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This is not a discussion of the current coolant flush announcement or speculation about other tiered consumable modules.
This is a discussion about the MC only consumables we already have, and others that could be implemented in the future that wouldn't skirt the "pay to win" line.
We already have an MC only consumable, premium time. You buy it, it lasts awhile, then it goes away, so you buy it again if you still want it. Few would argue that it is "p2w", people like it because it doesn't enable you to do anything a free player can't do, you only do it with less grind.
I would also call mechbays semi-consumable, They are persistent, but, situations arise where you have to buy more, unless you want to sell an existing mech in order to buy a new one. There has been some argument over these being a paid for advantage in some ways, but really it makes life easier instead of making you better.
Single use Camo. You use it, it goes on, but if you change any of the colours you have to buy the single use camo again, or pony up for an unlock. There was some argument over the implementation, but no one would say its pay to win as...well...its cosmetic.
XP to GXP conversion. You take excess xp on one mech, pay some MC, and get GXP that can be used on any mech, or for modules. Again, time reducing, more convenient, but doesn't let you doing anything better than a free player, just faster and with more flexibility than a free player.
So our existing non-p2w consumables take the shape of either grind-reducing, convenience enhancing, or cosmetic. Below are some ideas, and variations on current consumables that could increase revenue, but not cross the "p2w" line.
1. Premium matches. Would appeal to the casual player. Same advantage as premium time, but only applies to a number of matches. Even the lowest increment of premium time would have to be a better deal, so lets say the average player using premium time plays 2 hours on a premium day, and plays 10 matches in the day. If memory serves that means it would cost 15mc per match (lowest is 150mc right?). Make a premium match cost 25 mc, maybe sell 10 matches for 200 MC or something like that.
1(a) Lower increments premium time. Sell premium time in a one hour increment for 75mc or similar figure.
2. Single use colours. Same logic as single use camo, follow similar pricing scheme.
3. "Heroize" a mech, temporarily. Apply a founders/hero type bonus to a mech, that would stack with premium time. However only have it last a set amount of time, say a week, or a day, or something. Would be useful for grinding out the 3rd variant you don't really like. Again, grind reduction, so should stay clear of "p2w" accusations.
4. Load-out slots. Purchase like mechbays, but apply to a specific mech (slots could be moved around maybe). Allows you to save a loadout, and switch loadouts with a click of a button. Convenience enhancing, doesn't let you do anything a free player can't do. Would probably have to be fairly cheap for anyone to use them.
5. Buy in maps, game modes, tournaments, etc. More of an expansion I guess, I picture this as something like a Solaris Arena mode, with a leaderboard, etc. Basically its a league, or other type of mode, that requires a monthly due. Can't be pay to win as non paying players can't take part. Down side is it chips at the "free to play" aspect of the game, though as long as community warfare remained freely available, and pay modes were auxiliary, It probably wouldn't be too big of an issue. Leaderboard would be viewable to all, events could be reported on in game, etc.
I'm having a hard time thinking of anything that would be used in-game that is MC only, that would be at all useful, but not verge on "p2w".
The best I can come up with are systems that would be otherwise balanced, such as say the reviled coolant flush was MC only, but flushing coolant also reduced your total heat capacity for the remainder of the game (I still don't like this being pay only). Or if clans were pay only factions (really do not like), but you dropped with a number disadvantage for balance (5 clan mech star vs 2 4 is mech lances). Basically pay features, that would be otherwise balanced if they were freely available. Again this chips at the "free to play" model.
MC only consumables are already in game, and have been for awhile. What MC only consumables can you think of that would be worth buying, but not "pay to win"?
My hope is that a thorough discussion of this will allow for a fuller understanding of what is acceptable to the community and what is not.
Edited by cjmurphy87, 05 March 2013 - 09:40 AM.
