Microtransaction prices - a bit too high?

Some items do appear to cost excessively.

However, don't under estimate the amount of rich kids/guys out there!

The most efficient way is just buy when the effect you want comes on Daily Deals.

The prices are ridiculous. There is nothing "micro" about them. Every time I open the tab and see flaming weapons and pets for $20-$30 I just roll my eyes and not bother. For that kind of money I can go to steam and buy 3-4 triple A games.

I would love to support this game because I enjoy it, but I cannot justify buying anything other than stash tabs which are a necessity.

I know you guys need sources of income but consider that lower prices might attract more buyers.

I'm sure GGG knows their business model best.

I haven't bought many microtransactions due to the high price but as long as it's the most efficient way to keep funding the game then I'm fine with it.

They should have a large wide range of pricing of transactions (.99 cents all the way up to 20$) as well as many more sales that aren't like 15%.

Also if it's 20$ it better be damn worth it like another gender for my character or something.

Quite frankly I think the prices are fine. I've played other games that have cosmetic upgrades in them and while the price was less initially the items expired after a duration and also were bound to the character on which they were used.

If it were so you had to purchase a ferret pet each month and on each character you wanted it to appear on then yes the price would be too much.

Once you purchase the item on PoE it is there forever for you to use on whichever character you want whenever you want. The cost may be steep but you don't have to keep buying.

I will continue to purchase points through the shop simply because I like the GGG business model. Voting with my dollars even if my stash tabs are maxed out.

Way back in closed beta, before the transaction store was even launched, the intent of GGG was to make cosmetic items single use consumables (a la item transfer). At the time, the idea that microtransactions in the region of $0.10 to $0.50 per single use item.

The feedback from the population was largely negative, citing concern that it would, from a practical perspective, limit the use of cosmetic effects to BiS gear, as no one would throw money away on skinning an item that would be used for only a dozen levels or so. To me, it implied the cosmetics were really only intended for end game characters to display their achievement and uniqueness in doing so.

Ultimately, it was decided that GGG would make cosmetic effects permanent, but at a substantially increased cost due to their permanence, the justification being that GGG has stated that their roadmap for PoE encompasses a ten year horizon, so that $25.00 effect over the game's life expectancy is only $2.50/yr. Sure, the player might leave sooner, or the game might shut down before then, but hey, that was the math at the time.

Personally, I like that the effects are relatively costly. If every player could access the grandest, most vibrant, coolest looking effects for pennies, towns would look like a festival was taking place and everyone has their costume on. As it stands now, there is some exclusivity, which makes those that choose to splurge feel good about their purchases. At least I do.

Here's a link to a report that shows the revenue stats of free2play models in the mobile market and how the vast majority of funding comes from whales.

Here's a small blog that demonstrates how this principle is applied in MMOs.

I think the current monetization model stands on it's own, regardless if you are comparing it to a subscription/box sale/nickel-and-dime model.

There are some vague price tiers here. Newest and fanciest mtx are always the most expensive ones, simple and old are cheap. But I do agree that mid level is a bit too high. I still have over 800 mtx points left but I never buy anything that's not being on a GOOD sale except some limited editions. There are a few thing I plan to purchase, but bloody hell, not at their current price. No worries though, I can wait.

Chris mentioned in a post that GGG releasing a least 2 MTX products every patch keeps the game in good condition.

And like what was mentioned before, buyers choice; if they want to buy it they will.

edit: clarity

Outside of pets and stash tabs, I think all micro transactions more than 30 coins should be reduced by 15-20% for example.

I have two reactions to this.

First - "Meh, GGG is obviously making money selling this stuff, looks like their pricing is okay."

Second - "Holy crap, people spend $28 to make their sword look shiny in a video game. What the hell is wrong with these people."

I do agree that "microtransactions" is a misleading way to put things. $0.33 is a microtransaction. $1.50 is a microtransaction, I guess. $110 for a pretend scorpion isn't micro anything.