Leave it to SoE to kill off games.

Everquest and Everquest 2:

"For beginners getting started, veterans leveling up, players starting alts, or anyone trying to get more out of the game, using SC to purchase in-game items is for everyone. The items available offer new and experienced players alike convenience, customization and fun while providing a unique gameplay experience. Convenience items include potions of various types, from health to experience boosts. Several appearance packs in various armor types make up the customization category. Then for fun, we offer a selection of pets for your house or as travel companions."

www.station.sony.com/en/stationcash/

Pathetic. As if the RMT trading cards weren't bad enough. The Agency will be more of the same crap.

 Wow .. it's things like this that ruins games.  On the other end, I can understand why SoE is doing it as they're simply bringing in cash for no actual exchange of a service/product (I'm sorry but a pixel item in a video game is not a product).  Thank god I've never really invested in a SoE game. 

Haha, but remember, SOE is still better than Blizzard folks.

This is what SoE said to the EQ players a few months before this when they were getting worried:

"We have no plans what so ever to do actual sales of in game items, and I'm personally very opposed to the idea for EverQuest.  I think microtransations can be a valid business model if planned from the ground up for a game, but it would be very very bad for EQ."

I really despise them now lol. They just ignored their players and went ahead with it anyway after many objections.

All that n you still gotta pay a monthly sub? I think if they are goin cash shop then the games should become free to d/l n play. SOE has really taken a new level to screwing over their loyal fanbase/playerbase...well least what is left of it.

So you get to have a monthly fee and an item mall? XP potions for sale????, Appearance packs????

I can't wait to read how the Asian game bashers justify this.

O.m.g. 

Are they serious?

Hmm... Searching through SOE online support, I find limited information regarding this.  I do know, that there were special exchange servers in which they allowed for people to buy items with real cash.  I think there are only 2 out of the entire server list that allow this.

However, this seems a bit different.  The exchange server allowed you to buy items from players for real money.  This seems to allow you to buy items direct from SOE.  But what they dont tell you is if this "feature" is only on the exchange enabled servers or on all servers.

This will be interesting to follow....

Originally posted by sortec

Hmm... Searching through SOE online support, I find limited information regarding this.  I do know, that there were special exchange servers in which they allowed for people to buy items with real cash.  I think there are only 2 out of the entire server list that allow this.

 

However, this seems a bit different.  The exchange server allowed you to buy items from players for real money.  This seems to allow you to buy items direct from SOE.  But what they dont tell you is if this "feature" is only on the exchange enabled servers or on all servers.

 

This will be interesting to follow....

 

Only if you play SOE games.  I avoid those like the plague.    

I can't wait for Stradden to post a news press release on this and read the bullshit PR from SOE on how they justify this on non exchange servers for EQ2 and any server on EQ live since they told players it wouldn't happen.

I don't mind cash shop on a free to play, but this is totaly stupid. Everything will become priced 9999999 and people would pay a subscription and then not be abble to have decent armour and the likes?

Hell, glad I don't give a damn about SOE games since NGE.

Originally posted by Waterlily

This is what SoE said to the EQ players a few months before this when they were getting worried:

 

"We have no plans what so ever to do actual sales of in game items, and I'm personally very opposed to the idea for EverQuest.  I think microtransations can be a valid business model if planned from the ground up for a game, but it would be very very bad for EQ."

I really dispise them now lol. They just ignored their players and went ahead with it anyway after many objections.

Totally typical of SoE. Lest we forget SWG and that whole mess.

I was just coming over to post about this.

This would actually bring me BACK to EQ if they weren't still charging a monthly subscription fee. Item malls are a legitimate way of getting revenue, and I don't mind buying things like experience bonus potions from a cash shop... but I won't go in for an item mall game if I have to pay a subscription also.

I actually like the flexibility of buying in an item mall when I feel like I want to, and then playing without paying when I don't.

I'd play EQ for free, and I'd probably make occasional purchases from the item mall. Neither EQ1 or EQ2 are $15 worth of fun every month, and they certainly aren't $15 PLUS item mall fun... But either or both would make kick-ass f2p/item mall games, head and shoulders above the rest.

It's 10$ to get 50% extra XP experience during 2 hours, lol.

I would never play a game with a cash shop, item mall, etc. Takes all the fun out of playing. Why not just login, pay a thousand dollars to get everything, the log out and say, my wasn't that a fun game!

Pointless.

Originally posted by Waterlily

It's 10$ to get 50% extra XP experience during 2 hours, lol.

See, I could afford that, and I might buy a couple, since it helps the old exp bar and it would support I game I enjoy, but what kind of freak would you have to be to pay that PLUS $15 a month just for access?

I might even be willing to spend MORE than $15 in some months on items that are either useful or that make my character look better, but I really don't get a subscription PLUS item mall model.

Originally posted by sortec

Hmm... Searching through SOE online support, I find limited information regarding this.  I do know, that there were special exchange servers in which they allowed for people to buy items with real cash.  I think there are only 2 out of the entire server list that allow this.

 

However, this seems a bit different.  The exchange server allowed you to buy items from players for real money.  This seems to allow you to buy items direct from SOE.  But what they dont tell you is if this "feature" is only on the exchange enabled servers or on all servers.

 

This will be interesting to follow....

 

Must say I was suprised by this topic, I knew SOE was/is working on different sub.models, but I take back a few words as I might have said else where not feeling they would do it in already running games, so YES I am suprised.

"Station Cash is now available in EverQuest and EverQuest II 12/09/2008Station Cash, Sony Online Entertainment’s new virtual currency, is now live in EverQuest and EverQuest II. Station Cash can be used to purchase items that will provide convenience and customization in game, providing everyone the opportunity to create a unique gameplay experience.
Want to learn more about Station Cash? You can learn more at the Station Cash website, and by reading the Station Cash FAQ. Please note that Station Cash will not be available for customers in Europe until Wednesday, December 10th".http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/index.vm

same link as OP : http://www.station.sony.com/stationcash/

Originally posted by Somniferous

I would never play a game with a cash shop, item mall, etc. Takes all the fun out of playing. Why not just login, pay a thousand dollars to get everything, the log out and say, my wasn't that a fun game!

Pointless.

But cash shops vary a lot from game to game.  I really don't mind them at all if they include a lot of stuff for fun show and stuff that's purely optional like experience potions. I don't like item malls where you have to buy gear or skills just to be able to play. If I could just buy the end game, that wouldn't be fun, but it is a nice alternative to subscriptions when it is done right.