273 replies to this topic

[Banditman]

So, with the recent addition of cockpit items, camo specs and coloring, PGI has finally put something out there that fits very neatly into the mold of money making, but not game breaking. I definitely applaud that sort of monetization of the game. It works fine.

What I'd like to focus on here however is the camo and coloring monetization. It's all wrong. I'm sorry PGI, you're doing it wrong. It won't last. Allow me to explain.

As I'm sure we're all aware, new mechs are going to be an ongoing content delivery. We're always going to be seeing new mechs. That's great! Everyone loves new content! Due to the mechanics behind the mech efficiencies, each new chassis is in effect three (minimum) new mechs to go in my garage, assuming that the chassis itself interests me.

Here's where the problems come.

I have no problem paying for the extra mech bays to store these mechs. I accept that, it's another example of monetization that doesn't impact the fight on the field. Kudos again. But seriously, it costs me real $$ every time I change my paint? Really? This is a problem. Let me point out some of the obvious issues (to me).

1. As part of a FWL unit, I "paint" all my mechs in the FWL colors. Cool right? Except that I have 30 mechs! Even a "cheap" paint job is $3-$5. Times 30 mechs! Bad! I have more money in PAINT than I spent on the mechs!

2. Now, I join a Combine unit. DISASTER! I have to repaint all my mechs to Combine colors!

What this does is quickly make the most dedicated players realize that "paint isn't worth it". This monetization mechanism becomes largely unused because people simply can't afford to do it!


May I point out a much more sane solution, that I believe in the end will earn PGI more money?

I humbly submit that once I pay for a color once, I can use it on any of my mechs, as often as I want. Simply, I "unlock" a given color (for MC) and then use it for free, on any of my mechs, forever.

Going a step further, there are already "Filters" for colors . . . "Marine", "Desert", "Woodland", etc. Perfect! Sell them at a discounted rate as a package! Maybe I want "Marine Black". Ok, I can get that for 200 MC. However, Banditman, wouldn't you really like to have all four "Marine" colors for 500 MC? "Why yes! Yes, PGI, I would! Thank you!"

Now take the concept to your camo.

I buy "Dazzle" once, and I use it on any mechs that I own. When Dazzle is sold, it should be applicable to any mechs that are currently announced. Mechs announced later, PGI can choose to release another "Dazzle" and I'll buy it (or not), or they can simply say "Dazzle only applies to those mechs".

Now, take it to the next level.

I want to buy the camo pattern "Deerstand". Ok Banditman, we'll sell you Deerstand for 500 MC. However! Wouldn't you really like to bundle Deerstand with the "Woodlands" color set for 900 MC? "Why . . YES! Yes I would! Thank you for taking my money PGI!"

I am already a dedicated premium account holder. I'm going to keep my premium account even once the "free" time from Founders runs out. I want to support the game. Honestly, I'd love if there was a simple "monthly" subscription I could pay for.

However, reasonably priced things like this can definitely attract me to spend more money with PGI. Right now, paint doesn't fall in this catagory. It's a consumable option. I can't justify that. CBills from premium? I keep them. XP? Yep. Mech Bays? Sure. Paint? Nope! Gone!

Help me spend more money with you PGI. Let me buy the paint and use it wherever and whenever I want.

[Matte Black]

I support these Ideas.

[davey wonder]

I support these ideas too, or even paying to unlock a pattern/color for a single chassis type. As it stands now, I wont be spending MC on paintjobs that I can't "keep" whereas if I could unlock the pattern or color, even just for that chassis, I would have bought several by now.

The current model may be similar to other f2p models, but that's not, inherently, a valid reason to follow it. If it works for PGI, then I just wont be getting any colors, but hopefully they'll realize there's a large demographic of users who would pay to unlock camo per variant as long as they could re apply it without an MC cost (even a CBill cost would be understandable!).

Edit: You guys have some great ideas- packs are amazing, and I'd definitely buy those. As well as the novel idea for a quite cheap (tens of MC) pay per use option, and more expensive to permanently buy it.

edit 2: One thing I'd like to add is this: I wouldn't claim to be any sort of expert in business, or f2p games specifically. But I do know that creating a mech is a pretty personal experience, as games go. Maybe World of Tanks feels similar, I don't know. But there are SO MANY possible builds for each mech variant, that by the time you've brainstormed, tested, and decided you like one, it feels like it's uniquely yours (a little self deception never hurt anyone). Many players, like myself, feel that camo spec is a natural extension of this, and are perfectly willing to front MC for colors and patterns we like. However, having them permanently taken for trying something new turns me off from the entire concept. Hopefully PGI considers this angle when they discuss this issue.

Edited by davey wonder, 29 November 2012 - 12:01 PM.

[Taryys]

I agree.. I would not mind having both options.

Have a cheaper pay per use option for those who want it, and for those paintaholics have the option to purchase colors/patterns permanently.

[Redshift2k5]

Banditman, on 29 November 2012 - 11:34 AM, said:

Going a step further, there are already "Filters" for colors . . . "Marine", "Desert", "Woodland", etc. Perfect! Sell them at a discounted rate as a package! Maybe I want "Marine Black". Ok, I can get that for 200 MC. However, Banditman, wouldn't you really like to have all four "Marine" colors for 500 MC? "Why yes! Yes, PGI, I would! Thank you!"

I want to buy the camo pattern "Deerstand". Ok Banditman, we'll sell you Deerstand for 500 MC. However! Wouldn't you really like to bundle Deerstand with the "Woodlands" color set for 900 MC? "Why . . YES! Yes I would! Thank you for taking my money PGI!"

Yes please! I won't buy any paint in the current non-unlocked system but I guarantee I will spend money on paint/deco I can maintain in my inventory and use again.

[Dexion]

This... holy cow this. Great post.

[Kunae]

Taryys, on 29 November 2012 - 11:42 AM, said:

I agree.. I would not mind having both options. Have a cheaper pay per use option for those who want it, and for those paintaholics have the option to purchase colors/patterns permanently.

MC's to buy the permanent paint sets.

C-Bills to apply them to mechs.

[Taryys]

Sign me up, cowboy!!

Kunae, on 29 November 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

MC's to buy the permanent paint sets.

C-Bills to apply them to mechs.

[River McCain]

Kunae, on 29 November 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

MC's to buy the permanent paint sets.

C-Bills to apply them to mechs.

+1 to this and the main ideas at the top.

[Kdogg788]

What I've been saying all along. If the PC Gamer skin is "free" with its associated free colors that you can swap at will, why not give the option of buying similiar camo & color packs. Otherwise, all my mechs will be rocking some combination of PC Gamer skin or default and colors.

-k

[ciller]

Lets keep bumping these ideas to the top. I'd like to see how we buy our paint done differently then it currently is. As it stands, there is no incentive for me to buy the MC paint. Sorry, just can't do it. Not if I don't keep it. Make it so I have to spend Cbills every time I want to change, fine but don't make me pay MC every time.

Please listen to the first post and other sensible posts in this thread and change cammo spec!

[SpiralRazor]

I support the OP 100%

[Quad Ace]

Can I sign more than once?

[Kyrie]

I support the OP's ideas here 100%.

[ObsidianSpectre]

I agree with this. I absolutely will not buy camo or colors with the current method of selling them. I absolutely would buy camo and colors with the OP's proposal.

[Relic1701]

Variation on a theme, buy a camo spec & palette for set MC price, that covers 3 mechs (enough to master), after that, your paint runs out, and the templates become too clogged up with paint to be used properly.

[MadPanda]

Do I want to sell more MC? Nope, thanks for asking.

[Shae Starfyre]

I agree. +1

[Ragor]

What about this:
#1 Pay cbills per colour per mech to have this paintjob for up to 14 days.
#2 Pay MC per colour per mech to have this paintjob permanently.
#3 Pay 3 times the MC per colour to 'own' this colour permanently. To apply this colour to a mech pay with cbills. (...or an aleternative would be to pay 1/10 of the regular MC rate for the specific paintjob .)

Edited by Ragor, 29 November 2012 - 12:12 PM.

[Kunae]

Ragor, on 29 November 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

What about this:
Pay cbills per colour per mech to have this paintjob for up to 14 days.
Pay MC per colour per mech to have this paintjob permanently.
Pay 5 times the MC per colour to 'own' this colour permanently. To apply this colour to a mech pay with cbills OR the 1/10 of the regular MC rate.

Yeah,... no.

No to "paint rentals".