you exchanged at an NPC.

Or it could just be RMT..which would suck.

Originally posted by Xasapis

Disappointing news. I was interested in checking this game, sadly not any more.

Why? Just curious because there are NO details yet of what they mean and how it will work. I just think its a bit premature to write the game off when there are no details yet of how the system will work.

 Could you please point me where they have an official post regarding these Cryptic Coins?

Beta testers can't really talk about it because of the NDA, and the official forums have hundreds of posts in different topics asking what the heck are these microtransactions about (lots of drama), but I didn't find an official answer, so can't really blame them for the drama.

Gives a really bad impression to me even though I don't know what they are about, especially because they seem to be hiding the information while the preorders already confirm their existence and we already know this is a monthly fee P2P game.

First we see F2P games with hidden monthly fees and MT, then the F2P games appear with necessary monthly fees to advance after a certain content while also featuring MT, now we will finally see a P2P game that has MT? What a sad "evolution" for the consumer.

RMT will happen no matter what.   If the company its self isn't doing it there will be 3rd party companies doing it.  The reason why companies are doing it themselves is so they can make more money.

Now the thing is will more people do RMT if the game company does it and its legal? Some may but as for me it just doesn't make sense to me to do RMT.  It takes the fun out of the game because games today already hand you stuff on a silver platter why make the game even easier by using RMT.

Originally posted by cukimunga

RMT will happen no matter what.   If the company its self isn't doing it there will be 3rd party companies doing it.  The reason why companies are doing it themselves is so they can make more money.

Now the thing is will more people do RMT if the game company does it and its legal? Some may but as for me it just doesn't make sense to me to do RMT.  It takes the fun out of the game because games today already hand you stuff on a silver platter why make the game even easier by using RMT.

When the developers themselves handle the RMT, you may see things one may never accomplish without RMT (EVE's Plexes are the only exception I know for this rule, but you are merely selling in-game time cards). You may be lazy and buy the in-game currency you need for that epic mount, while there will be those that make the money by themselves without RMT, in the end both get the mount.

We already have a damn monthly fee in there, what else do they want?

Originally posted by EricDanie

Originally posted by cukimunga

RMT will happen no matter what.   If the company its self isn't doing it there will be 3rd party companies doing it.  The reason why companies are doing it themselves is so they can make more money.

Now the thing is will more people do RMT if the game company does it and its legal? Some may but as for me it just doesn't make sense to me to do RMT.  It takes the fun out of the game because games today already hand you stuff on a silver platter why make the game even easier by using RMT.

 

When the developers themselves handle the RMT, you may see things one may never accomplish without RMT (EVE's Plexes are the only exception I know for this rule, but you are merely selling in-game time cards). You may be lazy and buy the in-game currency you need for that epic mount, while there will be those that make the money by themselves without RMT, in the end both get the mount.

We already have a damn monthly fee in there, what else do they want?

Yeah it sucks that RMT happens at all but games that give you items you can only get by doing RMT is even worse. 

LOL yeah IDK what else they want, but they ain't getting anything else from be but the sub fee.

To templarga:

I'm not writing the game completely off. I first need to verify the validity of this thread claim via some official source. However, if the news check out to be correct, I refuse to P2P Pay to Play a game that also contains an item mall. I recently returned to EQ2 and quit soon after for this very reason. As far as I'm concerned, they can take my money via model A or model B, not both. Companies that opt for both take none.

To cukimunga:

RMT on top of a regular subscription will not happen no matter what. It will happen only when/if the customers of these companies tolerate it. Personally I'm not willing to tolerate it. As I said in other posts, they can bill me a subscription fee, which can be higher than todays standards (like EVE is doing) or they can release the game with no subscription fee and an item mall. Not both.

Originally posted by Senadina

I know it sounds awful, but we don't really know what "Cryptic Bucks" are. If it is RMT, why use some fictitious form of currency?  I am dubious but....I need more info.

Yes, let us wait for detailled info before we say anything.

Yes, it is vague. The reason I jumped right to RMT is because of the name actually.

In LOTRO the coins had an in game name, one that follows the lore (which I have now forgotten). They were also advertised to 'unlock' a special item in game.

Cryptic Bucks sounds much more like RMT currency. Like Aeria Points or GCoins. They are advertised to 'buy premium in-game items' as well. That sounds like a great definition of RMT itself. It may be the simple fact Cryptic typed it up badly and it is like LOTROs tokens.

There WAS an official forum post about this, I saw a thread pointing to it but apprently it has been deleted :/

Cryptic needs to stop being so... cryptic about thic Cryptic Buck.

PS. Yes, I had to use a pun, I mean look, it's right there. It wants to be used.

If RMT is the future it is a very sad future.  Players should never be allowed to spend more money to advance anything in an MMORPG.  It's just wrong, and makes for a very shallow and lame game.  I refuse to play any game with RMT that isn't simply fluff items.

Originally posted by ProfRed

If RMT is the future it is a very sad future.  Players should never be allowed to spend more money to advance anything in an MMORPG.  It's just wrong, and makes for a very shallow and lame game.  I refuse to play any game with RMT that isn't simply fluff items.

I agree 110% with you. This is where I draw the line with RMT. IF person X wants to buy the glowy hands power, or the 3 seat sofa or the pointy hat that looks cool, then by all means go for it. It is something they want and they are willing to spend the money, then they should have the right to do so.

However, the line is drawn when they can spend money on something that gives them an advantage over me in game. All of the sudden the game is no longer about player skill or anything of the sort, its about who has more money and is willing to spend it.

So I hate RMT that involves gear, new areas or zones, leveling potions, etc....

To give you an idea, I will admit to something that I am kinda ashamed of. I play the SIMS. There I said it. My wife wanted the Sims 3 and I kept peeking over her shoulder and got so interested in the game, I ran out and bought it. It is a fun game and I can waste many, many hours playing it. See, this should say something about the state of the MMO market.....a hardcore, former EQ, 10 year vet of MMO's is playing the Sims! :)

Anyway, they have Sim bucks. Its a lot like I-Tunes where you purchase cards or put in your CC info and can buy and download stuff for your Sims. At first, before my wife bought the game, I looked into it and was PISSED beyond believe. I mean it is EA so it should be expected but I thought they were going overboard with it.

My thoughts were that they would make the essential things you Sims need to survive (toliets, stove, refrigerator, bed), would need to be bought. Or they would give you only the crappy ones in game and you would have to spend Sim cash on the good ones.

Well the more I looked into it, everything you can buy is just simply fluff. It might have a different look or pattern but that is it. There is nothing that can really be bought that changes the game, its just all fluff. So it is okay in my book.

And actually, in the long run, its better than buying a $20-30 Sims "Stuff" pack every 3 or 4 months that has 90% of the stuff is crap and you don't want. At least with this, I get to pick and choose and you can but A LOT for $20.

I have the same feeling towards MMO's just 10000 times more (since in the SIms it is single player and you are not competing with others in a dynamic game world). If its fluff, its fine with me. If it directly effects the gameplay or helps to make one character better over another, then I take exception.

And I will say this right here and now : If the Cryptic bucks allow you to purchase game enhancements, where one player gets a decided advantage over another just because they spend some real money, I will go and cancel my pre-order. And I can guarantee you, I will not be the only one.