6 replies to this topic

[DirePhoenix]

WIth news about the upcoming 'Mech Visualization System coming in the 11/27 patch, I'm pretty excited to get the chance to give (some) of my 'mechs new paintjobs, however, some of the details leave me a bit concerned about the monetization plan for these customizations. Especially the part where it looks like you're charged MC every time you want to make a change to your paintjob.


Here's a simple suggestion to rework it:

Things to charge MC for:

• Access to paintjob patterns (for the 'mechs they work for)
  
• Access to color "packs" (beyond the 5 "basic" colors)

Things to NOT charge MC for:

• changes to paintjobs from available patterns/colors. (This could be a C-Bill charge)

How this works:

Just like painting miniatures for the TT, you have to buy the paints, but you get to paint your 'mechs any way you want with those colors once you have them. This way, you "unlock" patterns and colors with real-money purchases, but players aren't gouged (for real money) every time they want to make a minor change (for example, if they discover a color or pattern doesn't quite work like they thought in the 'mechlab as opposed to how it looks on the Caustic map). This method also allows players to more easily switch between paintjobs depending on the situation: for another example: some players may want different colors depending on if they're pugging, or maybe they'd like to switch to "parade colors" when playing as a group.

Under the current system, they'd have to pony up some real cash every time they wanted to change their looks, no matter how large or small. Purchasing and more importantly, RE-PURCHASING colors/patterns they may have previously bought if they switch back.

It also looks like these purchases are going to be 'mech specific, as in: Purchase a "Dazzle" pattern (with real money) for your Cataphract, and you can use it for the current paintjob on your Cataphract. If you want to paint your Awesome with a "Dazzle" pattern, you have to purchase that pattern AGAIN on that Awesome. And AGAIN for any variant you want that pattern on.

Another minor quibble:

Founder's 'Mechs and Hero 'Mechs: These should not be segregated from the 'mechs that are able to be customized. They should have the special patterns they come with as the "default" patterns, but those special patterns should be "in addition to", not "instead of" options. For example, only a Yen-Lo Wang can wear the CN9-YLW pattern, but it should also be able to use the purchased patterns as well. Founder's 'Mechs should be the only ones able to use the Founder's 'Mech patterns, but they should also be able to use the purchased patterns as well.

Pricing:

This is probably the most flexible because other than the mock-up photos, we haven't really seen any actual prices yet. However, if changes are made so that paintjob patterns and colors are account unlocks instead of per-'mech/per-change purchases, that could allow for a higher one-time MC charge for permanent access to that pattern or color pack, instead of being jabbed every time you want to make a minor change to a personal customization.

Edited by DirePhoenix, 26 November 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[PropagandaWar]

I disagree. You get so much for free in this game that I think you should be charged for paintjobs every time. Camo a one time fee, decals nope but paintjobs yep.

[Homeless Bill]

PropagandaWar, on 26 November 2012 - 10:58 AM, said:

I disagree. You get so much for free in this game that I think you should be charged for paintjobs every time. Camo a one time fee, decals nope but paintjobs yep.

If this is the way they keep it, I'll never buy a paintjob. They either give me my money's worth or don't get my money. I feel like they'll end up losing more money trying to be [REDACTED] than letting people collect tons of camo patterns for cheap. I'd sink ten bucks for ten patterns right now if I could keep them and swap them out.

Edited by Stickjock, 26 November 2012 - 05:18 PM.
removed ethnic slur

[Lycanstrom]

Homeless Bill, on 26 November 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

If this is the way they keep it, I'll never buy a paintjob. They either give me my money's worth or don't get my money. I feel like they'll end up losing more money trying to be Jewish than letting people collect tons of camo patterns for cheap. I'd sink ten bucks for ten patterns right now if I could keep them and swap them out.

Did you seriously just hurl an insulting epithet on this forum? Geez man... mature a bit more and try to make your point again.

[Mathmatics]

I like the you're idea sir. Not quite as much as the ideas posted http://mwomercs.com/...-paint-with-mc/ but at least you put you're suggestion in the correct sub forum!

[Sulf]

Quite frankly, the paint mechanics as described are unacceptable. I accept c-bill sinkholes they have in mech upgrades even though, I dislike them and disagree with them, I can live with them. Charging us every time we change paint is outrageous. Even the prices are unreasonable.

If I have to pay every time for every mech I'd expect it to be closer to 25 mc, not 750. 750 is more reasonable if we were buying a infinite use skin like the pc gamer skin. Buy once, use on as many mechs as we like.

If I have to buy multiple skins, that's fine, if I have to buy different paint sets, fine, individual paints, fine.

The most important thing is that I get to keep what I pay for. This is why I will never buy gxp. It's temporary.

These prices and mechanics are out of sync with the real world and need to be fixed. It's unreasonable and dissuading me from buying any when I'd be more than happy to buy all if the price was fair.

[Homeless Bill]

Lycanstrom, on 26 November 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Did you seriously just hurl an insulting epithet on this forum? Geez man... mature a bit more and try to make your point again.

Sorry about that, everyone. For reasons I won't go into, that term has become a part of my casual vocabulary, and I don't think when I use it. It shouldn't have been posted here, I meant no disrespect (except to PGI for being greedy =P), and I'll make sure to double-check my posts from now on.

My point, however, still stands: they're trying to crank us for a bunch of money on a few purchases, rather than tiny amounts on a bunch of purchases. I think it will fail them in the long run. Even though die-hard founders and beta participants are willing to cough up the cash for now, I'm not so sure the casual player is willing to pay anything close to what they're asking for a single 'mech or non-permanent paint job (or anything else, for that matter) right now.