8 replies to this topic

[Mattressi]

I'd like to see alternative ways to obtain MC. Black Light Retribution has a system where you can "earn" ZEN (their MC) by filling out surveys or participating in other offers (I think it's powered by PeanutLabs). This works really well for them, me and many players. So far I've spent $30 on BLR, solely earned by doing surveys and other offers. I've yet to spend money on other F2P games, but I'm sure that I would spend real money if any F2P game didn't feel massively overpriced (one weapon for $10 to $20, for example). However, I'm happy to pay these ridiculous amounts if I feel like it's not "real" money, and is just money I've got from surveys/offers. I've noticed many people on the BLR forums saying they've got ZEN the same way.

Please consider this. It makes me happy and, presumably, would make you happy.

[Mason Grimm]

Perhaps a more realistic solution to this would be something like DDO has done.

Every XYZ of faction status you get XYZ MC. But this won't come in to play until Faction Warfare pillar is in place.

Nobody likes to give out their personal information to forum/spam centers.

[Mattressi]

Mason Grimm, on 30 October 2012 - 03:41 AM, said:

Perhaps a more realistic solution to this would be something like DDO has done.

Every XYZ of faction status you get XYZ MC. But this won't come in to play until Faction Warfare pillar is in place.

Nobody likes to give out their personal information to forum/spam centers.

So, you're saying an option would be to earn MC ingame? That would certainly be good.

Still, I and many others (form what I've seen) are more than happy to fill out surveys. I'm less inclined to take part in offers/spam, but the surveys on PWE/PeanutLabs are always very professional, market-research types which don't ask for identifying information, other than your age and gender. They also pay quite well (~$1.20 for a 5 to 15 minute survey). I don't see any downsides to this, but I don't know what's actually involved behind the scenes. All I can see is that PWE get money and I get ZEN without spending my "real" money. Not sure if there's a downside for them.

[CypherHalo]

I'd rather they just lower the prices. Mechs should cost between $5-$10. The current prices are insane.

[Adridos]

Im completely against having MC obtainable for free as a game-mechanic.

I know it may seem strange, but the reasoning is simple: once you are free to get boh currencies, the best things will always be for the paid currency, which will also be really hard to obtain. So instead of living without a hula in your cockpit, you'll get a much bigger grind in the game.

[Mattressi]

Adridos, on 30 October 2012 - 03:52 AM, said:

Im completely against having MC obtainable for free as a game-mechanic.

I know it may seem strange, but the reasoning is simple: once you are free to get boh currencies, the best things will always be for the paid currency, which will also be really hard to obtain. So instead of living without a hula in your cockpit, you'll get a much bigger grind in the game.

Yeah, I can understand your reasoning on this, too. At least earning MC from surveys shouldn't encourage them to make the game like that, since it's still an external way of getting the MC, rather than earning it ingame.

[Stickjock]

Interesting idea earning MC in game... sort of the way in that tank game in their Clan Wars different territories on their Global Map are worth differeing amounts of gold... hold that province for 24 hours and your Clan/Guild makes that amount... then it's up to the Clan/Guild officers to dole out the funds in a pay system to their members...

[Danabrion]

game

Stickjock, on 30 October 2012 - 04:10 AM, said:

Interesting idea earning MC in game... sort of the way in that tank game in their Clan Wars different territories on their Global Map are worth differeing amounts of gold... hold that province for 24 hours and your Clan/Guild makes that amount... then it's up to the Clan/Guild officers to dole out the funds in a pay system to their members...

I play this tank game, the system its designed for gamers that really commit to the game, and its a clan member, casual players (like me) usually can´t enter (you need to be member of a clan, commit to shedules, practice with the team), so yes, its a good sistem, but you really need spare time to make it work, I think the companies have the right to make some money, after all they need to pay their people, but sometimes the currency cost of the good stuff its nuts. If gamers like what they sale, and its price it adequate, they will pay it (then theres diablo 3 and its auction house...)

[Lazytron]

Mason Grimm, on 30 October 2012 - 03:41 AM, said:

Perhaps a more realistic solution to this would be something like DDO has done.

The amount earned in DDO is really not that much, and I think actually encourages people to spend money, since it gives them a reason to use points and feel out the interface that they might not even look at otherwise. I know that when I went into DDO I was totally freaked out by the fact that I could earn their "hard currency" for playing, but it was just the right amount to be a carrot (play more) and a stick (just buy some already, this is going to take forever) at the same time.

The tricky part is finding that sweet spot. Good place to tie into the "first win of the day" thread, IMO. 5MC for a first win of the day would still mean over 1.5 months of playing daily to get a mechbay slot, and about a year for a mech. Not enough to really push the inflation, but might be a good starting point to draw people in.