106 replies to this topic

[Deathlike]

Xeno Phalcon, on 18 February 2014 - 12:34 PM, said:

Good idea, terrible execution: PGI Methodology 101.

You don't stuff a box with fluff stuff and call it a starter kit, period. Remove the statue, hula girl and dice replace with two normal mech variants of the same chassy as the champion, done.

Suddenly, that sounds like a great idea.

If anything, a starter kit SHOULD include the other variants AND some mechbays to boot. Probably more mechbays (like 2?) for actual added value.

[Jabilo]

As Redshift has pointed out some of these are poor value once you omit the cosmetic items.

Each of these bundles should show a saving once the cosmetic items (useless fluff) are not taken in to account.

Basically the light mech package is at least 500MC overpriced.

If you screw new players over when they do not know better they will remember it later. This is not good for the game.

Get rid of the tat and include a couple of basic colours and then we are talking. Still, I like the idea in principle but I hope to see better execution in the future.

EDIT:

Looks like the light package still shows a saving after cosmetic items are disregarded.

On this basis I am happy to give them a thumbs up.

Edited by Jabilo, 18 February 2014 - 01:13 PM.

[WarHippy]

Eximar, on 18 February 2014 - 12:32 PM, said:

The Hula Girl is standing, Dice are hanging.

They also come with their mech statue hence the comment about two standing items.

Xeno Phalcon, on 18 February 2014 - 12:34 PM, said:

Good idea, terrible execution: PGI Methodology 101.

You don't stuff a box with fluff stuff and call it a starter kit, period. Remove the statue, hula girl and dice replace with two normal mech variants of the same chassy as the champion, done.

This is my thought as well. Fluff does not make for a good starter kit. Add some colors or a single cockpit item sure, but I starter kit should really give something to work with. A league of legends starter kit comes with a handful of champs that cover all the different roles, some runes, and their version of premium time. That is how you do a starter kit.

[Deathlike]

I'm not sure in the value of the colors... less "trinkets" and actual mechs and mechbays increase actual value of said purchase.

Things last longer when money is spent for more productive things.

I thought the whole point of UI 2.0 was to be able to sell bundles like a hero mech AND a mechbay. What happened to that idea?

Edited by Deathlike, 18 February 2014 - 12:43 PM.

[Xeno Phalcon]

Deathlike, on 18 February 2014 - 12:42 PM, said:

I'm not sure in the value of the colors... less "trinkets" and actual mechs and mechbays increase actual value of said purchase.

Things last longer when money is spent for more productive things.

I thought the whole point of UI 2.0 was to be able to sell bundles like a hero mech AND a mechbay. What happened to that idea?

Turned into Champion mech and a Hula girl.

[Timuroslav]

As good an Idea this is. I still wouldn't have chosen the A1 Catapult.
The Other thing is that a Weapons Tutorial is desperatly needed.
I had to tell a Champion Stalker how LRMs work in game. He understood weapons group but not locking on with the LRMs.

[Deathlike]

Xeno Phalcon, on 18 February 2014 - 12:43 PM, said:

Turned into Champion mech and a Hula girl.

Throwing in one cockput item is nice.... but 3???

The guy isn't even getting 3 mechs to use them in!!! (Although, you can put a hanging and standing item in the same mech, not that it is a big deal.)

[mack sabbath]

Deathlike, on 18 February 2014 - 12:45 PM, said:

Throwing in one cockput item is nice.... but 3???

The guy isn't even getting 3 mechs to use them in!!! (Although, you can put a hanging and standing item in the same mech, not that it is a big deal.)

I think new players would gladly drop cockpit widgets for a paint color or two.

[Deathlike]

Stevie Ray Vaughan, on 18 February 2014 - 12:50 PM, said:

I think new players would gladly drop cockpit widgets for a paint color or two.

TBH, it's easier to commit to the "cheap" 1.5m C-bill basic colors instead of a color they may or may not want.

[Rasc4l]

PGI,

this seems like an honest attempt to make things easier for a new player and thumbs up for that.

One thing though. I'm afraid the new player might be disappointed to learn that he needs *two* more mechs to even get everything out of the one he bought. So consider giving at least 2 variants of the same mech in a pack with a price something like you have now for 1 mech. Then the pack would really be -40 % instead of the cockpit fluff.

EDIT: I hadn't noticed Xeno Phalcon had pretty much voiced the same thought in the previous page. But to look at the numbers more carefully:

1. You have to understand that for a new player, all of the current starter packs cost exactly the same amount of money. 3000 MC costs 15 USD but the next step is 6500 MC at 30 USD. Therefore, ALL current starter packs require 30 USD investment. This should not be so. The light pack should cost exactly 3000 MC to let people start with 15 USD investment.

2. As mentioned, you really have to give 2 variants of the same type in the pack. Currently the light starter worth is Jenner F(C) 1450 MC + 30 days 2500 MC = 3950 MC. In practice, the champion Jenner is just a boosted Jenner F, which is worth 1160 MC making the whole pack worth 3660 MC. Without the second variant, you win only 660 MC, which is one reason another mech is justified.

3. The other mech will shield the new user from the grind and third mech will be a nice goal to maximize the effectivity of that particular mech. However, one should already be able to upgrade to elite with 2 mechs, I guess you still need all 3 for even the first step? (Havent bought new stuff for a while, don't remember how the elite level works, needs all 3 for master at least)

4. Now that you're thinking the new player, you should add some reward at least for 1st and 10th kill to motivate during initial difficulties.

Edited by Rasc4l, 18 February 2014 - 01:22 PM.

[Redshift2k5]

Deathlike, on 18 February 2014 - 12:29 PM, said:

That is really not good value.

Perhaps just doubling Premium Time would probably add better value.

Actual savings: 1000 plus 'free' cockpit items. Now I have to wear the abacus of shame.

[Jabilo]

skulk of daemur, on 18 February 2014 - 01:05 PM, said:

Math check isle 3...

1 Jenner Champ - 1450
1 Mechbay - 300
1 30 Premium - 2500

Total..... 4250. Savings of 1000 MC.

Cheers,
daemur

I am happy to give credit where it's due. If you are showing a good saving once cosmetic items are disregarded then the packages are good value and great for new players.

Well done and keep it up.

To be fair though, other comments regarding dropping some of the cosmetic stuff for other variants, colours and mech bays still hold and should be considered.

Redshift2k5, on 18 February 2014 - 01:07 PM, said:

Actual savings: 1000 plus 'free' cockpit items. Now I have to wear the abacus of shame.

But at least your man enough to wear it!

[Deathlike]

Redshift2k5, on 18 February 2014 - 01:07 PM, said:

Actual savings: 1000 plus 'free' cockpit items. Now I have to wear the abacus of shame.

You should be ashamed.... you're supposed to reset the damn thing!

[warner2]

Ugh.

A "starter pack" sounds like it would be useful for new players to give them a boost in getting what they need (which is 'mechs, btw, you can't shoot people with cockpit items) and so it would be more attractive if it contained more 'mechs and less of this cockpit paraphernalia.

[KnowBuddy]

Xeno Phalcon, on 18 February 2014 - 12:34 PM, said:

Good idea, terrible execution: PGI Methodology 101.

You don't stuff a box with fluff stuff and call it a starter kit, period. Remove the statue, hula girl and dice replace with two normal mech variants of the same chassy as the champion, done.

zudukai, on 18 February 2014 - 12:36 PM, said:

weak, give them a full chassis and variant pack, teach them how much better having a mastered mech is!

I agree with these folks. "Starter" is a poor choice of name for these. They are accessory bundles and could be attractive to a new player after getting their bearings, but any way I try to imagine an actual new player starting the game and purchasing one of these, I can't visualize it being a positive experience soon afterward. This does not seem like a good strategy to keep new players, it seems like a good strategy for milking potential new players of their money and then giving them buyer's remorse so that they don't play.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, on 18 February 2014 - 12:50 PM, said:

I think new players would gladly drop cockpit widgets for a paint color or two.

Agreed, I'd prefer paint color over cockpit items in any bundle/package.


In my opinion, the best "Starter Bundle" I can imagine would be:

• 3 'Mech Bays
  
• 1 Hero 'Mech
  
• 2 Normal (non Champion, or 1 normal and one champion) 'Mechs - same chassis as above Hero 'Mech
  
• 1 (MC) UAV
  
• 1 (MC) Arty Strike
  
• 1 (MC) Air Strike
  
• 1 (MC) Coolshot
  
• Premium Time

This would give a new player a ready setup for mastering one or all three of those 'Mechs, premium time to help, and MC consumables to whet their appetite. Throw in a hula girl if desired, sure... but otherwise keep the accessory items to vanity/accessory bundles (like a camo+3colors bundle).

Also, putting aside value vs pricing etc. etc. etc.... anyone else find it hilarious that the promo image states "UP TO 45% OFF" very clearly at the top as well as for each bundle... except that all of the bundles are ABOVE 45% off based on the listed price vs. original price?

[Redshift2k5]

warner2, on 18 February 2014 - 01:18 PM, said:

Ugh.

A "starter pack" sounds like it would be useful for new players to give them a boost in getting what they need (which is 'mechs, btw, you can't shoot people with cockpit items) and so it would be more attractive if it contained more 'mechs and less of this cockpit paraphernalia.

They pack a decent discount even if you ignore the cockpit items

[Raggedyman]

Redshift2k5, on 18 February 2014 - 12:27 PM, said:

I think it would be better overall if these were priced at a dollar value instead of an MC value,

But your dollar to MC rate depends on how much MC you spend, so a flat rate could work out worse for any existing player who wants to buy in on the bundle.

However I do think that having it for less than $30 would be a good thing, as that's one heck of a start up cost to try and tempt people in on.

[Eizel Crow]

great step PGI, just not quite in the right direction. Take out the Fluff as mentioned above and give two variants and some MC. Let the new player decide which fluff to include in the cockpit. This will make them look around the site more and possibly purchase some MC to get what they really want. Basic advertising. great store window, but no one wants two Malibou Barbies'. except Ken.

[EyeOne]

Why are you putting statues and dice in a starter kit? That doesn't make any sense at all. Great idea... though but a big misstep in the execution.

Why not just 3 Jenners and 3 Mechbays for 3300MC or something?

[Tank]

Dice and Hula Girl included? That's a robbery out there!