An honest conversation about spending, bear with me

BrtStlnd
1094 posts Member
edited August 2016
I've been playing video games for over 30 years and I've probably spent more than $10,000 on games and consoles, extension packs, etc in that span. I have also spent money playing this game. Less than $100 total I'd guess... I honestly love the game and think it's the best mobile game I've ever played so congrats to everyone who's worked on it.

That being said, I'm not personally a fan of the casino style "a chance at" purchases. Some are I'm sure, you can get good stuff... I've seen the screenshots. The times I've spent are when you sell a package with guaranteed items. Mostly raid gear in shipments.

I know a lot of people that bought the rebel pack and honestly it was a great deal. The best part is you knew what you were buying. It was a very informed purchase. Can we get more offerings like that? I'd bet individual character packs would fly off the shelves if you'd guarantee what we were buying. The chance purchases raise frustration and discourage spending when you don't get the stuff you want.

Thanks for making a great game!

Replies

  • +1
    *in game: MC3P0 - The Ewoking Deads
  • Nikoms565
    14242 posts Member
    This is a great point. I am a "guppy" (probably spent about $35 since early December) - but have only spent it on crystal packs and crystal subscriptions since the first purchase. In large part for the same reasons you articulate. That is, knowing what I am getting - as opposed to hoping the SWGOH slot machine is kind.

    With crystals you can always use them for what you want - not what you hope for. You can use them to refresh Cantina energy, or regular energy, purchase gear from the shipments, etc.

    But I agree - I will never purchase any packs that are not specific on what I get. I want to buy something and know I'm not going to get a pile of uselessness for my money.
    In game name: Lucas Gregory FORMER PLAYER - - - -"Whale blah grump poooop." - Ouchie

    In game guild: TNR Uprising
    I beat the REAL T7 Yoda (not the nerfed one) and did so before mods were there to help
    *This space left intentionally blank*
  • Joshmayer5555
    343 posts Member
    edited August 2016
    BrtStlnd wrote: »
    I've been playing video games for over 30 years and I've probably spent more than $10,000 on games and consoles, extension packs, etc in that span. I have also spent money playing this game. Less than $100 total I'd guess... I honestly love the game and think it's the best mobile game I've ever played so congrats to everyone who's worked on it.

    That being said, I'm not personally a fan of the casino style "a chance at" purchases. Some are I'm sure, you can get good stuff... I've seen the screenshots. The times I've spent are when you sell a package with guaranteed items. Mostly raid gear in shipments.

    I know a lot of people that bought the rebel pack and honestly it was a great deal. The best part is you knew what you were buying. It was a very informed purchase. Can we get more offerings like that? I'd bet individual character packs would fly off the shelves if you'd guarantee what we were buying. The chance purchases raise frustration and discourage spending when you don't get the stuff you want.

    Thanks for making a great game!

    Lottery packs is what I call em.... Rigged number generator is what rng stands for.... And the answer to ur question is no. Informed purchase is bad for business.

    Manipulation is better, short term wise. But then again, how long will this game last? Perhaps best to milk us dry quickly.

    Judging by how well the game is designed, I don't think anything is left to chance.... So probably that should give u a bit of clue to ur question of coming up with more "informed Purchase"

    *I have written a lot more along the same line of thoughts, if ur interested to read, join me on line chat group my id is joshmayer
  • Calm down.
  • Theres no bear here... dissapointed
  • BrtStlnd wrote: »
    Calm down.

    Every post I see here is calm.

    The ability to buy game content without the lottery aspect is a fair request.
  • ShaolinPunk
    3486 posts Moderator
    I think the slots mechanic actually lends to purchasing, but I did tend to go for the confirmed offers, which becomes more important the longer you play; there are fewer and specific shards you need.
    **Please tag me (@ShaolinPunk) if you need assistance.** My Collection. . My Poll.. Ally Code: 332-622-913 Discord: shaolin_punk#2107
  • I agree. And I support this by buying the specific packs (character crystals or currency). Unfortunately the RNG is the new model in gaming. It has permeated into console shooters for christsakes. People are leaving Call of Duty b/c new weapons are RNG and Battlefield better watch out. I suspect it's coming their as well (it's already in halo too).
  • It would be such an issue with the randomness of the shard packs but the crap exchange rate on shards of a toon you already have. If you buy a Jedi bundle for a 4 star ani or QGJ but already have them, you get what, 7 shards? Vs keeping QGJ deactivated and at 85 shards, buying the pack and immediately put him at 6*? I think if you have a toon and get the full character from a pack, the duplicate converted shards should be at least half what the original amount was to activate.

    I would even take 30 shards of rarer toons for $10 every now and then. What they run now with just crystals and lottery andros is alienating a lot of dolphin sized spenders
  • I wouldn't mind seeing 1 time purchase on 4 star characters for 9.99. A nice way to unlock a char you don't have and it would make farming a character faster to start.

    Maybe could even have some 5 star ones for 14.99 or 19.99.
  • I stopped spending once it became apparent that the odds of getting the characters that I wanted were so far outweighed by the amount of cash that was converted to shard shop currency. No point in buying anymore. They should do "Seasons" of characters where you can at least have a narrower list of options to get. Their specials are in the right direction, but i wouldn't plop down 50 bucks for their offering. I would maybe try my luck with 350 crystals periodically...
  • Games like these are designed to "tweak" the same areas in your brain as actual gambling does, so with that said, it's doing exactly that by giving people the hope of "winning". It's a proven, effective business model with mobile gaming. So as long as people keep spending, and they will (& ftp should thank them for doing so), this is how these games will operate.
  • So true. I have only spent money on crystals for a specific gear piece.

    Unfortunately though, this type of game does not cater to smart spenders. They make 99% of sales on the top 1% of spenders who either have money to burn or use their mom's credit card.

    But heck yeah if they released young Obi-Wan for straight cash I would buy him! But we know that would mean he would cost $100 to unlock and another $500 to max, which would be outrageous.
  • Kohgahn
    78 posts Member
    edited August 2016
    There is not a chance in Hell I'd ever risk spending on 'Maybe' packs & absolutely reserve what money I may spend here on a Guaranteed option if it's a toon I'd like or require.

    On a side note, if said guaranteed pack offers multiple toons & you already have one of them but you only bought for that one guy/girl you don't have, then it'd be nice if the 'toon to shard' conversion from that Guaranteed toon you already have be a little higher than the norm.

    Oh and that last part there comes from a noob (Hi there!) who hasn't a 7* toon yet.
Sign In or Register to comment.