I think the frustration lies in that I, as a current customer, spent currency in a manner(stingy and avoiding colors) that would benefit my play in what I perceived the long run. Thinking that down the road when it caught on that permanent colors were the way to go, I would happily spend my money on them.
However I also purchased what would equate to one time use colors at a price I thought fitting. And spent other mc on other things while waiting for the right opportunity to buy good colors I wanted. At which time I would trade more money for currency and blow it all on colors.
People are upset about this because when it comes down to it, your current customer base feels screwed out of things that they have already supported you for, in favor of being able to assure future customers something. It makes us feel taken for granted.
You are correct for assuming people will complain that people who played the game before them got better deals. But common man, that's why we signed on early and payed to play an unfinished game.
And what about when you inevitably lower your color prices? Don't you think there will be a bit of an uproar from those who spent more for something earlier and want a refund of the difference.
Hypothetically, I want to complain that founders got a better deal then I did and I refuse to spend money on your game until you give a similar deal. Wouldn't it be logical then to take away the founders mechs, uprgrade them, thank the founders for their support and tell them they can have their mechs back for an extra $20 bucks because the players who aren't paying yet want it?
Upsetting your CURRENT customers to appease POSSIBLE future customers who MIGHT have problems with something in the past is where I believe the issue resides. Its a matter of customer loyalty.
I've already payed you for something. You took that thing away, made it better and now want to sell it back to me for more. And also think I'm going to be happy about it. Those are some pretty grand assumptions to make.
I think another point your missing is that many people just want the colors on their individual mechs back. I would have gladly let you keep all the currency. I don't even want permanent color options. Just want back what I payed/played for. Then I would be ready to purchase more currency so I could buy more colors.
But what if you decide tomorrow to reset them and up the prices again? How can I be sure my money isn't being wasted on a price gouging company who refuses any wiggle room? What if they keep thinking this is an acceptable business practice? How can I in good conscience continue to recommend this game(that I have loved nearly my whole life) to my friends?
I don't need or want white for anything but my atlas...which is why I only bought it once...for my atlas. Now to have the same gameplay experience I, like a junkie, have to give you more money to feel ok again.
I understand that employees of PGI dont get free currency. However as employees they have inside knowledge on the when or where or how things will be implemented which enables you to invest your real money and currency in a more informed manner. A courtesy that was not extended to the community.
If I had had any indication that my mech colors where going to be reset at any time, or any other part of my account, I would have continued to hold onto my currency. But I was under the impression once closed beta ended that there would be no more resets. Mistakenly I assumed that meant for the whole of the game.
I can handle the prices but my concern is the destruction of trust.
I understand that you reserve the right to change the game and understand that's part of what I signed up for. You can even rest assured that its going to take more than poor business ethics to drive me away from a franchise I hold so dearly. Just know that before this fiasco, any dollar that went into my gaming jar had "buy moar mc" written in bold black marker. But for now they all just say "check steam sales".
Edited by TK42Kahn, 06 February 2013 - 01:38 PM.