Commentary on Micro-transaction Pricing

Note: The following was written to benefit GGG and PoE. One does not spend 4 hours writing something because they are being a whiny b----. Also, too long; didn't read version posted at the end but don't bother replying if you don't actually read the points made herein.

Hello all, I am making this post because I feel that the micro-transaction store needs a rework in the way that items are priced. The short of it is that I feel that there are two key issues with the store: the USD dollar to point conversion rate and the pricing of the items themselves. Now, for those of you reading, please understand that I started playing this game when it went into open beta, that I am a person of limited means, that I have a very long history with the F2P model (Runescape, every Nexon game, KOTOR, League of Legends, etc.), and as such I feel that I can represent a line of thinking from the masses of people who GGG is trying to attract (so please read before you blow it off with the classic, "its a free game, you could have payed $30 for it").

In regards to my first issue, this may very well be an issue with style and personal taste, but to me the point conversion rates on the low end seem a bit unfair. I can understand that GGG is forced to eat the cost of credit card transactions, and based on my limited knowledge of the actual fee (cursory research indicates 1%-4% of the transaction + some set amount about .10$-.25$ depending on the card), it seems reasonable that those who make low end purchases should get less to re-compensate for said fees. However, to us consumers, this comes off as both cheap (used as the negatively connotative adjective) and also ends up in us having wasted money. As the average gamer, I see the price conversions (and then the justification if I even read that part) and I feel that I am being cheated out of those 4 extra points. I feel either:
(1) Why should I be docked because of the .30$-.45$ that credit cards make them pay?
(2) Why should I be penalized for only being able to put $5 into the game right now?
(3) Why can't $5 be $5? This is so confusing/irritating/agitating. (take your pick)

Another point about the point conversions (and the one that I personally feel is more important) is that the current system cheats the player to a certain extent. As of now, the two least expensive prices for items are 25 PTS ($2.50) and 10 PTS ($1.00) with the latter being the premium tab upgrade. So, if I am going to make the most of my $5 (that has now been depreciated to $4.60) I can buy one 25 PT item and two premium tab upgrades. Thus, I have 1 PT (.10$) left over that can not be spent. This example also only accounts for someone who attempts to maximize their spending. What if someone uses their points on a 30 PT item, and with no other alternative, then buys a premium tab upgrade? Then that person has wasted 6 PTS (.60$), meaning that they have lost approx. 13% of the money they put into the store after it depreciated by 8%.

Then you come to me and say, "But Ooshkii, they can just put another $5 to regain that lost value." I find this line of thought to not only be disturbing, but also dangerous, and here is why. I will grant that this problem CAN BE entirely solved by throwing more money at it (provided you maximize your second purchase), but in doing that GGG is saying that you have to pay them to gain access to funds that you should already have access to. Further, no matter how you maximize your purchase, it will take 5 times worth of buying in at the $5 and $10 level before you ever get access to that 1 PT.

With that, I would like to move on to the second issue (the one I take large issue with) wherein I believe that the prices are too high. First of all, if you have managed to track along this far: good job (sincerely), so please hear me out before you play that tired old bit of rhetoric involving the fact that the game is F2P, that I could have had to pay money for it, or that my giving money to the company should be a sign of support for such good work. I (and by extension I can reasonably assume the masses I preport to represent) couldn't be bothered to give a rat's a-- about that. To me, the game is free whether I put money into the store or not and I am only purchasing effects and pets for the sake of owning them. My giving money to GGG is not about supporting them, but rather about what's in it for me (free game aside because that's already free). And GGG people, I sincerely hope you read this. Up to this point you have been riding on the upfront money of fans who positively love your work, but out here in the F2P world, the majority of gamers don't care if you have food on the table and the ability to go see doctor when you need it. If they don't like what they can get from their transactions, they won't put money into a game; they still get to play PoE either way.

So, to skip further exposition, I believe the store prices are WAY to high. More specifically, I feel that they are off by a factor of 10. There really isn't a way to back up my opinion in this matter being that this is an issue of opinion alone, but I can provide some explanation as to my line of reasoning. I would like to start by looking at the game that is currently heralded as the most played game: League of Legends (seriously, go look it up. It has almost as many subscribers as XBOX Live and gets more than twice the play time per month as WoW) This game, from the start, has never allowed players to buy in-game power. All "real money" points can only be used to unlock more champs, something that can be done by a separate currency earned by playing matches as well, or to unlock re-skins of the champs. For the past eight months or so, every skin has cost slightly under $10, with the occasional "Legendary" skin being $20. Every single one of these skins has completely altered the look of the champ, including their clothing, adornments, color pallets, generally changing the color of their attacks, and sometimes remaking their attack effects entirely. This is not the only game that I could reference, just the most easy and well know at hand.

Now, I look at the store here in PoE and I see (what seem to me) some simple weapon aura's going for $20. To get any pet that even kinda looks cool I'll have to fork over at least $10, and there are even some pets going for $90. - Now, I would like to pause here for a moment, because there is something particular about the scorpions that rather makes me mad. I understand that there were some calls for "premium items" because some players wanted to be able to lord over others that they contributed so much more that others had and that they had so much more disposable income (the venom here comes from the fact that said items are not about looking cool, but rather it seems that this request comes from a desire to display that a given player is inherently better than others due to their seemingly higher wealth. I could be wrong, but drawing from my long history in the F2P world this is usually the case) What I do not understand is how changing a characters textures from red to blue would increase their inherent value by $30. - Overall, there is a lot of cool stuff to be had in the store, but if I am expected to spend in excess of $100 just to improve my stash, get 2-3 weapon effects, a pet, an armor effect, I can assure you that is not going to happen. As of yet so far, I have balked at the idea of putting money into PoE on the basis that I get so little back from it.

So, to conclude this wall of text:
(1) I, as a gamer well versed in the F2P universe, feel that there are some fundamental flaws in PoE's microtransaction system.
(2) The depreciation of $5 and $10 transactions comes off as cheap, even given that there are reasons for it.
(3) The current exchange rates and item pricing seemingly cheat players out of their points.
(4) Just buying more points to fix issue 3 sets a dangerous precedent, and is a moot point anyways.
(5) Most gamers outside of the kickstarter group don't care that the GGG folks need to eat, so the classic rhetoric regarding the game's F2P status doesn't work.
(6) What I can get for my money in PoE seems to pale in comparison to most other games.
(7) Without looking at other games, it seems like I have to fork over a truckload of money just to equip one character with cool stuff.

Thank you for your time, and please present any points or counter-points you have to those made above. This is potentially a serious issue and could mean the end of GGG if not dealt with.

most of their stuff in the shop sells too much.

it bothers me also that changing colors of a pet increases its value way too much.
im a 3d artist and i know how easy to make that. even if it has fire effects.

Prepare to be heavily flamed by fanboys. Its just loike things like that are solved here on PoE forums.

It doesnt change facts that prices are pathetic and forcing to buy higher packages is pathetic even more.
I know there isa cheap stuff but cmon... almost invisible weapon effects for 3$ or 5$ when 95% weapon models ingame looks like shit and totally generic and there is not even normal elemental effect on weapons ingame? no no ... And they even dont work well with all weapon types.

Cheap stuff from shop is so lame that its laughable that they want sell it and expensive stuff look acceptable but is 3 times too expensive.

I predict that prices will go down eventually when the first PoE boom will end and the player retention will start, now they just want to milk fanboys and diamonds that will pay 90 DOLLARS (price of 3 PC games easily) for a small pet.

Just wait and see and dont buy anything atm. Its my advice.


Bottom line: PoE have i think most expensive item shop in history of video games and is not even paired with quality (because its still amateurish work).

PS. Calling this MICROtransactions is big misunderstanding. :)

4 hours? Seriously?

Regarding your second point, the fact that you are unwilling to put money into the game means nothing to GGG as there are people who are. The game is free and you are able to play all of it for nothing but your time invested. When I go to the store and I see the awesome pets or effects I want them all. However, I know that I cant afford them all so I pick the ones that I can.

If a person is struggling financially and needs some new clothes, do they buy the most expensive designer shirt there is? No, they shop within their means and find a cheaper option. All of life is like this and so I find it somewhat surprising when people have the reaction you do.

It's not about how much it cost to make a different colored scorpion, it's a little bit more complicated. Without high priced items there is no luxury or "status" items that certain players crave. Remember EVE online and their ridiculously overpriced cosmetic items - monocles and shit... there was a huge outrage at the beginning about the pricing, but later on people grow accustom to it and those who got those items were considered insane/rich/elite/whatever... If all items are equally affordable - then GGG will actually lose quite a lot of money. And remember there are always sales. Even in LoL legendary skins get sales...

About the currency exchange rate - I do believe its illegal in some europe countries to sell amounts of store credit that you cannot spend completely. Unless GGG has some mathematical formula to prove otherwise it can become a problem. To me personally it was never a problem, If i ever add more credit I doubt it will be less than 20$, but I see how this can be a problem for others.

Wow. Just wow.

Just goes to show, people will complain no matter what.

The game is free to play, and the OP takes 4 hours of his day to compose his (or hers) diatribe.

Last I checked no one was making you purchase pets in the store in order to play this game. And that's just what this is, a GAME. It's supposed to be fun, not make you spend a good chunk of your day writing a pissy letter.

Imagine how much you could of advanced a character in four hours time?

TL;DR

But I feel a lot would be solved by implementing this pricing scheme:

50 points - 5,50$
100 points - 10,50$
200 points - 20,00$
500 points - 48,50$
1000 points - 94,00$
2500 points - 219,50$

I can appreciate the amount of time that you spent on your post OP, but I have a simple rebuttal that requires you to be open enough to be willing to look at things a little differently.

Yes, you took great pains to point out how players may not exactly be getting the most value for their money, and you are correct. BUT- the crucial point here is that purchasing from the POE shop is not just about getting value for your money- rather it is also about GIVING BACK/SUPPORTING/DONATING to the developers so that they can KEEP MAKING more FREE content in the future.

The fact is, I find it so refreshing that all these expensive items do NOT give any advantage whatsoever so it is very fair to the poorer individuals (like me) who can only afford the lower tier items to show my support.

The last time I checked, this game is FREE.

WTF you talking about GGG cheating your money.