Arena Payout Calculation Recommendation
Many players are locked into Squad/Fleet Arena Payout times that don't work with their schedules. This leads to lower payouts, frustration, and less time spent in-game because many people can't climb at the correct time everyday.
Allowing players to change their timezone in game could alleviate this, but it would be messy as players would change frequently and it could cause more stress on EA Answers.
My recommendation is to leave everything as-is, but just change the way Payout Rank is calculated. Rather than basing Payout on Rank achieved at a static moment in time, make Payout based on the highest Rank achieved during the previous 24-hours.
This is an easily implementable, simple fix that would make the game much more flexible for players.
More crystals for the Players, more time spent in-game for EA. Win win.
This will not decrease spending because the value of crystals is relative to the crystal income of your peers, so people will still spend to have a competitive edge.
Appreciate the consideration.
Allowing players to change their timezone in game could alleviate this, but it would be messy as players would change frequently and it could cause more stress on EA Answers.
My recommendation is to leave everything as-is, but just change the way Payout Rank is calculated. Rather than basing Payout on Rank achieved at a static moment in time, make Payout based on the highest Rank achieved during the previous 24-hours.
This is an easily implementable, simple fix that would make the game much more flexible for players.
More crystals for the Players, more time spent in-game for EA. Win win.
This will not decrease spending because the value of crystals is relative to the crystal income of your peers, so people will still spend to have a competitive edge.
Appreciate the consideration.
2
Replies
If this idea were to be implemented it would have to lower the amount that top 10 players get and make it more evenly spread out since finishing top 1 lands you an astonishing 500 crystals and 400 in fleet so almost 1000 daily crystals which is beyond insane. It would turn dolphins to f2p.
I personally have an issue with snipers locking you down before payout to help their shardmate buddy's. I have went from 1st to 5th to 9th within less than 7 minute before in the last 10 minutes before payout which is very frustrating as you can't make up the lost ground in time.
I would prefer the game allowing us to change our time zone every month or so to deal with real life changes like migration, vacations, changing jobs and stuff like that.
I disagree. It'll end up with almost the same amount of crystals being awarded. One player gets #1 at 6 PM, another gets #1 at 7 PM. Eventually the same players rotate within the top 10 depending on what time their payout is. Everything outside of the top 50 really doesn't matter because everyone gets about the same amount anyways.
I too struggle to find time to max out my place just prior to payouts. It's really constricting and not really in the players best interest, some people have to work during these times. Having 1 clear set time will never be the answer as life always changes.
I'm all for having a different structure set in place. It's really not fair for the game to choose our payout time either, as everyone has their own availability. At the very least have this changeable once every 30 days or something.
But like I said, crystal value is relative to the crystal income of your peers... so if all my peers can reliably bring in more, I still need to spend to outpace them. I don't see this affecting spending.
Those players in the top 50 are some of the most dedicated EA has. They spend the most time and the most cash in the game. Making their lives a little easier is a small investment that will pay dividends to EA through retention, satisfaction, and increasing competition.
It would end up with higher payout of crystals overall. 3 people in the same current P.O. hour could all get to #1 at some point over 24 hour period so all 3 get 500 crystals per day. Rather than 1 x 500, 1 x 450, and 1 x 400.
50 crystal increase per player per day in the example above with 3 players in the P.O. hour.
I like the idea as it makes it less time specific for those with Work/family commitments, but it would increase overall payout.
This would lead to increased payout of top prizes. They probably won't go for that.
Not to paint EA as a greedy corporate entity, but - there are two purposes behind it. First is to get people to sign on to the game more often throughout the day as this is proven to increase "hooking" people (which is why energy and store refreshes happen several times a day, and at lunch, dinner and after dinner). Second is to decrease the number of crystals awarded while increasing the number spent. Most whales will spend until they run out, then buy a crystal pack.
By keeping a specific hour at a time when most people can play (wife aggro notwithstanding), the cause people to spend more crystals on attempts and cooldown refreshes. More crystals spend = more revenue. Likewise, by having specific payouts EA will not have to payout a first place prize during obscure time slots (eg mid-pacific or mid-atlantic timezones). Less crystals awarded - more bought.
I certainly would be, my payouts were at 6 PM and recently 7 PM, but 5 - 6:30 for me is almost entirely used up by dinner time and the drive home. I really shouldn't be doing arena during that time, but it's the only way to end up in the top 5.
The most profitable games I know are constantly evolving. They remain the best because they are the ones most people play. Certainly people who game the current system would get upset if that system were changed, but other people would take their place, and I have to expect that a quality product would be a net positive in active players.
Maybe an alternative is this only applies to anyone higher than a certain rank, like rank 20 or 50. If you want to get that level (1-20/50) of payout you need to "hold" it. That would allow people in the upper ranks (who will probably never see those super low ranks) to get decent rewards without feeling like they can't make a gain.
It wouldn't necessarily solve the "collusion" problem, but at least could help people get higher rewards occasionally if they have to squad to do it.
Moving to a neighbouring country for work means payout is right smack in the middle of the afternoon but then it doesn't qualify as 4 time zones... EA, please tell me how often people shifts 4 timezones???
submitted a ticket but to no avail. Dont understand their pettiness in terms of providing this service.